Does lutos garden is safe to stay in?

[M L M 0]

Hello VJ Friends!!

Hi! everyone.! I just want to know if Lotus Garden is nice, has a good service and safe specially going to St' Luke for your Medical Examination? Does the street is safe, walk through St. Luke? My fiance will come w/ me and I know he can't come w/ me inside the Clinic, is there a waiting area in St. Luke w/c is safe?

Thank you for the help.. Really appreciated it!

[Penguin_ie 5,999]

**** Moving from K1 to Philipines regional forum as country specific ****

[Wally G! 58]

At SLEC, petitioners are only allowed inside if they have children with the beneficiary or specials needs. Other than that petitioners are not allowed inside. He can drop a donation in a guards pocket to get a seat outside but it's hot and he will get harrassed by a few begging street kids

Lotus is in Ermita area. That is one of the tourist areas. So it pretty much safe. like any place keep your wits out you surroundings. Most likely you will be in SLEC for the better part of the day (6 hours or more). He can either go back to the hotel and relax and rest or walk around. He can go to Robinson Mall and walk around etc...

To get to Robinson Mall walk south on Jorge Bocobo. Jorge Bocobo end right at Robinson Mall. (10 min walk) 40-60 pesos taxi. Always make sure they turn on the meter and carry small bills 20, 50, 100 pesos because taxi drivers won't have change and you will have to give up the extra money or search for change.

If you want him closer to SLEC. He can book at Hotel Soriente http://hotelsoriente.com

Its right across the street from SLEC.

Good Luck and God Bless.

[dirtsquirter 7]

We stayed at Manila Pavilion casino, it was about 3000 a night, booked online through agoda, and included a great breakfast buffet. The morning we had to leave very early for St. Luke's, room service delivered a full spread of anything we had picked the night before and delivered it to our room, at exactly 4am. No extra charge. I complained about the room when we arrived, because we got one that hadn't been renovated yet, and they upgraded us for free, so that was nice. Only 2 blocks to the St. Luke's, and 4 blocks to the US Embassy. Walking at 4am isn't recommended as I had my wife and son with me, but during daylight no problem at all. We are going back next week for our interview - Good Luck!

[Tahoma 2,298]

My fiance will come w/ me and I know he can't come w/ me inside the Clinic, is there a waiting area in St. Luke w/c is safe?

Yes, there's a place at St. Lukes to wait outside on the sidewalk in the hot sun. It's safe because it's only about six feet from where manong guard pees.

If your fiancé doesn't like that idea, he might want to chill at Robinsons.

[ivantulier 1]

The hotel is safe and its not a problem. I would suggest that just walk your fiance to the St. Lukes and go to the mall for the most part of the day. Have her text you when she is done and meet back at St. Lukes.

[M L M 0]

The hotel is safe and its not a problem. I would suggest that just walk your fiance to the St. Lukes and go to the mall for the most part of the day. Have her text you when she is done and meet back at St. Lukes.

Thank you everyone for responding my post. It really helps me and my fiance!

[gretchen_darren 67]

Lotus Garden is ok. the walk is not bad to St. Lukes. WE stayed at city Garden. Sign up online for St. Lukes to get paperwork done ahead of time. this will help you greatly when signing in. Otherwise you will be later in the day. Recommend getting there around 4:30 am to 5 am for the line (it goes to the south, not the line on the ramp)

You can wait outside, rent a chair and sit there. Nice colorful area. There is also a restaurant just across the street behind the photo shop where he can go in and sit. very nice shaded placThere) Food is not bad either. there is some shade north of the building from the renovation in high rise across the street. I would not recommend walking the streets after 9 pm to 4 am but that is me being an american. the mall is wonderful and not far. He can easily grab a seat and enjoy the area. Starbuck's is not like starbuck's here. The coffee is strong and bitter. Friday's is right beside the taxi area. Your fiancee could always grab a seat in Friday's at the mall and wait for you. I liked the waiting area after getting adjusted to it. Lots of people come and go. There is an old man there which works in one of the shops across the street. Make a friend of him. He will help you and steer the street life away from you.

I bought a passport cover for my visa there. For the having USA passports I highly recommend those covers. No one knew I had a USA passport after that. they jsut saw the Filipinas cover and went on their way.

Don't forget your CFO as well.

[A and T 82]

The lotus garden is in a good area, not far from robinson mall, so you can easily walk around with things to do!