Hilton Manila {PHL}
Mar 11, 2019, 12:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 831
Hilton Manila {PHL}
Have an upcoming stay next week, 2 rooms 1 as Diamond another as Gold. Will just be for a short stopover before flight to HNL.
Found there was no FT thread per this wiki , so decided to start one.
Executive Lounge has already reached out with some prelim info:
They've also attached a map of the Resorts World Manila Complex, where the Hilton resides in. Will report back how the actual stay goes.
Found there was no FT thread per this wiki , so decided to start one.
Executive Lounge has already reached out with some prelim info:
As our Hilton Honors Diamond member, access to Hotel’s Executive Lounge located on Level 5 is guaranteed, regardless of the room type booked or received. You can take advantage of private check in & check out as well as enjoying a light breakfast from 6.00am to 10:30am daily or a wider option in our all day dining restaurant KUSINA. Our pre-dinner cocktail event can be enjoyed each evening with cocktail food and alcohol and non-alcoholic from 6.00pm to 8.00pm with drinks extended to 9.00pm.
Mar 11, 2019, 6:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: NH Dia/SFlyer, JL Crystal/JGC, MB Plat, WoHyatt Glob, IHG Dia Amb, HHonors Dia
Posts: 281
I spent one night at the Hilton Manila end of February. Arrived at 8:30 pm, the buffet at the lounge was already cleaned up. Therefore can’t comment about the quality of the cocktail food.
As far as I remember this was my first stay as Gold or Diamond at a Full Service Hilton property in SE Asia without being upgraded, not even to the Executive floor or to Pool view. There was an opening event going on at the night of my stay, which was the excuse for no upgrade availability. However, almost every room type was still on sale according to the app.
The breakfast at Kusina was ok. Hilton standard. Nothing to write home about.
The Resort World has a free of charge shuttle from MNL but it’s only running once per hour.
As far as I remember this was my first stay as Gold or Diamond at a Full Service Hilton property in SE Asia without being upgraded, not even to the Executive floor or to Pool view. There was an opening event going on at the night of my stay, which was the excuse for no upgrade availability. However, almost every room type was still on sale according to the app.
The breakfast at Kusina was ok. Hilton standard. Nothing to write home about.
The Resort World has a free of charge shuttle from MNL but it’s only running once per hour.
Mar 12, 2019, 6:17 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
Enjoy your stay, I love this hotel, staff of the Executive Lounge is great, Ms Benn runs a great EL. Its right across the street from Terminal 3 and the entrance is across from Resorts World Manila shopping mall. You can either walk across the footbridge, take the RWM free shuttle, though it won't drop you right at Hilton, or Grab. Check in at the EL on the 5th floor, someone should escort you up there. Pool is great, heated and very large.
Mar 12, 2019, 7:54 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 831
Enjoy your stay, I love this hotel, staff of the Executive Lounge is great, Ms Benn runs a great EL. Its right across the street from Terminal 3 and the entrance is across from Resorts World Manila shopping mall. You can either walk across the footbridge, take the RWM free shuttle, though it won't drop you right at Hilton, or Grab. Check in at the EL on the 5th floor, someone should escort you up there. Pool is great, heated and very large.
Will be arriving & departing from T2 (Philippine Airlines). Any idea how often is the Shuttle from T2 to Hilton , or is Grab cheap enough to just take them (any airport surcharge?)
Mar 12, 2019, 8:28 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
Grab is cheap enough, about $4.50-$5.00 USD, or 240 pesos, from NAIA T2 to Hilton Manila, my opinion only, YMMV, but the shuttle is not worth the wait, especially if you have many pieces of large luggage, like I said it won't drop you right at the door of the hotel, you will have to walk about 2-3 blocks. The EL hours for the evening buffet are 6pm-8pm. If you arrive last minute they may allow you to obtain some food before they pull it out. Pool hours are 6am-6pm. Breakfast at Kusina has a large selection, the lounge is usually more quiet for breakfast, but has substantially less to offer. FWIW, the hotel is usually pretty full, and they have many long term occupants who are staying in the 1 bedroom suites, 5-6 month long stays. I have stayed here 8 or 9 times always booking the lowest rate and have been upgraded to a 1 bedroom deluxe suite 2xs. More than not, I am upgraded to a room on the 11th floor, executive level, or a room on the EL floor (5th floor) with a balcony overlooking the pool area. With the opening of the new Sheraton right next door a couple of weeks ago, I'd expect the occupancy rates to go down here and you may stand a better chance of scoring an upgrade, YMMV.
Last edited by craig44485; Mar 12, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Apr 8, 2019, 5:48 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 831
have had 2 stays so far, both times 1 room as Diamond another as Gold.
Firstly things I enjoyed :
1. Great breakfast, large selection even by Asian standards and as far as I know the only other Hilton property in Asia that has Ice Cream for breakfast along with Conrad Singapore. The freshly pressed sugarcane juice was an unexpected perk
2. Great pool. It's a feature pool, but large enough in the middle for laps. It's also heated, a plus for me in shaded pools even in a tropical country.
3. Nice lounge. Large space and F&B options were enough for a complete dinner. Only visited once during cocktail hour and they had sushi, pork ribs, cooked fish, potato salad (with bacon pieces!) soup etc
4. Rooms were good in size & quality. Believe every room here has a separate tub & shower. Everything felt solid and well put together.
5. Located next to a McDonalds and 7-11.
Now things which I did not appreciate :
1. Not allowed to bring pool towels out of pool area.
2. Service in lounge is non-existent. Despite the 2 - 3 attendants at the desk, they do not seem responsible for floor duties. Arrived 15 minutes before cocktail hour ended and there were various tables stacked with empty plates & glasses. Also apart from a smile, they offered no verbal greeting let alone standing up.
3. Skip the Chinese restaurant. Had lunch here and food is bad.
The transfer from the airport in my experience a hassle.
1st trip we used Grab on 2 separate accounts (different timings). BOTH drivers haggled over the price and we ended up paying the Grab fare + ~150 peso extra in cash to driver.
2nd time we were traveling together and shared a coupon taxi and it was fine. Not sure why but still had to wait 20 minutes for a "allocated" taxi despite having other taxis just waiting there. Both times the journey duration was 15 - 20 minutes.
Both times we returned to the airport via the shuttle bus which was punctual but only runs every 0:30 on the hour. Journey time by shuttle is just below 30 minutes
Also just be aware there are security scans before entering the hotel. Wasn't allowed a nail-clipper ... but prefer to feel safe than sorry ?
In terms of upgrade, didn't feel this was a generous property. Similar welcome amenity for Gold & Diamond (Fruit 1 time, Chocolates another). Received pool view room once and apart from that just the standard benefits. Gold never granted access to Lounge.
Firstly things I enjoyed :
1. Great breakfast, large selection even by Asian standards and as far as I know the only other Hilton property in Asia that has Ice Cream for breakfast along with Conrad Singapore. The freshly pressed sugarcane juice was an unexpected perk
2. Great pool. It's a feature pool, but large enough in the middle for laps. It's also heated, a plus for me in shaded pools even in a tropical country.
3. Nice lounge. Large space and F&B options were enough for a complete dinner. Only visited once during cocktail hour and they had sushi, pork ribs, cooked fish, potato salad (with bacon pieces!) soup etc
4. Rooms were good in size & quality. Believe every room here has a separate tub & shower. Everything felt solid and well put together.
5. Located next to a McDonalds and 7-11.
Now things which I did not appreciate :
1. Not allowed to bring pool towels out of pool area.
2. Service in lounge is non-existent. Despite the 2 - 3 attendants at the desk, they do not seem responsible for floor duties. Arrived 15 minutes before cocktail hour ended and there were various tables stacked with empty plates & glasses. Also apart from a smile, they offered no verbal greeting let alone standing up.
3. Skip the Chinese restaurant. Had lunch here and food is bad.
The transfer from the airport in my experience a hassle.
1st trip we used Grab on 2 separate accounts (different timings). BOTH drivers haggled over the price and we ended up paying the Grab fare + ~150 peso extra in cash to driver.
2nd time we were traveling together and shared a coupon taxi and it was fine. Not sure why but still had to wait 20 minutes for a "allocated" taxi despite having other taxis just waiting there. Both times the journey duration was 15 - 20 minutes.
Both times we returned to the airport via the shuttle bus which was punctual but only runs every 0:30 on the hour. Journey time by shuttle is just below 30 minutes
Also just be aware there are security scans before entering the hotel. Wasn't allowed a nail-clipper ... but prefer to feel safe than sorry ?
In terms of upgrade, didn't feel this was a generous property. Similar welcome amenity for Gold & Diamond (Fruit 1 time, Chocolates another). Received pool view room once and apart from that just the standard benefits. Gold never granted access to Lounge.
Apr 8, 2019, 9:50 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), TK Elite (*G), BT VIP, HH D, BW DS
Posts: 484
have had 2 stays so far, both times 1 room as Diamond another as Gold.
Firstly things I enjoyed :
1. Great breakfast, large selection even by Asian standards and as far as I know the only other Hilton property in Asia that has Ice Cream for breakfast along with Conrad Singapore. The freshly pressed sugarcane juice was an unexpected perk
2. Great pool. It's a feature pool, but large enough in the middle for laps. It's also heated, a plus for me in shaded pools even in a tropical country.
3. Nice lounge. Large space and F&B options were enough for a complete dinner. Only visited once during cocktail hour and they had sushi, pork ribs, cooked fish, potato salad (with bacon pieces!) soup etc
4. Rooms were good in size & quality. Believe every room here has a separate tub & shower. Everything felt solid and well put together.
5. Located next to a McDonalds and 7-11.
The transfer from the airport in my experience a hassle.
1st trip we used Grab on 2 separate accounts (different timings). BOTH drivers haggled over the price and we ended up paying the Grab fare + ~150 peso extra in cash to driver.
2nd time we were traveling together and shared a coupon taxi and it was fine. Not sure why but still had to wait 20 minutes for a "allocated" taxi despite having other taxis just waiting there. Both times the journey duration was 15 - 20 minutes.
Both times we returned to the airport via the shuttle bus which was punctual but only runs every 0:30 on the hour. Journey time by shuttle is just below 30 minutes
.
Firstly things I enjoyed :
1. Great breakfast, large selection even by Asian standards and as far as I know the only other Hilton property in Asia that has Ice Cream for breakfast along with Conrad Singapore. The freshly pressed sugarcane juice was an unexpected perk
2. Great pool. It's a feature pool, but large enough in the middle for laps. It's also heated, a plus for me in shaded pools even in a tropical country.
3. Nice lounge. Large space and F&B options were enough for a complete dinner. Only visited once during cocktail hour and they had sushi, pork ribs, cooked fish, potato salad (with bacon pieces!) soup etc
4. Rooms were good in size & quality. Believe every room here has a separate tub & shower. Everything felt solid and well put together.
5. Located next to a McDonalds and 7-11.
The transfer from the airport in my experience a hassle.
1st trip we used Grab on 2 separate accounts (different timings). BOTH drivers haggled over the price and we ended up paying the Grab fare + ~150 peso extra in cash to driver.
2nd time we were traveling together and shared a coupon taxi and it was fine. Not sure why but still had to wait 20 minutes for a "allocated" taxi despite having other taxis just waiting there. Both times the journey duration was 15 - 20 minutes.
Both times we returned to the airport via the shuttle bus which was punctual but only runs every 0:30 on the hour. Journey time by shuttle is just below 30 minutes
.
Did you book a GrabCar or a GrabTaxi (normal taxi participating in Grab's platform)? To avoid the problem in the future, I would encourage adding a credit card to the Grab account and not dealing with cash at all. Likewise, I would report those hagglers to Grab through their app. They will revoke their accounts.
Apr 9, 2019, 8:35 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 831
Thanks for the report, this is helpful. Security is indeed present in most if not all big hotels in Manila.
Did you book a GrabCar or a GrabTaxi (normal taxi participating in Grab's platform)? To avoid the problem in the future, I would encourage adding a credit card to the Grab account and not dealing with cash at all. Likewise, I would report those hagglers to Grab through their app. They will revoke their accounts.
Did you book a GrabCar or a GrabTaxi (normal taxi participating in Grab's platform)? To avoid the problem in the future, I would encourage adding a credit card to the Grab account and not dealing with cash at all. Likewise, I would report those hagglers to Grab through their app. They will revoke their accounts.
Driver's excuse was that he could be Grab "Premium" but he selected the Basic option
... and the car was an old jeep. Also wanted to charge for my backpack and trolley (both hand carries) as "Extra" luggage even though I had nothing else on me.I've no idea how this guy got his 5* rating on the app ... or are foreigners just treated differently ? Didn't leave him a rating but reported to Grab directly.
May 12, 2019, 7:11 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JGC premier
Posts: 348
Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has experience with early check in at this hotel, either complementary or paid? I am Gold fwiw. The nor1 upgrade offer doesn’t offer early check in option as far as i can see.. TIA
May 12, 2019, 7:48 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Finland
Programs: EBD, HH Diamond, BW Rewards Diamond, Nordic Choice Club Platinum, Sixt Diamond, Avis President
Posts: 48
May 12, 2019, 9:06 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SFO, MNL, SIN, HAM
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 488
It was a Grab Car. And I did opt to pay by card.
Driver's excuse was that he could be Grab "Premium" but he selected the Basic option ... and the car was an old jeep. Also wanted to charge for my backpack and trolley (both hand carries) as "Extra" luggage even though I had nothing else on me.
I've no idea how this guy got his 5* rating on the app ... or are foreigners just treated differently ? Didn't leave him a rating but reported to Grab directly.
Driver's excuse was that he could be Grab "Premium" but he selected the Basic option
... and the car was an old jeep. Also wanted to charge for my backpack and trolley (both hand carries) as "Extra" luggage even though I had nothing else on me.I've no idea how this guy got his 5* rating on the app ... or are foreigners just treated differently ? Didn't leave him a rating but reported to Grab directly.
There are no premium or luggage fees, so you can decline. If they still add it manually to your bill, grab will refund. The manual add-on exists for tolls etc, so I always watch them end the ride without adding anything before I get out of the grab car...
May 12, 2019, 6:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
T1 is a bit farther from the hotel than T3, T3 is actually right across the street, I would book Grab or use the free shuttle, Grab being the first and best option. Pay by credit card and do not pay any additional fees for extra baggage.
