One Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines | (618) 248-8274
Manila’s most iconic luxury hotel
Within walking distance of major attractions such as Intramuros and Rizal Park
Beautiful rooms and suites feature Filipiniana decor and top-notch amenities
World-class dining offered at its famous four restaurants
Wonderful spa includes luxe treatment rooms and a wide range of services
Well-equipped fitness center also offers yoga and Pilates classes
Large pool includes a swim-up bar and padded loungers
Ten opulent meeting rooms, plus a business center with secretarial services on-site
Executive Club Rooms come with private check-in and extra perks
Free Wi-Fi
Carpeting is a tad tired in some rooms
A 30-minute drive from Makati
This 510-room property is Manila’s grand dame. It wows guests with world-class service, opulent Filipiniana-style interiors, and top-notch amenities, including a wonderful spa, modern fitness center, large pool with a swim-up bar, and four outstanding restaurants. Rooms are some of the most decadent in Manila and have large marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. It may not be the city’s newest hotel, but it is one of the most luxurious and is a short walk from major tourist attractions such as Intramuros and Rizal Park.
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Scene
Steeped in history, the Manila Hotel is the city’s most iconic luxury property.
The gorgeous Manila Hotel is housed in two buildings: the original structure dating back to 1912 and designed in California Mission style, and the Tower section, added in the 1970s to house additional rooms and suites. Heads of state and government, writers, and celebrities -- including US President John F. Kennedy, novelist Ernest Hemingway, and The Beatles --have called this magnificent property home throughout its more than 100 years of history. There are newer hotels in town, but this is one of the most opulent and unique properties in Manila, with a decadent Filipiniana style and great attention to detail. The iconic lobby is a stately space with an impressive colonnade, striking chandeliers hanging from coffered ceilings, unobtrusive piano music, and gleaming marble floors that make the atmosphere exclusive and elegant without being stuffy. Rooms have a similar feel and decor style, with lots of wood, rich fabrics, and a variety of traditional Filipino materials. For a peek into the city’s grand past, the Manila Hotel is hard to beat.
Location
Overlooking the Manila Bay, within walking distance of Rizal Park and Intramuros
The Manila Hotel is located directly overlooking the Manila Bay, in a quiet area in Ermita neighborhood right behind Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand. Busy Roxas Boulevard is right at the corner of the hotel, offering easy access to other parts of town by car; however, traffic can be heavy in the area during rush hour. Intramuros and Ocean Park theme park can both be reached on foot in under 10 minutes, and there are a few restaurants and shops nearby. This location is convenient for tourists looking to see Manila’s top attractions, but business travelers may want to note that Makati is a half-hour drive away in normal driving conditions. Ninoy Aquino International Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes during off-peak hours.
Rooms
Sophisticated and elegant, with top-notch amenities and expansive views
The hotel has 510 rooms ranging from Grand Deluxe to Heritage Suites. All have large windows overlooking either the city, Rizal Park, or the walled city of Intramuros. Sturdy wooden wardrobes and rich fabrics in gold, burgundy, and beige hues make rooms elegant and classic, while carved-wood headboards, paintings by Filipino masters, and delicate shutters honor the hotel’s beautiful Filipiniana style. All the expected upscale amenities are present here, including flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks. Marble bathrooms are spacious and luxurious, with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, as well as waterproof TVs. All rooms were renovated in 2008, and while there is no serious wear anywhere, a few details -- such as some carpets -- are looking a tad tired. Also, units in the Tower Building have a more contemporary Filipiniana style, while those in the original 1912 section are opulent in a more old-fashioned way. The Presidential Suite has a helipad and private access from the elevator.
Features
Top-notch amenities include a spa, fitness center, four dining options, and extensive meeting space
All four dining options at the Manila Hotel are outstanding in terms of service and food. Café Ilang-Ilang offers buffet and a la carte menus in a stylish space with vaulted ceilings and large windows that let in lots of natural light; Mabuhay Palace serves tasty Cantonese cuisine, and the Cowrie Grill has a wonderful selection of steaks. The Champagne Room is probably the most sumptuous of all four restaurants, with lavish decor that might feel excessively ornate to some, and a refined, yet friendly, atmosphere. Additionally, the hotel offers two drinking spots, including the English pub-style Tap Room and the Lobby Lounge, which also serves afternoon tea. A small bakery sells fresh pastries in the lobby. The pool is large and appealing, with a swim-up bar and a couple dozen parasols and padded loungers. For those looking to get pampered, the top-notch spa offers a wide array of massages -- including treatments for couples -- a hydrotherapy area, sauna, and steam room. Adjacent to the spa is the fabulous fitness center, equipped with cardio and strength-training machines, and offering yoga and Pilates classes. Suite guests and those staying on the Executive Level have access to a 15th-floor lounge with private check-in, butler services, and free drinks. The hotel also features extensive meeting space and a business center with secretarial services.
