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The Best Luxury Hotels in Manila

Survey the city in style from an infinity pool overlooking Manila Bay
Survey the city in style from an infinity pool overlooking Manila Bay | Courtesy of Conrad Manila / Expedia

Once you get past Manila’s unassuming exterior, you’ll be handsomely rewarded by the Pearl of the Orient’s many lavish gems to rest your head. Wander the ruins of old Spanish settlements, admire Baroque buildings beside ultramodern skyscrapers and visit the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo. The capital of the Philippines is the perfect gateway to the archipelago’s exotic islands, beaches and more.

Sheraton Manila Bay

Luxury, Chain Hotel

Living room in suite at Sheraton Manila Bay with views over the city
Courtesy of Sheraton Manila Bay / Expedia

Filipino hospitality, high-end amenities and spectacular views meet at the Sheraton Manila Bay. The tower-like hotel spies the surrounding city, especially from the smart Sunset Lounge bar and outdoor pool deck. Every guest has access to a personalised butler service and rooms have views of Manila Bay. Those wanting to up the ante should plumb for the Presidential Suite to soak up views from the jacuzzi tub and massage shower.

Diamond Hotel Philippines

Boutique Hotel, Business Hotel, Hotel

Outdoor swimming pool at Diamond Hotel Philippines
Courtesy of Diamond Hotel Philippines / Expedia

Set in magnificent Manila Bay, the Diamond Hotel is a five star that focuses on recreation and wellness. The health club offers personalised fitness programmes, spa packages and reflexology treatments, plus there’s a swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool, tennis courts and steam rooms to leave guests feeling refreshed and energised. The Premier Suites are the real jewel by the bay thanks to exclusive perks, such as butler service and a gratis buffet breakfast.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Resort, Hotel

Outdoor swimming pool with palm trees and view of the sea at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Courtesy of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila / Expedia

This Sofitel comprises polished French design and decor with a Filipino cultural touch. Overlooking Manila Bay, it has a lagoon-like swimming pool, 12 acres (5ha) of tropical gardens, mini-golf, tennis, petanque courts and even a jogging trail. Splurge on a spa treatment on the private outdoor sundeck or a holistic health programme at the So Fit wellness centre, then dine under the stars at the Sunset Bar where live cultural shows play out.

The Manila Hotel

Hotel

Large dining room at The Manila Hotel with trees inside and view of garden
Courtesy of The Manila Hotel / Expedia
If the walls of the Manila Hotel could talk, there would definitely be tales to tell. Notable guests here have included presidents, royals and writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, who labelled it one of the most important landmarks in Manila. Today, the historic hotel boasts modern amenities and a spruced-up spa, pilates studio, fitness centre and courtyard pool. Built in a Spanish Revival style with dramatic arches and arcades, and grand chandeliers, it endures as an emblem of old-world charm, sophistication and elegance.

Rizal Park Hotel

Luxury, Independent Hotel

Outdoor swimming pool and sun beds at Rizal Park Hotel with view of the city in the distance
Courtesy of Rizal Park Hotel / Expedia

Established in 1898 as a social club for the US Navy, the Rizal Park Hotel reopened in the 21st century after top-to-tail renovation that saw it restored to its former glory. The hotel foyer provides a suitably grand entrance, with marble checkered floors, soaring double-height ceiling, twin twisting staircases and oversized chandeliers. The old-world luxury atmosphere continues throughout the hotel, where antique furniture and modern conveniences await, such as the rooftop infinity pool and bar for some of the best sunset views in the city.

Winford Manila Resort and Casino

Luxury, Resort

Long and thin swimming pool at Winford Manila Resort and Casino with sun beds and fountain feature
Courtesy of Winford Manila Resort and Casino / Expedia

The Winford offers 128 stunning rooms and suites, each with sleek decor and views of the Manila skyline. Restaurants spin the globe from Filipino to Spanish and Chinese, symbolising the city’s crossroad-like status. Enjoy a cocktail at the alfresco pool bar, take a dip in the heated pool with, yes, more views, or unwind at the on-site spa.

Makati Shangri-la Hotel

Chain Hotel, Luxury

Large dining room at Makati Shangri-la Hotel with patterned carpet and large pillars
Courtesy of Makati Shangri-la Hotel / Expedia

Makati Shangri-La is strategically located in Manila’s main shopping district, close to the mall-crawl hubs of Glorietta and Greenbelt. The hotel’s decadence begins in the lobby and continues all the way up to the city-spying rooms and suites. World-class Japanese cuisine is on the menu at Inagiku, courtesy of chef Wataru Hikawa, who crafts multi-course kaiseki meals from land and sea. Meanwhile, Cantonese cuisine is served up at the Bond-worthy, red-velvet-clad Shang Palace. The outdoor pool is the place to turn on holiday mode.

Raffles Makati

Chain Hotel, Luxury

Stylish living room in suite at Raffles Makati with large windows overlooking city
Courtesy of Raffles Makati / Expedia

Raffles has become a byword for luxury and the Makati outpost certainly lives up to expectations. A sanctuary within the city’s business district, it offers 32 spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer mesmerising views of the cityscape and butlers at your service. Treat yourself in the spa’s eucalyptus steam room or have an invigorating swim in the hotel’s outdoor pool. Guests can also take a tour with the in-house art concierge to learn about the works on display throughout the hotel.

Nobu Hotel Manila

Independent Hotel, Luxury

Outdoor seating area on deck at Nobu Hotel Manila with lit up buildings behind
Courtesy of Nobu Hotel Manila / Expedia

The vibrant rooms here deftly showcase Nobu’s modern design ethos. From the origami-inspired furnishings and cherry-blossom wall panelling to the free Japanese tea, rooms and suites speak to simple sophistication. All have views of the city or the infinity pool. This being part of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s hotel empire, guests are granted a table at the in-house Nobu Restaurant for innovative Japanese fusion dishes, such as king-crab tempura and black cod in miso.

Conrad Manila

Chain Hotel, Luxury

Large seating area at Conrad Manila with large windows overlooking the water
Courtesy of Conrad Manila / Expedia

Conrad Manila’s unique architecture was designed to look like the yachts that dot Manila Bay’s waters. Chic and sleek, every room is outfitted with clever technology, such as Bluetooth-enabled entertainment, hydrotherapy rain showers and smart lighting that adjusts to the time of day. Indeed, every detail is rather well thought out, from the fine art found throughout, to the infinity pool that offers views of the sea and the low-lit spa treatment rooms with their oversized soaking tubs.

The Henry Hotel

Hotel

Wooden lodge surrounded by trees at The Henry Hotel Manila
Courtesy of The Henry Hotel Manila / Expedia

This 1940s-era mansion is now a characterful boutique hotel set in a leafy compound in the Pasay neighbourhood, a quiet respite from Manila’s city-centre bustle. Each of the 35 spacious rooms speaks to the building’s past with retro floor tiles, dark-wood furnishings and mustard-toned fabrics. Most overlook the back-to-nature grounds, romantically trailed by giant Banyan trees and topped off with a tranquil pool. There’s an honesty shop, where you can pick up handcrafted Filipino products from the Gifts and Graces Foundation, and the Apartment 1B restaurant for morning feasts of fruit bowls, pancakes and more.

For more options in the capital, check out the best hotels in Manila. Planning to venture beyond the luxury hotels of Manila instead? Make sure to check out our rundown of the top boutique stays in the Philippines – all bookable with Culture Trip.

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