Few hotels in Metro Manila carry as much history as The Manila Hotel. Opened in 1912 beside Rizal Park, this grand address combines an old-Manila atmosphere with a resort-style pool, spacious rooms and several destination restaurants. This guide helps Filipino families, couples, balikbayans and international visitors decide whether the location, dining and heritage are worth the splurge.
The Manila Hotel at a glance
- Address: One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila 0913
- Best for: heritage lovers, special occasions, families exploring old Manila and travelers who want a full-service stay
- Check-in / check-out: from 2:00 p.m. / until 12:00 noon; confirm with your booking
- Standout features: historic lobby, outdoor pool, health club, Heritage Museum and multiple restaurants
- Planning date: prices and hours checked October 29, 2026; always recheck before paying
Why The Manila Hotel matters
The hotel officially opened on July 4, 1912, following architect William E. Parsons’ work on Daniel Burnham’s plan for Manila. Its original 149 rooms welcomed dignitaries, artists and political figures; General Douglas MacArthur and his family also lived here. The property suffered wartime damage, was rebuilt and later expanded. That layered history, rather than its five-star positioning, is the strongest reason to choose it over a newer business hotel.
The present hotel is not a time capsule. Expect a functioning luxury property whose ceremonial spaces feel historic while its tower rooms and leisure facilities are modern additions. The grand lobby makes the first impression: chandeliers, carved details and generous seating give arrivals a sense of occasion. The hotel’s free Heritage Museum, normally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., adds useful context; guided tours depend on availability.
What can guests expect from the rooms?
The official room list ranges from Superior Deluxe rooms to themed suites such as the Luneta, Bay, Intramuros, Veranda and MacArthur suites. A Superior Deluxe measures 40 square meters and lists a king bed, Wi-Fi, coffee setup, safe, television and a bathroom with separate tub and rain shower. At 91 square meters, the Bay Suite offers substantially more room for couples or families. Views vary: some rooms face the bay, city, pool or nearby landmarks, so request your priority in writing rather than assuming it from the room name.
| Room direction | Who it may suit | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Superior or Tower Deluxe | Couples and short stays | Bed type, view and breakfast inclusion |
| Luneta or Bay Suite | Special occasions or guests wanting more space | Exact view, occupancy and lounge benefits |
| Family arrangement | Parents traveling with children | Maximum occupancy, connecting rooms and extra-bed fee |
Recent guest ratings are strong overall: Booking.com showed 8.7/10, with especially high scores for staff, cleanliness and comfort, while Agoda displayed 9.0/10 across a much larger review pool. The recurring positives are the lobby, generous room size, location and buffet. The caveat is consistency. Some recent reviewers describe dark or aging rooms, limited power outlets, air-conditioning or noise issues, and uneven service. If those details matter, ask for a recently refreshed, quiet room away from event areas and inspect it soon after arrival. View current room photos and layouts on the hotel’s official rooms page; copyrighted marketing photos are linked rather than republished here.
Pool, wellness and a slower day at the hotel
The outdoor pool is a practical advantage for families and travelers scheduling a rest day between sightseeing. The dedicated pool page lists daily hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for checked-in guests and members. The Health Club publishes the same hours and includes a gym, dry sauna and steam room. Spa services may cost extra, so verify inclusions when booking.
Where to eat: buffet, fine dining and dim sum
Café Ilang-Ilang
Café Ilang-Ilang is the all-day buffet most closely associated with the hotel. Its stations cover Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Mediterranean food, with themed dinners through the week. Published hours are breakfast 6:00–10:00 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and dinner 6:00–9:30 p.m. At the time of checking, breakfast was ₱1,950 (about US$31) per adult; lunch ranged from ₱3,495 (about US$55) on weekdays to ₱3,645 (about US$57) on weekends; dinner ranged from ₱3,645 (about US$57) Monday–Thursday to ₱4,295 (about US$67) Friday–Sunday. Children ages 5–12 were half-price. Rates included taxes, but promotions and schedules can change.
Currency and pricing note: U.S. dollar conversions are approximate and use a planning rate of US$1 ≈ ₱63.50. This rate is rounded from the latest available Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reference rate checked October 29, 2026. Prices and exchange rates can change; your card issuer or money changer may use a different rate or add fees.
Champagne Room
Choose the Champagne Room for a formal date or celebration. Its 2026 à la carte update features seafood, steaks and European-style classics, including lobster thermidor, lamb rack, beef tournedos with foie gras and tableside beef stroganoff. Published hours are lunch Monday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and dinner 6:30–10:30 p.m.; it is closed Sunday. Dress and budget for fine dining, reserve ahead and check the current official menu announcement before visiting.
Red Jade
Red Jade serves Cantonese dishes in a quieter fine-dining setting. Its regular schedule is lunch 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and dinner 6:00–10:00 p.m. A weekday dim sum promotion listed for April 13–December 30, 2026 costs ₱1,588 nett (about US$25) and includes choices such as har gow, siomai, xiao long bao and radish cake. Reservation and blackout rules apply. For families, this can be easier to budget than the larger dinner buffet.
Places to explore nearby
The hotel’s location works best for travelers interested in Manila’s historic core. Rizal Park is directly beside the property, making an early walk easy before the heat builds. The National Museum complex is within the same wider district; the National Museum of Fine Arts and National Museum of Anthropology publish daily hours of 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with free admission except on selected holidays.
| Stop | Why go | Cost and planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Rizal Park | Monuments, lawns and national history beside the hotel | Free; check park advisories for events |
| National Museum complex | Philippine art, archaeology and culture | Free; 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. when open |
| Fort Santiago, Intramuros | Fortifications and José Rizal history | ₱75 (about US$1.17) regular, ₱50 (about US$0.78) discounted; last entry precedes closing |
| Manila Bay waterfront | Open views and sunset atmosphere | Free; road conditions and weather affect access |
A simple one-day route is Rizal Park after breakfast, the museums before lunch, then Intramuros and Fort Santiago in the afternoon. Finish with sunset near Manila Bay or dinner back at the hotel. Walking is possible for confident travelers in fair weather, but Manila heat, rain, uneven pavements and busy crossings make a short taxi or ride-hailing trip the more comfortable family option.
Getting there from NAIA
From Ninoy Aquino International Airport, use the official taxi queue, an in-app Grab booking or a prearranged hotel transfer. Verify the driver, plate and destination before leaving the terminal. Traffic is the main variable, so avoid planning a timed meal or museum entry immediately after landing. A working planning allowance is roughly ₱600–₱1,500 (about US$9–US$23) each way depending on terminal, traffic, vehicle and surge pricing; this is not an official fixed fare. Confirm any hotel shuttle charge in advance.
Practical safety notes
Use the same city awareness you would elsewhere in Metro Manila: keep phones and wallets secure, use well-lit routes after dark, book rides through official channels and allow staff to help with transport. Carry water and sun protection when walking. Around historic sites, agree on tour or pedicab prices before starting. These precautions are practical, not a reason to avoid the district.
How much should you budget?
An official advance-purchase promotion checked in October 2026 advertised a Deluxe room from ₱6,000 nett (about US$94) and Luneta or Bay suites from ₱9,000 nett (about US$141), with breakfast for two, taxes and service included. It required booking at least 14 days ahead, full prepayment and no refunds; date changes depended on availability and possible rate differences. Treat these as starting promotional figures, not guaranteed nightly prices.
| One-night sample | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱6,000–₱9,000 (about US$94–US$141) | ₱9,000–₱18,000 (about US$141–US$282) |
| Dining | ₱5,000–₱9,000 (about US$78–US$141) | ₱10,000–₱16,000 (about US$157–US$250) |
| Local and airport transport | ₱1,500–₱3,000 (about US$23–US$47) | ₱2,000–₱4,000 (about US$31–US$63) |
| Admissions and extras | ₱1,650–₱3,150 (about US$26–US$49) | ₱3,250–₱5,250 (about US$51–US$82) |
| Estimated total | ₱14,150–₱24,150 (about US$221–US$378) | ₱24,250–₱43,250 (about US$380–US$677) |
Is The Manila Hotel worth booking?
Yes, if the history, location and sense of occasion are part of the trip. It is especially compelling for a Manila heritage weekend, a family staycation with pool time, or a celebration built around the buffet or Champagne Room. The central location also reduces travel between Rizal Park, the museums and Intramuros.
Choose a newer hotel if your priorities are sleek contemporary rooms, abundant bedside charging points or immediate access to Makati and Bonifacio Global City. The Manila Hotel’s character comes with variation between rooms, so compare live photos, cancellation rules and recent reviews for the exact category. For many guests, one or two nights is the sweet spot: enough time to enjoy the property without giving up a broader Metro Manila itinerary.
Before you book
- Compare the hotel’s direct offer with a refundable rate for your dates.
- Ask which view and bed type are guaranteed, not merely requested.
- Confirm breakfast, extra-bed, parking, pool and spa inclusions.
- Reserve Café Ilang-Ilang, Champagne Room or Red Jade for peak dates.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID and the payment card used for booking; third-party listings currently note a ₱5,000 (about US$78) cash damage deposit, so verify the latest policy.
Sources and photo-use note
Hotel history, room descriptions, facility hours and restaurant information were checked against The Manila Hotel’s official website. Attraction hours and fees were checked against the Intramuros Administration and National Museum visitor guidance. Booking conditions and guest-score context were cross-checked with major booking platforms. All photographs reproduced here are Creative Commons images with the creator, source and license shown in each caption. Official hotel room and restaurant galleries are linked, not copied.
Leave a Reply