When it comes to spending a lot – we mean a whole lot – for a relaxing vacation, local and foreign travelers can look to the Philippines for a top-tier yet worthwhile getaway.
A reliable guide for tourists looking for high-quality restaurants and hotels is the iconic Michelin Guide, which has been rating mostly restaurants worldwide for over a century. According to information from its website (https://guide.michelin.com/en/about-us), “the guide now rates over 30,000 establishments in over 30 territories across three continents.”
The world-famous guide has featured on its website six accommodation establishments in the Philippines. These include three luxury hotels located in Metro Manila and three luxury island resorts scattered throughout the country’s major island groups, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Peninsula Manila: Timeless elegance in the heart of Makati’s financial district
Among the three hotels recommended by the Michelin Guide is The Peninsula Manila, located at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue in Makati City. It was given a score of 18.7 over 20 according to reviews by its former guests posted on the website of the Michelin Guide.
Guests will find in The Peninsula Manila “not only the expected comforts, from top-quality beds and bedding to oversized marble bathrooms, but you’ll find they’re delivered with a stylistic flair that leaves the lesser competitors in the dust,” according to the world-renowned guide.
The luxury hotel contains 493 rooms, as well as amenities and services such as bar and restaurants, outdoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, beauty salon, gym, and doctor on call.
Hotel Okura Manila: A serene Japanese-Filipino haven in Newport World Resorts
Also included in the Michelin Guide’s recommendations is Hotel Okura Manila, found in the vibrant Newport World Resorts complex in Pasay City that is close to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.
Visitors are in for a treat at Hotel Okura Manila as it provides both Japanese and Filipino flair in its accommodation and food. With 190 rooms, “guests are welcomed into a serene and inviting atmosphere, where spacious accommodations are beautifully designed with a harmonious blend of Japanese and Filipino influences,” said the Michelin Guide.
Its restaurants also take pride in offering dishes made with the finest ingredients, as well as a fusion of Japanese, Filipino, and international cuisines, while the bar gives visitors a stunning city skyline view while enjoying their drinks.
Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery: Art Deco charm overlooking Manila Bay’s iconic sunset
Another luxury hotel endorsed by the Michelin Guide is Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery, located in the Philippine capital Manila. One of the city’s historical landmarks because of its Art Deco design, it houses 123 rooms that are “up to date” with “comforts like Bose sound systems and Nespresso coffee machines.” A distinct feature of this hotel is its Admiral Club restaurant which overlooks the famous Manila Bay sunset.
The cities of Manila, Pasay and Makati that host the said luxury hotels recommended by the Michelin Guide are part of the Philippines Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours program launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Booking a tour is made easy and convenient using the Philippines Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours mobile application. Enabling a personalized tour experience, travelers can explore Manila’s historical gems, Makati’s heritage and high-end spots, and the entertainment and recreational hubs of Pasay.
The Philippines Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours app is available for download on Android and iOS and through the website https://philippines-hoho.ph/.
Meanwhile, the esteemed Michelin Guide also featured three luxury island resorts located in some of the Philippines’ well-known tourist destinations namely Amanpulo in Palawan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan in Cebu, and Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao.
Amanpulo, Palawan: A luxurious island escape surrounded by untouched beauty
Amanpulo, found on the private island of Pamalican in Palawan, contains 60 rooms composed of “42 casitas and 18 villas are built in the style of the native Philippine bahay kubo dwellings, with thatched roofs and pebble-washed walls alongside luxe touches like king beds with rattan headboards and ornate indigenous-style furnishings,” according to the world-famous guide.
Surrounded by lush greens, trees, powdery sand, and coral reefs, guests can look forward to an authentic escape to nature and a vacation filled with peace and quiet at Amanpulo.
Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao: An idyllic retreat in the Philippines’ Surfing Paradise
Travelers who want to ride the waves at the Philippines’ surfing capital Siargao can enjoy a relaxing downtime at Nay Palad Hideaway, just close to the island’s famous surfing spot Cloud 9.
Each of the resort’s 10 rooms is a private villa that is “generously sized — freestanding, set a good distance from the neighbors, with its private porch and tropical gardens planted with orchids and spider lilies — and features various cushion-lined spaces that invite you to take a load off,” wrote the Michelin Guide.
It offers a wide range of experiences that include organic fruit salads, yoga, on-site massage, water sports, and even a library for bookworms to be able to finish reading “in the first two days.”
Nay Palad was recently awarded by British newspaper The Telegraph as 15th out of the 50 greatest hotels in the world.
Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan: A seaside sanctuary and scenic views near Cebu’s best attractions
For tourists flying to popular destination Cebu, Michelin recommends Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, a 40-villa and 250-room hotel that offers “jaw-dropping” views of the sea.
The island resort boasts of a three-tiered infinity pool, a private beach, 14 rooms for a spa, a beach club bar and grill, and a sports bar.
Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan is just 20 minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, as well as a short drive away from popular heritage and modern spots in Cebu City. Travelers can also explore other tourist destinations in the province of Cebu, including whale shark watching in the town of Oslob, canyoneering at the Kawasan Falls in Badian, and sardine run in Moalboal.
The DOT is committed to helping elevate the standards of hotels and other accommodation establishments in the Philippines, through rigorous accreditation processes and partnerships in the programs of the agency such as the Bisita Be My Guest program that rewards overseas Filipinos that would bring their foreign friends to the Philippines with vacation packages among others.
Also, tourists who want to know more about Philippine destinations, accommodation establishments, and the like, as well as seek assistance, can call the DOT’s 151-TOUR OR 151-8687 hotline. The agency is also accessible through mobile at +63995-835-5155, email at touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph, Facebook messenger at https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism, web chat at https://philippines.travel/ and https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/, or via https://philippines.travel/ and https://beta.tourism.gov.ph.
In addition, the DOT has ensured that Filipinos employed in the hospitality industry will show the best of Filipino values to visitors by training them under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training Program.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is grateful for the support of the hotel and hospitality industry in promoting the Philippines, just as they do with their respective hotels, as a top-of-mind choice for tourists. “Your relentless efforts and unwavering support of our programs give many more reasons for tourists to love the Philippines, not only through our beautiful destinations and amenities but also through the warmth of Filipino hospitality that is truly famous around the world,” she said.
With such distinction from the Michelin Guide, the Philippines looks forward to once again leaving a lasting mark for travelers who wish to explore some of its 7,641 islands. Breathtaking attractions and memorable experiences, matched with world-class amenities and friendly people, will surely make tourists fall in love with the Philippines.
Visit https://thephilippines.online/ or download the Travel PH App on Android or iOS to find out more about the Philippines.
