Crown Jewel of The Grand Dame

The accommodations for royalty and history is refurbished, updating the Presidential Suite of the Manila Hotel with a private kitchen serviced by three chefs, a spa and a dining room that can comfortably seat a party of 14.

For over a century, the Manila Hotel has been part of the country’s history. Fact and fable surround the Grand Dame by the sea, including rumors of Japanese treasure hidden beneath the structure of the 104-landmark.

The storied Presidential Suite had been General MacArthur’s residence during the war and in the latter years was occupied by royals and VIPs during their Manila visits. Prince Charles of Wales slept in commodious quarters as did His Majesty Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. The occupants lent a sense of grandeur to the apartments that now covers 1,200-square meters following a recent renovation.

View of the Past

Architectural firm Manny Samson and Associates was tasked to renovate the Manila Hotel’s crown jewel. The team envisioned a space where traditional Filipino elements seamlessly merge with contemporary interiors. White walls and hardwood floors emphasize the scale of the room and serve as a backdrop for a palette of blues, beiges and off whites.

Access to the Presidential Suite is through a private elevator that directly leads up to the top floor. The suite opens to a receiving area. There are three bedrooms including a master’s chamber with a private spa and study. The 17th floor accommodation in a special wing is generous with views. It is a vantage location to behold the unparalleled sunset over Manila Bay.

When nightfall comes, the walled city of Intramuros impresses its form in the darkness. There are glimpses of Corregidor in the distance, recalling a past with stories that continue to be told.

Butlers and Personal Chefs

Services for gracious living attendant to the privileged include a personal butler. Provisions anticipate needs and whims so that it will not be necessary to leave the premises of the hotel’s most premium room. In-room dining is enhanced with a private kitchen configured to accommodate up to three chefs.

Dinners for as many as 14 guests can be arranged in the formal dining area. Nightcaps can be served in the living area from a selection of after-dinner drinks or dessert brandy from the hotel’s bar below. A soak or a treatment in the privacy of the spa is an option before retiring to bed in a room of many indulgences.