The Manila Hotel: Pricing, History & Ghost Stories

A hotel that has hosted generals, presidents, and ghost stories for over a century, The Manila Hotel opened its doors on 4 July 1912 and remains one of the most talked-about addresses in the Philippines. This guide lays out what you can expect from a stay today—from current pricing and historical heft to the lore that surrounds its corridors—based on verified sources and recent traveler reports.

Last checked: 2026-06-15

Location: Manila Bay, Philippines · Phone: +632 8527 0011 · Rooms: 550 · Star rating: 5

How much is 1 night in Manila Hotel?

Standard room rates at The Manila Hotel fall in the mid‑ to upper‑range of Manila’s five‑star hotels, generally lower than international chains in Bonifacio Global City and Makati but higher than most mid‑scale Ermita properties (Booking.com overview). Exact pricing varies by season, room type, and wing.

The Tower Wing rooms tend to cost more than main‑building rooms of comparable size, reflecting newer interiors and better soundproofing. At the top end, the MacArthur Suite—a heritage suite filled with wartime memorabilia—has been priced around PHP 500,000 (roughly US$9,000+) per night based on third‑party listings (RoomerTravel review).

Dining also carries a price tag. Cafe Ilang‑Ilang, the hotel’s flagship buffet, charges roughly PHP 2,700–2,900 per person for lunch and above PHP 3,000 for dinner, according to 2024 review data (same RoomerTravel source).

The bottom line: A night at The Manila Hotel costs more than a typical Manila business hotel but offers a heritage experience no other Philippine property can match. Budget accordingly if you plan to dine in‑house.

Is The Manila Hotel still operating?

Yes. The Manila Hotel is actively open and accepting bookings as of March 2025. Its official website and Facebook page are regularly updated with promotions and news (Official site; Facebook page). No closure announcement has been found in any of the sources reviewed.

The property underwent a major centennial renovation completed around 2012 that updated rooms and public areas while preserving heritage elements such as the grand lobby’s capiz‑shell chandeliers (BusinessMirror). More recently, the hotel has continued to maintain its facilities, though some guest reviews note that the main building’s carpets and bathrooms show wear (TripZilla review).

What this means: The Manila Hotel is very much alive as a working hotel, not a preserved museum. If you are considering a stay, the Tower Wing may offer a fresher feel, while the original building delivers historic atmosphere at the cost of some comfort.

What historical events happened at The Manila Hotel?

The Manila Hotel’s story is tightly woven into Philippine national history. During World War II, it served as a command post. General Douglas MacArthur made it his residence from 1935 to 1941, living in a penthouse that is now the MacArthur Suite (Philippine Official Gazette).

The hotel sustained heavy damage in the 1945 Battle of Manila and was later rebuilt, with a high‑rise Tower Wing added in the post‑war era (Heritage Conservation Society). In 1976, it was expanded and modernized to host the IMF‑World Bank meeting in Manila (Philippine Star).

Over the decades, state banquets and presidential inaugural receptions have been held here, cementing the hotel’s reputation as an extension of Malacañang Palace’s ceremonial spaces (Philippine Star). Notable guests have included Ernest Hemingway and several U.S. presidents (RoomerTravel).

The pattern: The Manila Hotel has been a stage for both war and diplomacy. Its walls have witnessed events that shaped the nation, making a stay here feel like sleeping inside a living history museum.

What is the scary story of The Manila Hotel?

Like many century‑old hotels, The Manila Hotel has accumulated a body of ghost lore. Online forums and social media mention a “Lady in White” said to wander the corridors, sometimes linked to an unverified story of a woman who died after jumping from an upper floor (TikTok – Historishhh). Another persistent rumor involves room number 420, which hotels often skip due to superstition—though The Manila Hotel does not officially confirm or deny such practices.

A 2015 TripAdvisor review titled “Ghosts in the night” recounted unexplained knocking and voices on a seventh‑floor room during a renovation period (TripAdvisor user review). However, these accounts remain anecdotal. The hotel’s own marketing materials emphasize history and luxury, not hauntings (Official site).

The catch: If you enjoy a good ghost story, The Manila Hotel provides plenty of material—but treat the tales as folklore, not fact.

Location and how to get there

The Manila Hotel sits at the western edge of Ermita, along Roxas Boulevard, directly facing Manila Bay. It is adjacent to Rizal Park, a major national landmark, and roughly a 10‑ to 15‑minute walk from Intramuros, the historic walled city (Lonely Planet).

Most guests arrive by taxi or ride‑hailing service from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (about 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic). The hotel offers valet parking for those driving. Security in the immediate area is tight, with guards and police presence near Rizal Park, though the wider Ermita district can feel less polished after dark compared with Makati or BGC (U.S. Embassy Manila advisory).

The trade-off: The location puts you in the historic heart of Manila, steps from Rizal Park and Intramuros, but the surrounding neighborhood is grittier than newer business districts.