If you're going to visit Manila, the best place to stay is an area called Makati. There are a lot of alternatives in various price ranges there. Avoid the Mandarin Oriental even if it is unduly cheap, the location is not so good and the hotel needs work. Top of the line are the Shangri-La Makati (not the other locations) and the Peninsula -- if you shop around you'll find them cheaper than the same brands in other places.

There are bright yellow metered taxis just outside both terminals, it will cost you less than US$8 to take one to your Makati hotel. Make sure you get some PHP at the airport before getting in one, there are ATM machines but their location is a bit obscure, keep asking.