The Peninsula Manila is one of the longest running luxury hotels in Manila for the last 40 years.
This hotel is nostalgic personally for me because we held many business events here during my P&G days, and we often stayed here too because of the “P&G rate”. I was glad to be back to reminisce and to also build new family memories with our boys.
Here are 10 awesome things from our The Peninsula Manila staycation…
THE PENINSULA MANILA
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City
Telephone: +632 887-2888
E-mail: pmn@peninsula.com
Website: http://manila.peninsula.com/
Facebook: The Peninsula Manila
Twitter: @PeninsulaHotels
Instagram: @peninsulahotels
Related Blog Post: OLD MANILA by New Filipino Head Chef Allan Briones! (Photo Essay) @ThePeninsulaMNL
1. Awesome Welcome
We love this personalized Instagram board, which we kept as a souvenir of our awesome stay.
This is the best welcome basket we’ve received in our staycations in Manila so far–handcrafted chocolates with champagne.
2. The Peninsula Executive Suite Room
The Executive Suite Room is quite spacious with enough room for the kids to run around and a king’s bed to accommodate kids who want to sleep in with their parents.
The working table was quite elegant with enough desk and breathing space for you to work comfortably.
The living room has a long sofa and day bed where the family can just laze around.
We had a nice, relaxing view of the city.
The Executive Suite can be connected to a Grand Deluxe Room, which turned into our boys’ room.
The toilet, bath, and tub are all separate. You feel the old school elegance as soon as you step into it.
The Peninsula has their own set of toiletries.
The kids have their own toiletries too, which is a nice touch.
Best of all, there’s a walk-in closet to keep all your stuff private and in one place.
3. Old Manila Elegance with Young French Chef
Old Manila transformed itself from a Filipino restaurant into a chef-driven, elegant fine dining experience with young French Chef Bertrand Charles.
Related Blog Post: OLD MANILA by New Filipino Head Chef Allan Briones! (Photo Essay) @ThePeninsulaMNL
4. The Pen Explorer
The Pen Explorer is one of the coolest staycation programs for kids. The boys got a map, a baon kit, and gadgets to invoke their explorer spirit.
It’s like a kids’ trivia game where you have to go to different areas of the hotel to do certain activities such as looking at the spices…
…or counting the steps of the grand staircase…
…and counting how many rays the sun has.
The kids submit their worksheet and get a prize at the end of your staycation.
5. Lunch at Spices
SPICES is our favorite Asian restaurant specializing in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisine.
6. Pen Pals at The Lobby
The Lobby Menu: Local Favorites, Sandwiches and Burgers | Soup, Salad, Appetizer, Main Course | The Lobby Dessert and Ice Cream Selection
The Peninsula Manila continues to have the best grand lobby (with the walk of shame pathway) in Manila!
PEN PALS (P1,800). A Peninsula classic, a loaded tower of rocky road, Double Dutch, ube, strawberry, mango, quezo, pistachio, rich chocolate, vanilla, buco salad plus raspberry and mango sorbet nestled on a bed of fresh fruits. This delectable concoction of 19 scoops is finished off with maraschino cherries, waffle sticks, marshmallows, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Serves 6-8.
Nothing beats this over-the-top ice cream dessert classic!
It was a great bonding dessert moment for our boys! It didn’t take long for it to be wiped out.
7. The Peninsula Academy Program
Check out the Peninsula Academy, a signature program for tailor-fit immersive and educational Filipino experiences for tourists and guests.
Peninsula Academy Introduction
The Peninsula Academy was created to give guests an insider introduction to key aspects of Filipino culture, lifestyle, cuisine, arts and history through individualised classes, tours, and activities. The Peninsula Manila has meticulously curated its programs by sourcing the very best tour guides and local partners, bringing the city and the country to life through exclusive activities, all accomplished with the celebrated Peninsula attention to detail.
For more info, visit http://manila.peninsula.com/en/discover/peninsula-academy
We had an afternoon session of “Lutong Pinoy: Sweet Cooking the Filipino Way for Kids” with the boys learning about and making their own halo-halo.
It also comes with merienda! I love these chicken inasal skewers.
8. Escolta Breakfast and Sunday Brunch
Escolta is best known for its Filipino selections, the elegant Private Nielson’s room, and the Champagne Sunday Brunch.
Read More: ESCOLTA: Staycation Breakfast and Sunday Brunch Experience
9. Club Boardroom
Make sure to book the Club rooms with access to The Club Lounge…
…for a complimentary use of The Club Boardrooms for 2 hours.
Check out the Club Exclusives: http://manila.peninsula.com/en/special-offers/Club-Exclusives
I was able to meet up and have a planning session with Team Our Awesome Planet while on staycation.
10. Fun Food Stuff
I love these little mystery games where you call and say the password to get a cookies-and-milk surprise.
The chocolates at The Peninsula Manila are one of the best and have stayed consistent through the years.
Thanks also for the delicious pastry selection we got as a pasalubong.
From the moment we checked in, we loved the attention to detail and the effort to surprise us and make our stay memorable.
What we liked about our The Peninsula Staycation:
1. Awesome Welcome
2. The Peninsula Executive Suite Room
3. Old Manila Elegance with Young French Chef
4. The Pen Explorer
5. Lunch at Spices
6. Pen Pals at The Lobby

7. The Peninsula Academy Program
8. Escolta Breakfast and Sunday Brunch
9. The Club Boardroom

10. Fun Food Stuff

What we didn’t like and can be improved on:
1. The kid’s in-room dining menu is not yummy
2. The swimming pool is small
3. Some of the areas of the hotel feel old
THE PENINSULA MANILA
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City
Telephone: +632 887-2888
E-mail: pmn@peninsula.com
Website: http://manila.peninsula.com/
Facebook: The Peninsula Manila
Twitter: @PeninsulaHotels
Instagram: @peninsulahotels
Related Blog Post: OLD MANILA by New Filipino Head Chef Allan Briones! (Photo Essay) @ThePeninsulaMNL
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our staycation was courtesy of The Peninsula Manila. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Unlike Mandarin and Intercon, The Peninsula extended their contract lease on the property and will be continue to be one of the most beloved longest running hotels in Manila.