The Best Luxury Hotels in Manila
Metro Manila is home to quite a number of luxury 5-star hotels—and all you really need is to pick the one suited to your sophisticated taste. From traditional ones, to hip ones, to quirky ones, and to the impossibly posh ones (a hotel suite with your own swimming pool), the capital city of the Philippines offers a pretty wild variety of grand hotels.
Here are the15 best luxury hotels in the metro. They are naturally pricey, but it is worth the comfort, the luxury, and the extraordinary experience.
1. Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, Manila City, Metro Manila
You want an old, historic hotel? Then Manila Hotel is definitely the choice for you. If you’re the romantic type, or a history buff—or you just want to show off staying in the same hotel that the King of Pop, or The Beatles, had once stayed in.
By checking in to Manila Hotel, located along Manila Bay, it’s like stepping back in time to relive its history.
Built in 1909, during the Americanization of the Philippines, and chiefly to rival the Malacanang Palace (the official residence of the Philippine president),
Manila Hotel has its share of a colorful history. In World War I, Manila Hotel was occupied by Japanese troops, and they even set fire to it during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila. On July 6, 1986, a group of military officers loyal to deposed President Marcos took over the Manila Hotel.
The architectural renovations the hotel underwent also boasts of renowned architects—in fact, they are some of the greatest architects locally, like Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of iconic painter Juan Luna), Ildefonso Santos and Leandro Locsin.
Manila Hotel also has a history of famous guests, including former U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, Michael Jackson, John Wayne, The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harisson), Ernest Hemingway, Sammy Davis, Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, and General Douglas McArthur, who resided in the hotel during his tenure as the Military Advisor of the Philippine Commonwealth from 1935 to 1941.It was also known to host other world leaders and historical figures.
Today, the Manila Hotel has 570 rooms, which includes the three-bedroom McArthur Suite (the exact room where the General took residence), and The Penthouse—the most expensive suite on the 18th floor, complete with its own private swimming pool, decorated with Philippine antiques, and has a spectacular view of the Manila Bay, Rizal Park, and the old historic walled city, the Intramuros.
Manila Hotel has a complete set of guest facilities, including a 24-hour full-menu room service and concierge, laundry service, hair salon, airport transfer, limo and luxury car rental, a helipad, a medical clinic, a Business Center with Internet access, and more. You can also use the state-of-the-art outdoor pool, the garden with an awesome sunset view, and the Health Club.
And if you wish to relax in a spa, visit the Manila Hotel Spa found by the bay.You will never run out of dining options either—with a glorious selection of cuisines, from Chinese to European— among Manila Hotel’s three restaurants, three bars, and a delicatessen.
WEBSITE: http://manila-hotel.com.ph/
2. Nobu Hotel
City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of nobuhotelmanila.com
If you are looking for a relaxing, zen-like ambiance, with an Oriental elegance to it, then Manila’s Nobu Hotel (the very trendy and world-renowned Nobu hospitality franchise) is for you. Or if you’re a casino-hopping adventurer—because it is located within the 15-acre luxury integrated resort and casino complex of the City of Dreams, the Entertainment gaming strip along Roxas Boulevard. Among the three hotels to choose from in the City of Dreams, this should be your pick if you desire a trendier hotel to stay in.
And if you’re blowing your cash in this luxury hotel, they you can save up on transportation when you wish to tour some of Manila’s attractions—you’d be delighted to know that the hotel is accessible to the city’s top destinations, including one of the world’s largest shopping malls, SM Mall of Asia.
Famously co-owned by Japanese celebrity chef and restauranteur Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa and Hollywood A-lister and Oscar winner Robert de Niro, the Nobu Hotel has 321 rooms designed by the internationally recognized Rockwell Group, stocked with Nobu’s exclusive wines and sake, and promising you a “celebrity” experience.
Staying at Nobu Hotel Manila will also provide you, on top of all, is the celebrity-inspired and luxurious Japanese dining experience, featuring, of course, Matsuhisa’s signature dishes. You may choose the sushi bar, the chef’s table, the floating water cabanas, or the teppanyaki tables. Plus, at this hotel, you also get to enjoy a50-seater tea house with an awesome and extensive selections of tea, premium coffees, pastries, cakes, and chocolates.
Step outside the restaurant and you’ll immediately get a sight of Nobu’s 23.2-meter long swimming pool. Or if you’d prefer a more relaxing activity, visit the hotel’s spa and choose your massage treatment—Filipino or Japanese.
WEBSITE: http://www.nobuhotelmanila.com/
3. Fairmont Gold Makati
#1 Raffles Drive Manila, Makati City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy fairmont.com
If your kind of hotel is the classic, luxurious one—nothing trendy, no frills or gimmickry—just timelessly posh, then Fairmont Gold is our recommendation.
The 5-star Fairmont Gold Makati is the Manila branch of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts group, which operates in 19 countries including China, Singapore, United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Switzerland. This hotel is located at the Central Business District of the Philippines, and its visitors are normally coming from the nearby offices in the area.
Fairmont Gold, a hotel within Raffles/Fairmont, offers prestigious and luxurious service to its customers. One of the awesome privileges of staying with Fairmont Gold is you will be given access to a private business lounge where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and midnight desserts every single day.
Fairmont’s high-class quality was immediately recognized after its inception to the market. The Conde Nast Traveler, a highly-respected magazine publication, acknowledges it as the “Best New Hotel” and “Best New Family-Friendly Hotel.”
If you’re seeking for a relaxing day to rehabilitate your mind and body, its signature Willow Stream, Makati’s top spa, is found in 5this hotel, where you can enjoy the facilities for free—except for the massage. You may also visit their state-of-the-art facilities, with ultra-modern treadmills where you can run while watching cable TV, or browse the Internet.
With the dining experience, there is no offering of a grand feast, but the quality of their food is commended by many guests, superb and with healthy ingredients.
Nothing hip or fashionable here, just a very traditional, elegant, and intimate upscale hotel, perfect if you just want to relax in luxury and in complete privacy.
WEBSITE: http://www.fairmont.com/suites/
4. Pan Pacific Manila
M. Adriatico corner General Malvar Streets, Manila City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of panpacific.com
Businessmen and corporate people seeking for a terrific unwinding cap-off from a stressful work day will certainly find it in Pan Pacific Manila.
This hotel is known for its contemporary elegance and top-of-the-line furniture in their rooms. You will definitely love the Sunset Lounge, where you will get a breathtaking view of, you guess it, the sunset; hence, the name, awesome against the calm waters of Manila Bay. Upgrade your sunset-viewing experience with the lounge’s by-request cocktails and finger foods. Also, at the 21st floor is the Pacific Lounge where you can get a rare 360-degree view of Manila. Step outside the Pacific Lounge is an outdoor area for a more natural ambiance complete with a small pond.
And if you are a foodie, you will be jumping for joy—because inside the hotel is the raved Adriatico Square—four floors of gourmet restaurants that promises more than ten independent and acclaimed food-and-drink establishments, and entertainment centers.
Staying at Pan Pacific is also great for its proximity to your shopping and tourist-y needs. Just a 5 minute-walk away is Robinsons Mall. The oldest Chinatown in the world is just a 13-minute drive from the hotel. The train station is just a 5-minute walk, and it is also close to the United States and Japan embassies, the World Trade Center, and the Philippines Convention Center. Also, Pan Pacific is not far from international and domestic Airports.
Other attractions, like Manila Ocean Park and the humongous Mall of Asia, are also nearby.
WEBSITE: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-resorts/philippines/manila.html
5. Makati Shangri-la
Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of remotelands.com
The Shangri-la Makati branch was established in 1933, making the 5-star hotel one of the pioneers in the country’s luxury hotel industry.
Shangri-la’s other branches in the country, such as in Mandaluyong City (EDSA Shangri-la), Taguig City (Shangri-la at the Fort), and even at Boracay (Shangri-la’sBoracay Resort and Spa), offers the same kind of service—but
Makati Shangri-la is clearly the best, not only because it is the oldest, but because it’s the biggest, with 696 rooms and suites and frequently earns a spot on several “Best Hotels” lists worldwide.
Aptly referred to as the “Oasis in downtown,” Makati Shangri-la has developed an iconic status for its service and appeal and maintained its exquisite glamour in the 80+ years of service. Each floor will welcome you with Zen waterfalls, until you reach your spacious room.
The hotel boasts of award-winning restaurants and bars, including its Shang Palace that serves modern Cantonese cuisine. Or casually dine at their open-theater kitchens that serve international cuisine, called the Circles Event Café.
Shangri-la Makati also has a very quiet and intimate Horizon Club Lounge where you can enjoy refreshments any time of the day, take an afternoon tea, or if you wish to relax with pre-dinner drinks while enjoying the hotel’s wi-fi.
A luxurious oasis located right smack in the middle of Makati City’s most prominent and prestigious shopping, entertainment, and business district, and a walking distance to popular shopping malls, like Greenbelt, Glorietta, and SM Makati, Shangri-Makati will truly blow you away.
WEBSITE: http://www.shangri-la.com/manila/makatishangrila/
6. Solaire Resort and Casino Hotel
Aseana Ave, Parañaque City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of shop12design.com
Solaire Resort and Casino currently holds the title for the tallest hotel in the Entertainment City, just located outside the city of Manila. It is another impressive addition to the line-up of hotel/ entertainment hubs in the area, including the Resorts World Manila and, most recently, the City of Dreams Manila.
Again, if you want to stay in city’s destination for gaming, dining, leisure, and entertainment, the 5-star Solaire Hotel is a great choice. It boasts of 800 rooms, suites, and villas so luxurious that tears will spring in your eyes—especially if you are staying at the Bay Tower so can receive a full view of the bay, an obstructed sea and sky.
You may also opt to stay at their Sky Tower to indulge in their ultra-modern guestrooms. Not every room has the view of the bay, but the luxurious room will nevertheless make you gasp.
Whether you are staying for business or pleasure, and demand for luxury, Solaire will go beyond your expectations.
And if you want to treat yourself with the highest form of luxury, then the Solaire Bay Club is for you. Located at the Bay Tower, weep with the view of the Manila Bay while you dine like royalty (your scrumptious meal prepared by international chefs) and receive VIP treatment.
So if you are on the lookout for a very contemporary, modern, vibrant, ultra-luxurious hotel experience, then make a beeline to Solaire.
WEBSITE: https://solaireresort.com/hotel/
7. Ascott Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
28th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, Metro Manila
The Bonifacio Global City (or BGC), like its neighboring Makati, is also a busy area itself. Corporate heavyweights, like Hewlett-Packard and Fortune-500 J. P. Morgan Chase, have their big offices here, and so the 5-star Ascott Apartment Hotel is the popular choice of luxurious accommodation for those taking business trips.
Ascott has plush and spacious furnishings, state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, with boardrooms and meeting rooms perfect for your work—and pleasure.
The location is so convenient—not just because of its proximity to the business hub of the city, it’s also a short distance to shopping and entertainment areas, a hospital, St. Luke’s. No wonder the Ascott is the top pick for corporate travelers.
WEBSITE: http://www.the-ascott.com/en/philippines/manila/ascott_bonifacio_global_city.html
8. DusitThani Manila
Theater Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila
Dusit Thani is a Thailand-based hotel company that came to the Philippines in 2008. The hotel was formerly the Hotel Nikko Manila, before the owners renamed it as Dusit Hotel Nikko and, eventually, Dusit Thani Manila.
One of the reasons why people keep coming back to Dusit Thani is how authentic and true it is to its Thai origins, which you can experience the moment you step into its premises, with hotel employees greeting you with the Thai phrase “SawasdeeKrap,” which is a way of saying “hello” in Thailand, to the hotel’s interior and exterior design heavily inspired by Thai culture.
To amp your Thai experience in DusitThani, dine in the hotel’s popular Benjarong Restaurant that serves none other than authentic Thai cuisine.
Music lovers will enjoy going to the hotel’s R. J. Bistro. This music bar is owned by Ramon Jacinto (from which the initials R. J. came from), a popular local musician and radio broadcaster known to play beloved rock music.
And if you are seeking for some pampering and complete relaxation, you can also head on to their Dervana Spa, or if you wanna sweat it out, go to their DFIT Fitness Center.
If you are yearning for an authentic Thai accommodation and hospitality in the capital city of Manila, nothing can be more timeless, elegant, and stylish than Dusit Thani.
WEBSITE: http://www.dusit.com/
9. Marriott Hotel
#10, Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of agoda.com
A short walk away from Resorts World Manila,the country’s premiere casino / entertainment hub in Newport City Complex, is the Marriott Hotel. Owned by the Marriott Company, it is the biggest hotel chain in the world with over 4,000 establishments in different countries.
This 5-star hotel has 570 rooms and suites for its guests, a ballroom called the Marriott Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate 4,000 guests, a health club, and the Quan Spa famous for its aroma fusion massage that comes with an access to a Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam bath.
The hotel also has a café highly recommended for their mouth-watering breakfast buffet—incredibly wide selection for hearty breakfast eaters!
The Marriott also has an Executive Lounge if you wish to simply relax, meet people for business purposes, or have your clothes ironed. It is also where you can go to for an afternoon tea and snacks and experience their super light, fluffy, out-of-this-world egg sandwhich. In the evening, you may choose to return to this lounge for their pre-dinner cocktails, enjoying their delectable spread.
The hotel also has an outdoor pool, five restaurants, an on-site casino, and a golf course.
So if you’re not really picky and just want to stay in a well-established hotel franchise just near the airport (1-km distance from the Ninoy Auqino International Airport), the Marriott Hotel, with its timeless elegance, is a top pick. It’s also a 3-minute walk from the high-energy and high-class Resorts World.
WEBSITE: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mnlap-manila-marriott-hotel/
10. Hotel H20 Manila
Luneta (Behind the Quirino Grandstand), Manila, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of sevenseasproperties.com
If you’re already bored with your thousand and one experience of a sunrise/ sunset view from your hotel room and looking for something different, then Hotel H20 is a cool option. The hotel’s name will already give you a clue— a room with aquariums for windows. Yes, that’s right—no sky at all, just blue waters with Nemo or Dory swimming before your eyes. Of course they have rooms with a view of the bay and the sky, but the unique offering of this hotel are the aquariumed rooms.
Hotel H20, perched atop Manila Bay, is located next to the Manila Ocean Park, perfect for guests that came from the park and wish to extend their ocean experience up until their bedtime. Or if it’s always been your dream to sleep with fishes, then this is one heck of a hotel for you. The rooms are comfortable and luxurious—linen sheets and pillows, chic and modern furnishings, a flat-screen monitor, high-speed Internet, it’s pretty sweet and high-tech for an aquariumed room.
WEBSITE: https://www.hotelh2o.com/main/index.php
11.Raffles Makati
Amaiz Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of tripadvisor.com.ph
Raffles Makati is the sister hotel of Fairmont Hotel. In fact, both share the same building, including the Raffles Residence.
Raffles promotes its warm, homey ambiance and authentic Filipino hospitality. So if you are seeking for solace, tranquillity, and warmth, Raffles should be your top pick. Your utmost comfort and privacy is their mantra, and to prove that they would do anything to minimize disturbance and intrusion, you will get to experience their legendary butler service—the most skilfully discreet and gracious lot you can ever find in a hotel in Manila.
Complete the remarkable Filipino hospitality and cultural experience in the hotel’s dining destinations, which offer local dishes known for their Asian, Malay, and Spanish influences. They have a pretty good selection of dining establishments: Writers Bar, Long Bar, Spectrum, and the hotel’s charming pastry boutique, Café Macaron.
Experience more serenity and deep relaxation in the hotel’s spa, as well as in their outdoor pool overlooking the city. Raffles is absolutely a calming oasis in the middle of the city’s toxic and feverish chaos.
And if you wish to explore more dining options, enjoy shopping in a cosmopolitan area, simply step out and be delighted to find dining, leisure, shopping, and cultural attractions nearby.
WEBSITE: http://www.raffles.com/makati/
12. The Peninsula Manila
Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of travellermade.com
Opened in 1976, the Peninsula Manila, or “Manila Pen,” is perhaps the most popular hotel for tourists and businessmen. In its 40 years in business, the legendary Peninsula has over 490 rooms and suites, and famously known as the “Jewel in the Capital’s Crown” for its location—right in the heart of Makati City district (it is right smack at the busy intersection of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue). It also has a 24-hour restaurant, which is very convenient.
The hotel represents Filipino elegance; the rooms and suites are timelessly Filipiniana and posh, making use of natural materials and fabrics.
In the hotel, experience the popular in-house restaurant Escolta, which offers international feasts, including farm-to-table dishes. Escolta boasts of live cooking stations, carving stations, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet that offers a spread tantalizing to the senses.
The hotel’s spa and wellness is also legendary. The Peninsula Spa is modern but tranquil, overlooking the outdoor pool ringed with lush tropical vegetation. Here, you will receive award-winning treatments that will distress your mind and body—Oriental, European, or Ayurvedic methods, your pick.
The hotel also has a fitness center with state-of-the-art training equipment.
So if you are seeking for an authentic Filipino experience in a luxurious, 5-star setting in Makati, try the Manila Pen.
WEBSITE: http://manila.peninsula.com/en/default
13. F1 Hotel Manila
32nd St., Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila, Philippines
F1 Hotel Manila is the pioneer hotel in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) situated in the center of entertainment, business, medical institutions, and just about everything (plus a short drive to domestic and international airports).
Sleek, upscale and modern, the hotel is perfect for staycations, business, family, or pleasure, or relaxation.
The hotel has a 24-hour gym for fitness buffs, three swimming pools, all-day dining area, wi-fi in all rooms and public spaces, and other convenient facilities and amenities. Those lazy to leave their rooms for a massage can have it in the comfort of their rooms courtesy of the expert hotel masseuses, as per request.
F1’s lounge and lobby are very minimalist and spacious. So if you are simply in search for a luxurious resting experience in the middle of high-energy, vibrant BGC, F1 is highly recommended.
WEBSITE: http://f1hotelmanila.com/
14. Marco Polo Ortigas
Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of marcopolohotels.com
One blogger raved about Marco Polo’s super speedy and convenient wifi connection—no hassle of log-ins and passwords. So this is your ideal hotel if you are incapable of unplugging for even a minute. Upload, Instagram, Facebook, and tweet to your heart’s desire. Or just enjoy an uninterrupted work experience online.
Marco Polo Ortigas, the luxurious 5-star hotel in the Ortigas Central Business District, in Pasig, is a favorite of many staycationers for its large ultra-posh rooms and very nice, friendly, professional staff. Plenty of repeat clients says a lot about its quality of service.
The location is amazing—close to multiple shopping centers and endless dining establishments. High-speed Internet, excellent location, comfort and luxury, amazing staff, Marco Polo is indeed a win-win.
15.Maxims Hotel
Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Image courtesy of agoda.com
Maxims is a 6-star hotel. Yup, no typo there! A 6-star hotel. Too expensive to exist among 5-star hotels.
Maxims is actually an all-suite hotel, so each room is designed to provide you with superior elegance and comfort, including your own butler. The suites vary—from villas to the appropriately called “The Mansion,” a 652-square meter space with its own swimming pool, a garden, two pavilions, visual room, two bedrooms, one master bedroom with a Jacuzzi, and a private massage room. Talk about feeling Richie Rich for a while. Truly posh to the maximum level.
Maxims is actually the first ever all-suite hotel in the entire country to cater to your first-class, discerning demands. So if you want a truly lavish experience, this is the perfect high-end choice for you in the Newport area.
WEBSITE: http://www.rwmanila.com/hotels/maxims-hotel
Helpful articles and blog posts on the best luxury hotels in Manila:
We only recommend writers and blogs that we read regularly and believe will deliver substantial value to our readers. The following is our top picks of blog reviews that we think are worth reading for you to get a more in-depth look into some of the luxurious hotels on our list.
- “Maxims Tower in Resorts World Manila” – by Franny Wanny
- “METRO MANILA | Hotel H2O, a Watery Weekend” – by Lakad Pilipinas
- “Experiencing Gracious Thai Hospitality at Dusit Thani Manila” – by Pinas Muna
- “SOLAIRE RESORT AND CASINO, Manila – One of the best emerging hotels in the Philippines.“ – by Angelo the Explorer
- “Staycation at Nobu Hotel in City of Dreams Manila.” – by Joei & Me
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