The Manila Peninsula

The first thing you need to know about the Manila Peninsula is that the Manila Peninsula Hotel is actually not located in Manila. The Manila Peninsula is actually located in Makati, the business, financial and outsourcing hub of the Metro Manila region. Think of Metro Manila as the San Francisco Bay Area - composed of 3 major cities (San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland). San Jose is Quezon City. Oakland is Manila. San Francisco is Makati. You want to stay in Makati, especially if you're traveling here on business and want a luxury hotel in Manila.

The Manila Peninsula is a little over 30 years old and while its age my show on its concrete facade, the interior of the hotel is as luxurious as any you'd find around the world. The Peninsula Manila was built to coincide with the hosting of the International Monetary Fund conference in Manila. It was built on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, after which they are named and is located across the street from the venerable Shangri-La Manila. After undergoing several renovations, The Peninsula asserted itself as the "Jewel in the Capital's Crown". Upon the opening, the Peninsula Manila did not need to introduce itself to the public, for its main counterpart, The Peninsula Hong Kong already had established a name for The Peninsula Hotels decades ago, thus making it the favorite hotel for the high-ranking of the society.

The Manila Peninsula consists of two wings, which host all 468 rooms and suites. The rooms have been recently updated and retain a distinctly Peninsula Hotel feeling. The lobby's entrance is grand to say the least and if you're arriving in the early afternoon, you will here the in-house orchestra's live rendition of anything from Bach, to Beethoven, to classic Filipino folk music.

The facilities in the Peninsula Hotel Manila are some of the best among the 3 luxury hotels in the Makati area. The gym, located next to the pool deck, while not large by any standards, is perfect for a quick run or even some heavy weight lifting. The sauna, steam, jacuzzi, and cold plunge allow you to take the perfect transition bath and leave you relaxed and ready to eat at the hotel's many restaurants.

I've personally eaten at the Lobby many times and the meals there while high for Filipino standards, are between $10-$20, with many of the items being excellent. The Bar, located behind the Lobby, is a great place to enjoy a drink or cigar in cozy bar atmosphere. There are couches on the wall, allowing for a more private and intimate place to have a drink. The Bar's Happy Hour is also 2 for 1 and runs until 7:30pm. The Bar lays out a variety of food and appetizers to eat while you drink - on the house.

In the basement of the Peninsula Hotel Manila is a cafe, perfect for a sandwich or some dessert - their Oreo cheesecake is amazing. Also in the basement of the Peninsula Hotel Manila are jewelry shops, wine shops, and the Emphasis Salon, where you'll spot Filipino fashionistas in full salon garb.

Guests can choose - panoramic city views from either the Ayala or Makati Tower rooms. Recently renovated on a "Timeless Filipino" theme to showcase the Philippines' design flair and creativity, these new rooms and suites are an aesthetic treat for lovers of cool, sleek design, marrying form and function in a sophisticated mix. The Peninsula's hallmark spacious rooms with elegant marble bathrooms and fingertip controls also feature super-comfortable beds and irrestible pillows - all in all, probably the best night's sleep you'll ever have away from your own bed.

So, this is my second choice for Manila luxury hotels, not because the Manila Peninsula has any flaws, it really doesn't, but because the Shangri-La Manila is just that much better of an experience. Read why the Shangri-La Hotel Makati is the best luxury hotel in Manila.

Read More: Manila Peninsula's Official Website

Read More: Google Map of Peninsula Hotel