Anna is a co-founder of Adventure in You and has been traveling the world for the last 9 years. She has spent time living in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain and is our local expert in these areas. Her expertise on travel, gear, and building businesses have been featured on Foundr, Business Insider, Yahoo Travel, and more.
If you are thinking of traveling to Southeast Asia, one of the places you MUST visit is definitely the Philippines. This guide was written to help you find the best places to stay in Manila as you discover this highly underrated destination.
Home to the most beautiful beaches and some of the nicest people, tourism in the Philippines is slowly growing. Manila, the Philippines’ capital city, is a gateway to reach the dreamy 7,107 islands spread all over this archipelago.
While I don’t really recommend staying in Manila (two days to get situated is more than enough time!), listed below are a few of my personal recommendations of some of the best places to stay in Manila. To suit every travel budget, we are giving you various options to help you find the perfect place to stay.
Z Hostel is hip, modern, and is a great place to meet people during your stay in Manila. Located in Makati, the hostel has a great atmosphere and has a fun, lively rooftop bar which opens at night.
They offer dorm rooms as well as private rooms which are clean, modern, and has everything you need from a hostel and more. Aside from the rooftop bar, you can chill out in the shared lounge or try local food at the on-site cafe.
Here’s an insider tip: if you miss the breakfast, you can get a free cocktail at the rooftop bar in exchange!
This place is my top pick when it comes to hostels in Manila. If you do stay here, don’t forget to eat at Senor Pollo, you can thank me later. Read our full review here!
This budget hostel wins not only because of its affordable price but also because of its central location. If you want to be located in the heart of all the action in Makati, Urban Hostel Makati is a great option.
The rooms are fairly basic but has everything that you need. If you prefer to have your own space, you can choose one of their private rooms. Century City Mall has loads of awesome food places to try so it’s worth staying somewhere near.
Near: 7-minute walk to Makati, Bonifacio Global City and The Fort Shopping Strip
Price Range: From $12 a night
The Fort Budget Hotel is located very near Bonifacio Global City which is one of the best areas in Manila. Its central location makes this a good pick for budget travelers.
They have both dorm rooms and privates which are pretty basic but are always kept clean. It’s a solid option for families or groups traveling together that are trying to keep accommodation costs low. One of the highlights of the hotel is the rooftop area which is an awesome spot to relax with a drink after a day of sightseeing.
With Makari, Bonifacio, and the Fort all within walking distance, you’ll never run out of things to do when you’re staying here.
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Near: 1 minute walk from Greenhills Shopping Center
Price Range: From $46+ a night
If you want to get some serious shopping done in one of the best places in Manila, we recommend staying in Greenhills Elan Hotel Modern.
Complete with a beautiful view of the city, a pool, and gym access, this place is pretty unbeatable. Located literally a stone throw away from Greenhills Shopping Center, this hotel is great choice for those who want to bargain shop while in Manila.
They have rooms that can accommodate large families or groups of people, making it an ideal place to stay due to the convenience of its location.
Near: Â 6-minutes away from the Makati Central Business district, Rockwell, and Ayala Shopping Center
Price Range: From $55+ a night
If you want to stay in the heart of Makati (Manila’s biggest business district), Makati Palace Hotel is a great choice. Not only do they have regular hotel rooms, but they also have comfortable apartment type rooms for those who want the amenities of a home.
They also have newly renovated rooms which are tastefully designed so definitely look into that.
The hotel itself has an on-site coffee shop, pool, spa, and gym, making it a great place to base yourself while in Manila. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and have everything you need for a great stay.
Parks, malls and the central makati district are pretty much walking distance which makes Makati Palace Hotel an ideal base to avoid the dreaded Manila traffic.
Red Planet Manila Amorsolo is a solid mid-range option for those who want modern accommodations and being in a great location.
Decorated in a contemporary style, this hotel offers comfortable twin and double rooms. While the rooms are small, they are very clean, bright, and newly furnished. The location of this hotel is also quite ideal as it is only a few kilometers away from all the large malls in the area. You’ll find it easy to shop, find places to eat, and get around.
For those who are driving or renting a car, you’ll be glad to know there’s free parking on site!
Here’s another aweesome mid-priced option that’s located in Makati.
BRBlock Boutique & Residences is clean, modern, and has new furnishings, making it one of the best places to stay in Manila for budget-conscious travelers. While there are no extra frills, guests are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and spacious the rooms are. Plus, it is located a stone’s throw away from Bonifacio Global City, which is one of the premier areas in Manila.
Between the immaculately clean rooms and the central location, this place comes highly recommended.
Room Type: Studio Rooms | Junior Suite | Suite | Loft
Wifi: Yes
Near: 10-minute walk from Salcedo Market
Price Range: From $89 a night
Want somewhere super pretty to stay for those Instagram shots? Check out Picasso Boutique Residences.
This boutique residence offers unique themed studios and suites with kitchens, making it your home away from home. With aesthetically pleasing touches in the design and decor, you’ll be pleased with how lovely the rooms here are.
This hotel is perfect for travelers who want to stay in the heart of Makati, Manila’s financial district. What I like about this place aside from its central location are the large spacious rooms and the well-thought of interior decoration.
Located in the heart of the trendy district of Poblacion, I’M Hotel is a gem of a place that’s designed with urban luxury in mind.
This stylish hotel will impress any traveler. Their rooms are spacious and comfortable, with a classy design that will make for a relaxing stay. Plus, the hotel facilities are top notch! Featuring an infinity pool overlooking the city, a fantastic restaurant, and a cool rooftop bar, you may find it hard to even leave to explore the rest of the city.
As it is also home to the first Japanese Onsen Spa in Manila, expect to get pampered during your stay in this hotel.
I highly recommend staying here, especially if you want to explore the area of Makati. For more info, read our detailed I’M Hotel review!
This highly popular hotel is a great place to enjoy Manila due to its location.
Discovery Suites offers (as you might have guessed from its name) lush suites that were designed with ultra comfort in mind. Each suites comes with a seating area, and the larger suites also include a kitchen and dining area. The bed linens here are too die for — take my word for it, waking up is hard when you’re so comfortable!
But you will want to get up early: the breakfast buffet gets high marks from guests so make you don’t miss it! Other key facilities include a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, and dining options on site.
Located in Makati, Raffles Makati is a luxurious hotel with 32 large suites you can choose from.
The suites offer city views of Manila’s financial center, but most importantly they’re tastefully designed with quality furniture. Everything in the suite is intended to make your stay as comfortable as possible, be it the fluffy beds, luxurious bathrooms, and amenities like a coffee machine.
Its central location means that you can do some shopping and exploring. But if you prefer to stay in, you can spend the day chilling the outdoor pool, get a workout in their gym, or even get some work done at their business center.
Plus, the staff here are all truly exceptional and their attentive service will make your stay unforgettable!
Shangri-La is a trusted name in luxury accommodations and the Edsa Shangri-la doesn’t disappoint! This is a fantastic luxury option for those who like to travel in style or those traveling on a business trip.
Known for its exceptional level of beauty and elegance, the Edsa Shangri-La offers breathtaking views of Manila city from the majority of the 632 rooms and suites that are available. While the property isn’t new, it’s well-maintained and still exudes a classy, upscale vibe. The rooms here are filled with high quality furnishings that offer top comfort.
The hotel premises are lovely as well with lush greenery as well as an awesome pool area. The personal service is also unmatched. As like most Shangri-La hotels in the world, the restaurants here are not to be missed!
Hopefully, the places listed above will help you plan your trip around the Philippines. The hotels and hostels listed above as the best places to stay in Manila are based on our personal recommendations and reviews of people who have stayed there.
Booking accommodations is one of my favourite parts about travel lol. Sometimes you find a jewel of a hostel that blows hotels away and sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the luxury of a more expensive room. Great guide!
Perfect timing, I am off to Manila in October, book marked for for reference later. I’m swooning over the splurge options, but I know my hip pocket would cry 😉
Love seeing a lodging list with this kind of range. I scootted through Manila a few months ago on the way to Palawan but hope to return and will refer to this.
Definitely on my list. Surprised to see the hostel being so nice, did not expect that. Though, I would most likely choose one of the more fancier hotels 🙂
I stayed in Manila for one night last yeAr. We arrived late and got a cab to,our hotel. The hotel was nice enough, but kind of a crappy location! It wasn’t the best impression of Manila, sadly!
Booking accommodations is one of my favourite parts about travel lol. Sometimes you find a jewel of a hostel that blows hotels away and sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the luxury of a more expensive room. Great guide!
I am itching to see more of SE Asia- specifically the Philippines as soon as possible!
Perfect timing, I am off to Manila in October, book marked for for reference later. I’m swooning over the splurge options, but I know my hip pocket would cry 😉
Are you going to TBEX? If so, see you there!
I sure am!!!! Can’t wait 🙂 Look forward to meeting you in October.
Who doesn’t love a splurge but I think I’d fall in the mid-range. Great way to break it down. I’d love to stay at the Suez Suites. Love that view.
Love seeing a lodging list with this kind of range. I scootted through Manila a few months ago on the way to Palawan but hope to return and will refer to this.
Definitely on my list. Surprised to see the hostel being so nice, did not expect that. Though, I would most likely choose one of the more fancier hotels 🙂
I stayed in Manila for one night last yeAr. We arrived late and got a cab to,our hotel. The hotel was nice enough, but kind of a crappy location! It wasn’t the best impression of Manila, sadly!
Yeah…it doesn’t get the best reputation as a city! The location of where you’re staying has a lot to do with your experience.
I really like the first hostel, looks quite cool and hip. Hostels with a rooftop bar shouldn’t be missed. I can almost imagine the view.
Yes, they have fun parties there too!
Hey the Picasso one looks interesting, have you tried it? I wanna check it out.
I haven’t personally stayed there but I’ve seen their rooms as a friend was!
nice roundup – have you tried them all?
Some I have…but most of these are from either personal recommendations or that of friends.