Safety in Ermita area??

[Glenn & Anne 16]

Looking at hotels near St. Luke’s in Ermita area and trying to make plans for Anne’s medical toward the end of this month. A recurring theme in the hotel reviews is how bad the area is and how careful you must be. This is not a comforting thought for me since she will be required to leave early in the A.M. in order to secure a place in line. I was considering Hotel Soriente since they are close by and reasonably priced. Also considering getting her a hotel in Makati and just have her take a taxi to the medical.

Any thoughts or experiences you have to share? Would especially like to hear from the ladies who have already gone through this if they can comment on the safety of the area, especially in the early morning hours.

Thanks.

[Robb&Ann 101]

safety is very important...

the nearest hotel to St.Lukes is Hotel Soriente..only a few steps away..

even if u will rent a hotel in Makati, Anne would still go to Ermita...also, there are bad cab drivers too..it is also not safe riding in a cab (esp. alone) too early in the morning...

or i should say, no matter what time of the day there are really people who are not so good.. I did not rent in a hotel but i also felt scared when i went there even if i was walking at 8am already or 12nn..some were looking at me while i was walking but i just didn't mind and I continued walking..

Or maybe it would also be nice if she has a "buddy"..maybe a friend who will have a medical exam too..then maybe they can share in a hotel and go together at St.Lukes.. or maybe she can bring her mother or anyone in the family..then will just go back to the hotel while anne is already inside St.Lukes.. if u will booked at soriente, then it is a good idea having someone from a family to go with her..atleast the chaperon will just walk in going back to the hotel then pick her up after she's done with the medical.. ithat's just my opinion though..

[Stevephoto 230]

Joan is right here now. She stayed at the Lotus Garden Hotel (just ask for a room away from the construction!). It is a block and 1/2 from St. Lukes. She took a taxi at 4:30 AM on the first day (about a 2 minute ride!) and walked back after the medical. She walked there the next morning at about 9AM and walked back after. No problem. We stayed at the same hotel for two weeks during the cfo/embassy phase and Joan walked all over (Pure Gold, Robinson's, etc. Never had a problem. Good luck with the medical!

[Glenn & Anne 16]

.. or maybe she can bring her mother or anyone in the family..then will just go back to the hotel while anne is already inside St.Lukes.. if u will booked at soriente, then it is a good idea having someone from a family to go with her..atleast the chaperon will just walk in going back to the hotel then pick her up after she's done with the medical.. ithat's just my opinion though..

I planned on sending her mother with her for added safety, even tho she is 30 years old. Safety in numbers ya know. Plus her mother is really excited, never been to Manila and never flew on a plane. Sending her mother with her is for added safety and peace of mind for me.

[Dustin and Janen 86]

When I visited in March we stayed at Lotus Garden for a few days and I thought the area seemed fine. We walked around and went to Robinsons mall and this place called Cowboys (I think) had lots of foreigners but I didn't really like it. There are lots of beggars around there. And she stayed there (Lotus Garden) last week for her CFO and didn't have any problems. The breakfast is good there haha.

We stayed in a condo in Makati last year when I was there and I didn't feel any safer there. I think no matter where you stay in Manila it's going to be about the same. You have to be aware of your surrounding. Don't wear jewelry or flash expensive electronics, etc. dress conservative so you don't draw any attention to yourself, etc.

I think cabs are a bigger concern. I've asked my fiancée to start taking a picture of the cab with the cab number and sending it to me before she takes the cab. I know Lotus Garden will help you get a cab and they write down the cabs info for you on a piece of paper. When I was there the staff waved passed a few cabs until one that he knew came. I didn't have any issues with cabs the times I've been there.

[Robb&Ann 101]

I planned on sending her mother with her for added safety, even tho she is 30 years old. Safety in numbers ya know. Plus her mother is really excited, never been to Manila and never flew on a plane. Sending her mother with her is for added safety and peace of mind for me.

ya.that's true..atleast Anne and her mom can have "bonding time" too... and would also be memorable for her mom since it is her mom's first time in manila and it will be with her daughter who not for long will be leaving for US.. they can also stroll around Manila..

[Glenn & Anne 16]

I think cabs are a bigger concern. I've asked my fiancée to start taking a picture of the cab with the cab number and sending it to me before she takes the cab. I know Lotus Garden will help you get a cab and they write down the cabs info for you on a piece of paper. When I was there the staff waved passed a few cabs until one that he knew came. I didn't have any issues with cabs the times I've been there.

Thats good to know. Recently saw a story on one of the FB groups about a lady who was picked up at the airport going to St. Lukes, taxi stopped and picked up a buddy. Before they got to St. Lukes they demanded 5,000 pesos from her and started getting loud and mean when she told them all she had was 500 pesos.

On a side note I sent her documents for the interview thru FedEx and they were supposed to arrive Friday. I know have a situation with FedEx. They say thy are not lost but they took a detour to Korea. LOL. Supposedly should know more on Monday.

ya.that's true..atleast Anne and her mom can have "bonding time" too... and would also be memorable for her mom since it is her mom's first time in manila and it will be with her daughter who not for long will be leaving for US.. they can also stroll around Manila..

That was also on my mind as Anne and her mother are very close. She is the favorite child. Needless to say, I picked the best.

[Robb&Ann 101]

ohhh Cab drivers now... this also makes me worried specially that Robb is coming.. and we will be staying in Manila too for 9 days.. I hope we will not find a bad one..

[Glenn & Anne 16]

ohhh Cab drivers now... this also makes me worried specially that Robb is coming.. and we will be staying in Manila too for 9 days.. I hope we will not find a bad one..

I saw your pics on our blog of Robb. I don't think you will have too much trouble with cab drivers.

[Robb&Ann 101]

That was also on my mind as Anne and her mother are very close. She is the favorite child. Needless to say, I picked the best.

hehehe then I guess it is really a great idea having her mom with her in Manila.. now u and Anne just need to decide on where to stay..hehe

no matter where we stay in manila or anywhere, there are really people that are u know.. but not all...but i hope it will all be ok during Anne's medical exam..just stay safe and when walking,just keep on walking..and have fun too!

[Robb&Ann 101]

I saw your pics on our blog of Robb. I don't think you will have too much trouble with cab drivers.

hahaha i really hope that they would feel afraid with robb "at least".

[Glenn & Anne 16]

hahaha i really hope that they would feel afraid with robb "at least".

Yep, I think Robb would squash any cab driver who gave you a problem, squash em like a bug.

[Robb&Ann 101]

Yep, I think Robb would squash any cab driver who gave you a problem, squash em like a bug.

lol. I know he can also protect me knowing his previous job.but i worry about him more than i worry about myself. lol. anyhow, i guess pinays just really care much with their Fiance's bec we know a lot would want to take advantage of them here.. smh.. anyhow, it is almost 5am here so I have to step out for a while.lol.. Goodluck to both of u on the upcoming medical exam and the remaining steps.. stay safe!

Edited July 12, 2013 by Robb&Ann

[infinity2012 3]

Looking at hotels near St. Luke’s in Ermita area and trying to make plans for Anne’s medical toward the end of this month. A recurring theme in the hotel reviews is how bad the area is and how careful you must be. This is not a comforting thought for me since she will be required to leave early in the A.M. in order to secure a place in line. I was considering Hotel Soriente since they are close by and reasonably priced. Also considering getting her a hotel in Makati and just have her take a taxi to the medical.

Any thoughts or experiences you have to share? Would especially like to hear from the ladies who have already gone through this if they can comment on the safety of the area, especially in the early morning hours.

Thanks.

When i had my medical last July 2 to July 4, I stayed in Hotel Soriente together with my daughter, price is 1,699 pesos per night and they dnt accept credit cards. You need to pay it in cash the total amount for how many days you gonna stay. Just a few steps going to St.Luke clinic and never had problem with the place. We went to St.Luke not that much early around 8:10 am and yes lots of people around the area and sidewalk vendors are everywhere. Hope this helps

[Vic20r 14]

The closer the hotel at St. Luke's the better for her..I stayed at Best Western Hotel La Corona during my sputum exam but its 2 blocks away from St. Luke's and i wouldn't recommend it as far as safety is concerned. Not that i felt i wasn't safe because i was wearing the other side of me ( being a boyish and a marathoner). There are some construction workers in the nearby construction site who were being rude to some other ladies walking ahead of me. During my medical we stayed at Marriott hotel just across the airport but it's a waste of time and money for the cab and traffic is always bad.

Bottom line is, whenever she will be staying, be sure she won't wear or bring any valuables because it always attracts the bad guys..