I was in Manila Hotel two weeks ago for my Wife's work Christmas party. The place is grand and the feeling that its been there for more than 100 years is a testament to its rich history especially to the Philippines. I thought it was only me who noticed when I told my wife the food was normal and overpriced. Thanks for pointing that out.
Yes it is a grand hotel and is a great place to stay and take the tour. I guess the food quality has gone downhill recently. Thank you for viewing this video.
I have dined at the Manila Hotel 's Lunch Buffet on 2 separate occasions prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic. 2017 and 2018. I found that all of the many different types of Filipino ethnic foods available were very delicious. The Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao dishes were fantastic. Australian, European, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Arab and Malaysian foods were included and likewise, delicious. Fresh fruits of the Philippines were unbelievable. And the Deserts were out of this World! I respectfully disagree with this reviewers opinion of the cuisine available at the Manila Hotel. I also took the tour of the General Douglas MacArthur mega Suite and his Offices. He had a beautiful view of Manila Bay, I was even allowed to sit at his desk. I am a retired US MARINE OFFICER and found the Lunch Buffet and MacArthur Suite tour a "Bucket List " must see and experience when in Manila. Lt Colonel Ron Watters
Thank you for viewing this video. Yes, the tour of the amazing MacArthur suite is definitely worth seeing and it is a beautiful hotel. My dining experience was within the last month so maybe the food quality diminished since covid.
Hi Pierre. Thanks for this video! I'm hoping to visit Manila in the near future. Any tips on how to book tours like the one you took of the San Agustin church? I'd love to know how to book that. Also, do they offer the tour of the MacArthur Suite and history room to everyone? Is that included in the stay?
Hello @Justmejus - Regarding San Agustin church, there are 2 parts, the church and the church museum, I visited the later, only taking a brief look inside the church, as it was in use at the time. The museum section is part of the same building complex, an annex to the church itself. I purchased an entry ticket and was met there buy the young intern working as a guide as I entered and she offered to show me around, so I made no special preparation. She was well spoken and it was worthwhile having her accompany me. One thing I learned during the visit was that the library there is one of the oldest in the Philippines, but to enter and visit the library was not available on a walk in basis. I think it would be worthwhile to try to arrange a visit to that room. A visit to the MacArthur is available to guests as per the availability of a concierge. I’d inquire on arrival for scheduling. I had done quite a bit of research on it, and the concierge was well spoken, and as I listened to his presentation, I found his information accurate. The suite is available for event bookings, so I would try to stay on a weekday as the staff is more easily available to accommodate you, as weekends are often very busy and to make sure the suite is not in use when you visit. I hope this info helps! Thank you for watching the video!
@@travelswithpierre Wow, thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my question!! I really appreciate all the info. I really look forward to my visit to the Philippines!
Love old hotels. Have not been to Manila yet, but I have gotten to visit many colonial cities and always enjoy seeing and sharing their history and architecture. I will have to check this place out when we get there in 2024.
The best food i ever had was in this Hotel going back 17 yrs ago, one sunday afternoon craving a englist Sunday dinner i when for there sunday buffet all you can eat cost back then was a little over 3k peso. they had Brazilian beef , Aussie lamb plus foods from around the world it was amazing well worth the 3k after 3 plate's full you need carrying out anyway beats a Sunday Big Mac haha
Thanks for watching! I wish my dining experience there was like yours! Hopefully they watch my video and attempt to improve the current quality of food in their restaurants.
This is a very fair review. I would attest to the comments on the foods. Not generalising but Filipino chefs or even the Philippine cuisine arent exposed much to the international cuisines. A lot of these chefs working in Philippine hotels do not have experiences abroad. So when you’re in the Philippines do not expect superb, fine dining level foods. Unless maybe you go to the more popular and bigger 5 star hotels. Philippines is more into buffet, heavy meals.
Staid at the Diamond hotel, H2yes Shang-ri-La . But somehow the food is not to western standard, when Iam in the Phillippins I crave for my food and I always go to Ireland to eat really good food. When I leave the Phillippins.
Click bait for your thumbnail. Your video imagery at times did not match the narration. Absolutely correct about the food! Way over priced with mediocre quality.
I’m sorry we have finally changed the thumbnail. My social media content manager posted that thumbnail without my approval. Our video edits will be more accurate from now on. Thank you for bringing these to my attention. Yes the food was overpriced and mediocre. Thanks again for watching!!!
Had the night buffet at this Hotel in Nov 2016; it was a delight of flavors & international offerings at abt EUR 50 or USD 60/pp. Am guessing now post covid, things are not yet to normal…thx 4 the video & memories!
I think General Mcarthur was the longest staying visitor throughout the history of this magnificent hotel.So they had a Mcarthur suite room on this hotel to honor the memory of their longest staying visitor.
This is a very objective review of the hotel. Yeah, it looks grand, especially the lobby but, yeah, the food hasn't been great since as far back as I could remember. I'd dined at some of their cafes/restaurants there through the years. Why they haven't leveled it up since the 1970s baffles me. Btw, in the 1970s there used to have one giant chandelier in the middle of the lobby, a really impressive work of art and a major attraction in itself. Why they replaced it with a number of much smaller ones still eludes me.
Yes, they definitely need to address the food quality in the hotel's restaurants. I would have loved to see the giant chandelier. I will look into what happened to it and post an update if I find anything out. Thank you for watching the video!
I love your work here! Honest very informative! Never been there yet spite of living there all my young adult life! So surprised Hemingway stayed there too!!
There are plenty of places near Manila Hotel where you can go for fine dining. There's the Bay Leaf roof top restaurant in Intramuros and MOA area, about 15 mins away from the hotel where you'll have plenty of options.
Thanks for your blog. Its always nice to know more about Manila hotel at this time of the year. Enjoy your stay in our beloved country the Philippines. Im still back here in the USA
we stayed here prior to the pandemic and enjoyed the buffet .. I think it was free with the hotel stay or just added $10 for meal for 2... I think the pandemic just changed some things
Thanks for watching! The pandemic changed a lot of things. Some for the better and some for the worst. Hopefully the hotel upgrades the food quality soon.
Hey Pierre , thanks for the info . I am hopeful to be visiting there this year . I would love to know about your travels . I’m not certain how to contact each other ? Jeffrey
You're welcome Jeffrey! Thanks for watching. I will keep posting about my travels here on my youtube channel. You can reach out to me by email at: pierre@travelswithpierre.com
I was in Manila Hotel two weeks ago for my Wife's work Christmas party. The place is grand and the feeling that its been there for more than 100 years is a testament to its rich history especially to the Philippines. I thought it was only me who noticed when I told my wife the food was normal and overpriced. Thanks for pointing that out.
Yes it is a grand hotel and is a great place to stay and take the tour. I guess the food quality has gone downhill recently. Thank you for viewing this video.
Sorry for the food. but you dont really eat inside the hotel except breakfast buffett. enjoy
I wish I knew about the food ahead of my visit! But the hotel was beautiful!
I have dined at the Manila Hotel 's Lunch Buffet on 2 separate occasions prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic. 2017 and 2018. I found that all of the many different types of Filipino ethnic foods available were very delicious. The Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao dishes were fantastic. Australian, European, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Arab and Malaysian foods were included and likewise, delicious. Fresh fruits of the Philippines were unbelievable. And the Deserts were out of this World! I respectfully disagree with this reviewers opinion of the cuisine available at the Manila Hotel. I also took the tour of the General Douglas MacArthur mega Suite and his Offices. He had a beautiful view of Manila Bay, I was even allowed to sit at his desk. I am a retired US MARINE OFFICER and found the Lunch Buffet and MacArthur Suite tour a "Bucket List " must see and experience when in Manila. Lt Colonel Ron Watters
Thank you for viewing this video. Yes, the tour of the amazing MacArthur suite is definitely worth seeing and it is a beautiful hotel. My dining experience was within the last month so maybe the food quality diminished since covid.
Could be post covid struggle. Lots of hotels still having some issues
Hi guys I a Filipino living in Northern Mindanao but I haven't. Gone this historical Manila Hotel thank you for your vlog amazing
Thanks for watching!
Hi Pierre. Thanks for this video! I'm hoping to visit Manila in the near future. Any tips on how to book tours like the one you took of the San Agustin church? I'd love to know how to book that. Also, do they offer the tour of the MacArthur Suite and history room to everyone? Is that included in the stay?
Hello @Justmejus - Regarding San Agustin church, there are 2 parts, the church and the church museum, I visited the later, only taking a brief look inside the church, as it was in use at the time. The museum section is part of the same building complex, an annex to the church itself. I purchased an entry ticket and was met there buy the young intern working as a guide as I entered and she offered to show me around, so I made no special preparation. She was well spoken and it was worthwhile having her accompany me. One thing I learned during the visit was that the library there is one of the oldest in the Philippines, but to enter and visit the library was not available on a walk in basis. I think it would be worthwhile to try to arrange a visit to that room. A visit to the MacArthur is available to guests as per the availability of a concierge. I’d inquire on arrival for scheduling. I had done quite a bit of research on it, and the concierge was well spoken, and as I listened to his presentation, I found his information accurate. The suite is available for event bookings, so I would try to stay on a weekday as the staff is more easily available to accommodate you, as weekends are often very busy and to make sure the suite is not in use when you visit. I hope this info helps! Thank you for watching the video!
@@travelswithpierre Wow, thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my question!! I really appreciate all the info. I really look forward to my visit to the Philippines!
Love old hotels. Have not been to Manila yet, but I have gotten to visit many colonial cities and always enjoy seeing and sharing their history and architecture. I will have to check this place out when we get there in 2024.
Thanks for watching! Yes please stay at this hotel and take the MacArthur Suite Tour - it’s worth it! Happy and safe travels!
The best food i ever had was in this Hotel going back 17 yrs ago, one sunday afternoon craving a englist Sunday dinner i when for there sunday buffet all you can eat cost back then was a little over 3k peso. they had Brazilian beef , Aussie lamb plus foods from around the world it was amazing well worth the 3k after 3 plate's full you need carrying out anyway beats a Sunday Big Mac haha
Thanks for watching! I wish my dining experience there was like yours! Hopefully they watch my video and attempt to improve the current quality of food in their restaurants.
This is a very fair review. I would attest to the comments on the foods. Not generalising but Filipino chefs or even the Philippine cuisine arent exposed much to the international cuisines. A lot of these chefs working in Philippine hotels do not have experiences abroad. So when you’re in the Philippines do not expect superb, fine dining level foods. Unless maybe you go to the more popular and bigger 5 star hotels. Philippines is more into buffet, heavy meals.
Thank you for watching and giving me a fair review rating! I just expected a better quality of food for the price and the quality of the hotel.
Staid at the Diamond hotel, H2yes Shang-ri-La . But somehow the food is not to western standard, when Iam in the Phillippins I crave for my food and I always go to Ireland to eat really good food. When I leave the Phillippins.
Thanks for watching! I’ll check out those other hotels!
Impressive.
Thank you! I appreciate you watching the video and leaving a positive comment!
👍👍👍👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽🫶🫶🫶💙💙💙🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭Love Manila Greatest Country ever🏆🏆🏆🍻🍻🍻🥂🥂🥂🍻🍻🍻🌴🌴🌴🌺🌺🌺🌴🌴🌴🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🙏🙏🙏
Yes it is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Thank you for viewing my video.
@@travelswithpierre 👍👍👍💙💙💙🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
thanks for your opinion about restaurants. Food is very important.
Thanks for watching!!!! The Food and service better be good to charge those prices. The hotel is amazing other than the food.
Great history of the Manila Hotel!
Thank you! I really enjoyed my stay at this amazing historic hotel!
What an amazing place love the MacArthur suite. big time WWII buff.
It is an absolutely amazing place - especially the suite and it’s backstory. Thanks for watching!
Click bait for your thumbnail. Your video imagery at times did not match the narration. Absolutely correct about the food! Way over priced with mediocre quality.
I’m sorry we have finally changed the thumbnail. My social media content manager posted that thumbnail without my approval. Our video edits will be more accurate from now on. Thank you for bringing these to my attention. Yes the food was overpriced and mediocre. Thanks again for watching!!!
@travelswithpierre Major props for your reply. thank you for being honest and genuine.
Had the night buffet at this Hotel in Nov 2016; it was a delight of flavors & international offerings at abt EUR 50 or USD 60/pp. Am guessing now post covid, things are not yet to normal…thx 4 the video & memories!
Thank you for watching! It was a memorable hotel stay!
I think General Mcarthur was the longest staying visitor throughout the history of this magnificent hotel.So they had a Mcarthur suite room on this hotel to honor the memory of their longest staying visitor.
Thanks for watching!!! He was a great man. I’m happy they have preserved his office and suite.
This is a very objective review of the hotel. Yeah, it looks grand, especially the lobby but, yeah, the food hasn't been great since as far back as I could remember. I'd dined at some of their cafes/restaurants there through the years. Why they haven't leveled it up since the 1970s baffles me. Btw, in the 1970s there used to have one giant chandelier in the middle of the lobby, a really impressive work of art and a major attraction in itself. Why they replaced it with a number of much smaller ones still eludes me.
Yes, they definitely need to address the food quality in the hotel's restaurants. I would have loved to see the giant chandelier. I will look into what happened to it and post an update if I find anything out. Thank you for watching the video!
@@travelswithpierre Thanks! Love your commitment.
Hapy Holidays. Mery Christmas Filipino styles
Happy Holidays!
I been there when my nieces wedding 1998
Thanks for watching my video!
Grand old Lady.
Yes she is an absolutely grand hotel!
1942-1945 - Japanese flag flew over the hotel during occupation in WWII
You are correct! Thank you for watching the video!
@@travelswithpierre can one actually book the MacArthur Suite or is it a museum ?
I love your work here! Honest very informative! Never been there yet spite of living there all my young adult life! So surprised Hemingway stayed there too!!
You should definitely plan to stay there and go on the tour! Thanks for watching!
There are plenty of places near Manila Hotel where you can go for fine dining. There's the Bay Leaf roof top restaurant in Intramuros and MOA area, about 15 mins away from the hotel where you'll have plenty of options.
Thank you for the suggestions - I’ll try them out next time!
Thank you for watching!
Awesome!
Thank you for watching!!!
Great grand place and the first time I took Imodium it was given to me by the hotels nurse.
It is a grand hotel. I'm sorry you were sick during your visit! Thank you for watching the video!
@@travelswithpierre Used to practice Escrima in the park just outside of the hotel and just an upset stomach.
Tv and food needs major improvement but other than that the hotel looks absolutely amazing 🆒👍😎
Yes I agree, Thanks for watching!
@@travelswithpierre You're welcome 👍
Thank you for visiting our country
I Absolutely love the Philippines
Thanks for your blog. Its always nice to know more about Manila hotel at this time of the year. Enjoy your stay in our beloved country the Philippines. Im still back here in the USA
Thank you! Will do! I always enjoy my stay in the Philippines!
we stayed here prior to the pandemic and enjoyed the buffet .. I think it was free with the hotel stay or just added $10 for meal for 2... I think the pandemic just changed some things
Thanks for watching! The pandemic changed a lot of things. Some for the better and some for the worst. Hopefully the hotel upgrades the food quality soon.
Hey Pierre , thanks for the info . I am hopeful to be visiting there this year .
I would love to know about your travels .
I’m not certain how to contact each other ?
Jeffrey
You're welcome Jeffrey! Thanks for watching. I will keep posting about my travels here on my youtube channel. You can reach out to me by email at: pierre@travelswithpierre.com
Welcome to the Philippines Family more power to your vlogs Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎈🎉
Happy new year!! Thank you for watching!!!