It's staycation season: 10 city hotels you don't have to venture far for
Above Dine at The Peak, located at Grand Hyatt Manila's roof deck (Photo: Grand Hyatt Manila)
In the buzzing Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Grand Hyatt whispers understated luxury. Not to be missed on your stay: The Peak—part grill, part jazz lounge—delivers a sweeping cityscape and the kind of cocktails that linger in memory; while the Illume Spa promises a restorative treatment from scalp to soul. The Henry Hotel Manila
Above This boutique property is set in a beautifully restored 1940s-era mansion (Photo: The Henry Hotel Manila)
Tucked away in Pasay, The Henry Hotel charms with retrofitted mid-century architecture and leafy calm. Its homegrown vibe, vintage furniture and art-filled rooms make it feel more like an artist's residence than a hotel—a boutique gem for when you're seeking something cosier. Hotel Okura Manila
Above Experience sinking into a traditional hinoki bathtub for rejuvenation like no other (Photo: Hotel Okura Manila)
Fusing Japanese hospitality and Filipino warmth, Hotel Okura has carved its place as a distinct and serene retreat within Newport World Resorts. Its tatami-style suites, hinoki bathtubs, authentic cuisine and meticulous omotenashi offer what feels like a genuine change of setting without the flight.
More from Tatler: No passport needed—eat your way across Asia with these tasty snack boxes The Manila Hotel
Above The superior deluxe room is a spacious haven of old-world charm (Photo: The Manila Hotel)
An icon since 1912, The Manila Hotel is a living museum with tales to tell—of statesmen, writers and starlets past. Its Champagne Room remains one of the city's most romantic dining spots, a throwback to colonial grandeur. The Peninsula Manila
Known for its iconic fountain entrance and capacious lobby lounge, the Manila Pen is a classic. Afternoon tea here is practically a rite of passage, set to the soft strains of live classical music. Raffles Makati
With its expansive and polished suites, Raffles is a sanctuary in the business district. It's also just steps away from some of the metro's best shopping malls; plus, sneak in a visit to the Ayala Museum for some culture. Shangri-La The Fort, Manila
Above The lap pool delivers a stunning panorama of Bonifacio Global City (Photo: Shangri-La The Fort, Manila)
Straddling luxury and lifestyle, it's not hard to see why Shangri-La The Fort claims it is 'where the city comes alive'. Situated at the heart of BGC, near the famed High Street, the hotel welcomes Manila's most discerning—balancing decadent dining and bars with high-performance amenities, from the expansive Kerry Sports to a lap pool with a view. Sheraton Manila Hotel
Above The bi-level units are perfect for families (Photo: Sheraton Hotel Manila)
Also within Newport World Resorts, Sheraton is a modern haven perfect for a family staycation. Along with its unique bi‑level loft suites and other spacious accommodations, leisure unfolds with a tranquil afternoon at the palm-lined outdoor pool, a massage at Shine Spa or playtime for little ones at the Kids Club. Solaire Resort North
Above The living room in one of the suites at Solaire Resort North (Photo by Justin De Jesus)
The latest jewel in Quezon City's crown, Solaire Resort North is unapologetically grand. With gilded interiors, fine dining and a world-class entertainment complex just floors away from your suite, it's Vegas-style opulence with unmistakable Filipino flair.
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Haute Japanese cuisine often boils down to an obsession with the most minute of details and Kazuhiro Hamamoto is exemplary. Sequestered along Tras Street, in his namesake restaurant, the Japanese chef-owner distils over a decade's worth of life experiences onto polished plates. Having forged friendships with some of the best producers in Japan who now supply the restaurant, Hamamoto pledges to introduce every ingredient at their peak to diners, supplementing his seasonal cooking ethos. TRY One cannot discuss Hamamoto without mentioning its storied broth, a dashi that has been simmering since the restaurant first opened its doors in 2021. This living, evolving liquid serves as the foundation for perhaps the most coveted dish of each seasonal menu: crab legs. Hamamoto 58 Tras Street, S(078997) 2. 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Gu:um Above The signature woodae galbi short rib served with Korean banchan and ssam for diners (Photo: Gu:um) Specialising in grilled premium quality meat and seafood, Gu:um is a modern Korean grill restaurant that is undoubtedly Korean but injected with global influences that reflect award-winning chef-owner Louis Han's experiences working at various restaurants across the world. The highlight is the signature woodae galbi short rib, a succulent grilled rib served with a range of banchan and ssam for diners to build their own vegetable and beef wraps. While the burnt honey ice cream hotteok is the marquee dessert, don't sleep on the injeolmi tiramisu. TRY Bottomless booze? Check. Proper Korean banchan? Check. Expertly prepared grilled meats? Gu:um's first-ever weekend brunch is no typical Korean buffet. 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Taking court in an open kitchen with a paper sculpture by Dutch artist Peter Gentenaar hanging overhead, Tan now uses the space to transport diners through the different memory lanes of his life. TRY While the wine list is extensive, the non-alcoholic pairings are equally charming. Drawing from Western and Asian influences, the ever-changing list of beverages varies from season to season—think roselle-spiked kombucha redolent of raspberry and smoked plum. Born 1 Neil Rd, #01-01, S(088804) 8. Maggie's Above Sichuan saliva chicken reinterpreted with luscious shirako instead of the regular silkened chicken (Photo: Maggie's) Regional Chinese fare is given the playful and irreverent treatment at Maggie's, a chic 70s-inspired 'almost Chinese' 60-seater bistro along Keong Saik Road. Drawing inspiration from diverse spice trade routes and ingredients found along China's Silk Road, and the uniquely piquant palette of the Hunan region, the kitchen promises flavour combinations that are familiar yet unexpected. Think furu (fermented beancurd) cacio e pepe; lamb tartare with textures of creamy century egg and green Hunan chilis; and classic Sichuan saliva chicken reinterpreted with luscious shirako ( cod milt) instead of the regular silkened chicken. TRY Don't leave without a taste of the Maggie's Southern Dirty Rice, which lavishly a moreish mix of duck liver sausage, monkfish liver parfait, and a serious splash of aged yellow wine. Maggie's Address: 1 Keong Saik Road, #01-04, S(089109) 9. Side Door Above Velvety coconut clam chowder flavoured with roasted chorizo and smoked paprika (Photo: Side Door) This cosy 40-seater cocktail bar by husband-and-wife duo Tryson Quek and Bannie Kang along Neil Road also doubles as a restaurant that serves up proper modern Asian nosh. For a tailored gastronomic experience, opt for the omakase‐style eight‐course menu, each paired with Kang's crafted cocktails, in the private room. Imagine velvety coconut clam chowder flavoured with roasted chorizo and smoked paprika; spoonfuls of hand‐chopped beef tartare contrasted with a bright yuzu sorbet; and fork‐tender Korean‐style Wagyu short ribs. TRY Save space for desserts as pastry chef Jamie Lee presents expertly crafted sweet treats, from classic French pastries of canele and madeleines to original creations such as chrysanthemum lemon pound cake with citrus icing, and a dark cacao brownie with sea salt creme. In case you missed it: Husband-and-wife duo of popular private diner Side Door debuts new location in Tanjong Pagar Side Door 3 Neil Road, #01-01, S(088805) 10. Anju Above Grilled fatty Iberico pork paired with a rich and spicy barley ssamjang (Photo: Anju) For fun, casual, and consistently delicious modern Korean plates, Anju is still the place to be. Dressed in earthy tones, leather trimmings, and chestnut wood furnishings, the elegantly decorated restaurant is chic enough for casual business lunches or even fancy night outs. On the menu, feast on grilled fatty Iberico pork paired with a rich and spicy barley ssamjang ; yellowtail ceviche lifted with textures of carrot kimchi and Earl Grey dongchimi ; and a deconstructed sweet potato creme brulee, featuring a trio of textures with coffee and brown butter crumble TRY In the list of quality Korean spirits, you won't find the typical name-brand soju. Instead, choose from a unique selection of lesser-known fine Korean spirits such as the well-balanced glutinous rice liquor, chungmyungju , or the effervescent champagne makgeolli takju . Anju Address: 62 Tras Street, S(079001) 11. Chef's Tavern by Stephan Zoisl Above Austrian chef Stephan Zoisl marries his signature European flair with Japanese technique (Photo: Chef's Tavern by Stephan Zoisl) Acclaimed Austrian chef Stephan Zoisl swaps his fine-dining sheaths for the approachable with Chef's Tavern. No white table clothes this time as Zoisl marries his signature European flair with Japanese technique. Expect sashimi mingling with sweet Austrian wine grapes, roasted lobster bisque ramen, Alaskan black cod dressed in Madras curry, and of course, Zoisl's signature schnitzel with cranberry jam and anchovy brown butter. While the menu is predominantly a la carte, those who're keen to relive Zoisl's Chef's Table experience can consider the communal dinner omakase, sensibly priced at S$88. TRY Sweet treats are not an afterthought, as desserts of caramelised pineapple-infused piña colada and a textural dark chocolate gateau ensure a lip-smacking end to the meal. Chef's Tavern by Stephan Zoisl Address: 20 Craig Road, S(089692) 12. Cenzo There's something approachably attractive about Cenzo. Since 2022, Chef-owner Drew Nocente has blended Italian tradition and Australian modernity to bring forth a unique dining experience inspired by his Italian-Australian heritage, growing up on a farm in Queensland, Australia. And we're all here for it. Imagine pickled mussels with ricotta and chilli; mazara red prawn carpaccio, adorned with caviar, dill and lemonade gel; and mafaldine beef ragu with pecorino foam, and gramigna mushroom and pistachio pesto. TRY From flamed-kissed starters to handmade pastas and perfectly cooked proteins, the crowd-pleasing menu consists of an unassuming listing that only longtime Salt & Hung fans may spot: Nocente's house-cured pastrami sandwich. Enough said. Cenzo Address: 81 Club Street, S(069449) 13. Bottega di Carna Above A spread at Bottega di Carna includes premium beef cuts from famed Spanish master butchery Viñals Soler (Photo: Bottega di Carna) Not everyone can brag about dining at a Dario Cecchini restaurant, but at Bottega di Carna, you now can—and you don't even need to be in Chianti. Co-signed by The New York Times 's 'world's greatest butcher', this beautifully verdant steakhouse, located within Mondrian Singapore Duxton, brings a lively twist to Italian dining. Helmed by executive chef Kenny Huang, expect a masterful blend of tradition and modern flair imbued onto the stylish plates. The marquee main is none other than the showstopping Stockyard 200-day grain-fed Angus tomahawk, expertly grilled to optimal succulence, accompanied with deep, beefy flavours. TRY Kickstart the meal with the dainty artichoke tart, adorned with goat's cheese and acacia honey. Don't skip Cecchini's signature rough chop beef tartare, and finish the meal with a classic tiramisu, scooped straight from the pan to your plate. Bottega di Carna 16A Duxton Hill, #03-01, S(089970) 14. Sensu Above Sensu plates up a fine representation of when Tokyo and Paris collide (Photo: Sensu) Sensu is part Tokyo, part Paris, but mostly delicious. Nesting in the buzzy Keong Saik neighbourhood, Sensu is helmed by aspiring chef Shang Jhi, an alumnus of the revered Joel Robuchon, as well as lauded Les Amis and Jaan by Kirk Westaway. Here, he and the team blend a fine appreciation of Japanese cuisine with classically trained French techniques, resulting in innovative yet comforting plates. The sleek counter dining restaurant presents both a comprehensive tasting menu and an a la carte menu for those looking to customise their meal. TRY Start with the uni and sakura ebi capellini, lifted with a bright splash of lemon confit; expertly-grilled Iberico pork jowl paired with crispy shishito peppers and a subtly sweet chipotle gelee; and end with a reimagined paella, studded with hearty carabinero prawn, fresh crispy squid, and chorizo. Sensu Address: 27 Keong Saik Road, S(089134) 15. Humpback Above The crowd-favourite flame-kissed tiger prawns on smoked tomato sauce (Photo: Humpback) Besides being known as one of the best wine bars in town, Humpback has made oysters and small plates cool again. At this seafood stable along Bukit Pasoh, you'll be treated to a variety of fresh seasonal oysters to slurp down for a briny start to the meal. The progressive small plates, which interpret European flavours with an Asian touch, are not to be missed. Think mouthwatering headliners of burrata with peaches and hazelnuts; flame-kissed tiger prawns on smoked tomato sauce; and meaty razor clams swimming in a spiced beurre blanc and garnished with chilli crisps and fried shallots. TRY Go big or go home with the large sharing plates. Consider the juicy tenderloin steak frites with red wine bordelaise, or flounder meunière, accompanied by smoked mussels, seaweed butter, and parsley. Humpback Address: 18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road, S(089834) 16. Ingleside Blending the ancient art of wood-fired cooking and an in-house fermentation philosophy, this flame-themed restaurant along Tras Street pushes the boundaries of modern European dining. With a custom-built wood-fired grill as its centrepiece, each dry-aged meat at Ingleside undergoes careful inspection before its ignition on the grill, infusing it with a tinge of smokiness unique only to wood-firing. Hallmark steaks, such as the Tajima MBS 6-7 picanha, are aged in shio koji, adding both sweetness and umami while retaining the meat's succulence. TRY For an introductory treat, consider the lunch set, including a smoked and slow-cooked Hungarian duck leg that is dry-aged for seven days to intensify flavour. It is then garnished with grilled forest mushroom and a bordelaise sauce made with lacto-fermented blueberry extract for a subtle, tangy umami note. Ingleside Address: 49 Tras Street, S(078988)
