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From its prime location to its delicious poolside snacks, we found much to enjoy at one of Makati’s best hotels
Manila is a city of contrasts: while much of the Philippines’ capital is characterised by low-rise houses and buildings, Makati City rises up in the centre like a gleaming beacon of modernity, populated with all fifty of the Philippine’s tallest skyscrapers. The streets are wide and clean in the financial centre of the country, and golf courses and beautiful shopping centres like Greenbelt are just some of the luxury landmarks. It is in this spic and span city within a city that The Peninsula Manila is located, right next to other properties such as the Makati Shangri-la and the brand new Raffles hotel.
Opened in 1976, The Peninsula Manila is a fixture on the map for Manila high society. Take for example The Lobby: serving a 24-hour menu, it is a popular late-night spot amongst young Manilenos. A local friend told us that growing up as a teenager in Manila, she and her friends would often come to The Peninsula’s Lobby for a late-night snack after a night out. It’s not surprising, as the menu features both European comfort foods such as spaghetti Bolognese and clam chowder, as well as local favourites such as a delicious chicken and pork adobo. The Lobby is also where breakfast is served daily, and the buffet includes not only an omelette station and local fresh fruit such as succulent mangos and refreshing dragonfruit, but also a steaming pot of arroz caldo, a Filipino version of congee.
During our recent stay, we had a suite in the Makati Tower, which is spacious, with a large living room and bedroom with walk-in closets. However, we did find that because the room overlooked both Ayala and Makati Avenues, the noise of the traffic outside was discernible even though we were on the ninth floor, and an otherwise wonderful night’s rest was somewhat disturbed by the sounds of motorcycles speeding down the avenues outside during the small hours.
We made up for our fitful rest with a massage in the spa. Located in the fitness centre by the swimming pool, the spa is more of a day spa rather than a resort-style one. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with the skills of the masseuse. We opted to try a traditional hilot massage, which combines long soothing strokes with heated virgin coconut oil to provide 75-minutes of total relaxation. The best part is when the therapist places heated banana leaves on your back, which gives such a feeling of being cocooned and protected that we wager it would be impossible to not fall asleep and re-emerge totally rested.
If you need to wake up after, head to the pool for a dip. Although it is again not large, it has everything you would need with comfortable loungers, little shots of pineapple smoothies going around, plus a pool-side snack bar. We loved the lime soda made with local calamansi limes, as well as the healthy arugula salad with fresh buffalo mozzarella, grilled asparagus and deep-fried shallot chips. Just make sure to visit the pool before 4pm: due to the position of the surrounding buildings, that is when the sun disappears from the swimming pool.
Finally, for night time entertainment, Salon de Ning is one of the best bars in the city. Like all Salon de Nings around the world, the bar is based around the lifestyle of the imaginary 1930s Shanghai socialite. Opened in 2010, the Manila Salon carries local design features, such as the handle on the entrance, which is made out of a Philippine water buffalo horn; or a pair of gloves signed by none other than local boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in the Boxing Room. The Shoe Room, (pictured below) is one of the most popular rooms at Salon de Ning, perhaps a cheeky nod to former first lady Imelda Marcos?
The live band plays everything from Michael Jackson classics to more recent hits by Bruno Mars, and what we particularly enjoyed was the presence of the dance instructors on the dance floor, who would alternate between dancing with guests, to leading a whole group of revellers in synchronised dance routines.
All in all, for a relaxing weekend stay in the most luxurious part of Manila, it’s hard to imagine a hotel that offers a more complete package than The Peninsula Manila.
