Discovering the Philippines’ Capital
Manila is a busy and fascinating capital where the country’s Spanish colonial history sits alongside modern development, lively neighbourhoods and contemporary city life. As an important international gateway to the Philippines, it is often the first stop for travellers arriving from overseas or connecting to other parts of the archipelago. While Manila can feel crowded and traffic can make getting around challenging, the city offers several worthwhile cultural and historical experiences. Taking time to explore its best-known landmarks provides a better understanding of the Philippines and its past.
Top Places to See and Things to Do
Intramuros: Manila’s historic walled district is one of the city’s most interesting areas to explore. Built during the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros features historic stone walls, gateways, cobblestone streets and important heritage buildings. Fort Santiago is among its most significant landmarks, offering insight into the country’s colonial history and the life of national hero José Rizal. Walking through the district provides a welcome change of pace from the surrounding modern city.
San Agustin Church: Located within Intramuros, San Agustin Church is one of the Philippines’ most important historic churches and part of the UNESCO-listed Baroque Churches of the Philippines. Its impressive architecture, ornate interior and historic monastery museum make it well worth visiting.
National Museum of Fine Arts: Housed in an impressive neoclassical building, the National Museum of Fine Arts showcases works by some of the Philippines’ most celebrated artists. One of its best-known exhibits is Juan Luna’s monumental painting, Spoliarium, a significant work in Filipino art and national history.
Rizal Park (Luneta): This expansive green space in the heart of Manila commemorates Dr. José Rizal, whose writings and advocacy played an important role in the country’s history. The Rizal Monument is the park’s central landmark, while its gardens, plazas and open spaces provide a welcome break from the city’s busy streets. It is an easy reach from the nearby National Museum and Intramuros.
Binondo (Chinatown): Established in 1594, Binondo is widely recognized as the world’s oldest Chinatown. It is an appealing neighbourhood to explore on foot, particularly for visitors interested in Filipino-Chinese culture and food. Its streets are lined with traditional shops, bakeries, restaurants and food stalls, making it a good place to sample local specialties such as dumplings, noodles and siopao.
Staying at Hotel Okura Manila: Comfort, Service and Dining
We have stayed at Hotel Okura Manila on several occasions while travelling through the Philippines, and it has become a property we genuinely enjoy returning to. Located within Newport World Resorts, close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, it offers a convenient location for international arrivals, onward domestic flights and travellers spending a few days in Manila.
What has stood out most during our stays is the quality of the hotel and, particularly, the level of service. The staff throughout the property have consistently impressed us with their professionalism, attentiveness and genuine hospitality. We have found the overall service exceptional, and it is one of the main reasons we enjoy staying here.
Another feature we appreciate is the flexibility when it comes to dining. There are excellent options within the hotel itself, but its connection to Newport Mall opens up an even wider selection of restaurants, cafés and entertainment. On our most recent visit, we dined at CRU Steakhouse, and it was a highlight. The food was outstanding, the service impeccable, and the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
We also enjoyed having a drink at The Whisky Library, a refined lounge and bar within Newport World Resorts. Its impressive display of whiskies, with a broad selection of Scotch and international varieties, creates an inviting setting for an evening drink. We appreciated having somewhere comfortable to relax and enjoy a drink without needing to venture far from the hotel at the end of the day is another appealing option for guests during their stay.
Runway Manila: A Convenient Airport Connection
One of the most useful features of staying at Newport World Resorts is Runway Manila, the enclosed, air-conditioned pedestrian walkway connecting NAIA Terminal 3 with Newport City. The approximately 220-metre bridge has moving walkways and provides a convenient alternative to arranging a vehicle transfer across the busy roads outside the airport. From the Newport end, visitors can access Newport Mall and continue on to the connected hotels, including Hotel Okura Manila. For us, this is a particularly worthwhile convenience when arriving or departing through Terminal 3. It is important to remember that the walkway connects Terminal 3 only; passengers using other airport terminals will need separate transportation.