My day: watching a minor coup attempt live from my hotel room in Manila
Nov 29, 2007, 1:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Asia
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WOW, crazy stuff!! Richard thanks for the first hand accounts...This really interests me as I am flying into Manila in about 5 days...and a week from tomorrow will check into the Shangri-La for a few nights...actually have a club floor room booked...so, say Richard how are those club rooms? 
(my first visit!)
(my first visit!)
Nov 29, 2007, 2:39 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2004
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Massive protest 10000+ right outside my window at the ...
..Westin Chosun in S Korea, a few years back..tear gas, molotovs, bamboo stick fights...damn entertaining...all cuz the farmers were pissed about some tarrif.^
Nov 29, 2007, 6:17 pm
#18
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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Everything, except possibly Peninsula hotel operation, seems back to normal outside this morning. Traffic is lmuch ighter than usual (but it is a holiday today here). They made so many exceptions to the "curfew" that it was probably irrelevant, especially as local civil rights leaders were pointing out it was likely illegal in the first place.
RS250Racer, the Shangri-la club rooms are quite nice but it is the club lounge that is spectacular -- the best food and drink service I have encountered at any hotel. They will custom-cook breakfast for you, for example. Since my last visit, internet in rooms was made free (wifi in the lounge is also free).
RS250Racer, the Shangri-la club rooms are quite nice but it is the club lounge that is spectacular -- the best food and drink service I have encountered at any hotel. They will custom-cook breakfast for you, for example. Since my last visit, internet in rooms was made free (wifi in the lounge is also free).
Nov 30, 2007, 4:59 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
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Posts: 2,621
Thanks for the first hand account richard, but I'm a bit disappointed that you neglected to include some critical information...
How was the Tea? Did the serve crumpets?
We need details man, details!
How was the Tea? Did the serve crumpets?
We need details man, details!
Nov 30, 2007, 8:55 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: KF
Posts: 309
OP, u nailed down cnn field reporter
this is better than the field reporter stationed there,lol.RIchard, keep up your reports feed, its better than reading cnn website,lol, thats why I love this forum.I need reports from greenbelt night life too and so Im told.
Dec 1, 2007, 8:00 pm
#23
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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In addition to cooked eggs and omelettes for breakfast, they have added freshly made French toast, pancakes, and waffles to order. It's hard being so close to a coup attempt isn't it?
Dec 1, 2007, 8:36 pm
#24
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,540
No crumpets but they have excellent scones -- only unlike everything else, there seems to be a very limited number of them, so if you see a scone, move fast!
In addition to cooked eggs and omelettes for breakfast, they have added freshly made French toast, pancakes, and waffles to order. It's hard being so close to a coup attempt isn't it?
In addition to cooked eggs and omelettes for breakfast, they have added freshly made French toast, pancakes, and waffles to order. It's hard being so close to a coup attempt isn't it?
Dec 2, 2007, 9:59 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Dec 3, 2007, 2:29 am
#27
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Well, they always seem to pick the swankiest place for things like this. Marcos would have been proud.
At least none of the places where I usually stay in Manila is likely to be targeted. My budget's way too downscale to get in the way of those disgruntled Philippine generals.
At least none of the places where I usually stay in Manila is likely to be targeted. My budget's way too downscale to get in the way of those disgruntled Philippine generals.
Dec 3, 2007, 9:22 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,621
No crumpets but they have excellent scones -- only unlike everything else, there seems to be a very limited number of them, so if you see a scone, move fast!
In addition to cooked eggs and omelettes for breakfast, they have added freshly made French toast, pancakes, and waffles to order. It's hard being so close to a coup attempt isn't it?
In addition to cooked eggs and omelettes for breakfast, they have added freshly made French toast, pancakes, and waffles to order. It's hard being so close to a coup attempt isn't it?
Thanks for the details, Richard and glad you're safe. ^
Mar 5, 2008, 8:18 pm
#29
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,846
So I was back in Manila again last week, and guess what happened last Friday on the same street in front of my hotel? Only this time it was a peaceful "people-power" rally, announced in advance. Also the theme was "The President Should Resign" instead of being a coup attempt.
The large land company which owns most of the nearby buildings, being forewarned, was able to take preparatory action: they plopped down some porta-potties in the middle of nearby streets.
Sigh...story of my life, it seems.
The large land company which owns most of the nearby buildings, being forewarned, was able to take preparatory action: they plopped down some porta-potties in the middle of nearby streets.
Sigh...story of my life, it seems.