The Philippines is an absolute paradise for holidaymakers, yet to be tapped by swarms of tourists. Featuring a buzzing and highly developed capital city as well as an array of magical beach island escapes, here is our 101 guide to eat and stay in this hospitable and majestic place that caters to every budget.
MANILA
Situated in the heart of Manila in the buzzing city of Makati, Raffles epitomises refined luxury and has all the amenities one can expect from a world class 5 star hotel.
There are no standard rooms at this luxe establishment, with the room types starting at a Junior Suite which all come with your own personal butler!
Every suite at Raffles is elegant, spacious and stylishly designed to be contemporary yet reflective of the local culture. Guests can enjoy gracious and charming service throughout the lavish hotel. Each suite is designed to create a sense of warmth and comfort with colonial era touches such as wooden flooring, white louvers together with modern décor, splendid marble bathrooms, oriental carpets, state-of-the-art technology, high-speed connectivity and floor-to-ceiling windows that command impressive views of the glittering cityscape of Manila.
The breakfast at this stunning hotel is one of absolute indulgence and endless choice, by far one of our favourite breakfast buffets in the world! The options are infinite with an array of stations spanning an entire room. Fresh smoothies and juices, delightful birchers and cool western favourites can be found in the self-serve fridges as well as Eastern delicacies such as dumplings and noodles served in bamboo steamers and fresh off the wok. Breakfast classics such as waffles, pastries and eggs are abundant too, so there truly is something for everyone at this extraordinary smorgasbord.
This hotel is perfect for luxury seekers and those who love the finer things in life. It’s also ideal for business travellers who are after the pinnacle of comfort. Located right opposite the infamous Greenbelt Shopping Centre, this is also a shopaholics paradise.
Luxury Eats & Entertainment – Writers Bar
The unique and opulent Writers Bar is located at the Raffles Makati and styled as a library, taking inspiration from the original Writers Bar in Raffles Singapore. This bar is a tribute to the writers who have stayed at the Raffles Singapore or have written about it. Here you will find a relaxed yet upmarket atmosphere for a decadent cocktail, refreshments, light snacks and afternoon tea. The menu offers a variety of contemporary Western, Middle Eastern, Italian as well as Asian items including Penne with Braised Lamb Shank, Buffalo Mozzarella Salad, Pork Belly Sliders all the way through to Arabic Chicken Pita Pockets. Local bands and entertainment make for the perfect nightcap in the evenings. Enjoy a cocktail whilst listening to these local performers belt it out with 80’s and 90’s classics as well as some soulful jazz. Casual chic vibes all around.
Affordable Luxury Stay – Discovery, Primea
One of Makati’s newest and most coveted hotels, here you will discover the height of luxury and 5 star service, without the outlandish price tag. The Discovery Primea is a place you would imagine staying in your wildest dreams but could never fathom it could be this accessible. The hotel is situated in the heart of Makati, next to all of the best restaurants and shopping – on the other side of the acclaimed Greenbelt precinct.
The rooftop pool is an absolute highlight and looks over the beautiful city as you sip on one of the hotel’s signature poolside cocktails. The gym facilities are of epic proportions, with a fully equipped club available to all guests which houses the latest in advanced equipment as well as round-the-clock personal trainers to assist you in your workout. Lavish locker room amenities complete the experience with a full glam station including all of your preening and pampering needs. A world-class spa tops off all of your wellbeing needs with some of the most relaxing and innovative treatments on offer.
A completely unique feature to this hotel is it’s very own in-house chapel, a beautiful and enchanting space that allows you to reflect and discover its serenity. It’s also an amazing place to get married for all of those fleeting romantics. The service and hospitality at this hotel is second-to-none with all staff tending to your every whim. Overall, this is a wonderful place to stay for all avid travellers, from families and honeymooners to businessmen and lone travels, The Discovery Primea excels on all fronts – luxury, hospitality, facilities, location, dining offering and affordability – it will certainly be a favourite among travellers and will no doubt attract a repeat crowd!
Affordable Fine Dining – Tapenade Restaurant
Discovery Primea offers you a culinary journey within the hotel, from the freshly-baked pizzas in this Restaurant, to its gourmet and healthy salad room that has all the prominent foodies talking – this is truly a smorgasbord not to be forgotten! The best of Mediterranean fare is on offer here including a plethora of salami and traditional charcuterie in this self service salad station as well as a worldly collection of cheeses, homemade antipasti, pickles and preserves which has locals and travellers coming back for more.
If the salad bar wasn’t enough, an a la carte menu of delicious Italian inspired cuisine is also on offer, featuring traditional wood fired pizza, al dente pappardelle and steak that literally melts in your mouth! Breakfast is a whole other affair at Tapenade, where the salad room transforms into a gourmet breakfast buffet which boasts a superb selection of freshly-baked breads and pastries, crisp salads, coffee, tea and fresh fruit juices. Indulge on the healthiest natural yogurts, cereals, along with dried fruits, nuts, traditional compotes and an array of exotic tropical fruit. The a la carte breakfast menu also includes a refined and delectable selection for all appetites and trendy diet requirements.
BORACAY ISLAND
The ideal stay – The District, Boracay
A favourite amongst travellers, this hotel continually emerges on Trip Advisor’s hot list. The District is a contemporary boutique resort situated in the in the center of the exceptionally vibrant Station 2 precinct. At the forefront of luxury, it offers every tourist the perfect beachfront getaway destination. The facilities are clean and pristine and the hospitality here is supreme. The staff take immense care to ensure that each guest has a comfortable and relaxed stay by offering impeccable and intuitive service. The rooms are comfortable and sizeable with a lovely turndown service. The facilities are absolutely chic and include charming outdoor pool with serviced sun loungers and spa that can be easily accessed from any room in the hotel.
Aside from its contemporary-styled exterior and luxurious interior, the resort offers 48 exquisite rooms and suites as well as a number of delicious dining options. A stunning rooftop bar and a conference centre round off the facilities. The best part is the picturesque beach that is situated literally right outside the hotel’s doorstep and offers a full-time security guard as well as serviced sun loungers exclusively for guests of the hotel.
Casual Rooftop Dining – Star Lounge
Situated on the third floor of The District, this bar and events roof deck boasts a prime setting to look over the balmy beach of Boracay. The menu offers a selection of specialty cocktails, local beers, gourmet appetizers and the perfect ambiance for a chilled out night on the island. Overlooking the resort and the sea, the Star Lounge features a stylish glow bar, a bright and colorful LED lighting system, ultra-comfortable lounge chairs, and the most personalised service that will surely transform an ordinary night into an epic celebration.
A really unique and exciting feature at Star Lounge is the special Shisha on offer. This includes exotic fruit cocktail shisha with flavours of cherry ripe and strawberry and guava to name a couple and the best part is you can add alcohol to these, incredible!
The perfect place to relax and unwind with friends.
The best Italian in Boracay hands down! Located off The District hotel, this restaurant boasts the best selection of imported wines on the Island. The traditional wood fired pizza is hand crafted by the in-house pizza chef, who intricately throws pizza dough in the air just as you’d find in a top Italian restaurants. The herb and garlic complementary welcome bread is a real treat and the cheese selection is also top notch. Overall one of the best dining experiences for all holidaymakers.
Other honourable mentions: Spider House for cheap feed and picturesque setting, The Shangri-La for a classy cocktail and sunset views.
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