Is Manila Safe?

[englishbird]

Hi Everyone.

I am new to this site, but I think its the best place to find a true answer to my question " Is Manila safe?".

Just some background for you. I am female, 36 years old. I met a guy from the Philippines nearly 2 years ago on a cruise ship. I was the passenger and he was working. We have kept in touch by email and phone and I have been back to the ship twice to see him. He has invited me to Manila to visit him when his current contract finishes in November.

I would just like some feedback on Manila and whether it is any more dangerous than any other major city. We would stay in a 4/5 hotel and I have been told that Makati is the best area to stay.

Any advice for me?

[Tawi2]

Its a lot more dangerous than some major cities,and less dangerous than others,I cant imagine spending a full holiday in Manila myself,fascinating place though it is,best recuperate from Jet-lag in a decent makati hotel then head south to a beach

[Mrs.JMajor]

No worries, I am still alive, I live in manila , yeah it is safe Makati is a nice place,

[Tawi2]

I thought you lived in the UK Mrs M

[Mrs.JMajor]

I thought you lived in the UK Mrs M

Yeah, before i came to UK, I lived in Manila,

[EdwardB]

Makati is safeish. The trouble is, that it looks and feels more Western than most Asian cities but it is really the least Western in terms of safety & stability. Greenbelt looks and feels very upscale. It is fun but don't scratch the surface.

If you are doing a 4/5* fine. But understand that the classifications are muddled & pricing like everything else in RP is what you negotiate.

I recommend the Ascott by miles. The Peninsular & Mandarin are OK but are both full of hookers & pricing and room quality very variable.

After that the rest of the 4/5's are really much of a muchness irrespective of official classification. If anything after that I'd recommend The Somerset Salcedo (Ascott chain) again) but don't get the wrong Somerset whatever you do (locals will get my point).

& wow a Brit Woman with a Filipino you have broken the mold on here! Just enjoy the place the people are wonderful. It is a fantastically pretty country other than stunningly ugly but fascinating Manilla - but the government & systems are shambolic.

[englishbird]

Makati is safeish. The trouble is, that it looks and feels more Western than most Asian cities but it is really the least Western in terms of safety & stability. Greenbelt looks and feels very upscale. It is fun but don't scratch the surface.

If you are doing a 4/5* fine. But understand that the classifications are muddled & pricing like everything else in RP is what you negotiate.

I recommend the Ascott by miles. The Peninsular & Mandarin are OK but are both full of hookers & pricing and room quality very variable.

After that the rest of the 4/5's are really much of a muchness irrespective of official classification. If anything after that I'd recommend The Somerset Salcedo (Ascott chain) again) but don't get the wrong Somerset whatever you do (locals will get my point).

& wow a Brit Woman with a Filipino you have broken the mold on here! Just enjoy the place the people are wonderful. It is a fantastically pretty country other than stunningly ugly but fascinating Manilla - but the government & systems are shambolic.

Thanks for your advise, the Ascott looks great but seems abit out of my price range. I really like the look of the Somerset Salcedo, and the offers on their own website are amazing. I will definately be staying there if I go to Manila.

Thanks again

[EdwardB]

Thanks for your advise, the Ascott looks great but seems abit out of my price range. I really like the look of the Somerset Salcedo, and the offers on their own website are amazing. I will definately be staying there if I go to Manila.

Thanks again

Join the loyalty club for the Ascott Group - The Somersets' are part of the same chain. When you log in you'll find some much more attractive rates - & currently a 25% discount offer on the best rates, but non refundable. You should be able to get The Ascott for round about £100 for a very large one bedroom suite including a good buffet breakfast for 2 & you may get free internet, local calls & possibly at least a one way airport transfer. The Somersets should be nearer £60.

Of The Somersets' I marginally prefer The Millennium which is in a quiet street very close to Greenbelt.

Two other things. Firstly if you aren't being picked up get the hotel to book you a car. It will be from the Nissan counter which is just outside the doors on the right. The airport has a kind of inner security area in to which non passengers find it almost impossible to enter. The Nissan counter is in this inner sanctum. The car will cost more but you will avoid having to go out in to the Zoo, which is scary enough let alone on your first visit and after a very long flight.

Secondly this may make me a bit unpopular for pointing it out, but if you aren't clearly white, unbelievable as it may sound, you are likely to encounter some racism!!

[Tawi2]

Thats true actually,the n***er word is commonly used to describe africans,and its a common misconception,though often repeated,that the indian five-six guys stink

[Tawi2]

Some of the most beautiful women I have seen in pinas are the darkest,yet its the lightest pinays who get the jobs presenting on TV or hosting chatshows etc,theres most certainly an underlying current of racism running through pinoy society

[englishbird]

Join the loyalty club for the Ascott Group - The Somersets' are part of the same chain. When you log in you'll find some much more attractive rates - & currently a 25% discount offer on the best rates, but non refundable. You should be able to get The Ascott for round about £100 for a very large one bedroom suite including a good buffet breakfast for 2 & you may get free internet, local calls & possibly at least a one way airport transfer. The Somersets should be nearer £60.

Of The Somersets' I marginally prefer The Millennium which is in a quiet street very close to Greenbelt.

Two other things. Firstly if you aren't being picked up get the hotel to book you a car. It will be from the Nissan counter which is just outside the doors on the right. The airport has a kind of inner security area in to which non passengers find it almost impossible to enter. The Nissan counter is in this inner sanctum. The car will cost more but you will avoid having to go out in to the Zoo, which is scary enough let alone on your first visit and after a very long flight.

Secondly this may make me a bit unpopular for pointing it out, but if you aren't clearly white, unbelievable as it may sound, you are likely to encounter some racism!!

.

Thanks for the advise on the loyalty club. Is it safe for me to use my credit card on theie website?.

I will be met at the airport, so will probably just try and grab a local cab and let my friend do the talking.

I am very white!!, so hopefully no racism.

Thanks again

[Mrs.JMajor]

.I am very white!!, so hopefully no racism.

For sure NO, and filipino people like white and some wanted to be white

[EdwardB]

.

Thanks for the advise on the loyalty club. Is it safe for me to use my credit card on theie website?.

I will be met at the airport, so will probably just try and grab a local cab and let my friend do the talking.

I am very white!!, so hopefully no racism.

Thanks again

Ascott Group is a major International company - you will get secure verified booking procedures if you book online. That said they have been known to ask for a fax of both sides of the credit card. I politely pointed out that would completely invalidate protection & insurance - & hopefully they have universally adopted new procedures after the humble apology I got!

The airport is not simple. Unless he can get in to the secure area to meet you, you will find you are entering a human ant colony/zoo when you are extremely fatigued & jet lagged. I have people who can get in but otherwise get a cab from the Nissan counter. The extra 10 quid or so is worth it for peace of mind - & will almost certainly make your next few days feel more relaxed as you won't spend your time thinking you are in a dangerous place - you aren't.

I was there for the hotel revolution. Yes a few shots were fired but it was funny for its classic Filipino ineptitude. Only in the Philippines could a revolution revolve round upper class revolutionaries occupying a 5* hotel.

& yes I stirred a bit of a hornets nest. I had dinner with one of the most famous TV presenters recently. I swear she was using whitewash for make up! Ana (my GF) has the most sensational olive colored skin but insists on wasting money on skin whitening products. & I have had American colleagues over who have been the victims of indescibable racist abuse even in 5* hotels in Makati.

[vbkelly]

Hi Everyone.

I am new to this site, but I think its the best place to find a true answer to my question " Is Manila safe?".

Just some background for you. I am female, 36 years old. I met a guy from the Philippines nearly 2 years ago on a cruise ship. I was the passenger and he was working. We have kept in touch by email and phone and I have been back to the ship twice to see him. He has invited me to Manila to visit him when his current contract finishes in November.

I would just like some feedback on Manila and whether it is any more dangerous than any other major city. We would stay in a 4/5 hotel and I have been told that Makati is the best area to stay.

Any advice for me?

i was stayed in manila 7years for my work but what i can say is stay away in the crowd though

[Sophie]

Hi Everyone.

I am new to this site, but I think its the best place to find a true answer to my question " Is Manila safe?".

Just some background for you. I am female, 36 years old. I met a guy from the Philippines nearly 2 years ago on a cruise ship. I was the passenger and he was working. We have kept in touch by email and phone and I have been back to the ship twice to see him. He has invited me to Manila to visit him when his current contract finishes in November.

I would just like some feedback on Manila and whether it is any more dangerous than any other major city. We would stay in a 4/5 hotel and I have been told that Makati is the best area to stay.

Any advice for me?

Yes, makati is safe You can also try the fort, it's safe there too Have fun in the philippines then

[Ana_may365]

Yes!MANILA is safe coz i was born there[tondo]

[englishbird]

Yes, makati is safe You can also try the fort, it's safe there too Have fun in the philippines then

What is the fort?

[bornatbirth]

as a man from the uk on my first visit to manila was a surprise,it does look so run down.my wife is telling me to be careful but i never felt unsafe,as long as you look after yourself and be street smart.
i take it you will meet him at the airport so you already have a local guide

any 4/5 star hotel will be ok,try the sofitel at 6/7000 peso per night but room service is alot

if you want a far cheaper but clean hotel try the comtempery hotel at 1500 per night.

[Tawi2]

The first hotel I ever stayed in was in Del Pilar street,the taxi-driver had a perverse sense of humour,he took me to a short-time taxi hotel after I asked him at the airport to take me somewhere nice

[bornatbirth]

well maybe thats where all is customers go?

[eagles]

Manila is ok.. Southern part of phils is the best- where you can get to see more than just nice scenery or nice girls.. You'll be awed with the filipino culture and hospitality down the south.

[Piamed]

I think a cities characterisation regrading safety is determined by the actions of the tourist. Manila is very safe if you don't walk around dnagerous areas with your wallet on display. I have never been even close to feeling unsafe there but then I do not venture into the red light areas, congested places and I do not walk around like many travellers with a demeanour that screams I'M A VULNERABLE TOURIST. I've seen many that do and some have been attacked in various locations abroad.

[nids123]

yes i agree with everybody here makatis is seafest place in philippines and im from makati city im now here in uk for 2 months. injoy ur stay there and try to go to beaches in phil lots of nice view and resorts there.

[KeithD]

Iran is safer than the UK

[bornatbirth]

Iran is safer than the UK

thats why you live here?

[gracia143]

Iran is safer than the UK

Which goes to show that anywhere in the world there would be places that aren't safe at all. Holloway Road in London for instance is neither safe...in Lancaster Gate a lot of guests lost their bags although it's the Westminster Area and policemen are just lurking nearby.

I am pretty sure you will be safe in Manila as you will be with your friend who is a Filipino, he won't do stupid things to put you at risk. Manila was my second home and I would love to be back and enjoy it even for a couple of days.

I hope you will enjoy Manila and do keep safe!

[vbkelly]

anywhere in manila is not safe.

[Ana_may365]

anywhere in manila is not safe.

im NOT AGREE with u

[vbkelly]

im NOT AGREE with u

hehe fine that's my opinion
cheers!

[Pepe n Pilar]

anywhere in manila is not safe.

i disagree...