On the map they look to be a bit of a drive apart.

Ermita interest me because of La Cafe, I always like the sound of freelancers that I can pick up on, but of course Makati with places like the Flamingo Club interest me as well except for the bar fining.

Also any suggestions on good budget hotes in either area?

It's 20 minutes but as always depends on traffic,should get a taxi for 100 to 150 pisos. I start at 100 piso then settle for 150 and the taxis seems happy with that, but have had drivers accept the 100.

some girls in LA Cafe won't want to go to Makati hotel and some girls in Makati don't like traveling to Ermita hotel.

Anice budget hotel in Makati, about 1 or 2 blocks from Burgess Street is The Great Eastern Hotel.

thegreateasternhotelmanila.com/index.html is the web site, internet specials for 1399 pisos.

In Ermita, City State Towers hotel is just around the corner from LA Cafe, I've walk to and from at all hours day and night.

Rooms start about $25 last I've checked. One of better budget hotels I've stayed in Ermita.

Thanks for the info, Fooledagain. That's some good shit.

Around New Year's the traffic around Manila is unreal! Horrible. Just getting from Ermita to Makati (vice versa) can be an hour to 2. Once I had the driver turn around, and the sidestreets and the horrendous traffic made me vow never to travel there again--of course, I'm planning another one--heh heh! I'll try to stay in Ermita if I am fishing there, and go to Makati only when I'm staying there around that time.

Once I got stuck in a taxi in traffic and fell asleep for half an hour. Woke up, and my girl told me we moved a block! So we got out and walked half the distance--and I believe it was worth it!

As far as LA Cafe, I've never seen anyone worth my time--except for one of the singers upstairs. I did fall for a cutie at a place down the street on Mabini--forget the name. There are a lot of hotties at Cowboy Grill, the KTV's, and many of the other "LA Cafes" around, like on Mabini, but like any freelancer bar, or similar location, there seems to be a high percentage of hit or miss at times. Personally I like Ermita because I don't like the "pushiness" of the girls in Makati.


There are also many budget accomodations I've been wondering about on Mabini--but seem kinda creepy. I see the cheap prices, but wonder about things like stairs, security, etc.