The Peninsula Manila

The bed was super comfortable, though the hotel is older and could use some updating. The carpets really need to go. Still, we recommend it. It's an elegant five-star hotel, an easy walk from Glorietta mall and the financial district. The lobby was beautiful and the staff were amazing and welcoming. We also found a gorgeous anniversary cake waiting in our room, which was so thoughtful. The breakfast buffet was one of the best, with a wide selection and even fresh coconut.

The pool was great, and the staff there and in the gym area were friendly. Our room felt luxurious, had a good view of Manila, and came with a well-appointed bathroom. The lobby drinks were good, though the lobby itself was very cold. The lobby is beautiful and worth seeing, with lovely paintings and a sweeping staircase. The Grande Dame of Manila is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The customer service from Faith spoiled our arrival. She overcharged my credit card and showed little sympathy or understanding after our flight from Caticlan was cancelled the night before, which had been a horrible experience. They charged us for a no-show even though I'd emailed to explain what happened. The customer service manager, Faith, was cold, robotic, and unwelcoming. We tried the buffet restaurant, but the food seemed poor to medium quality, not what you'd expect from such a grand establishment. The service there was good. Even though we stayed only a few hours, we were glad we did.

The front desk people were amazing and the location was great. The beds were good too, but the rooms ran warm, every single one I was in, and they need some TLC and updating. Restaurant service was so slow you'd starve before the food arrived, which is why I gave it 3 stars.

Shopping and restaurants were easy to reach on foot, including the nearby Uniqlo flagship store. We had a great stay: the staff were kind and accommodating, and the spacious lobby looked lovely with its Christmas decorations and piano music. Our room was clean and the bed was comfortable. The bar had a good range of drinks and cocktails, though the AC felt a little too cold. Breakfast offered plenty of choice, and I especially liked the taho and calamansi muffin. You can also get a custom fruit juice made at the juice bar.