Peninsula Manila

Manila’s grand dame hotel delivers with great service and beautiful common spaces; however, the rooms are in need of a renovation.

• The hotel’s elegant lobby
• Top-notch service
• The atmospheric cocktail lounge, Salon de Ning

The Peninsula Manila celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2016, a testament to its staying power as the city’s premier hotel. It’s easy to see why this property is so beloved: while the Makati area has expanded with high-rise glass structures, the Peninsula remains an imposing neoclassical structure, with a beautiful cascading outdoor waterfall and a grand lobby with a balustrade mezzanine.

Though celebrities and dignitaries alike have historically favored this iconic property, the rooms today are in need of an update. The last major renovation was in 2006, which is evident in the rooms’ dated technology, worn carpets and heavy dark wood furniture. The bathrooms also feel old and cramped. Overall, the room needs a refresh in its design and layout, especially with snazzy new competition such as Shangri-La at the Fort.

Still, the Peninsula is arguably the top pick in Manila. Its spa, genteel lobby lounge and pool in a lovely garden setting make it an oasis removed from Manila’s hubbub. Of its seven dining facilities, Old Manila is a beautifully designed space featuring modern European cuisine, and the cocktail lounge Salon de Ning offers live entertainment with a 1930’s Shanghai theme.

Guests seeking five-star luxury will appreciate the grand common spaces and excellent service.

The hotel’s location next to busy roads means that walking to sites is not an option, so guests must take a car wherever they go.