Manila Travel Forum

Hi folks!
Would you help me to choose between Mandarin Oriental, Somerset Olympia/Salcedo/Millenium for a stay of couple of weeks?
Thanks,
Alex

it will be too costly if you are going to stay in Mandarin. It is a five star hotel and very expensive. I have not heard of the others it must be a condominium but am sure it will be less expensive

i go with mandarin oriental,its not that expensive, compared to shang rila chains.But if I were you, I will choose somewhere near glorietta, like dusit hotel nikko, its almost same price with mandarin but strategically located within mall, food centers, mrt stations,etc.

Among your choices I will say Mandarin Oriental. Been living in Manila all my life but I've haven't heard of the other places you've mentioned. Mandarin is just a few minutes ride to the nearby malls like Glorietta & Greenbelt. If you take a cab you'll get there in 10 to 15 mins and it will probably cost you around 80-100 pesos.

Enjoy your stay!

"Somerset Olympia/Salcedo/Millenium ", are 3 star hotels which doesnt have international chain, thats why you dont heard about it.But if you ur always booking in the internet, usually, u will know these hotels .Might not be famous for locals but its famous for people from other countries.And these hotels are cheaper really.So, it depends on price which u are willing to pay.go to www.asiarooms.com,a nd check the reviews of these hotels your trying to choose.

I have never stayed in any of the hotels, but i visit manila frequently. Mandarin would be the most expensive of the group, and if you have a corporate account, you could perhaps get a lower rate, though i don't think it could go down as low as what you would get for the other 3 star hotels you have mentioned. I agree with one of the suggestions for you to stay at dusit or intercon instead if price is not a problem for you since these are close to the big malls so it would be more convenient for you.

First choice, if you have the budget, would be Mandarin. Second is Somerset Olympia. It is near Mandarin and is a high rise condo in the middle of the financial district. Millennium is another condo along the road where Mandarin is located but nearer the "red light district" of P. Burgos st. ;)

Somebody said Dusit Nikko. If the rates are the same with Mandarin, go for Dusit or try Hotel Intercontintal. Both these hotels are a hop away from the malls and restaurants and near the light rail transit.

If you want to try condos, surf about these newer condos: Paseo Parkview, Paseo ParkPlace and Raddisson.

if you want to be in the makati area, and you have the money for hotel accomodations, i suggest you try out Mandarin Oriental, Makati Shangri-La, Manila Penninsula, Dusit Hotel, Oakwood.

Dear All,
Thank you very much for your comments!!!:)
The thing is that I got corporate rates only for these 4 hotels.
Mandarin was on a higher scale though.
So far I have chosen Somerset Olympia, hopefully karengkeng backed me up in that.
Thank you once again!
Alex

Hey Alex,

All Somersets are run by a Singapore firm. I stayed at the Somerset Millenium (4 or 5-star condo or condotel) last year because Somerset Olympia was booked. Somerset Salcedo is located in a busy street. Somerset Millenium is in a convenient, safe, and quiet location. I find the surrounding area safe even after 8 pm. It's about 5-10 mins or about 2 short blocks from the mall. The rooms are modern and clean. Nothing fancy about the guarded lobby and restaurant. I also stayed at Dusit (5-star). It's much closer to the mall. The rooms are much smaller and dated. Both places aren't cheap if it's out of your pocket. Pls. let me know your experience w/ Somerset Olympia. Goodluck.