jin loves to eat: The Manila Hotel ♥ ♥ ♥

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Manila Hotel ♥ ♥ ♥

Staycation?

Really, a word like that exists?

My gosh, I am so outdated.

But what I am not outdated about is Manila Hotel’s recent facelift/makeover/renovation.

Let me tell you, it’s so bongga!!!

Lobby filled with old world Filipino charm

Lovely ladies serenade the guests

Polished wood ceilings

Original paintings by the great Amorsolo

Beautiful rattan chairs

Really, whenever I am in Manila Hotel I feel like a chi-chi Maria Clara.

And the chi-chi Maria Clara’s idea of the ultimate staycation is to
spend a weekend in the General Douglas Mac Arthur Suite

The suite is so huge it’s got a hallway of its own

Guestroom

Dining Room

Living Room

Sitting Area in the General’s Room

The General’s Bedroom

The General’s Office

The General’s Hat

If like me, you are poor with directions and would get totally lost in the huge ass Mac Arthur Suite (or if you are really just poor like me), there are 500 other newly renovated rooms and suites which are more humble in size but exude the same Filipiniana sophistication and elegance. All rooms give you magnificent views of the Manila Bay and the breathtaking Manila sunset.

Sunset/Sunrise Suite

Living area in Sunset/Sunrise Suite

Separate shower and tub with L’Occitane bathroom essentials

Stay in one of the Executive Suites for added perks

Free use of the lounge

Complimentary breakfast, cocktails and canapés, coffee and tea service

Use of boardroom and conference rooms

Gotta love the Filipino touches

Enjoy night swimming (but please, no skinny dipping!) in the newly re-engineered pool

Grab a drink from the wet bar, and lounge at the sun deck on stylish Dedon Orbit chairs

Lord knows I have no love and patience for exercise, but the Health Club leaves me very impressed. The state-of-the-art Life Fitness machines are all equipped with touch screen LCD, iPod control and a virtual trainer.

More fitness tools

The Health Club also has its own dry sauna, steam room and jacuzzi

EEEP!!! MY MORTAL ENEMY!!!

Relax and pamper yourself at the Manila Hotel Spa

Waiting Area

Hallway to the massage rooms

Single Room

Couples Room

Most people do not know this, but the hotel has an Archive Room where walls are lined with photos of presidents, celebrities, and very important peoples during their stay at the
Manila Hotel.

And lookee here, a Pilipinas jacket from Manny Pacquiao

Signed by the boxer himself

Of course, the most important thing for a food blogger is the dining establishments inside the hotel. And I think Manila Hotel has got some of the most underrated restaurants in the city.

Café Ilang-Ilang. See my posts about the buffet here, here, and here.