10 Best Hotels in Philippines

This Austrian/Filipino-owned hostel is at the north end of bustling White Beach, a two-minute walk from the water's edge and also within easy reach of numerous restaurants. The comfortable rooms are inside individual rustic wood-and-bamboo chalets, each with their own balconies and set amid tropical gardens—getting you closer to nature without depriving you of the large comfortable bed and en-suite bathroom. Rooms have no a/c, but are fan-cooled. Two six-bed, single-sex dorms are also available, offering a budget option for solo travelers. A nightly happy hour encourages guests to socialize in the lobby bar before heading out to eat.

The Bayleaf is an oasis of calm in the heart of old Manila. It may be nestled among the Spanish colonial buildings of the historic Intramuros district, but this property is anything but old fashioned. Service in this medium-sized establishment is friendly, efficient, and very 21st-century, while the spacious rooms are contemporary, stylishly decorated, and spotlessly clean, with all modern conveniences. Don't miss the view over the city from the rooftop Skydeck bar.

This family-run, medium-size, mid-price choice sits at the northern end of the legendary White Beach, close to Boat Station 1. The staff are friendly and welcoming and always eager to satisfy any (reasonable) guest request. The rooftop deck has great views and is also a place to kick back and relax. There is a pool, but you may not need it as you're just steps from the beach and the inviting turquoise sea. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant, plus there are several good eateries within a few minutes' walk. All rooms are large and tastefully decked out in light, modern shades, and bathrooms are equipped with walk-in showers.

Dave's is a popular, inexpensive and friendly budget option at the south end of White Beach, near Station 3. Guest rooms are fairly simple but clean and well-maintained, with a/c, cable TV, and refrigerators. Cheaper and more basic fan-cooled rooms are also available. The hotel itself, a mixture of Spanish and Filipino designs, has a small library and an outdoor barbecue area where guests can gather to socialize.

The sprawling Shangri-La offers Manila's last word in overnight luxury, right down to the Zen waterfalls to soothe away the stresses of dealing with the city's nightmare traffic. Located away from the historic sights of central Manila, this posh oasis sits in the heart of the modern, prosperous Makati district, home to businesses, shopping malls, and a multitude of up-market dining choices. Inside is a veritable city in itself, with shops, beauty salons, and no fewer than four restaurants and three bars, one of the latter beside the hotel pool. The sumptuous guest rooms are large enough you could get lost in them—something you may not mind, once you behold their tremendous comfort.

This large, expansive hotel is conveniently located right by the airport, but the effective interior soundproofing is enough you won't hear planes unless you're out by the pool. Since it opened in 2010 this swanky retreat has quickly established itself as one of the very best hotels in the Philippines. It offers the high level of service you'd expect from the well-respected chain. Rooms and bathrooms are vast and nicely equipped, and there are a range of bars and restaurants. The lavish breakfasts must be experienced to be believed, and run the full range from Filipino to Continental to Japanese. If you don't want the bother of trekking into the city for an evening, head for the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex and mall—just a few steps away—which offers dozens more restaurants, shops, and nightspots.

This property offers a range of one- and two-bedroom suites set in landscaped tropical gardens on the quieter east coast of the island. The location is both a selling point (for some) and an issue (for others). Being a 10-minute drive (by free shuttle) from White Beach and its associated nightlife does makes for a quiet evening for those who prefer a good night's sleep to relentless partying. The suites are huge—around 1,000 square feet—and luxuriously appointed with a Mediterranean feel, and come with their own kitchens and fabulous views over Bulabog Beach. With on-site facilities including a spa, restaurants, an infinity pool (dolphin-shaped, no less), and a private stretch of (rocky) coastline, the hotel is popular with those wishing to stay on site and eschew the more hedonistic distractions of the west coast.

Also known locally as the Malaysia Hotel, this modern, friendly, but relatively basic establishment offers a great value and safe overnighting in the heart of the lively Ermita district, and it's within a short walk of countless good eating options. The rooms are fairly small, in the style of a ship's cabin, and the light, minimalist furnishings are somewhat of the faceless chain-hotel variety, but accommodations are comfortable and immaculate. What the hotel lacks in character it more than makes up for in cleanliness, price, and location.

For peace, quiet, and pampering in a tropical paradise, few places match this. Perched on a rocky outcrop on the northern coast of Boracay, this swank resort looks out over Puka Shell Beach, framed by an endless stretch of turquoise ocean and lush green vegetation. The spotless guest rooms, tastefully decorated with local materials, are massive—even the smallest are 700 square feet—and come equipped with every comfort imaginable, private balconies, and ocean views. Luxury like this isn't cheap, of course, but is worth every cent for those who can afford it. And the two swimming pools, spa, four restaurants, and four bars provide plenty of happy distractions.

The whitewashed walls, tile floors, and wooden staircases of this restored colonial mansion immediately transport you back to the Spanish era. Today it's a hotel that makes an excellent, value-minded base from which to explore the charms of the historic Intramuros district. But while the furnishings are mainly flowing drapes, white shutters, and polished-stained wood, the cable TV, mini-bar, and well equipped modern bathrooms help to satisfy guests' 21st-century comfort requirements.