Manila is widely known for its tourist attractions, the great resorts, and the amazing beaches, not to mention all of the centuries-old historical and cultural heritage just waiting to be explored.
You may want to go to a private resort near Manila, or just want to enjoy a pool day with some barbecue and your friends. Some people will prefer to get a day off at one of the fantastic beach resorts near Manila or just simply spend it inside the city.
As a professional travel writer, I pride myself on my ability to provide readers with in-depth and insightful reviews. That is why I have personally stayed at each of the hotels and accommodations mentioned in this article.
That’s why we made this list, so you can experience the best hotels in Manila. Let’s get to it!
Hilton Manila
We start our list strong with the Hilton Manila hotel. This is a great option if you are looking for a relaxing stay in Manila. They have an outdoor pool, yes, and plenty of sun loungers.
But the best part of the Hilton Manila is that it’s very close to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, only 5 minutes away, and to major attractions like the Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park, and the SMX Convention Center, all about 15 minutes away.
They have pet-friendly rooms, which are always a plus and must-have for some people.
Belmont Hotel Manila
Belmont Hotel is at a fantastic location being at walking distance to the airport through a walkway. If you are transiting through Manila, this is the best option for a quick layover.
There are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby and the resort world Casino is also very close for some late night fun.
The rooms are impeccably maintained with attention to detail visible through out the hotel. The best attraction is the rooftop pool that is simply amazing with beautiful sunset views to boot.
Jade Hotel & Suites
Another one with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport nearby, the Jade Hotel in Makati is a 2-star hotel that offers simplicity with comfort, and a great cost-benefit for people that just want a cheap hotel in Manila for their day off.
This affordable hotel also has a free parking space and an outdoor swimming pool with a great view. From here you can admire some attractive places in Manila, both from the pool area or by simply walking there.
Jade Hotel is close to some of the big attractions in the area, such as the Christ’s Gospel Fellowship Christian Church in the Makati district, and a couple of minute’s drive away from Glorietta Shopping Center.
The heart of Manila is just 2 km away, and there are great dining and shopping options nearby.
Shangri-La The Fort Manila
As far as hotels in Metro Manila go, the Shangri-La is a good choice for those looking for a lot of things to do indoors. It’s located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and this is not a budget hotel.
Throughout my stay at this hotel, I came to appreciate the excellent amenities it had to offer. With 7 dining options serving food inspired by various places around the globe, there was something for every taste.
The Samba restaurant, located adjacent to the pool, was particularly noteworthy, offering delectable dishes with a South American flair.
Shangri-La The Fort Manila also features Kerry Sports Manila on the 5th and 6th floor of the building, with a lot of great sports facilities and a spa.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
This 5 star hotel in Manila is proud of receiving the five-star award from Forbes Travel Guide in 2021. It’s in the commercial district, and you can walk to some entertainment and shopping areas such as The Podium, Robinson’s Galleria, and the SM Megamall.
A little further you can get to the CBD areas of Makati, the Greenhills Shopping Centre, Eastwood City, and the Bonifacio Global City. The airport is further away, almost 15 km.
It has an indoor pool, a 9.5 rated spa and a fitness center. This is a great option for those who would love a very nice place to stay while exploring Metro Manila.
Fairmont Makati
Fairmont is a 5-star hotel in Makati, and a great option for a staycation in Manila. If you happen to be a Fairmont Gold member, then you will get personalized services every time you book a stay.
The rooms here are exceptional and the property is in a prime location where you can experience many of the major attractions, among them being Zuellig Building, Ayala Museum, and the Glorietta.
Fairmont is a brand that carries luxury, comfort and great service in their pedigree, so that is what you should expect here.
Grand Hyatt Manila
Another luxury property on our list of hotels in Manila is also located in the Bonifacio Global City district. It’s a landmark itself, with a gorgeous design and 8 great dining options for you to choose from.
Around the hotel, you will find the major urban tourist BGC attractions within a short distance, such as the SM Aura Premier, Power Plant Mall, the Bonifacio High Street, the BGC Arts Center, the Manila Golf and Country Club, the Mind Museum, and Uptown Mall.
Grand Hyatt Manila has a pool, spa, and fitness center. You can also enjoy live music and great drinks at their lovely lounge & bar, Manila The Peak Music. This way you will taste a little bit of Manila’s nightlife.
Luxent Hotel
Luxent Hotel is a superb choice for a staycation in Quezon City with an infinity pool. Actually, it has 2 pools for you to enjoy: the deck pool, where you can have a view of the entire city, and a glass infinity pool, if the view from the rooftop was not enough for you.
The location of this hotel is lavish, and the nearby attractions and places of interest are too many to list here. Some of the closest are Fisher Mall, ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network, Asylum Manila Horror House, Klownz Comedy Bar, Strong Hand Shooting Range, and the Centris Walk park.
Raffles Makati
Raffles Makati is in the heart of Makati, and you can go and see some of the great places of interest in Metro Manila: the Ayala Museum within walking distance, the Walled City of Intramuros, Casa Manila, the Manila Ocean Park, the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, and the National Museum.
They have great dining options, a long bar, and a spa with great package options. The 30 stores building has a lot of good room options, always with a classic feel and design. Definitely a good option for your Makati staycation.
The Peninsula Manila
The Peninsula Manila is proud to be genuinely Filipino, and one of the best places to stay if that is exactly what you want to experience. Undoubtedly a top hotel for a staycation in Manila if you happen to have a friend from out of the country visiting you.
It’s located in the center of Makati, and some of the attractions nearby are the Mind Museum, the Walled City of Intramuros, and the Cultural Centre of the Philippines.
The greatest attraction here, however, is the hotel itself. It is very unique in design and the way that it depicts the nature and feel of the Philippines.
Okada Manila
The Okada Manila is just an extraordinary hotel resort in the Manila Bay part of Manila. Dining, entertainment, a club, a casino, and shopping, all in one place.
And a magnificent place at that, the building itself is very impressive, with a total of 993 rooms and villas available.
Their outdoor pools are just enormous and gorgeous, and they have a spa and infinity pool. You could go visit the many attractions in Metro Manila, among them being the SMX Convention Centre (2.5km away) and SM Mall of Asia (3.2km away).
I’M Hotel
I’M Hotel is the very first 5-star hotel in Makati to be in the Poblacion district. It’s proud to have the largest urban spa property in the country, and the first Onsen Spa, so if you want to have a comfortable and stimulating staycation, then you should add it to your list.
It is also one of the few hotels in Metro Manila that provides a jacuzzi in the room. Relaxation is the word of the day here. Their infinity pool has an acrylic bottom, that can be seen when entering the building.
Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila
Some hotels in Manila give you a dreamy feel, and this is one of them. It’s a 4-star boutique hotel, with a Japanese-inspired design, that feels very modern and “fun-luxury”.
Among the hotels open for a staycation in Metro Manila, this is one of the most charming. They have a great Japanese restaurant, a contemporary restaurant, and a dedicated spa.
Their infinity pool is fairly big, and they have a regular swimming pool you can just relax on.
The Gramercy Residences
The Gramercy Residences is the tallest building in Makati with 243.9m in height, and among the best condos in Manila on this list.
The first great attraction this hotel is putting on the table is the amazing city overview. The building is so tall, that you can see everything from there.
The second attraction is the multi-level infinity pool, which is open during the night until 11:30 PM and is just amazing to be in while enjoying the view.
See also: Best Day Tours near Manila for a Weekend Getaway
Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila
The Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila is not your typical hotel property: it’s a serviced apartment building, where you can book a full apartment and not just a hotel room. So, it’s another of the best condominium in Metro Manila that you can choose from.
Just like being at home, here you will have the amenities we take for granted at homes, such as a kitchen, ironing facilities, washing machine, microwave, and many more.
But this building has great amenities and facilities, just like any hotel. They have 24-hour reception, a great swimming pool, a fitness center, conference rooms, a sauna room, and their own in-house restaurant.
Icon Plaza
A residential tower located in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) area, the Icon Plaza can be yet another fabulous condo-for-rent place.
The great thing about this arrangement is that the apartments are very different from one another – you have lots of options for your staycation, from many bedroom apartments to studio apartments.
Also, some of the units are not furnished. But do not be discouraged: the location is great, the flexibility of an apartment is hard to match and you will have access to a private pool in Metro Manila.
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Sofitel Manila
Located in Pasay City and overlooking Manila, this is not so much a hotel, but a full resort. It is a gem and a truly unique place found right in the middle of the urban landscape.
The french inspiration sets it apart from the other options, and the rooms follow the same very elegant design. As an overnight resort idea for your staycation, this is perfect.
It features a “rotating cuisine” system in their in-house restaurant, so every time you could find food from somewhere different in the world. Their pool is big and very nice, and the view from the rooms is just breathtaking.
Conrad Manila
If your ideal staycation involves a lot of shopping and browsing, and you want to do it in the Mall of Asia, then add Conran Manila to your list.
One of the best staycation-approved hotels that you can go shopping too. This hotel is located 15 minutes away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (which is always a plus), at Manila Bay, and is connected to the SMX Convention center, and the Mall of Asia, while also being within walking distance from the Arena.
They have free parking, a spa, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center, but no swimming pool.
Azumi Boutique Hotel
Azumi Boutique Hotel is a charming and elegant swimming pool hotel located in Alabang Muntinlupa City. They are proud to be the first in the area to have solar panels to supply the hotel with power and be sustainable.
Azumi Boutique is a minimalistic hotel south of Manila, with one of the most attractive infinity pools. They have a gorgeous garden mezzanine, a spa, an on-site restaurant, and a function room.
Discovery Primea
This is a serviced residence building that can easily rival any luxury hotel in Makati.
In fact, it feels more like a hotel than a serviced residence place. And that is because of the great facilities and amenities they have to offer their guests: a Turkish bath spa, a curated furniture store, a heated infinity pool, and 5 different dining options are only some of the options.
The Discovery Primea has a “classic Mediterranean Chinoiserie-inspired aesthetics”, which certainly is a unique design choice.
New World Makati Hotel
Last but not least of the best hotels for a staycation in Manila is the New World Makati Hotel, a fantastic place to spend your days off.
It’s right across the Greenbelt, a shopping center focused on lifestyle. Greenbelt is an attraction in itself, however, some people choose to stay at the New World Makati Hotel just to enjoy this shopping center.
The elegant rooms come with modern décor and large windows that offer plenty of natural light. The hotel has 580 rooms total, five on-site restaurants, a great outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness center, a sauna, and a massage center.
Going for a staycation instead of a regular vacation has its advantages. If you are a resident of the Philippines (Manila in special), it’s a fact that people are going away at least a few times a year. There is so much to explore and enjoy and a once-in-a-lifetime 15 days vacation is just not enough.
I hope this list of the best hotels for a staycation inside Metro Manila will help you decide where you spend your next days off and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Looking for more places to stay near Manila? Check our guides↓
- Best Resorts in Quezon City, Metro Manila with Private Pool
- Best Private Resorts in Antipolo with Pool for your Staycation (near Manila)
- Best Private Resorts in Taytay, Rizal with Pool
- Best Private Resorts In Bulacan with Swimming Pool
- Best Hotels for Staycation in Tagaytay Cavite
- Best Beachfront Hotels and Beach Resorts in Subic Zambales
