Metro Manila Hotels

The mega city Metro Manila is for that kind of vacation full of fun, world-class entertainment, vibrant energy, mix of cultures, wide array of food, history and arts, and a gamut of fun, entertaining, and interesting things to do from daytime to dawn.

Metro Manila, capital of the Philippines, is a megalopolis and is naturally the center of major government, educational, economic, and cultural activities of the country. It has 16 cities and a town with each having different types of tourist attractions to offer. Modern structures dominate the business centers of the city but the beauty of the city is made complete by places for appreciating history and culture, spots for nature walks and sport activities, and sights to relish amazing sunsets which sets the mood for either rest in Metro Manila’s luxury hotels or an exciting night at its world class entertainment hubs and casinos.

How to Go  

By plane

Metro Manila is the home of the country’s primary airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay, which is situated at the most southern side of the city.

By land transportation

Taxis can take you from the airport to any point in Metro Manila. Airport shuttles and buses are also available which have routes going to Roxas Boulevard and Makati Central Business District.

Getting Around

There are many modes of transportation including the Metro and Light Railway Transit, buses, and taxis but riding jeepneys and tricycles (motorcycle with attached roofed side car) should give you fantastic memories of what public commute is in Manila.

If you can’t manage the heat though, you can opt to ride in shuttles or vans which usually have terminals in major malls in the city. If you have already reached your destination, just call on the driver by saying “Mama, para po.” (Mister, please stop here).

Tourist Attractions

Are you game for anything? Most of the top attractions in Manila are those that have to do with entertainment and leisure and it helps if you are in the mood for an excitement-filled vacation. World class casinos in Manila will give you vibrant game nights and chances to win huge prizes. Try your luck at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay, Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque, City of Dreams also in Parañaque, and the Casino Filipino in Ermita which, just like all other Casino Filipino branches in the Philippines, is run by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Yet being an old city that became capital of the colonial Philippines in 16th century, some parts of Metro Manila also has its old-world charm, in particular, Intramuros, which is the oldest district of Manila. See the well-maintained structures of old-Spanish era influences such as the Fort Santiago, the churches Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church.

For more historical and cultural trips, you can also visit Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila which has the famous monument of Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, or to Chinatown located in Binondo, Manila where Chinese restaurants and stores naturally abound.

Top Things to Do

Get more entertainment at Metro Manila’s concert places and amusement parks. For local artists, head to Music Museum in San Juan City while for foreign acts, see them at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. To catch major theatrical performances, go to Newport Performing Arts Theatre.

Museums are plenty in Manila and the National Museum entrance is free for locals and foreigners. If you are looking for more amusement and fun with family, there is the Manila Ocean Park, a world-class marine theme park with a state-of-the-art oceanarium, and SM by the Bay Amusement Park where you can try riding the MOA Eye, the tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines.

Shopping is a wonderful, crazy experience in the Philippines, what with supersized malls that houses hundreds of shops, cinemas, and venues for exhibits, fashion shows, and concerts. The Mall of Asia in Pasay has IMAX theater and an Olympic-sized ice skating rink. The Megamall in Mandaluyong has videoke/karaoke bars and huge arcade.

If you are after the more posh items and luxury brands, head over to Greenbelt in Makati, Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, and Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City. For bargain hunting, locals will point you to Greenhills in San Juan City which is popular for both knock-offs and original items at reduced prices, and to Divisoria, Baclaran, Quiapo, and Tutuban which are best places to buy bulk items for gifts, souvenirs, and even raw materials such as textiles and craft materials.

Where to Eat

So many choices and cuisines await you in Manila as there are probably tens of thousands of luxury and budget restaurants in the city inside malls and hotels, and on streets and corners. For a unique experience though, dine in local restaurants offering Filipino cuisine such as Café Juanita in Pasig, Mesa Filipino Moderne in Makati City, and Abe in Bonifacio Global City. These restaurants also offer native drink concoctions and desserts. You can go to the city of Malabon for its famous pancit malabon, a stir-fried noodle dish with yellow-orange shrimp sauce and other seafood toppings.

Metro Manila also has dining districts such as Chinatown in Binondo for Asian cuisine. There are also hawker stalls here for cheap but good-tasting street food. Malate district is known for its rows of restaurants offering Western cuisine as well as bars and pubs. Tomas Morato and Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, Lilac Street in Makati, and Greenfield District in Mandaluyong are also worth checking out.

Don’t forget to try eating at Jollibee, the country’s most famous fast food chain, which CNN food critic Anthony Bourdain described as the wackiest, jolliest place on Earth.

Nightlife

Casinos, concerts, bars, fun, nightlife, Metro Manila: these words can be synonyms. When office hours ends, nightlife immediately begins converting business districts such as Pasig, Makati, Alabang, and recently, Libis, Quezon City, and Bonifacio Global City into a huge party place of lights and different sorts of entertainment.

For decades, Malate has always been the place to go clubbing, bar-hopping, and all-night partying. Today, bars are everywhere and even up there on rooftops. For music, chill at 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub and Hard Rock Café in Makati, and Oblivion Bar in Quezon City. Want posh and classy interiors, go to 71 Gramercy boasts. And to witness the sunset or see the city lights, raise your cocktail glass at Sky High Bar in Pasig or Z Hostel in Makati.

Where to Stay

Luxury hotels abound in Metro Manila mostly located in the city’s business district. Fairmont Makati and Raffles are both five-star hotels located in Makati and towering at 30 floors. There's also Makati Diamond Residences and Dusit Thani Manila for a more exclusive stay in the city. Meanwhile, the Peninsula Manila, which is a super luxury hotel, is also a super choice with its Filipiniana-inspired rooms decorated with native weavings and other local furnishings.

If you're in Manila, you can try booking at two of the most popular hotels in the area including Hotel H2O or Century Park Hotel. Pasig's accommodation also has extensive selections. If you're in Ortigas District, stay in Astoria Plaza to enjoy great location and wonderful amenities. Privato Hotel within the Kapitolyo area will give you access to lots of nearby attractions. Indeed, there are many great hotel choices all over the metro. Check out Azumi Boutique Hotel in Muntinlupa, Luxent Hotel and Icon Hotel North EDSA in Queson City, and F1 Hotel in Taguig.

But should you choose to scrimp on your budget for accommodation, there is also a wide selection of mid-range to budget hotels such as Remington Hotel and Kabayan Hotel in Pasay, The Oasis Paco Park Hotel in Manila, and Red Planet in Ermita.

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