Travel

Flight

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

When flying in, you'll be landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Credit cards and ATMs work just fine in most areas of Makati, but it's best to exchange cash at an airport booth when you land. You'll need pesos to pay for a taxi or Grab. To get from NAIA to your hotel, ignore the folks calling "Taxi?" to you when you land- those will be very expensive. Get in line for one of the metered yellow taxis instead, or a labeled white taxi; an airport employee will give you a receipt. You can also download the Grab app and ask an employee where the pickup point is for Grab drivers. Finally, if you prefer to have your ride booked in advance, you can also arrange an airport shuttle through whatever hotel you choose to book, prior to your traveling. When flying out, it's important to note which terminal you'll be departing from; NAIA is a huge, disconnected airport and the terminals are very far apart. Traffic on weekdays tends to be intense, so do plan accordingly!

Travel Note

Getting Around Metro Manila

We DO NOT suggest renting a car. Manila traffic is infamously exhausting, and parking is very difficult. Download the popular rideshare app Grab instead. Expect to pay about PhP 100-500 / $2-$10 USD per ride, depending on where you're going and what time it is. You can also hail cabs, but navigating might be difficult if you don't speak Filipino. We suggest staying in Makati City within walking distance of the event, to minimize your travel stress! Google Maps and Waze work in Metro Manila. Fort Bonifacio Global City is also a good option, if you need an upscale introduction to the megalopolis.

Hotel

The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences

This is where we plan to stay for the wedding! Both of us have stayed in the Picasso before, and we love it for its food, easy access to the weekend markets, and intimate feel. If you'd like to hang with us all weekend, stay here! Picasso is extending a special unpublished rate for our wedding guests: go to https://www.picassomakati.com/ and enter the promo code FANTAUZZODIAZ. Rooms with breakfast are in the $110 USD / 5800 PHP per night range. They also offer an airport shuttle for Php 1,500.00 net per way, or $30 USD; email reservations@picassomakati.com to book one.

Hotel

Somerset Olympia Makati

Another hotel right across the street from the wedding venue! Stay here if you need a kitchen or want to share a bigger (but not as fancy) suite with other guests. Tats has fond memories of their 24h Swiss restaurant, for any fondue cravings you might have-- she just might sneak here after the reception's done. Rooms are in the range of $100 USD / 5000 PHP.

Hotel

Discovery Primea

A business hotel in the heart of Makati, right across from a huge mall, and a ten-minute walk away from the wedding venue. We checked it out while looking for wedding venues. They have a great infinity pool overlooking the CBD - and their bathtubs have TVs! There is also a cigar and whiskey room, and a cheese room. Rooms are in the $170 USD / 9000 PHP range per night.

Hotel

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

If you want to treat yourself, stay here! Katherine used to come here with her grandparents for croissants and Christmas bazaars. Laurel dreams of their high tea. A stately hotel in the middle of Makati City, right across the street from the wedding venue. Stay here for impeccable service, or drop by for their specialty halo-halo and ensaymada. Rooms are in the range of $250 USD / 11,000 PHP per night per room.

Hotel

ZEN Rooms Makati Riverside

For the budget-minded, this is a decent 2-star hotel a short, 2-kilometer cab ride away from Blackbird Makati, in the Makati neighborhood of Poblacion. Rooms are in the range of $25 USD / 1200 PHP per night.

Hotel

Z Hostel

If you like late nights and want to stay where the party is, Z Hostel in Poblacion is for you. Think rooftop DJ parties and minimalist rooms. Poblacion is the late-night neighborhood of Metro Manila lately, with cool art spaces, cafes, and bars. It is also the red-light district, so! Party with care. Rooms at Z Hostel are in the $40 USD / 4000 PHP range.

Travel Note

Booking Your Own Place

In case these hotel suggestions don't do it for you, here are some thoughts! If you'd like to be within easy walking distance of our venue, any hotel or Airbnb in Salcedo Village, Makati or Legazpi Village, Makati will be just fine. If you don't mind a longer walk, and you want to be where the insomniac party is, Poblacion Makati is the neighborhood for you. If you've never been to Metro Manila, and you don't mind relying on the Grab rideshare app to get to our venue, we also suggest any AirBNB or hotel within Fort Bonifacio Global City. The Fort development includes a popular upscale mall (SM Aura) and several great restaurants, cafes, and clubs. While hotels in this area are farther from the venue, on the Sunday of our wedding, it should only take about half an hour max by Grab to get to Blackbird. On a weekday, traffic will be much more challenging.