Manila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Thanks! I did look it up and put it on our list of "possibles."

We liked Villa Carolina Townhouse Hotel. They are not too far from the embassy, and just a block off of Roxas Blvd. They are dirt cheap, the owners are a FilAm couple, and they attract an interesting international clientele traveling on the cheap. Rooms are basic, can be shared if you want to save money. It is a cross between a hostel and a hotel. If something doesn't work, or you see cockroaches, the staff will fix it right away. You don't get anything you don't ask for, so ask for it if you want it, and they will try to accommodate. They also have airport service and a driver available. They even have a grill in the front and pay for use internet for like 10PP for 15 minutes in the lobby.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/townhousehotelmanila/

[moonandsun 16]

Right now I am thinking Chicago is worse than Manila, Mindanao, and Branson. Last night 21 people were shot in 10 hours.

[Hank_ 9,174]

And New York is worse than Chicago...

[moonandsun 16]

Ok then its settled. Don't let her go to New York or Chicago!

[Caryh 5,206]

We liked Villa Carolina Townhouse Hotel. They are not too far from the embassy, and just a block off of Roxas Blvd. They are dirt cheap, the owners are a FilAm couple, and they attract an interesting international clientele traveling on the cheap. Rooms are basic, can be shared if you want to save money. It is a cross between a hostel and a hotel. If something doesn't work, or you see cockroaches, the staff will fix it right away. You don't get anything you don't ask for, so ask for it if you want it, and they will try to accommodate. They also have airport service and a driver available. They even have a grill in the front and pay for use internet for like 10PP for 15 minutes in the lobby.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/townhousehotelmanila/

Have you been there recently? I used to stay there, but things were getting a bit rough and the staff wasn't being too helpful. Was probably back in 2009 that I last stayed there. I heard the Bill was supposed to be working on straightening those issues out, he had been focusing on their place in Boracay and not watching what was going on at the Townhouse. I think even he was a bit surprised with how things had slipped there. Wasn't just physical, it was with the staff and what they were doing, not doing and allowing to occur. Good help is hard to find everywhere I guess.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Have you been there recently? I used to stay there, but things were getting a bit rough and the staff wasn't being too helpful. Was probably back in 2009 that I last stayed there. I heard the Bill was supposed to be working on straightening those issues out, he had been focusing on their place in Boracay and not watching what was going on at the Townhouse. I think even he was a bit surprised with how things had slipped there. Wasn't just physical, it was with the staff and what they were doing, not doing and allowing to occur. Good help is hard to find everywhere I guess.

The staff always was less than enthusiastic, but if you asked for it, you could usually get it. I was there in January of 2007 for ten days. Once they got used to us after a couple of days, it was like we were family. The bed was comfortable, the A/C worked, and so did the TV. The bath wasn't the best, but then again, Filipinos are not used to hot water, or water pressure. We had to ask for maid service, we didn't know that, but they assigned a girl to the room to take care of us. We had to give her money for soap, but she kept us in clean linens and washed our laundry. I think we ended up giving her around 200 to 250 pesos for the time we were there, and when I tipped her another 50 pesos when we left, she was beaming with delight. She even ran to the store for my wife for 30 pesos and brought back some girl stuff she needed.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Good help is hard to find everywhere I guess.

The wife asked them about that. The girls told her that they are all on commission, so nobody feels like working that hard. However, if the guest wants something extra, that is between the girl and the guests, and she gets to keep what they pay her, without sharing with the rest. I guess Bill is a bit of a tightwad.

Edited June 11, 2012 by ☼

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The wife asked them about that. The girls told her that they are all on commission, so nobody feels like working that hard. However, if the guest wants something extra, that is between the girl and the guests, and she gets to keep what they pay her, without sharing with the rest. I guess Bill is a bit of a tightwad.

I thought about bringing a few tools with me next time. I noticed so many obvious simple repairs that needed to be done. I won't mind improving whatever room we stay in.

Edited June 11, 2012 by ☼

[Caryh 5,206]

The staff always was less than enthusiastic, but if you asked for it, you could usually get it. I was there in January of 2007 for ten days. Once they got used to us after a couple of days, it was like we were family. The bed was comfortable, the A/C worked, and so did the TV. The bath wasn't the best, but then again, Filipinos are not used to hot water, or water pressure. We had to ask for maid service, we didn't know that, but they assigned a girl to the room to take care of us. We had to give her money for soap, but she kept us in clean linens and washed our laundry. I think we ended up giving her around 200 to 250 pesos for the time we were there, and when I tipped her another 50 pesos when we left, she was beaming with delight. She even ran to the store for my wife for 30 pesos and brought back some girl stuff she needed.

Yep the staff worked better when you tipped them! Stayed there in 2005, 2007, and 2009. It was 2009 that I stopped staying there. GRO's staying in the hotel and bringing customers in kind of got the wife a little upset Last I heard Bill was cleaning house and doing repairs (guessing that was 2010), but I haven't been by to see how it worked out since then. I did like the place until it made a hard dive down, the price was certainly right. I'm usually only in Manila for two days to adjust on arrival and a day before flying out so there hasn't really been time to swing by. I had hoped he had turned things around there, but I haven't talked with anyone who's stayed there since Bill said he was cleaning things up. If I was going to be alone, I'd book there just to see how things turned out.

[lierre 224]

I suggest to avoid staying at shady places like that. Although they must be dirt cheap... I'd rather pay for a hotel room which I'm sure I will be safe in.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I'd rather pay for a hotel room which I'm sure I will be safe in.

In the Philippines? There is no such thing.

[lierre 224]

In the Philippines? There is no such thing.

Thanks for demonstrating the use of an icon.

With your "taste" in accommodations, I have no doubt that none of the rooms in Manila you've stayed at were safe. I've never even heard of a Townhouse Hotel until that was posted. And I've lived in Manila for my whole adult life.

Newsflash: You have to spend a little more money to get better security & services AND do more research on better options. Try tripadvisor

[Caryh 5,206]

Thanks for demonstrating the use of an icon.

With your "taste" in accommodations, I have no doubt that none of the rooms in Manila you've stayed at were safe. I've never even heard of a Townhouse Hotel until that was posted. And I've lived in Manila for my whole adult life.

Newsflash: You have to spend a little more money to get better security & services AND do more research on better options. Try tripadvisor

The Carolina Townhouse had been around for years and years. It was originally a hostel for backpackers traveling in the Philippines. I've known many people who have stayed there over the years. You can find it on tripadvisor BTW. Some people love the place, others hate it. Its had its ups and downs over the years is one thing I'm aware of. I enjoyed times I've spent there and the atmosphere until my last visit. Hopefully Bill and Lorna have corrected the problems now and its once again a nice budget place to stay.

[StraightShooter 62]

That townhouse place is sounding pretty sketchy. I'm thinking that my fiancee won't be staying there. But, she will be eyes-on-the-ground there and some of the information in this thread is pretty old. She can always check it out for herself in person. One thing that she pointed out when she read this thread a few days ago is that no cooking is allowed in the room, so food expenses could easily offset the lower lodging cost.

[lierre 224]

The Carolina Townhouse had been around for years and years. It was originally a hostel for backpackers traveling in the Philippines. I've known many people who have stayed there over the years. You can find it on tripadvisor BTW. Some people love the place, others hate it. Its had its ups and downs over the years is one thing I'm aware of. I enjoyed times I've spent there and the atmosphere until my last visit. Hopefully Bill and Lorna have corrected the problems now and its once again a nice budget place to stay.

Thanks for clarifying that bit. I love traveling but, the backpacking scene is hardly mine. I would rather be comfortable when on vacation.

I've been living in the Malate/Ermita area for almost 10 years and never have I seen such a hotel. Though I've never needed to find a room to stay in since I lived here, until...

That townhouse place is sounding pretty sketchy. I'm thinking that my fiancee won't be staying there. But, she will be eyes-on-the-ground there and some of the information in this thread is pretty old. She can always check it out for herself in person. One thing that she pointed out when she read this thread a few days ago is that no cooking is allowed in the room, so food expenses could easily offset the lower lodging cost.

... I had to find a room for my fiance last April when we did the documents bit for our marriage license application. I chose to rent a 1 bedroom (fully furnised) in Robinsons Place Residences (condo buildings). There are lots of options there for short-term leasing. Other similar condos are the Adriatico Towers.

One of my friends also mentioned to me that her US-based bf stays at Pearl Garden Hotel (Adriatico St corner Malvar) whenever he's in Manila. I think this one is also a place with a functioning kitchen.