Mandarin Oriental Manila (MOM) is located in Makati which is the premier commercial center in the Philippines. However, it is a bit out of the way compared to the other 4- or 5-star hotels in the area. Better situated hotels are: Shangri-la Makati, Peninsula, Intercontinental, Niko and New World.

Pluses for MOM: outstanding service (best IMHO), Cathay Pacific's CityCheck service located in the hotel (if you have luggage and are flying CX), good entertainment at the ground floor bar (forgot its name).

Minuses: Fitness center is awfully small. The Chinese restaurant is overrated and expensive.

The Tivoli grill is excellent but then again there are so many great restaurants in the area.

If the price is about the same, I would rather stay at the Shangri-la. It is literally within shouting distance of all the attractions and outlets in the area.


[This message has been edited by bp888 (edited 06-15-2000).]