Do you really need a reason to get pampered this holiday season? Turn-down service, exquisite meals, butlers at your beck and call. Gather the family and give yourselves the gift of togetherness and indulgence this season.
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MAXIMS HOTEL
A luxe all-suite hotel from the upscale Asian lodging brand of the Genting Group, Maxims Hotel knows how to extravagantly pamper its guests. This first-class city retreat is equipped with 172 spacious and lavishly-furnished suites at the very heart of Resorts World Manila (RWM). For VVIPs, there are three 500-square-meter royal villas with its own pool, patio, kitchen and dining room, and massage room. For the pinnacle of Like-A-Boss luxury, book a never-to-be-forgotten night at The Mansion. This 652-square-meter suite is a legit urban hideway with two grand bedrooms with spacious wardrobes, ensuite bathrooms with its own jacuzzi, massage room, a garden, and a private swimming pool. Small wonder the hotel’s almost always fully booked!
Come here for:
One word: entertainment. When you’re ready to get out of your lavish suite, RWM’s entertainment complex is replete with lifestyle amenities such as high end restos like the Japanese and Korean restaurant Ginzadon, bars with live entertainment such as the always lively Club 360, Newport Mall, the Newport Performing Arts, the 24-hour premium cinemas, and, of course, the casinos—all within walking distance of the hotel—that will surely thrill families, tourists, business travelers, high rollers with the most discerning tastes.
Best amenities:
Complementing the hotel’s plush amenities is its 24-hour, personalized butler service. Each room is assigned an efficient butler to attend to the guests every need, from getting tickets for the theater and cinemas to dining reservations, booking flights or a chauffeured limousine, and even arranging for city tours and shopping itineraries around the metro.
What to look forward to this Christmas:
As Christmas nears, Maxims transforms its lobby into a sparkling Christmas enclave festooned with sparkling drop lights and ornaments. Guests can also have their photos taken by RWM’s giant Christmas tree and giant parol display. There’s also an indoor light parade, choral performances, and Christmas buskers at the Newport Mall Plaza.—JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA
02 908 8000 loc. 7770, reservation@rwmanila.com
MANILA HOTEL
A historical landmark, the Manila Hotel was built in 1909 and was designed by architect William Parsons. It has survived many events including World War II and Martial Law. It had housed several important guests like General Douglas MacArthur, Ernest Hemingway, John F. Kennedy, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, just to name a few. The 570-room hotel has gone through several renovations and it continues to do so to keep up with the times.
Image by Justine Nicole Zafra
Come here for:
Manila Hotel is perfect for culture vultures, history buffs, and science geeks because it is surrounded by famous attractions the City of Manila is known for. Located at One Rizal Park, the hotel is a few steps away from the walled city of Intramuros, Luneta Park (also a venue of cultural events), Museo Pambata, the National Museum, the Planetarium, Manila Ocean Park, Philam Life Theater, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. And of course, the most famous attraction of them all, the Manila Bay sunset. Pick rooms that face the bay so you have your own personal view of the sunset..You definitely need more than an overnight stay when planning your staycation here.
(Image by Justine Nicole Zafra)
Best amenities:
The hotel has renovated most of its major amenities like the pool that has its own bar, its iconic restaurants like Café Ilang-Ilang, Champagne Room, and Mabuhay Palace. But no other hotel can boast a suite that has a rich past. The three-bedroom MacArthur Suite is the suite General MacArthur stayed in during his tenure here in the country. When booking your stay, maybe you can ask the hotel for a quick peek of the suite, if no one’s staying, of course.
What to look forward to this Christmas:
The Manila Hotel lobby is decked with beautiful Christmas decorations including two giant Christmas trees and a gingerbread house. The hotel also has several holiday packages like the Balikbayan Homecoming Package, an overnight accommodation with breakfast at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, which comes with two tickets to the Manila Ocean Park Oceanarium. They also have the Family Holiday Package, overnight accommodations with breakfast for two adults and two children, while guests staying at the hotel’s suites have a complimentary buffet dinner for two. Both packages are available until the end of the year.—ANGELO GARCIA
02 527 0011, www.manila-hotel.com.ph
RAMADA MANILA CENTRAL
Although new in the scene (it’s only two years old), Ramada Manila Central can be at par with other hotels that are older and more “experienced.” Discerning guests say it’s all about location, location, location. And Ramada is right smack in the middle of the action: Ongpin Street corner Quintin Paredes in Binondo, Manila. It offers a good vantage point for a fun-filled staycation or a home away from home when you’re on a business trip (or just checking out the goods available in downtown Manila.)
Its well-appointed 114 rooms respond to every traveler’s needs: good food, complete amenities, and affordable prices. “We’re under Wyndham Worldwide, the fourth largest hotel chain in the world, so the guests are assured that our service and facilities are at par with the international standards. We have superior service at affordable prices. Also, guests can benefit from Wyndham rewards, which they can use around the world,” says Ramada business development specialist Monica Aclan.
Awarded as 2013’s most booked hotel by Bookings.com, Ramada Hotel is mostly jampacked on weekends. But you can always enjoy and maximize its complete features like function rooms, boardroom, multipurpose hall, a 300-seater ballroom, spa house, and fitness center. Its in-house restaurant, New Café, currently offers “Foodprints” at the World lunch buffet (a steal at P595), showcasing Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and Italian cuisines. Now who’s excited for a merry Yuletide vacation?
Come here for:
Bargain hunting and food hopping. A hodgepodge of activities like shopping (hello Divisoria!), trips down memory lane in Binondo’s historic district, gastronomic adventures, cultural visits, or just a day in bed can be added to your itinerary.
Best amenities:
The room features at affordable prices. Seriously, the beds are as soft as cotton candy. Perfect for lazy bums, surf the net thanks to the free Wi-Fi, or marry your comfy bed and never let go. Rooms have a view of historical Binondo Church and all its glory. Its location makes it a perfect gateway to the great bargain hunts in 168 Mall and Chinatown’s best restaurants.
What to look forward to this Christmas:
Just in time for a Christmas staycation, avail the family package available on dealgrocer.com for P4,500 that includes an overnight stay at the executive room with buffet breakfast, Manila Ocean Park tickets, massage for two, complimentary use of its fitness facility, and free shuttle service to Mall of Asia and Lucky Chinatown Mall.—NICKKY DE GUZMAN
www.ramadamanilacentral.com, 02 258 86688