Resorts World Manila: The Remington (Value Hotel)

Welcome to Manila, where it is apparently still Christmas (almost ten days into January)! Christmas decorations are still everywhere.




Seriously, I kid you not. But hey, it's kinda nice to have that jolly Christmas feeling lasting this long, no?

Anyway. We reached Resorts World Manila (RWM) in the afternoon. There are three hotel properties here. This is the Remington Hotel, their value hotel which aims to offer its guests a safe, comfortable and convenient stay. There is the luxurious all-suite Maxims Tower, and the Marriott as well.



I had my first intriguing moment. They had K9 dogs to "welcome" our luggage! Looks like drugs are an issue in the Philippines.



We also had to go through metal detectors, bag searches and a quick body search. Why the meticulous scrutiny? I learned that, just like in the U.S., you have the right to bear arms in the Philippines (you can read @TLWH 's post on this issue). Yeah, guns are everywhere here. So EVERY TIME you enter the hotel or the mall, you will be searched.



Well, that's us! After your body search, you can proceed to check in.






The procedure is pretty efficient, even for our fairly large group of travel agents and media from several countries. This familiarisation trip was organised by Star Cruises, which is under the Genting Hong Kong umbrella, together with RWM.

I was glad my friend Alvin was also on the trip, and was pleased to meet another blogger, Sheila Mandy, who came with her boyfriend.



The welcome drink was most welcome. Manila is just as sweltering as Singapore.



We got to stay two nights at the serviced apartment, which comes with a small sink, fridge and electric kettle. You get bottled water but no tea or coffee sachets. No minibar either. Note that the electrical sockets here are of the two-pin narrow blade type (similar to American sockets). Bring a travel adaptor!



The average room size is 21 sq meters, and it can take two adults and two children. It's got a queen-sized bed and a sofa bed. I like the wooden slatted sliding dividers.

There are 89 of such serviced apartments, and 623 standard rooms (two queen-sized beds) which are about the same size but do not come with the fridge, kettle or sofa bed.

Nice, clean bedlinen and a decently comfortable bed. You can adjust the air-conditioning with a remote like home units.



You have a 32-inch LCD TV with loads of cable channels. There is in-room wi-fi available at additional charges, but I found my connection only working within the lobby, so I'm not sure if it's early teething problems.






A peek inside the bathroom - pretty nice fittings for a budget hotel. However, it's pretty spartan. You are given dental kits, dispenser-style shower gel, two bath towels, toilet paper, and that's it. If you need anything else, bring your own.



The bathroom is small but functional. This is the shower stall.

All in all, very decent for a value hotel. It offers all the barebone comforts you'll need. If you're out and about most of the time, this could be a good choice.



The Remington Hotel itself has no F&B outlets, although I see a McDonald's being built on the ground floor. But there are plenty of food choices just across the road at the main Resorts World building itself, which also houses the Newport shopping mall, four high-end cinemas, a performing arts theatre, and the three-storey casino.

Right now, the Remington has a "Holiday Saver" promotion until 31 January (excluding 22 and 23 Jan, of course). The Php 3,200++ (about US$73) package includes

• Overnight stay in a standard room
• Php1,000 (about US$23) worth of dining credit at participating RWM F&B outlets (Impressions, Passion, Ginzadon, Mercado, Noodle Works, Prosperity Court, Cafe Maxims and Bar 360)

You'll need to book at least 10 days in advance. There might be more promos later on too. Call your travel agent for bookings. Rate is subject to 10% service charge and 12% VAT (but if you are a foreigner, you will be exempted from the 12% VAT).

RWM also has a free shuttle bus to and from the three international airport terminals, as well as pick-up points within Metro Manila.

Coming up next...shopping, sightseeing, and one luxurious night at the Maxims Tower!


RESORTS WORLD MANILA
Newport Boulevard, Newport City, 1309 Pasay City, Philippines
Tel: +63 2 836-6333 / +63 2 908-8833





Many thanks to Star Cruises for arranging and hosting this media familiarisation trip.