The Manila Hotel — Hotel in Manila

|We reserved two nights at the hotel before heading to our island. When we arrived I was was impressed with the hotel appearance and interior, as well as the welcoming service and generally the staff. This is where the good impression ended.||After we checked in, we headed to our rooms to leave our luggage before heading out to grab something to eat. The room was very spacious and again great interior. However, there was no bed for our child. We went back to the reception and told them that the bed for the child is missing (reservation wash made for 2 adults and 1 child). They said that they can bring an extra bed, but for additional payment. What naturally followed was an argument, as we had prepaid everything for 3 persons, which after 10 min of pointless conversation ended with an "exception" by the hotel that this time we get the bed free of charge, but upon next visit this will not be the case (as if I will be returning after all this behavior). All this happens at around 00:30 am after 20+ hours of flights, when we just want to have a quick bite and go to sleep. We then went to a nearby store and returned to the hotel 30 mins later. There was still no bed for the child at 1 am. We called reception and and asked when the bed is coming as we want to get some sleep... 30 mins later the bed came at 1:30 am.||In the morning I went for shower. The part which switches from hand shower head to ceiling shower head was not working (the button literally fall apart). Not a huge issue, I told a man in the corridor about the issue and he said they will fix it. ||We went for a breakfast. I expected a bit more based on the hotel, but it was OK. It was very crowded, apparently it does not have enough room to cater to lot of guests at the same time. AC was cranked to "freezing".||We returned to the room and the man who I told about the shower issue was there. He told me that he checked and he will call an engineer to fix it. We went out for the day and returned back to the room around 5 pm. Guess what - nothing was fixed. As I did not want to have yet another conversation with reception I tried to see what the issue is, and it appeared that the switching mechanism was unscrewed and it had to be screwed in, which I did myself. No one addressed the issue until we left the hotel - so far for maintenance and good service.||And finally, the sleeping. All would have been great if not for the constant very loud noise from huge ventilators (see picture) situated right in front of the room windows. During day you don't normally care, as you are in the room just to change clothes, etc. But during night it was like an engine room.||Last day breakfast, we go down at the restaurant and there is a line of 10+ people waiting to be seated. We said that we will not be waiting for a breakfast and my wife asked if can just enter and grab a coffee for the room - nope l, can't do. The staff lady said we should order room service... ||Some room amenities were random. Our room did not have pool robes. Our friend's had them. ||Overall, I would not be revisiting the hotel and I would not recommend it. Not a good stay. Good thing is we were...

We reserved two nights at the hotel before heading to our island. When we arrived I was was impressed with the hotel appearance and interior, as well as the welcoming service and generally the staff. This is where the good impression ended.

After we checked in, we headed to our rooms to leave our luggage before heading out to grab something to eat. The room was very spacious and again great interior. However, there was no bed for our child. We went back to the reception and told them that the bed for the child is missing (reservation wash made for 2 adults and 1 child). They said that they can bring an extra bed, but for additional payment. What naturally followed was an argument, as we had prepaid everything for 3 persons, which after 10 min of pointless conversation ended with an "exception" by the hotel that this time we get the bed free of charge, but upon next visit this will not be the case (as if I will be returning after all this behavior). All this happens at around 00:30 am after 20+ hours of flights, when we just want to have a quick bite and go to sleep. We then went to a nearby store and returned to the hotel 30 mins later. There was still no bed for the child at 1 am. We called reception and and asked when the bed is coming as we want to get some sleep... 30 mins later the bed came at 1:30 am.

In the morning I went for shower. The part which switches from hand shower head to ceiling shower head was not working (the button literally fall apart). Not a huge issue, I told a man in the corridor about the issue and he said they will fix it.

We went for a breakfast. I expected a bit more based on the hotel, but it was OK. It was very crowded, apparently it does not have enough room to cater to lot of guests at the same time. AC was cranked to "freezing".

We returned to the room and the man who I told about the shower issue was there. He told me that he checked and he will call an engineer to fix it. We went out for the day and returned back to the room around 5 pm. Guess what - nothing was fixed. As I did not want to have yet another conversation with reception I tried to see what the issue is, and it appeared that the switching mechanism was unscrewed and it had to be screwed in, which I did myself. No one addressed the issue until we left the hotel - so far for maintenance and good service.

And finally, the sleeping. All would have been great if not for the constant very loud noise from huge ventilators (see picture) situated right in front of the room windows. During day you don't normally care, as you are in the room just to change clothes, etc. But during night it was like an engine room.

Last day breakfast, we go down at the restaurant and there is a line of 10+ people waiting to be seated. We said that we will not be waiting for a breakfast and my wife asked if can just enter and grab a coffee for the room - nope l, can't do. The staff lady said we should order room service...

Some room amenities were random. Our room did not have pool robes. Our friend's had them.

Overall, I would not be revisiting the hotel and I would not recommend it. Not a good stay. Good thing is we were...

In a nutshell, Quiet Elegance, Rooted in Tradition with their patrons comfort at the forefront of everything they offer. Truly a wonderful stay. I can’t even think of where to begin. You are greeted by a door man, valet parking is available, a bell hop is ready to help with your bags. Security screening is done before entering the lobby, with what seems to be the now standard temp and vaccination card check in the Philippines. Upon entering, the lobby was large and full of traditional Filipino touches. And the whole staff is in traditional Filipino attire. I’m a tactile person and as much as I ask my kids not to touch things, I’m sure they get it from me, I hate to admit it but I touched every plant I could, that said, every plant or shrubbery used for decoration was absolutely beautiful and real. To me that is amazing, it takes so much attention and care to maintain that many plants and orchids. That pretty much describes the Manila Hotel. Attention to detail and care is taken, in each interactions and consideration of their patrons. We had the bay view in our room and it was spectacular! The room was spacious, the bed was so comfortable, I wish I could have taken it with me. The room had all of the amenities you see in hotels. But it also had free bottled waters, fresh fruit a full toiletry set up, all you could think of plus a sewing kit and slippers! The best part for me as well was everything I saw was also a product of the Philippines, pride behind the name, authenticity to the smallest detail! I could really go on for ever, but I actually want you to read the post🤣. The pool, pool bar, food, massage, and the health spa, all amazing! Like most countries, there are many influences that make up Filipino food and you get all of that, the diversity of the menu, the beauty of presentation, I could barely eat the food because my eyes were so busy feasting! Had room service as well and it came sooner than expected, again, the food was amazing and delicious! If nothing else, you have to try the buffet style dining to experience the full depth and breadth of their offerings. Some hidden gems in the hotel; the health club, besides the complete gym set up, has separate male and female locker rooms equipped with its own steam room, dry sauna and hot tub. Again I had to check if the plants decorating these spaces were real and yup, real. There is also some kind of art exhibit unfortunately I was too busy Pool side with the kids to check it out. The Manila Hotel is an iconic venue with years of rooted history and tradition, if you have to stay in Manila and you want to be treated like royalty there is no...