In photos: My Manila Hotel Tour 2014

I was at the one of a kind tour inside Manila Hotel for their MY MANILA HOTEL TOUR, its my first time to join and be part of a tour inside a hotel. Manila Hotel is a historic site because it stood and witness during the World War and it was a home to some very important people who helped our country to win the war. Not only about war, the hotel is also a site for getting the brains together of some group to organize big companies, it witness the entire rise and fall and comeback of Manila since its birth in 1909, today the hotel is now 105 years old, it’s a historical site and a hotel for everyone, as they say Manila Hotel is the only heritage hotel in the Philippines and also a true heart of the Philippines.

I don’t get the idea in the first place why they organize a tour around the hotel, but I got the interest to roam around the hotel and check their rooms, I’m very fortunate that I already tried an overnight stay here for FREE last year, our experience was great, but I didn’t got a chance to try the pool because our country got hit by a powerful typhoon. I know also that the tour with the media and bloggers will help push the promotion of the hotel for the upcoming Chinese New Year, but I didn’t receive any press release after the tour so it left me clueless what I should promote here in my blog, I don’t have the hotel rates and other stuff to share, but that’s okay, the photos that I took can tell the story of my hotel tour and adventure and also I’ve seen and step on the most expensive room and historical hotel room in our country.

I arrived 30 minutes late that day and I caught the orientation session about the hotel tour, they also want our suggestion on how to make Manila Hotel a better hotel, there’s also a Q and A segment and there I learn that the hotel is renovating the some rooms and event center, last year I heard that the hotel is 80% complete,but it will take another year for them to finish renovating the other old room here in Manila Hotel.

“Old World Manners”

Khristine of Manila Hotel answered some of our question about the tour

They showed to us some photos of the room and then they revealed that we will visit those rooms later

Their hotel staff doesn’t wear uniforms, but they wear costumes to fit in for the style of the heritage hotel.

THE TAP ROOM
Our first visit is the TAP ROOM, I’ve been here before and you can read my feature here at http://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-tap-room-bar-of-manila-hotel-re.html

THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM
It’s the only resto area of Manila Hotel that opens at dinner time, when you enter this room you’ll get a feel of traveling back in time. The tables and chairs are so vintage, the glass tree sculptures worth millions, and the plates and other dinner wares are silver plated.

from their website : http://www.manila-hotel.com.ph/dining/type/52

”Long favored by the fashionable set, it is well-known for its impeccable service and lavish décor, including crystal palm trees, tasseled ceiling fixtures and floral upholstered chairs, which perfectly reflect its sumptuous classical offerings. A favorite venue for elegant gatherings and celebrations, the Champagne Room best embodies the Grand Dame’s decades of tradition and devotion to providing guests with only the finest dining experience.
Operating hours
Dinner
Mondays to Saturdays 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM”

BEST ENSAYMADA IN MANILA
Manila Hotel told us that they sell here the best ensaymada.. I forgot to buy one but I will buy in my next visit…Its funny that I didn’t noticed this the last time I visited the hotel.

MABUHAY PALACE
I’ve been here many times, the Mabuhay Palace is a Cantonese restaurant inside the hotel. The most impressive part of this restaurant are the style of the tables and chairs, very vintage!! And the most jaw dropping item here is the art deco sculpture made of jade stones.

I also learned that they have three private rooms inside the resto.

Marble design floor of the elevator

We went up the hotel room area and here we entered the General Douglas Macarthur Suite room.

According to history, Gen. Macarthur stayed in this room for three months during the world war, our President Manuel Quezon that time offered him to stay in Malacanang, but then the General refuses and decided to stay here in the hotel.

The hotel room is big and its like a house already. Three families can live here bec. of its wide set up and big living room.

The suite is the most expensive room here in Manila Hotel – its $2000 per overnight as I heard.

the guest room

the living room

vintage wooden chair

Gen. Macarthur

history stamp

view from the window

Gen. Macarthur’s medals in glass gallery

Vintage dining table – restored and re-use

this chair could be around 100+ years old

Gen. Macarthur’s office

Me..sitting in Gen. Macarthur’s chair
” I shall return!!!”

the master’s bed room

3D glasses for the 3D LED TV inside Gen. Macarthur’s suite

Inside the bathroom, they use BVLGARI toiletries only here in the expensive suite of Manila Hotel
wow…as in wow!!!

THE HONEY MOON SUITE
Its my first time to see a hotel room with a spiral staircase, according to our “pamahiin” or elder’s tale, the groom will take this spiral staircase while carrying the bride on his arms, they will do this first after entering the room.

1st floor is a standard living room area and sit to next is the master’s bed room
2nd floor is the dining area and a bigger living room

I super love this clock!

the master’s bed room

walk in closet

at the 2nd floor

SUNRISE/SUNSET SUITE
Now I know why they call it the sunrise and sunset suite in the first place, me and my wife stayed here for an overnight stay last year and I can say that this is the best room here in Manila Hotel, it faces the Manila Bay and also the sunset view! I super recommend this room if you want to stay in Manila Hotel, they got the best view ever!

btw, the wifi connection here is super fast!

you can read my feature here at http://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/2013/10/manila-hotel-staycation-part-1-room-and.html

CAFÉ ILANG ILANG
For me, their restaurant is one of the best here in Manila, I have my other favorites, but I always mention that each hotel restaurant got its own specialty. I super love here is the halal cuisine and their Japanese food section.

read my feature here at http://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/2012/09/manila-hotel-now-serves-halal-food-with.html

During the tour, they shared to us about their steakhouse section – The Cowrie Grill, it is formerly located inside Café Ilang Ilang and now it resides in a new home located in Greenhills, San Juan. I got curious and want to visit it soon.

Pool area

HEALTH CLUB

Located at the pool area, all their recreational amenities are located near the pool area, that’s why I didn’t saw this when we stayed in the hotel. Now I want to go back and try all of their amenities.

“Manila Hotel’s gym features state-of-the-art and high technology Life Fitness Elevation series machines which include Treadmill, Crosstrainer, Upright exercise bike and Recumbent exercise bike. All of these come with touch screen LCD, iPod control and a virtual trainer. The Manila Hotel Health also has its own dry sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi and offers calming fitness programs such as yoga and Pilates. “ – via their website

SPA
ohh my wife will love this…although that the spa rates are too expensive.

”The Manila Hotel Spa is located by the bay and offers five-star relaxation experience to its guests. Soothe your tired muscles and calm your nerves with the well-prepared massage choices such as Shiatsu, Swedish, and Aromatherapy massages. Each massage utilizes special scents and oils that help invigorate the body and calm the mind. For inquiries, please call (632) 527 0011 local 1083 “ - via their website

the pool area

sunset area of Manila Hotel. located at the end of the pool area, its an elevated viewing area of the sunset. Perfect area for cocktails and barbeques.