Hotels in Manila: Edsa Shangri-La Manila Hotel

The Edsa Shangri-La Hotel set amidst lush tropical gardens in the Manadaluyong commercial district of Manila is a popular 5-star luxury hotel. This exquisite property is situated at a distance of about 17km from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Edsa Shangri-La with its 624 we-appointed guestrooms is synonymous to elegance, class & serenity. Each of these guestrooms is spacious & portrays a unique cosmopolitan flair combined with traditional Filipino style in addition to a range of most modern amenities. Within walking distance of this Manila luxury hotel is the Mega Mall, one of the most popular shopping centers of Manila.

A Peek at Manila's Grandest: Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is a 550-room five star hotel in Manila, Philippines that is situated at the heart of the Manila Bay area. Since its inception in 1912, Manila Hotel has been regarded by many as the “Showcase of the Philippines” and “Address of Prestige.” At that time until now, it has taken its place among the finest in the world meeting the most demanding needs of its distinguished guests from business tycoons to royalty and heads of state. As a testament of the luxury accommodation and high standard of service it offers, Manila Hotel continues to be the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions from prestigious local and international publications and institutions. While maintaining the elegance of the past, it likewise persists to evolve and strives to outdo what it has already accomplished. To date, Manila Hotel is a national landmark that remains to be an active and affectionate witness to Philippine history, which cannot be matched.

Manila Hotel Rooms

CHAMPAGNE ROOM
For nearly a hundred years, the Champagne Room has always been the place to be seen in. Be a part of the restaurant's list of prominent clientele and relive the grandeur of Old World Europe, framed majestically by crystal palm trees bathed in a dazzling golden glow. A favorite venue for elegant gatherings and celebrations, the Champagne Room best embodies the Grand Dame's decades of tradition and devotion to providing guests with only the finest dining experience.

MABUHAY PALACE
Tickle your palate with Mabuhay Palace's lavish menu of authentic Chinese cuisine as you dine amidst imperial Neo-Classical interiors in hues of rich red, orange and gold. The Mabuhay Palace brings to life a marriage of traditional and stylish living with its one-of-a-kind wall art, meticulously sculpted with jade and precious stones, and ingenuously cut to chronologically narrate the tale of Confucius as complement to an unparalleled culinary experience.

CAFÉ ILANG-ILANG
Let Cafe Ilang-Ilang take you back to the romance of old Spanish period haciendas as you dine amidst the restaurant's lush greenery and charming latticework. Sample native and international specialties by the windows that offer an extensive view of the pool and manicured lawns along the bay. You won't find a better place for simple, intimate dining with family and friends.

COWRIE GRILL
The lights of over 7,000 islands all find a place in the Cowrie Grill. Hundreds of cowrie shells -- each one representing the islands of the Philippine archipelago – cast a soft, amber glow that dominates the room and creates a unique dining space. The Cowrie Grill is the best place to savor some of the finest steaks and seafood in town.

GINZA
Delight in Japanese cuisine at its finest at Ginza. More than its wide menu selection, Ginza prides itself as being a showcase of art. With Tatami rooms that look out to traditional Japanese landscapes, a spacious main dining room, teppanyaki and sushi bar, the Ginza is truly no less than a masterpiece.

TAP ROOM
After a long day at work, relax and unwind with friends in the Old English pub-inspired Tap Room. Enjoy the best drinks in town amid a cozy atmosphere created by plush chairs and a splendid Tiffany bay window that looks out to the hotel's pool and garden. Now, the Tap Room also boasts of new entertainment for its guests. Beginning at 9:00 pm nightly, the bar's new roster of entertainers will enthrall you with live performances.

POOL BAR
Ever wonder how glorious it will be to relax with the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset as your backdrop? Cool down with a refreshing drink at our pool's wet bar or at the newly refurbished sun deck. Pamper yourself to a relaxing foot spa as you lounge on our Dedon Orbit chairs that line the upper deck. Or enjoy cocktails with family and friends at the Sea Breeze event space overlooking a dramatic view of Manila Bay. The cool canopy of mature trees lining Cafe Ilang-Ilang provides the idyllic setting for intimate al fresco dining.


Recreation

POOL
Manila Hotel's swimming pool was reconfigured and re-engineered with brand new state-of-the-art pumps and filter system. Decorative spouts and jets were also installed to add novel flavor and to complement the new "Quartzon" finish of the swimming pool. Other new features include a kid's pool, a sun deck that beckons guests to relax on its comfortable lounge chairs for hours and a newly-refurbished wet bar.

SPA
Renowned writer Jane Austen once said that "To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." Manila Hotel epitomizes this perfectly as we have taken great pains to ensure a tranquil experience for anyone who walks inside our Spa's doors. It has all the key elements for your mind and body's ultimate relaxation and is situated right beside the glistening waters of Manila Bay, nestled in lush greenery and tranquil surroundings.

HEALTH CLUB
Manila Hotel's newly opened gym features state-of-the-art and high technology Life Fitness Strength Conditioning and Cardio machines. They come with touch screen LCDs, iPod control and a virtual trainer. In addition, going up a flight of stairs will reveal a superb locker room that feature electronic lockers that use wrist watches instead of keys, and rainfall showers with complete amenities. And just when we think it can't get any better than this, the Manila Hotel Health Club also has its own Pilates yoga and aerobics room, a dry sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

For Manila Hotel reservation links, try this...http://www.asiahotels.com/location-listby-name/Manila-Philippines-.asp

The Stories of Manila Hotel

If Raffles Hotel is said to be the embodiment of Singapore's rich culture, the Manila Hotel serves as the favorite muse of all hotels in the Philippines. It is described as a "living testimonial of Philippine heritage."

Built by the Americans near the turn of the 20th century, the Manila Hotel has stood witness to important events in Philippine history including the Philippine Commonwealth, the Second World War, the Restoration of the Philippine Republic, Martial Law, People Power, Restoration of Democracy, attempts of Coup d' etat, Impeachment of an incumbent president and so much more. Despite the wear and tear of time, Manila Hotel is still surviving and fighting for its existence in Philippine landscape and history.

The doors of the Manila Hotel were first opened in 1912. It used to host the festivities during the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth government. But when the Japanese occupied the Philippines in the 1940s, the hotel became the headquarters of the Imperial Army. When the time of the Liberation came, Manila was bombed by the Americans in order to attack the Japanese forces seeking refuge in the capital. It was a miracle that this hotel survived this bombing and was later rebuilt in its finest stature.

Up to the present time, it holds important political events and inaugurations of notable people in the Philippines. Foreign leaders and Heads of State like Prince Charles stayed in this hotel, as well as entertainers Sammy Davis Jr. and The Beatles. It had also been a home to authors Ernest Hemingway and James Michener, Time publisher Henry Luce, and actors John Wayne and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Among the notable personalities that stayed in this hotel, there is one that truly made a mark: Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who played an important role in liberating the Philippines from the Japanese invasion. General MacArthur stayed in the hotel for a time before the War broke in the 1940s. The same room that Gen. MacArthur stayed in was preserved until now in its original condition. This room was even named after the brave general who became dear to the Filipinos' hearts.

The hotel's major renovation and reconstruction was done during the time of the Marcos dictatorship. It was reopened in 1977 with an even grander and more glamorous appeal. This time can be considered the hotel's peak of glory. It was during this era when the Manila Hotel won many international awards and gain recognitions from all around the globe.

If Manila Hotel could only tell stories of what it had been through for the past century, publishers will surely not ran out of books to publish. But even without speaking, the architecture, the style and the design of the Manila Hotel could already testify to what it had experienced. And as a symbol of Philippine culture at its finest, Manila Hotel will never cease to tell its stories to the coming generations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelvin_Kong

Vibrant and Cosmopolitan City of Manila

The City of Manila is the thriving capital of the Philippines. The city is also part of Metro Manila together with the other 17 cities and municipalities. The city is the second most populous city in the world, next to Quezon City which is its neighbor. The whole metropolitan area is the second most populous in Southeast Asia. Metro Manila is home to around 14 million people, and the city of Manila is home to 1.6 million people. Manila is nearest Hong Kong which is around 950 kilometers and the city is around 2,400 kilometers northeast of Singapore. The city is located in the west coast of Luzon and the city is surrounded by the fertile plains. There are around 897 barangays in the city and the city is also subdivided into six Congressional Districts.

Manila is a famous player too based on some records. It was said that the city was famous during the Manila-Acapulco trade and this trade lasted for three centuries. In this trade, goods from as far as Mexico were brought to the Southeast including Manila. As a city, Manila is often described as fascinating and a cosmopolitan city and rightfully so. The city of Manila is a lively place that commands an excellent view of the world-famous Manila Bay and its sunset. First time visitors of the city should not miss the well-known Manila bay sunset; a beautiful scene as if straight from the postcards. Another label that can be said of the city is historic- and rightfully so since the city traces a long history in the hands of many colonizers. The city blends the cultures and flavors of its colonizers to bring up a unique Manila experience for the first time travelers and the visitors.

Intramuros: Walled City and Heart of Manila

Intramuros was considered as one of the world's best preserved medieval cities. The interested travelers and tourists will see here some dungeons and old churches and these buildings share space with art galleries and parks in the area. Just south of the walled city is the Rizal Park. This is considered as the country's most significant park. This is also known as Luneta, which stands in Stands in Spanish as 'crescent-shaped'. This is a 53-hectare park and this was the site where the national hero of the Philippines was executed by the Spaniards. Monument in memory of Jose Rizal stands in the park and there is also a towering flagpole to the west of the monument. The park is also the location of Kilometer Zero for road distances on Luzon and the rest of the country.

Rizal Park is also home to many points and places of interest that the traveler will surely like:
? Chinese and Japanese Gardens
? Department of Tourism Building
? National Museum of the Philippines
? The National Library of the Philippines
? Planetarium
? Orchidarium
? Butterfly Pavilion
? Relief Map of the Philippines
? Fountain area
? Children's lagoon
? Chess Plaza
? Quirino Grandstand
The city is highly urban and a fast-developing city, but still the city of Manila has a number of open public places. The list of open public places and parks include:
? Rajah Sulayman Park
? Mehan Garden
? Paco Park
? Remedios Circle
? Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden
? Malakanyang Garden
And just recently, Manila Ocean Park opened in the city. The city of Manila is also home to the seat of power- the Malaca?ang Palace. This is the official residence of the chief executive of the country. Travelers and tourists will not be lost and feel tired in the city since Manila also offers a wide range of hotel accommodations, from deluxe hotels to the high-end five star hotels. A number of these accommodations are situated in Roxas Boulevard, near world-renowned Manila Bay. Other well-known hotels in the city are located in the districts of Malate and Manila. One popular hotel in the city of Manila is the Manila Hotel.

Source: http://www.owntravel.com/city-guides/4295-vibrant-and-cosmopolitan-city-of-manila.html