Hotels in Manila

Hotels in Manila: prices, timing and areas

When to book a stay in Manila for less

Manila is cheapest in the wet season, from June to November, when there are fewer tourists. August is usually the bottom of the market, about 19 percent below the yearly average. March is the priciest, in the middle of the dry season, when rates can run a third higher than the rest of the year. The dry season from December to May is easier for sightseeing but more expensive. The arrival day matters too: Monday works out the most expensive, while midweek and the weekend tend to be cheaper. For a regular trip, book about a month ahead, as the best rates show up around 35 days before the date and climb after that.

What a stay costs by property type

The spread of prices in Manila is huge, so a hostel bed and a family apartment are worlds apart. The cheapest sleep is in hostels and budget places in Paco or Santa Mesa; you pay the most for five stars with a casino on the bay. Below are indicative nightly rates in Philippine pesos.

Indicative rates for a double room, outside the March peak. In Manila the gap between a wet August and a dry March can be wide, so check the real price for your dates in the search above.

Where a stay is cheaper and where it costs more

The cheapest stays in Manila are in the dense districts like Paco and Santa Mesa, where a bed in a simple place costs very little. The most expensive is Ermita, near the bay and the main attractions. Business and modern hotels cluster in Makati and Bonifacio Global City, while tourists often pick Ermita and Malate near the sights or Manila Bay with its big resorts. Below are average prices in a few popular districts.

Indicative rates for a double room. You get around by the MRT, by jeepney and the Grab app, so a base further out can still work, though expect traffic.

Which stay in Manila suits whom

• First time in Manila. Ermita or Malate is the easiest base. From here it is close to the old town of Intramuros, Fort Santiago and Rizal Park.
• For families. Manila Bay with its big resorts, plus family rooms in mid-range hotels. Close to Manila Ocean Park and the malls.
• For couples. Makati and Bonifacio Global City, where the evenings have the most restaurants and bars. Modern districts with safe, well-lit streets.
• Business travel. Hotels in Makati and Ortigas are close to the offices and conference centres. Easy to reach by the MRT and the Grab app.
• With breakfast. Many hotels in Makati and by the bay include a buffet in the rate, sometimes with a bay view. Handy when you want to set off early, before the traffic.
• Near the airport. Hotels around Ninoy Aquino airport (NAIA), especially by Terminal 3, suit an early flight or a layover. A few minutes drive to the departures hall.

Example hotels in Manila with prices

From a hostel bed to five stars with a casino, a few Manila names with a from price. Just a starting point, as in March and the dry season the rates of the same hotels can climb noticeably.

From prices for a double room. The same hotel can differ between a Monday and midweek, so check your exact dates in the search.

When Manila costs more

Most guests come to Manila in the dry season, from December to May, when the weather favours sightseeing and festivals. The price peak falls in March. The wet season, from June to November, brings fewer tourists and lower rates, though you should expect afternoon downpours. If you want a cheap base, aim at August. Festivals and church holidays can lift prices locally regardless of the season.