High-rise buildings and towering skyscrapers are nothing new to Manila’s sprawling metropolitan region, but those in Ortigas Center, the city’s booming commercial district, typically serve as the headquarters for numerous global banks and businesses. Financial districts often turn into ghost towns once office workers go home, but Ortigas Center remains lively throughout the evening because of the host of massive malls and city plazas lined with buzzing restaurants, cafes and bars. As a result, many of the hotels in the neighborhood cater to visitors across the spectrum, not just business travelers, and there are plenty of choices for travelers.
A handful of hotels in Ortigas Center are based in Mandaluyong City, such as Edsa Shangri-La, Manila. This lavish hotel provides a lush setting, complete with a free-form lagoon swimming pool surrounded by an assortment of tropical plants and palm trees. All guests have access to the hotel’s limousine service and complimentary shoe shines, while the suites include butler service. Guest rooms have views of the garden or city. Peruse the on-site shops filled with hand-made chocolates, cigars and fresh flowers. Also in Mandaluyong City, BSA Twin Towers is set in bustling St. Francis Square. All of the rooms include fully equipped kitchenettes and dining areas. Get in some exercise in the hotel’s indoor lap pool or along the 9th floor jogging path. For fun, swim under the bridge in the outdoor lagoon pool or take your kids to the on-site playroom.
ADB Avenue in Pasig City is home to Malayan Plaza Hotel, a facility that caters to large groups and includes some rooms with two bedrooms and fully stocked kitchens or kitchenettes. The hotel has a host of upscale facilities, including a helipad and an in-room video intercom guests can use to talk to visitors in the lobby. There’s also a pool on the 33rd floor with views of the city and an indoor children’s play area with toys, board games and rubber mats. Discovery Suites is an all-suite property with plenty of options for those who enjoy high-end living. Set between the 6th and 11th floors, Serendipity Suites offer from one to three bedrooms, dining areas, fully-stocked kitchens and a reception space. As a guest of the suites, you also receive free breakfast and newspapers, a pillow concierge, discounts to the on-site spa, a personalized training session at the hotel fitness center and one hour of complimentary use of the boardroom. Butler and nanny service is available to all guests but requires 24-hour advance notice.
You'll find some hotels near the SM Megamall, a six-level shopping center with a 12-screen movie theater, more than 100 restaurants and more than 800 stores. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ top floor houses the upscale Richmond Suites, complete with views of the city and a 12-person dining area. The front desk staff provides currency exchange services and arranges car rentals. The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel includes an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, children’s pool and 24-hour putting green, all on the third floor, as well as a game room, barbecue grills and a playground. There are also hotels near Robinsons Galleria, a five-level mall with 500 shops and restaurants. Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila, is a luxury hotel with high-end accommodations, in particular the Signature Suites and Continental Club on the hotel’s two top floors. Both types of guest room include complimentary use of a private library, a reception area and a dining room that serves breakfast, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. The mid-range Holiday Inn Manila Galleria is adjacent to the mall and has turndown service and plush bathrobes in all of the guest rooms. Upgraded suites include whirlpool tubs and dining room tables.
Enjoy budget accommodations at Tune Hotel Ortigas, a casual hotel outfitted with compact rooms and a sleek and colorful lobby. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from Shaw Boulevard Station, a stop along Manila’s bustling metro system. Rates are low because of limited in-room amenities, but you can request such perks as breakfast, toiletries and towels. Lancaster Hotel Manila is just three short blocks from the heart of Ortigas Center, including St. Francis Square. The boutique hotel provides all-suite accommodations at low rates, including junior suites with views of the city. You can also take in the skyline from the rooftop pool and bar. For added comfort, the hotel has a free shuttle to SM Megamall and Shangri-La Plaza, a seven-level high-end mall in Ortigas Center.
