The Manila Hotel At a Glance
Opened | July 4, 1912 (construction started 1909) |
Star rating | 5-star (Department of Tourism star classification) |
Rooms | 515 - 570 |
Address | One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila |
Check-in | 2:00 PM |
Check-out | 12:00 PM |
Signature suite | MacArthur Suite |
Signature dining | Café Ilang-Ilang, Champagne Room |
The Manila Hotel is long operated and marketed as a five-star property, and it's widely recognized as the oldest premier hotel in the Philippines. It has been welcoming guests along Manila Bay since 1912, and more than a century later, it's still the address people think of first when they picture old-world Manila hospitality. This guide walks through its history, current star classification, room and suite options (including the famous MacArthur Suite), dining scene, and exactly where to find it.
The history behind The Manila Hotel
Superior Club Room at The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel's story starts with a city-planning ambition. When American architect and planner Daniel Burnham drew up his 1905 vision for Manila, he wanted a grand hotel anchoring the bayfront boulevard. Architect William E. Parsons was hired to design it, construction began in 1909 on reclaimed land near Rizal Park, and the finished building opened its doors on July 4, 1912. That timeline is why you'll see the hotel described as both "built in 1909, opened in 1912"; both dates are accurate, they just refer to different milestones in the same project.
What makes The Manila Hotel more than just an old building is what happened inside it. Its penthouse served as home to General Douglas MacArthur from 1935 to 1941, and the hotel was occupied and later set on fire during the Battle of Manila in World War II. It survived, was rebuilt, and went through a major renovation and expansion between 1975 and 1977. Today it's often called the "true heart of the Philippines," a phrase the hotel itself uses to describe its role as a living witness to the country's modern history.
Is Manila Hotel really a 5-star hotel?
Manila Hotel is consistently marketed and referenced as a five-star property, and it's been described that way for decades, including by its own brand tagline. In the Philippines, official star ratings come from the Department of Tourism's (DOT) National Accommodation Standards, a points-based system covering everything from arrival experience to bedroom quality: as of now the Manila Hotel is classified as a 5-star property by DOT.
Manila Hotel Rooms and the famous MacArthur Suite
Luneta Suite at The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel has more than 500 rooms, reflecting different points in the hotel's renovation history. What's interesting is the range of categories on offer, from Deluxe and Premier rooms up to specialty suites named after Filipino heroes, like the Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio suites.
Guests who book on Klook consistently point to the room experience as a highlight of staying here. One recent reviewer called their stay "clean, spacious, and equipped with everything I needed for a comfortable stay," while another simply summed it up as their "best staycation." A parent who stayed during their daughter's prom night described the room as "spacious, clean, and very comfortable."
While all rooms offer a comfortable stay, the property's most iconic accommodation is the MacArthur Suite, a two-bedroom recreation of the general's original fifth-floor penthouse. To stay in this suite, you'll need to book directly with the hotel's reservations team, as this historic suite isn't available through regular online booking platforms.
The MacArthur Suite comes with hand-embroidered jusi drapes, Bvlgari bathroom amenities, a dining room for ten, a fully equipped kitchen, and 24-hour butler service. Reported nightly rates for this suite have varied considerably across sources over the past couple of years, from promotional packages in the tens of thousands of pesos up to headline rates in the hundreds of thousands, so it's best to confirm the current rate directly with the hotel before booking.
Where to eat in Manila Hotel: Café Ilang-Ilang and the Champagne Room
Café Ilang-Ilang at The Manila Hotel
Manila Hotel's dining lineup includes six in-house outlets, but two names come up again and again: Café Ilang-Ilang and the Champagne Room.
Café Ilang-Ilang
Café Ilang-Ilang is the hotel's all-day international buffet restaurant, and it's a Manila institution in its own right. Rates as posted by the hotel run around ₱1,950 nett for breakfast, ₱3,295 nett for weekday lunch (₱3,445 on Sundays), and ₱3,445 to ₱4,090 nett for dinner depending on the night's theme. Expect live cooking stations, a dedicated Filipino food section, halal options, and rotating dinner themes like Seafood Night on Fridays.
Champagne Room
The Champagne Room is the hotel's French-leaning fine-dining outlet, known for crystal palm trees, tasseled chandeliers, and a menu of French, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes. It's a popular choice for proposals, milestone birthdays, and other occasions that call for dressing up. Guests often praise the standout desserts and multi-course set menus offered here, though exact pricing for tasting menus and à la carte dishes should be confirmed directly with the hotel, since these change with the seasonal offerings.
Reviewers back this up; one guest called the food "awesome" with "great" service and cleanliness, while another highlighted the "delicious breakfast" and friendly staff as a standout part of their stay.
Location: Manila Bay, Rizal Park, and Intramuros next door
The Manila Hotel Location
Manila Hotel sits at One Rizal Park in Ermita, right at the edge of Manila Bay and directly adjacent to Rizal Park (Luneta). That location is a big part of its appeal: guests get bay sunset views from the hotel's western-facing rooms, plus walking access to one of Manila's most historic green spaces.
It's also a short trip from Intramuros, the centuries-old walled city across the road, making it a natural base for exploring Spanish-colonial Manila. If you're staying here, it's worth pairing your visit with a proper walking tour rather than trying to navigate the old city cold. A guided Intramuros walking tour covers the major landmarks with a local guide who can explain the history behind Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and the rest of the walled city in a way a map alone won't. For those who prefer exploring after dark, there's also an Intramuros night walking tour that shows the old city in a completely different light, quite literally.
Travellers who've stayed nearby also mention the location's convenience, noting it's "excellent, making it incredibly easy to get around the area," which lines up with how close everything from Rizal Park to Intramuros really is.
Outdoor swimming pool at The Manila Bay Hotel
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Outdoor swimming pool and health club
✅ Full-service spa
✅ Six in-house restaurants and bars, including Café Ilang-Ilang and the Champagne Room
✅ Business centre and event/convention facilities
✅ Complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas
✅ On-site MacArthur memorabilia display near the lobby
💬 What Travellers Say: One guest who booked on Klook says, "Timeless elegance. Food is great. Service is excellent. The spa is amazing. Great value for money." Another says, "Hotel location: convenient and accessible to guest whether outside metro."
📍 Address: One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila
🔑 Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
FAQs about Manila Hotel
How many stars is The Manila Hotel?
Manila Hotel is marketed and widely recognized as a five-star property, a classification it's held for years as the Philippines' oldest premier hotel. Its current official Department of Tourism (DOT) star certification is 5-stars.
What is the Manila Hotel's address?
Manila Hotel is located at One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, right along Manila Bay and next to Rizal Park (Luneta). It sits close to Intramuros, making it an easy base for exploring Manila's historic core on foot.
How many rooms does the Manila Hotel have?
Manila Hotel has more than 500 rooms.
What is the MacArthur Suite, and how much does it cost?
The MacArthur Suite is a two-bedroom recreation of General Douglas MacArthur's original penthouse residence at Manila Hotel, featuring period-inspired furnishings, Bvlgari bath amenities, and 24-hour butler service. Pricing starts between ₱400,000 and ₱600,000 nett per night, depending on the season and when you book.
What are the best dining options at Manila Hotel?
Manila Hotel's two most talked-about restaurants are Café Ilang-Ilang, an all-day international buffet, and the Champagne Room, a French-leaning fine-dining venue known for its elegant décor and set menus. Both are popular with guests and non-guests alike for special occasions.
Is Manila Hotel close to Rizal Park and Intramuros?
Yes. Manila Hotel sits directly next to Rizal Park and is a short walk or short ride from Intramuros, the historic walled city, making it convenient for sightseeing without needing to rely heavily on transport.
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