Why Manila Makes an Amazing Luxury Travel Destination
There are several Asian metropolises that make it into the 10 most visited cities list each year, Manila is not usually one of them. Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur often feature, but it seems like the world’s most densely populated city is less appealing.
But one group which knows better are the world’s wealthy, who have long been booking up Manila’s luxury hotels. The city is in fact older than Tokyo, and high-end hotels started to be built there in the late 1800s. Before that, it was one of the original global cities, an important trading station for European powers.
Today it is a more glamorous destination than many realise. It has fine dining, gaming, entertainment, and so much more to offer. Here are the reasons why Manila is a great place for a luxury getaway.
- Amazing hotels: There are several 4 and 5 star hotels in Manila to choose from which offer the kinds of spectacular views, amenities, attention to detail and personal service that you might expect from such highly-rated establishments. Some of them are integrated with entertainment venues such as casinos.
- Fine dining: No luxury escape would be worthy of the name if it didn’t feature top-notch food, and Manila certainly delivers in this regard. The Filipinos have always taken pride in their food and cooking, but the younger generation of globally-influenced chefs now running the city’s top restaurants have been effectively able to combine local flavours with other cuisines, turning the city into one of Asia’s culinary hotspots.
- Entertainment: Thanks to government-led initiatives like the ‘Entertainment City’ district, designed to promote economic development, there are a wealth of entertainment options for visitors to choose from. The city is well known for its casinos, but theatre is another popular pastime. Broadway and West End show performances can be found there, along with magicians, comedians, cabaret and lots more.
- Nightlife: As you might expect, this goes hand-in-hand with entertainment. Manila’s nightlife options are vast and they include higher-end options like wine, whiskey, and cocktail bars. Night clubs and karaoke are also widely enjoyed.
- Shopping: Over the last two decades Manila has been one of the fastest developing cities in Asia, and this new economic strength has attracted luxury brands from all around the globe. There are malls around almost every corner selling a diverse range of local and international goods.
- Friendly locals: It is not only Manila’s luxury resorts and casinos that people love but the fact that the locals are happy to welcome you to Manila too. Filipinos are widely admired for their friendliness and hospitality, and this is a reputation that is well-earned. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain even once filmed a documentary where he tried to find out what made Filipino people so caring! When it comes to service, they are reliably polite, professional, and willing to go the extra mile. Most are fluent in English, which is the official language in the country.
The capital of the Philippines is a safe and welcoming spot for a luxury break, with entertainment options and amenities which rival many other global destinations. Not to mention that the weather is warm all year round and the beaches, some of which are very close to the capital, are amazing.
