Wow, Century Park Hotel is now officially a heritage hotel, celebrating its 50th anniversary! 🎉
We have so many fond memories of this Manila institution. I remember coming back here often for the Century Seafood Restaurant, one of my favorite reasons to visit the hotel.
For Rache, Century Park has always been a go-to place for Chinese family celebrations—the kind of hotel that has been part of so many family milestones and Manila memories over the years.
50 years later, Century Park Hotel remains a true Manila classic. ❤️
check-in.
We stayed for a night, and I was happy to see that the rooms have been noticeably refreshed with modern interiors.
There were a minor maintenance issues in the bathrooms and the outside hallways still had a slightly musky smell.
The toiletries were complete and nicely presented in attractive red packaging.
Love the see-through bathroom and bathtub—perfect for a cozy staycation.
We stayed in a Superior Room, spacious enough to add an extra bed for a child.
Looking out, Harrison Plaza’s nostalgic site is now giving way to a modern SM Mall.
welcome drink
Your welcome drink coupon invites you to the Palm Grove pool area.
Yes, surprisingly, there’s an Olympic-size lap pool—perfect for a morning swim.
It has a resort feel in the middle of Manila, with spacious pool grounds and a charming old bar shack.
It has an old-school, nostalgic charm that makes you want to linger as the sun sets.
Of course, the bar is stocked with Tanduay drinks—I got the Soju Bomb, while Rache had a mocktail.
Will You Remember Tonight?
50th anniversary
Love the atrium vibe where the anniversary celebration was held, with KoolPals as hosts.
Century Park Hotel Manila is in good hands with the next generation of the Luy Tan family.
APPETIZER
Mixed Greens, Arugula, Cranberry, Caramelised Walnut,
Feta Crumble with Raspberry Dressing
A deconstructed salad served like an artist’s palette, with rolled vegetables that are fun to mix and match.
SOUP
Smoked Fresh Tomato Basil
with Toasted Bread with Brown Butter
The soup was surprisingly good. I had low expectations, but this was rich, tomatoey, and delicious.
MAIN COURSE
Beef Tenderloin Sous Vide, Port Wine Jus
Pistachio Crusted Fish, Classic Beurre Blanc
Gruyere Spinach & Mushroom Timbale
Creamy Polenta, Baby Carrots & French Beans
A 2-in-1 main course—both the beef steak and fish were good, and I loved the vegetables crusted with Gruyère.
DESSERT
Torta Nacciole Di Ciocolato
Even the dessert didn’t disappoint—we were scooping up every last bite of the chocolate. Sarap!
We were seated at the table for key online influencers, and I always look forward to meeting fellow creators.
Awesome to meet Prof. Xiao Chua, who teaches Philippine History at DLSU—and even meet my ID#126 student!
breakfast
Since the main café is being renovated, the buffet is temporarily hosted at the Cordillera Function Room.
The usual Filipino breakfast spread, including malasadong scrambled eggs.
What makes it unique are the Fil-Chi breakfast favorites, like tea-infused eggs and century egg options.
I love the make-your-own mami counter with mantou bread, especially with their good chili condiment.
You can get freshly toasted French toast and sunny-side-up eggs cooked to order.
Desserts have a decent selection of fresh and canned fruits.
Best of all, the mango and strawberry yogurt drinks are a unique buffet option—I had many refills!
Breakfast is good—just don’t mind the conference room vibe for now.
church
When staying at Century, check out Santisima Trinidad Parish along Estrada—a special parish where Manila bishops sometimes celebrate Mass.
The Black Nazarene of Quiapo was visiting, so we said a prayer of thanksgiving and for our most heartfelt request.
final thoughts
Century Park Hotel is one of Manila’s unique hotels, telling the Filipino-Chinese heritage story of the city. I love how the hotel is being upgraded with modern amenities while preserving its old-school charm.
The anniversary dinner was surprisingly delicious—I honestly wasn’t expecting this level of food from a 50-year-old hotel. Even the breakfast has been updated with interesting Filipino-Chinese touches.
I also love the spacious, nostalgic feel of Palm Grove, while the Atrium has a feel-good vibe and good acoustics, especially when the UE Choir serenaded us during dinner.
The restaurant outlets are currently being renovated, and with the new SM Mall rising where Harrison Plaza once stood, this part of Manila is set for an exciting transformation—especially for the city’s sosyal university crowd.
Happy 50th Anniversary, Century Park Hotel Manila!
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Century Park Hotel for inviting us!
p.s. walking down memory lane, we headed to Malate to revisit Shawarma Snack Center. Sadly, the kebab wrappers were tough and not as good as we remembered. Oh well, they’ve become quite commercialized now.
