Manila- Best hotel for business
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Proud resident of flyover country.....
Programs: MS AMEX PLAT- Marriott Titanium-HH G- UA Silver-JPM RC . DL-AA-BA
Posts: 3,892
Local resident rates are not uncommon. It's a form of price discrimination that maximizes revenue for hotels and resorts. Locals who would not necessarily be willing and able to pay published rates can stay at discounted rates subject to availability and at the hotel's discretion. This enables them to maintain high rates for their target markets, but still sell rooms that would otherwise go empty to those who qualify for local resident rates.
Official identification is usually required to prove eligibility, unless one is obviously a local citizen.
These rates are especially common in countries where there is a disparity in the average income level and/or price sensitivity between foreign and domestic markets.
Official identification is usually required to prove eligibility, unless one is obviously a local citizen.
These rates are especially common in countries where there is a disparity in the average income level and/or price sensitivity between foreign and domestic markets.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Slightly off topic, but if I'm understanding this correctly Amanpulo actually has the opposite, whereby there are certain taxes included for local residents yet excluded for tourists.
Rates are subject to a service charge of 10%.
Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 12% government tax for Philippine nationals and residents only.
Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 12% government tax for Philippine nationals and residents only.
#19
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,844
Most of the top Manila hotels also manage to rip off a fair amount on currency conversions as well, I just went with the flow, got tired of arguing. Apparently there are ways to avoid it by prepayment but I never managed to figure out how.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I don't know about that, but when local resident rates are available I have heard they are significantly lower than published rates, so still cheaper even if other taxes are included.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
And some countries indeed classify accommodation as an "exempt supply" for the purposes of tax / VAT assessment when provided to foreigners / non-nationals in order to encourage tourism (e.g. I know for sure this is the case in Israel, not sure about the Philippines).
#22
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: CX Diamond, AA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 497
I have stayed multiple times at the Shangri-la and the Peninsula.
I much prefer the Peninsula. However, the restaurants at the Shang are better.
Service and friendliness at the Peninsula are excellent. Particularly the CLUB level rooms with CLUB access.
Sometimes EXPEDIA has rates that exceed corporate rates or the PEN web site
I much prefer the Peninsula. However, the restaurants at the Shang are better.
Service and friendliness at the Peninsula are excellent. Particularly the CLUB level rooms with CLUB access.
Sometimes EXPEDIA has rates that exceed corporate rates or the PEN web site
#23
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Any recent opinion on Pan Pacific and Marco Polo? Can't justify insane price of Marriott/Sheraton, so thinking of alternatives. I have Black status with GHA, though not sure of their treatment in Philippines.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,396
I have stayed multiple times at the Shangri-la and the Peninsula.
I much prefer the Peninsula. However, the restaurants at the Shang are better.
Service and friendliness at the Peninsula are excellent. Particularly the CLUB level rooms with CLUB access.
Sometimes EXPEDIA has rates that exceed corporate rates or the PEN web site
I much prefer the Peninsula. However, the restaurants at the Shang are better.
Service and friendliness at the Peninsula are excellent. Particularly the CLUB level rooms with CLUB access.
Sometimes EXPEDIA has rates that exceed corporate rates or the PEN web site
I personally like the SL at the Fort (I am assuming that is the one you are talking about given the restaurant comment...). Great service if you are in a suite (with access to lounge for breakfast and cocktails), one of the best gyms in SE Asia, good food, decent pool area. Pricing and value means different things to different people but it seems like pretty good value to me as well.
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,480
#27
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
No status with the chain and I never heard they offer matches, so it won't be a good deal for me. If I at all start considering 200 USD/night range (which is just insane for Philippines IMO), I rather book a Marriott and have Suite and Club access given. Or ask for a match to Diamond with Hilton and book Conrad.
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
No status with the chain and I never heard they offer matches, so it won't be a good deal for me. If I at all start considering 200 USD/night range (which is just insane for Philippines IMO), I rather book a Marriott and have Suite and Club access given. Or ask for a match to Diamond with Hilton and book Conrad.
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
#29
No status with the chain and I never heard they offer matches, so it won't be a good deal for me. If I at all start considering 200 USD/night range (which is just insane for Philippines IMO), I rather book a Marriott and have Suite and Club access given. Or ask for a match to Diamond with Hilton and book Conrad.
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
But I rather think of something about 100 USD/night in this case. Which leaves me with IHG (and in Manila all their hotels are hopeless) or GHA. (The only other chain would be Shangri-la, but it doesn't match AFAIK, or even if they do, Jade will be useless.)
Booking through a preferred agent (Pen Club) can get you breakfast, upgrade, flexible check in and check out times, and some onsite discounts.
#30
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164