Manila is a city that divides opinion like few others in Southeast Asia. For every traveller who finds it chaotic and overwhelming, another discovers warmth, energy, and a food scene that rivals any in the region. One thing everyone agrees on: where you stay in Manila matters more than almost anywhere else. The right neighbourhood turns a stressful trip into an enjoyable one.
Metro Manila is a megalopolis of 17 cities stitched together, but visitors really only need to consider a handful of areas. Here is our honest guide to where to stay in Manila, with specific hotel recommendations and practical tips.
Makati CBD: The Classic Business and Luxury District
Makati is Manila's original central business district and remains its most polished area. Ayala Avenue forms the spine, lined with gleaming towers, upscale malls (Greenbelt, Glorietta, Power Plant), and the highest concentration of luxury hotels in the Philippines.
Why Stay Here
Makati is Manila at its most manageable. The Ayala Triangle area is walkable, well-maintained, and safe. You can walk between your hotel, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife without ever needing a car. The dining scene ranges from Michelin-quality Filipino fine dining to Japanese izakayas and Italian trattorias. Salcedo Saturday Market is one of the best food markets in Southeast Asia.
Best Hotels in Makati
**Raffles Makati** is the city's most prestigious address, located within the Fairmont complex on Ayala Avenue. Suites only, with butler service and access to the Writers Bar. Rates from PHP 18,000/night (approximately USD 310). The Raffles consistently earns the top SEA Hotel Score in Manila.
**Fairmont Makati** shares the building with Raffles at a lower price point. Rooms from PHP 10,000/night with excellent club lounge access.
**The Peninsula Manila** is a heritage luxury property on the corner of Ayala and Makati avenues. Classic elegance, impeccable service, and one of the best hotel pools in the city. Rooms from PHP 12,000/night.
**Discovery Primea** is a local luxury gem that often flies under the tourist radar. All-suite, with a rooftop pool and personalised service that rivals international brands. Suites from PHP 9,000/night.
**For mid-range**: **I'M Hotel** in the Poblacion area offers a massive onsen spa and contemporary rooms from PHP 5,000/night. **New World Makati** delivers dependable business-hotel comfort from PHP 6,000/night.
Poblacion: Makati's Hip Neighbourhood
Just south of the CBD, Poblacion has transformed from a residential backwater into Manila's coolest nightlife and dining district. Rooftop bars, speakeasies, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants pack the narrow streets. If you want Manila's creative energy, this is where to find it.
Accommodation in Poblacion leans boutique and budget. **Filling Station** is a converted gas station turned hostel-bar hybrid. **Z Hostel** offers rooftop social space. Several Airbnb-style serviced apartments provide good value in the PHP 2,000-4,000 range.
Who Should Stay in Makati
Business travellers, luxury seekers, fine dining enthusiasts, first-time visitors who want a polished introduction to Manila, and nightlife lovers (Poblacion).
BGC (Bonifacio Global City): The Modern Alternative
Built on a former military base in Taguig, BGC is Manila's newest and most planned district. Wide sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, public art installations, and a grid layout make it feel distinctly un-Manila. It is the closest the Philippines gets to a Singaporean urban experience.
Why Stay Here
BGC is the easiest part of Manila to navigate. The streets are clean, the sidewalks actually work, and crime is virtually nonexistent within the district. The dining scene has exploded -- High Street and Uptown areas offer everything from Korean barbecue to artisanal pizza. Several major international companies have relocated here, and the construction of new towers continues at a rapid pace.
Best Hotels in BGC
**Grand Hyatt Manila** is BGC's flagship luxury hotel, occupying the upper floors of the Grand Hyatt Manila Residences tower. Rooms from PHP 12,000/night with sweeping city views. The Peak lounge on the 59th floor is one of Manila's most impressive hotel bars.
**Shangri-La at the Fort** delivers the brand's signature comfort in a prime BGC location. Rooms from PHP 10,000/night with the excellent Kerry Sports gym and pool complex.
**Seda BGC** is a local brand that consistently outperforms international competitors at its price point. Rooms from PHP 5,000/night with a rooftop bar and pool.
**For budget**: **Citadines BGC** and **Red Planet BGC** offer functional rooms from PHP 2,500-3,500/night.
Who Should Stay in BGC
Business travellers with meetings in Taguig, families who want a safe and walkable base, fitness enthusiasts (BGC's parks and running tracks are excellent), and travellers who prioritise modern infrastructure.
The Drawback
BGC can feel sterile. It lacks the character and chaos that define Manila's personality. It is also poorly connected by rail (the BGC Bus links to MRT Ayala, but traffic can make this slow). Getting to Manila's historical attractions in Intramuros or Binondo takes 45-60 minutes in typical traffic.
Pasay and the Bay Area: Casino Hotels and Convention Centres
Manila's bayfront area, centred around the Mall of Asia complex and Entertainment City, has been transformed by massive casino-resort developments. If you have been to Macau, the scale will feel familiar.
Why Stay Here
The casino-resorts (Solaire, City of Dreams, Okada) are self-contained luxury worlds with multiple restaurants, pools, spas, and entertainment venues. If you are arriving late or departing early, the proximity to NAIA airport (15-20 minutes) is convenient. The Mall of Asia offers shopping on an enormous scale.
Best Hotels in Pasay/Bay Area
**Solaire Resort** was the first Entertainment City property and remains polished. Rooms from PHP 8,000/night with a beach-club-style pool.
**Nüwa at City of Dreams** is the luxury tier of the City of Dreams complex, with understated elegance and excellent dining (Nobu Manila is here). Rooms from PHP 11,000/night.
**Okada Manila** is the most opulent of the lot, with a massive fountain show (think Bellagio), the largest indoor beach club in the country, and extravagant rooms from PHP 10,000/night.
**Conrad Manila** offers Hilton's luxury brand with bay views and a more conventional (non-casino) hotel experience from PHP 8,000/night.
Who Should Stay in Pasay/Bay Area
Casino enthusiasts, convention attendees, travellers with early flights, and those who want a resort-style experience without leaving the city.
The Drawback
Entertainment City is isolated from Manila's culture, history, and authentic dining scene. Stepping outside the resort bubble, the surrounding Pasay neighbourhood is one of the rougher parts of Metro Manila. Traffic to Makati or BGC during rush hour can take over an hour.
Intramuros: The Walled City
Manila's historic core, built by the Spanish in the 16th century, is undergoing a careful revival. Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, and the cobblestone streets of the walled city offer a window into the Philippines' colonial past.
Why Stay Here
If history is your priority, Intramuros puts you at the heart of it. The area is becoming more visitor-friendly, with new restaurants, museums, and walking tours. Sunrise at Fort Santiago, before the heat and crowds, is magical.
Best Hotels in Intramuros
The hotel scene here is nascent but growing. **Bayleaf Intramuros** is the area's best-known hotel, with a rooftop bar and views over the walled city from PHP 4,000/night. Several boutique properties and heritage guesthouses are opening in restored Spanish-era buildings.
Who Should Stay in Intramuros
History enthusiasts, photographers, and adventurous travellers who do not mind limited dining and nightlife options in exchange for atmosphere.
How to Choose Your Manila Base
Here is our quick recommendation matrix:
- **First visit, want polish and safety**: Makati CBD - **Modern, walkable, family-friendly**: BGC - **Casino resort experience**: Pasay/Entertainment City - **Nightlife and creative dining**: Makati Poblacion - **History and heritage**: Intramuros - **Business with meetings citywide**: Makati (best central access)
Quezon City: The Local Metropolis
North of the centre, Quezon City is technically a separate city and the most populous in Metro Manila. Most tourists skip it entirely, but it has a thriving university-district food scene (around UP Diliman and Maginhawa Street) and several excellent restaurants that destination-dining travellers seek out.
Should You Stay Here?
Only if you have specific business in QC or want to explore the Maginhawa food street and the University of the Philippines campus. **Seda Vertis North** offers modern rooms from PHP 5,000/night in the Vertis North commercial development. For most visitors, the commute to Makati or BGC (45-90 minutes in traffic) makes QC impractical as a tourist base.
Manila Traffic: The Elephant in the Room
We cannot write a Manila hotel guide without addressing traffic. It is among the worst in the world. A 5-kilometre journey can take 90 minutes during peak hours. This is why neighbourhood choice is so critical: you want to be walking distance from your primary activities.
Practical tips: - **Book near your main purpose**. If your meetings are in BGC, stay in BGC. Do not assume a 3km commute will be quick. - **Use the MRT** (Line 3 runs from Pasay through Makati to Quezon City). It is crowded but faster than driving at rush hour. - **Grab** is essential, but surge pricing during rain or rush hour can triple the fare. - **Plan off-peak movements**. Sightseeing in Intramuros or Binondo (Chinatown) is best done on weekends when business-district traffic is lighter.
Compare hotel prices across Manila's districts on our [Manila destination page](/destinations/manila) to find the best rates. We frequently find 15-20% differences between platforms for the same Manila hotel, so it pays to check multiple sources before booking.
Explore This Destination
