Swagman RPL Hotel Manila

well -- what can i say -- after a few days at the swagman in mnl (dec 17 '11)-- it was a dump -- when i arrived in angeles for convenience i checked in to swagnam because that was where the bus stopped in angeles and had no idea of where other hotels were located - it was a replay of manila and i checked out the next day --- maybe 30 yrs ago it might have been a bottom end hotel... but save your self a lot of trouble... and check anywhere else..or you can see for yourself - buffet is no great shakes -- its extra and you can do better across the street

Unique Quality: zero

A Norwegian friend found himself at the Bus Terminal in Manila from Pampanga and booked in Swagman Hotel Manila at noon on Jan. 11, 2011. It is his first time in the hotel as he normallystays in City Garden Hotel in Makati City.He went to the Mall of Asia at about 2:00 pm after getting settled in his room. However, upon his return at the hotel at about 10:00 pm, he discovered that somebody broke into his room and took his lap top and all his money.He finally reported the break-in to the Hotel Manager the following morning because there was no duty Manager after office hours. There was no security camera nor any Safety Deposit Box inside the room thus leaving any guest exposed to any theft and robbery. His money now all gone, he wanted to go to the NBI to report the robbery and file a formal complaint against the hotel for damages as he suspected it was an inside job and well aware that he wont get any assistance from the local police and having been warned that the police are usually in cahoots with the criminal activities. The hotel manager refused to assist the guest to the NBI and instead took him to Precinct No. 5, Ermita Police Station where my guest was instead booked and investigated for Estafa non-payment of the one night stay at the hotel at the instance of the Hotel Manager.Naturally, the Police did not assist the guest in distress regarding his loss of cash and valuables and instead found himself harassed to discourage him from pursuing the damage claim and to further investigate the robbery. The hotel manager of Swagman, instead of assisting a guest in distress for the lousy security they provided managed to have my friend cough out P 2,400 of what was left for the one-night stay. That is Swagman Hotel. Over priced. Dirty rooms and dirty tricks.Dont stay there if you want to keep your shirt on your back.

Unique Quality: Worst characteristics - many. The wors is total absence of Security camera in the hallway where the rooms are located and no safekeeping box in the rooms.

Ive made many trips to Manila usually staying at the Swagman... #1 because of location #2 because of price (even if the rooms needed lots of inprovement) #3 because it had a great breakfast buffet #4 airport pickup and return.

But on my last trip to Manila and my stay at the Swagman I was very dissatisfied ... I think the rooms have gone down hill even more then they were and the breakfast buffet has been down graded with less items now and if you wanted juice it was now a extra charge.

So on my next trip to Manila I think I will be looking for a new hotel... even if i have to pay for the taxi to and from the airport.