3 Best Hotels in Philippines

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.

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.