Originally Posted by
orson_y
sofitel is quite isolated, it is a plus if you want peace and quiet. it is "near" the big shopping center - SM Mall of Asia, but it is not walking distance. in fact nothing of interest is within walking distance. i think you need to walk down the main road to get regular taxi otherwise only hotel taxi are available at the main entrance (ramp).
Raffles is the newest one, though i think a bit overpriced. shangrila in makati has got a good reputation though.
It's isolated yes but I would say that if you have a normal/basic shape/fitness/condition (don't know what's the best word here
) you can easily walk a few kilometres in 45 minutes or so to the old town, Itramuros, for example. But taxi is of course easy and cheap way to do it.
I like to keep this hotel as my base in Manila and then either walk or take taxi to different part of the huge city. Makati is about 20 minutes ride from the hotel, depending on traffic, so not that bad.
When you order taxi, remember to say to bellboys/concierge that they will order you a normal metered taxi. Otherwise they'll call some more expensive car to take you where ever you are going to.