How to Choose a Hotel in Manila

Choosing a hotel in Metro Manila is about more than comparing room prices and star ratings. Location, traffic, airport access, transportation and the places you plan to visit can have a major impact on your stay.

Elegant lobby of the Manila Hotel with large chandeliers, arched windows, polished marble floors and seating areas

With thousands of accommodation options across Metro Manila, it is easy to begin by comparing hotels. A better approach is to first think about how the hotel will fit into your actual trip.

A cheaper room in the wrong location can mean spending more time and money travelling across the city. A slightly more expensive hotel in the right place may make your visit considerably easier.

Choose Your Area First

Before comparing individual hotels, decide which part of Metro Manila suits your plans.

If historic attractions such as Intramuros, Rizal Park and the National Museums are priorities, staying in or near the City of Manila can be convenient.

Makati offers restaurants, shopping and nightlife in a modern business district, while BGC provides contemporary surroundings and pedestrian-friendly areas.

Pasay and the Manila Bay area can work well for airport access, Mall of Asia, conventions and entertainment.

Our guide to the best areas to stay in Manila compares these locations in more detail.

Think in Travel Time, Not Distance

Metro Manila is enormous, and distances on a map don’t always tell you how long a journey will take.

Traffic conditions can make a relatively short trip take much longer than expected.

Look at where you expect to spend most of your time and consider the journeys you will make repeatedly. Reducing those journeys can be more valuable than saving a small amount on the room.

Check Transportation Options

Consider how you expect to get around before booking.

A hotel near useful public transportation, major roads or places where taxis and ride-hailing services are readily available can make daily travel easier.

If you expect to walk frequently, examine the immediate surroundings as well. Two hotels that appear close together on a map can offer very different experiences for pedestrians.

For an overview of trains, jeepneys, buses, taxis and ride-hailing services, see our guide to getting around Manila.

Consider Airport Access

Being close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport can be useful for a late arrival, early departure or short stopover.

For a longer visit, airport proximity may matter less than being close to the places you want to explore.

Check your terminal and allow generous travelling time when heading to the airport, particularly during busy periods.

If you’re flying into Manila, our Manila Airport Guide explains what to expect at NAIA and how to arrange transportation to your accommodation.

Departure hall at NAIA Terminal 3 in Manila, showing airline check-in counters, flight information screens and travelers with luggage

Compare the Total Cost

The cheapest advertised room isn’t necessarily the least expensive option overall.

Check what is included in the rate and whether additional charges apply. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, airport transfers and other services can affect the real cost of your stay.

Also consider transportation. Saving money on accommodation becomes less attractive if you spend the difference travelling back and forth across Metro Manila every day.

Read Recent Reviews

Recent guest reviews can reveal practical information that photographs and hotel descriptions don’t show.

Look for repeated comments about cleanliness, noise, staff, Wi-Fi, room condition and the surrounding area.

Pay more attention to patterns across several recent reviews than to one unusually positive or negative experience.

Check the Immediate Neighbourhood

A good hotel is only part of the experience.

Look at what is available nearby. Restaurants, convenience stores, cafés, shopping and transportation within walking distance can make a stay considerably easier.

Street conditions can also change quickly from one block to another, so examine the immediate location rather than judging the entire district by its reputation.

Street entrance to The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati, with palm trees, landscaped grounds and a pedestrian crossing

Decide Which Facilities Matter to You

A swimming pool, gym, restaurant or impressive lobby may look attractive, but only pay extra for facilities you are likely to use.

For some travellers, reliable Wi-Fi and a comfortable bed matter far more. Families may value larger rooms or a pool, while business travellers may prioritise workspace and location.

Choose according to your trip rather than the hotel’s longest list of amenities.

Budget or Luxury?

Metro Manila offers accommodation at almost every price level.

Budget travellers can find hostels, guesthouses and inexpensive hotels throughout the metropolitan area. At the other end of the market, Makati, BGC, Manila Bay and Pasay contain many upscale and luxury properties.

The best choice isn’t necessarily the cheapest or most luxurious. It is the hotel that provides the combination of location, comfort and price that works for your visit.

Book the Hotel That Fits Your Manila Trip

Start with your itinerary. Choose the part of Metro Manila that makes sense for it. Then compare hotels within that area.

That simple order — trip first, area second, hotel third — can make choosing accommodation much easier and help you spend more of your Manila visit actually enjoying the city.

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