Manila : Shangri La or Peninsula ?

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Nov 13, 2012, 11:03 am

#16

HKGorBust

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Dunoon, Hong Kong & Milton Keynes

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 87

I've stayed in both and I think the pool is better in the Pen - my 3 year old daughter thought the same

Nov 13, 2012, 11:10 am

#17

Kuki

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: London, United Kingdom

Programs: BA Gold, Starwood Platinum & Hilton Diamond

Posts: 134

Or what about Mandarin Oriental? Is it good choice in Manila?

Nov 13, 2012, 1:56 pm

#18

Kuki

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: London, United Kingdom

Programs: BA Gold, Starwood Platinum & Hilton Diamond

Posts: 134

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardInSF

Whichever one you pick (I chose Shang), be sure to get on club level. Also, rate will be 20% higher than quoted in advance, they both do some sneakiness with currency conversion regardless of the currency you are billed in. Depressing but seemingly not anything you can change without a lot of hassle.

I don't follow you? How's that possible if I pay in PHP with credit card?

Nov 14, 2012, 1:04 am

#19

HKGorBust

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Dunoon, Hong Kong & Milton Keynes

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 87

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardInSF

I must admit I've stayed at both many times and never encountered this - I have always booked the room in the local currency and paid exactly what I was quoted - I never trust booking site currency conversions. Are you sure you are not getting stung on taxes?

Nov 14, 2012, 1:54 am

#20

Kuki

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: London, United Kingdom

Programs: BA Gold, Starwood Platinum & Hilton Diamond

Posts: 134

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKGorBust

Are you sure you are not getting stung on taxes?

I was thinking that too.

Nov 14, 2012, 5:56 am

#21

Ericka

Join Date: Feb 2003

Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM

Posts: 3,431

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKGorBust

I've stayed in both and I think the pool is better in the Pen - my 3 year old daughter thought the same

Can you elaborate on what specifically you (and your 3 year old) liked about the pool? Or what made it better? Thanks.

Nov 14, 2012, 7:20 am

#22

HKGorBust

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Dunoon, Hong Kong & Milton Keynes

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 87

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericka

Can you elaborate on what specifically you (and your 3 year old) liked about the pool? Or what made it better? Thanks.

I though the service was better poolside at the Peninsula and it looked a little better. I also saw on two occasions the life guard dive in and rescue a kid which was fairly impressive - I thought they were very attentive.

Very family focused especially at the weekend

Nov 14, 2012, 9:01 am

#23

Ericka

Join Date: Feb 2003

Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM

Posts: 3,431

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKGorBust

Thanks.

Nov 15, 2012, 11:50 am

#24

Braniff

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Europe

Programs: UA:1K MM, AF:FB-Platinum; QR: PC Platinum, FI: Saga Gold

Posts: 2,934

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueline7

I just stayed at the Sofitel Manila, and had an excellent stay. It has a large resort style pool - reportedly the best in Manila, and the service was consistently excellent. I have not stayed at the Shang or Pen so cannot compare, however.

I agree that the Sofitel is quite nice. Note however that it's not anywhere close to Makati.

I'd pick the Peninsula over the Shangri-la anytime. A much classier operation.

Feb 8, 2016, 12:06 pm

#25

TOMFORD

Join Date: Jun 2012

Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver

Posts: 4,896

Is the Pen still the best choice in the Makati area? I know the MO has closed. Sadly Pen is not on Virtuoso so no benefits

Feb 8, 2016, 12:15 pm

#26

LM225

Join Date: Apr 2008

Posts: 1,151

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMFORD

Is the Pen still the best choice in the Makati area? I know the MO has closed. Sadly Pen is not on Virtuoso so no benefits

I believe that most Virtuoso agents on this board are also members of PenClub, which will get you similar (and in many cases, better) benefits at the Pen Manila.

In fact, looks like there's even a third night free offer for that property through March.

Feb 8, 2016, 12:44 pm

#27

TOMFORD

Join Date: Jun 2012

Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver

Posts: 4,896

Got it, thanks! Pen is the go to luxury hotel then for a first timer in Manila? I'm mainly interested in proximity to local food and what public transportation may be available.

Feb 8, 2016, 1:18 pm

#28

KI-NRT

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Everywhere

Programs: UA GS 3MM, NH PLT

Posts: 766

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMFORD

Got it, thanks! Pen is the go to luxury hotel then for a first timer in Manila? I'm mainly interested in proximity to local food and what public transportation may be available.

Yes, without a doubt. It's in the lower-tier of Pens, but it's as good as they come in Manila. A notch above Shangri-La.

Oct 4, 2023, 10:55 pm

#29

Isochronous

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: SPG Platinum

Posts: 1,689

Is the Peninsula still better than the Shangri La at the Fort? Wanting to know the best 5 star option in Manila. Or do we need to also consider Conrad, Grand Hyatt, Sofitel, or Okura?