The Best Hotels in Manila

To be brutally honest, a getaway to the Philippines used to likely involve staying at one or two hotels that looked and felt more like a boarding house for college students than an actual hotel—dull, unimaginative, and sporting questionable, yellowing sheets that made you wish you had brought your sleeping bag on the trip.

That or you’d end up in a “high-end” hotel dressed with what many Filipinos construe as luxurious and elegant: red curtains, thick flowery sheets, and gaudy trimmings—in other words, cheap motel decor.

Yes, the Philippines might be a little antiquated compared rest of the world. Fortunately, with the help of world-class hotel names as well as small Western investors, the tourism landscape and lodging aesthetic are both slowly catching on, starting in the country’s capital city.

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Makati Shangri-La Manila

Big windows, plush beds, great city views and 300-threadcount bed linens in spacious guest rooms and suites make Makati Shangri-La an excellent and luxurious home base for a Manila vacation.

Of course, the Zen waterfalls on every floor, the plethora of on-site dining, complimentary WiFi and its strategic location along Ayala Avenue (a stone’s throw away from Makati’s best shopping malls) doesn’t hurt either. No one will judge you if you opted to just stay in the area on some days.

Don’t forget to take in that elegant lobby and its sweeping double staircase, then pop into Sinfully Circles for sweet treats. Rates start at $197 for double occupancy.

The Henry Manila

The two Henry properties—one in Manila, the other in Cebu—are more than just hotels. They are almost like living, breathing things with their own personalities, likes and dislikes.

And while the Cebu property is the effervescing artist in the family, the Henry Manila is more of the mature older brother, subdued and with traditional tastes in décor and art.

Set in Pasay City and relatively equal distance to Old Manila, Makati, and Bonifacio Global City, this intimate boutique hotel boasts bright, airy guest rooms flourished with a mix of a traditional Filipino vibe and contemporary furnishings. It’s all thanks to local interior designer Eric Paras.

A stay at this lovely hotel means getting the best of both worlds: that appealing old-fashioned Filipino atmosphere you crave and the first world comforts you’re used to. Rates start at $88 for double occupancy.

READ MORE: 8 Spectacular Resorts in the Philippines

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s façade may look run-of-the-mill, but wait until you see its interiors before you judge.

Its posh guest rooms are a shoo-in for classical exquisiteness with their neutral colors and simple design. Set also in Pasay City on the banks of Manila Bay, this luxury hotel finishes its rooms and suites with plush beds and balcony views that are perfection. You’ll most likely adore the way they blended Filipino culture and design with that easygoing French lifestyle.

If you have the budget, the Opera Suite (with its beautiful tub( or the Imperial Residence (with its dramatic panoramas) is the way to go.

Favorite perks of staying at this 5-star property include the massive, resort-style pool that overlooks Manila Bay and access to Le Spa for a much-needed massage. Rates start at $195 for double occupancy.

The Peninsula Manila

Also nestled in the heart of Makati is The Peninsula Manila, whose grand fountain façade is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

However, the luxury property’s beautiful rooms, furnished with a blend of traditional East Asian, Filipino and modern flourishes, are just as iconic. The big windows in each guest room and suite not only offer stunning views of the city but also welcome natural light to make everything just a little brighter.

The best part of the hotel—much like with other Peninsula properties—is the extra set of amenities for families traveling with kids. This particular hotel features a Plush Toy-Making Class, A Filipino Craft Class, Very Important Baby products and The Peninsula Kids’ Explorer activities. Rates start at $117 for double occupancy.

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Okada Manila

The color pink is the overarching, inundating theme at Okada Manila in Paranaque City.

The casino resort in Manila’s Entertainment City is herculean and boasts a luxurious space for travelers looking to indulge as well as unwind. But there’s something about its high-class pink trappings that really draws guests in.

It all starts in the grand lobby with its embellished pink ceiling, cherry blossom trimmings and pink tulip chandeliers. Some of the room categories—the Deluxe, the Grand Deluxe and the Executive Suite—are also adorably pink, with in-room Jacuzzi, rain showers and designer amenities to boot.

Be sure to watch their Bellagio-level water and light fountain show, then stop by the Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory to sample their divine Milk Cheesecake, served frozen. (Feel free to bypass Japanese restaurant Imamura, however. It is extremely expensive for a sushi spot that serves subpar food.) 

Rates start at $280 for double occupancy.