Shangri La Mataka
Mar 21, 2008, 10:56 am
#17
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People enjoy this sort of gossip in Manila, as elsewhere. Just because a local friend says so doesn't mean it is necessarily the case. It's worth a try to talk to the staff at least once. If it should ever happen to me there, I'll volunteer to do just that -- except, as I noted, it never has.
Mar 21, 2008, 12:37 pm
#19
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Why the hell are you trying to discuss this with me? I know what I saw, I know what I heard and I know what I encountered. It didn't bother me, I just had to laugh when she approached me, cause it was quite funny to get offers like this in a "5-star" hotel. This confirmed the tackiness of Shangri-La. I could see several girls approaching the gentlemen in the escalators and around the lobby - discret and classy girls, but still tacky! Sure, people like to gossip, but don't come here and try to convince me that this was just nice girls, wondering how your day was!
No, go for the Pen!
No, go for the Pen!
Mar 21, 2008, 1:06 pm
#20
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skrosvik, is anyone arguing about the prostitutes? no.
the accuracy of your comment that the staff has an "arrangement" (which would be illegal would it not?) with the local prostitutes is what was being questioned.
your exact statement >
the accuracy of your comment that the staff has an "arrangement" (which would be illegal would it not?) with the local prostitutes is what was being questioned.
your exact statement >
I guess they have some kind of agreement/understanding with the hotel. This was very clear! My Philippino friend told me the same
Mar 21, 2008, 1:35 pm
#22
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well, it is tacky that theyre in the lobby and not the bar. 
but he didnt point them out to security.
(there are plenty of very expensive lux properties that have bars filled with super high end escorts)
but he didnt point them out to security.
(there are plenty of very expensive lux properties that have bars filled with super high end escorts)
Mar 21, 2008, 1:46 pm
#23
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Mar 21, 2008, 1:58 pm
#24
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Of course the hotel are aware about the prostitutes, after all - hotels in Manila are under heavy surveillance, cameras and security everywhere, and of course they all know this. And of course, the girls are there for a reason. Shangri-La is a large business hotel with a lot of "lonely" businessmen, and I am sure boys and girls are brought to the rooms here like everywhere else in the world. But I think Shangri-La should be even more discret about this. I don't mind this, but other people might mind, so a bit decency would not hurt! I am sure girls are brought to the rooms in Peninsula too, but not that obvious. The business were very obvious in Shangri-La. Interesting for me, cause I've never seen it as obvious as this in any top end chain hotel before.
Back to the original thread - go for the Pen
Back to the original thread - go for the Pen
Mar 21, 2008, 2:50 pm
#25
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I spent 3 seeks in Manila a couple of years ago. In a store I quietly said to a colleague who is posted there something along the lines of 'look at the transvestite in the queue, that's probably the 5th one I've seen here!' He laughed at me and told me I'd seen far more than that, I'd only noticed the ones who weren't very good at it.
One of our local employees is a transvestite. Being mostly bald sort of detracts from the effect, but I'm told that all dolled up in a nightclub he's actually quite fetching!
BTW, I'm making no judgments, not my place to do so, but at home it's not something you see very often, so it was a bit of an eye-opener.
One of our local employees is a transvestite. Being mostly bald sort of detracts from the effect, but I'm told that all dolled up in a nightclub he's actually quite fetching!
BTW, I'm making no judgments, not my place to do so, but at home it's not something you see very often, so it was a bit of an eye-opener.
May 19, 2008, 12:11 pm
#26
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Shangri La Mataka
Sorry tha should read Makati - MANILA
Has anybody stayed here and any comments on same. Are there good places to eat outside? Any reqs on best type of room? Will be there for 4 days in August on business so looking to maybe have one half day by the pool - is it nice?
Has anybody stayed here and any comments on same. Are there good places to eat outside? Any reqs on best type of room? Will be there for 4 days in August on business so looking to maybe have one half day by the pool - is it nice?
Last edited by porsche911; May 19, 2008 at 12:13 pm Reason: WRONG SPELLING
May 19, 2008, 2:35 pm
#27
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past recap
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=690250
recent MO report
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390159
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=690250
recent MO report
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390159
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 19, 2008 at 2:48 pm
May 20, 2008, 8:14 am
#28
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The hotel is great and very very safe. People are very friendly - they will learn who you are and will know what you like.
Makati is a nice location. I mean you can't expect much - you're not like near the beach or anything. It's a business district. But at night, oh yeah...you can go wherever around it, like the Green Belt malls where you will find lots of restaurants and all sort of things you want to do. It's pretty secure; you will find cops pretty much wherever you walk in Makati.
Jun 19, 2008, 10:39 am
#29
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Well, first time in Manila for me in a couple weeks, and have a 2nd night free offer through AmEx...is that enough reason? They're offering an "1,100 sq ft executive floor suite" for PHP 9,500++
Jun 20, 2008, 1:36 am
#30
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I'll be in Manila in 2 days, but not at that hotel (for sure). There has GOT to be a reason why a room that size is going for that low a price (about $214 a night++), even without the second night being free and even given that Manila is a lower cost destination. That's significantly lower than our corporate rate for a regular room on the club floor at the Shangri-La.