Help with 1st trip to Philippines
 

Hey all, Newbie here, looking for some input for my first trip to the Philippines, Manila 9 days, 8 nights. Going solo and no, not to pick out a bride lol. Like where to stay for starters, not really interested in couch surfing or hostels but can’t do the 5 star joints either. Trying to keep the fee around $50 US to $60 a night without having to sleep with one eye open :-) and hopefully in the Makati area.

I’ve seen pictures of some places that fit the bill but some of the reviews left said they were old and run down with terrible service. I was looking at some apartment rentals across from the Mall of Asia that are in that price range, has anybody used them in the past and have recommendations or Hotels (Bonus if they earn me some points, Newbie to Miles & Points too) that you’ve stay in that are comfortable?

Also planning on getting out to Palawan, Bohol and Sagada if anyone has recommendations on where to stay at those locations as well, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

Trip Advisor would be your friend in this case.

Thanks for Heads Up
 

Thanks for the heads up tkelvin. I've been on Trip Advisor and that is where I got the idea of renting a condo but what I'm really interested in is someone who has used and stayed in these places. They all look good on Web Sites but what I'm looking for is a real experience. :-)

Hi, let me try to help you.. :)

If you want to stay in Makati area, you can check the ff:

http://www.stgilesmanila.com/
http://www.tunehotels.com/our-hotels/makati-manila
http://www.berjayahotel.com/manila/en/

If you want to stay close in Mall of Asia:

http://www.microtel-manila.com/ppc/


As for your itinerary, are you sure you don't want to go to Boracay? I wouldn't miss it if I were you. Sagada is way too far. Will take you about 7 hours or more. I don't think there's an airline that goes to that area.

You can probably do 3 days in Palawan, 2 days in Bohol, 2 days in Boracay and 2 days in Manila.

You can check the ff airlines:

www.airasia.com
www.cebupacificair.com
www.flyzest.com


Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to message me or reply if you need more info/help. :)

Hi 42levels
I'm not sure I'll be much help but I travel to the Philippines every year as I'm a keen scuba diver and the diving there is second to none.
When in Manila I stay at the Shangri La or Peninsula so I'm not sure about hotels in your budget, but I can recommend some great restaurants in Makati if interested...

Anyway this year we wanted to see more of the Philippines and we went up to Sagada and Banaue - it is truly stunning and very rewarding but a royal PITA to get to. We hired a driver and guide to get us there and show us about, and stayed in the Banaue Hotel which is an experience in itself. It's a good solid 10 hour drive each way. Flying is not really possible. There are buses that leave Manila for Banaue and then on to Sagada. The buses often travel through the night to get there, and stop several times.

Palawan is my favourite place in the Philippines. The landscape is stunning and the diving is wonderful. We always stay near a town called El Nido in Bacuit Bay. There are reasonably priced hotels in the town, or you may want to go further south to Puerta Princesa, the largest town on the island, but I haven't been there and can't comment. I stay in a place called Minoloc, part of El Nido Resorts, but the prices might put you off if on a budget.
Flights to El Nido can be pricey - we use Island Transvoyager. You might be better flying to Puerto Princesa on PAL.

When we went to Bohol, we did an overnighter. Left Manila early morning and stayed at a hotel called the Peacock Garden. Not on the beach, out the way in the hills. The next morning we hired a guide and driver to do the main tourist route - Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers etc. again, its gorgeous. We flew back later that afternoon.
Tagbilaran airport is a treat - very small. The departure gate singers are hilarious. Ask for an upgrade at checkin. We were given one for about $12.

A few bits of info. Probably not very helpful but any questions do ask or pm me.
Cheers.

Hey Essentialgal, :D thanks for the hotel suggestions but unfortunately they are way out of my budget range. I really do appreciate your help very much. I was able to find a vacation condo for rent in Makati that is perfect for my budget and the place is less than a year old. If anyone is interested, I found it on Trip Advisor.

Boracay from what I've heard is mostly beautiful white beach's, not really into the beach thing but Palawan (underground river) and Bohol (Chocolate Hills) are definitely in and Sagada will be out as I looked up what it takes to do and way too hard for the short time I'm out there.

Since you most likely will be routing thru Cebu for Bohol, I would also suggest exploring Cebu maybe for a day or two.

Just returned from Philippines and strongly recommend Bohol as there was much to see and it's quite interesting. It was relatively untouched by the war so there are a lot of old churches and such as well as the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, river cruise and so on. We stayed on Panglao Island where there is a good assortment of hotels in all price levels. The views of the ocean are stunning, especially at sunset. BTW, those singers at the Tagbilaran Airport are blind. I hope Jet Ranger dropped a few pesos in their box since he found them so hilarious.