The Philippines are a popular investment destination for companies from South Korea and Japan as well as for tourists. With a lot of Japanese expats in Manila, you’ll find plenty of Japanese food as well. And the latest Japanese restaurant in Manila is Fukudaya at the Arya Plaza. It’s an upscale restaurant in a quiet […]
For many years, Asian chains, Accor and InterContinental ruled the luxury hotel scene in Manila. But more recently the large US chains have “uncovered” the capital of one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and opened up hotels. The latest to the party is Hilton Worldwide with their upscale Conrad brand opening near Manila Bay.
If you are looking for a hotel in Manila’s Ortigas business district or near the massive SM MegaMall, the Mercure Ortigas is one of the newest hotels in the area and the third to open for the Accor Group of hotels. I stayed to re-gain my platinum status in the LeClub rewards program and was
We loved the sea plane transfer on our visit to the Conrad Rangali Maledives – the non-stop service created an end-to-end luxury experience that’s hard to match. The Philippines has many islands and beaches even more beautiful than the Maledives and there is a growing number of upscale resorts, but so far the commercial flights
If you want to treat a loved one to a little luxury in Manila, visiting the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea is a great choice. You’ll spend time in one of the most opulent hotel lobbies in the city, experience great service and have a choice of wonderful food and of course tea for a
Traveling to and from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been difficult, but after many delays, the much anticipated Skyway around the airport is finally open, drastically cutting travel times to the airport and between the terminals! Read all the good news after the break!
French pastries are loved all around the world – and you can find the original in Manila as well. Paul Boulangerie, founded 1889 in the city of Croix in Northern France, has outlets in Manila, serving great pastries, bread and meals in a number of outlets of the bakery/cafe/restaurant. I’m a regular at the SM
Planning a trip to Manila, but can’t find a good, affordable hotel where you want to be? Airbnb has arrived in Manila to help! But having lived in Manila for more than three years, there are a few pitfalls for the first-time visitor when picking a place to stay. Let me help you find a
I found the best German food outside Germany at Brotzeit in Singapore – and was very excited when I found out that they are opening in Manila as well! They now have three outlets in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas, I have tried all of them multiple times and love them! So much so,
The Philippine Tourism Office summarized Filipino history as “300 years in a convent and 50 years in Hollywood”. That American history and the close ties to the modern US has instilled a love of burgers in Filipinos as in no other country in Asia. And they are better in Manila than anywhere else in the
The Novotel Araneta in Manila is a brand-new, upscale Accor Group hotel a little away from the main business and tourist areas. Thanks to another Accor Promotion, I was only two stays away from reaching Accor LeClub Platinum status and its many perks, so we planned a weekend staycation – and were pleasantly surprised what
I love good coffee and breakfast is my favorite meal – fortunately, Manila seems to agree with that and has lots of coffee shops. In addition to all the big chains, you also find a number of great independent stores, like Single Origin, or mini-chains with a few outlets, like Wildflour Cafe & Bakery. Wildflour