|
Like many other cities, Manila began as a village on a river. The Pasig River still flows through Manila, and the town retains the terrific natural harbor that attracted people from the very first. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the town was created by a series of settlers from all over Asia and India, including Buddists, Arabs, Chinese and Japanese pioneers, all seeking to enoy the trade around the port. Then, after Magellan discovered the island for the Europeans, the Spanish arrived in Manila. The conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came to the Philippines and claimed them as a Spanish Colony in 1571. He declared Manila as the capital.
World War II was a nightmare for Manila. The city, once thought to be the most elegant in in the world, was mostly destroyed. From the ashes Manila has rebounded to become a center of industry and tourism, and a cosmopolitan metropolis enjoyed by 1.5 million people.
One of the great attractions of Manila is its blend of cultures. The Latin world has made a huge and permanent impression on a Southeast Asian culture here, and Manila resounds to the beat of Latin Music and Catholic festivals throughout the year. The Latin taste for spice and the Asian palate are forever intermingling in a cuisine that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The coral reefs surrounding the islands are always a magnet for scuba divers, and the jungle and volcanos of the islands are natural wonderlands. Manila offers innumerable sights to see and things to do.
As is true of most cities in Asia, Manila has problems with smog, traffic and poverty. The city is still a warm and friendly place, however, where English is a second language and infrastructure is rarely a problem. The rate of exchange makes maila a terrific bargain, and the range of activities are the stuff of dream vacations. The old Spanish settlement still can be found in the Intramuros are of Manila. It holds many interesting museums and ruins, as well as the Manila Cathedral. Just outside the Intramuros is Rizal Park, also called the the Luneta. The Luneta contains bayside restaurants, an amphitheatre with free classical music concerts, and a planetarium. What follows is a very short and partial list of some hotel you may want to try when you visit Manila…
Diamond Hotel
A true luxury hotel, the 27-storey Diamond offers 500 rooms in the heart of downtown Manila. The provides all the usual amenities in elegant and opulent surrounding, and also operates several restaurants, including the Restaurant Le Bellevue, Yurakuen Restaurant, Sky Lounge Music Bar, Palm Court Café and PC Bar, Kohikan at the Diamond,
Lotus Garden Suites Manila
While downtown Manila has its luxury accomodations, thrifty visitors who enjoy a terrific bargain will love the Lotus. Providing visitors with nearly top-flight pampering while operating in the heart of downtown manila, the Lotus has 80 rooms with all the usual amenities and also provides fine dining at Talyasi Restaurant and the Wings Over Manila Sports Bar
The Manila Hotel
The real deal, the king of the hill in luxury appointments in Manila, is the manila Hotel. A five-star downtown operation, the manila offers 12 function rooms. Delicious fine dining is served at the Riviera Cafe, Lobby Lounge and New Hong Kong Golden Pavilion Restaurant.
The Heritage Hotel Manila
Another luxury establishment right next to Rizal Park, the Heritage has 500 rooms and serves dinners at the Café Ilanf Ilang, the Champagne Room, the Cowrie Grill, the Ginza, while drinks are available at the Lobby Louge, the Tap Room, and the Pool Bar.
Aim Conference Center Hotel
Aloha Hotel
Ascott Hotel
Asian Mansion Il Hotel
Astoria Plaza Hotel
Atrium Hotel
Bayview Park Hotel
Bellevue Hotel
Best Western Astor Hotel Makati
Best Western Hotel La Corona
BSA Mansion Condotel
BSA Suites Hotel
Century Park Hotel
Citadel Inn Makati
City Garden Suites
Citystate Tower Hotel
Copa Businessman Hotel
Copacabana Apartment Hotel
Crown Regency Hotel Makati
Crowne Plaza Galleria
Discovery Suites Hotel
Dusit Thani Manila Hotel
El Cielito Inn Hotel
Executive Plaza Hotel
Fraser Place Forbes Tower
G Hotel
Garden Heights Hotel
Garden Plaza Hotel
Great Eastern Hotel
Greenhills Elan Hotel
Herald Suites Hotel
Heritage Hotel
Holiday Inn Galleria
Holiday Inn Hotel
Hostel 1632
Hotel Kimberly
Hyatt Hotel and Casino
Imperial Palace Hotel
InterContinental Hotel
Lancaster Suites Hotel
Las Palmas Hotel
Legend Hotel
Linden Suites Hotel
Makati Palace Hotel
Makati Prime Tower Suites Hotel
Makati Shangri la Hotel
Malayan Plaza Hotel
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Manila Hotel
Millennium Plaza Hotel
Miramar Hotel
New Horizon Hotel
New Solanie Hotel
Orchid Garden Suites
Oxford Suites Hotel