Calling itself a ‘private paradise’, Shangri-La Boracay is nestled between two pristine beach fronts and sprawls over 12 hectares of Boracay island. An hour-and-a-half flight from Manila, the hotel comprises 219 rooms and villas that are perched on a mountainside, each overlooking the water or verdant jungle. There’s also a wealth of extras, including a large, naturalistic swimming pool, tennis court, dive centre, gym spa and indoor playground for the kids. Head to the award-winning onsite restaurant Rima, which is perched among the treetops, for elevated Mediterranean fare such as truffle burrata, tartare with caviar.

Located in Pasay City, a 15-minute drive from Manila airport, The Okura Hotel Manila is infused with a Japanese sentiment that’s evident not just in the sushi counter and private teppanyaki rooms at the signature Yamazato restaurant, but also in the zen rock garden and Bonsai Hall, which is lined with examples of the traditional growing technique and designed to evoke relaxation. The 190 rooms and suites all feature Japanese design motifs, including in the Hinoki-yu room, which features a custom-made aromatic Japanese cypress (hinoki) tub. But the height of pleasure (literally) can be found at the magnificent 20-metre rooftop pool and bar with sweeping views of the city.

Raffles Makati is housed in a 30-storey high-rise building in Makati’s financial district and is a short walk to Zuellig Building – a 160-metre skyscraper that resembles a gigantic sheet of glass and Ayala Museum, which showcases Filipino culture and artefacts. Each guest at Raffles Makati is appointed their own butler to help arrange everything, from checking-in to packing your luggage, so you won’t need to lift a finger during your stay. Mirèio, a brasserie-style restaurant, serves gastronomic French fare with an Asian twist such as salmon tartare with tobiko (flying fish roe) and yuzu ponzu dressing. The Fairmont Spa offers a broad range of wellness treatments, including a two-hour and 30-minute restoration journey utilising traditional Filipino massage techniques.

Amanpulo, on the secluded private island of Pamalican, is so exclusive it even has its own airstrip. Hop on a flight from Manila and within 90 minutes you’ll land in the cradle of luxury. A stay in one of the 18 beachfront villas or 42 casitas (cottages) includes breakfast, afternoon tea, access to multiple facilities – steam room, cold plunge pool and fitness centre – as well as kayaking in the surrounding azure water and a daily snorkel. Make your first stop the sumptuous wellness centre and start your holiday off on a decadent note with a Himalayan salt stone therapy massage.

Step inside any one of the 568 rooms at Manila Marriott, a 10-minute drive from the airport in the centre of Pasay City, and you’re instantly ensconced in a tranquil space with the CBD and key shopping precincts just a stroll away. Take in views of the city and the lush mountains beyond from the rooftop pool (there are four swimming spots in the property). Stay in an Executive Suite and enjoy complimentary daily breakfasts, afternoon tea, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, free access to business services and complimentary garment pressing for two items during your visit, at no extra cost.

If you enjoy shopping while on holiday, the luxurious Fairmont Hotel, a short walk from Makati City’s Greenbelt Mall and its dizzying array of local and international designer boutiques, is the hotel for you. The mall also has great dining options and a lush 2.8-hectare garden. The property’s 280 spacious guestrooms and suites are each kitted out in sumptuous neutral tones, with views of the rooftop pool from the Deluxe room. Feel like some pampering? Head to the spa for a rejuvenating hot stone massage while an in-house babysitter takes care of the kids.

Old-world opulence is the name of the game at The Peninsula Manila, where guests can move between four different restaurants, including The Lobby, where towering palm trees border the tables and Halo-Halo Harana, a tropical fruit dessert made with shaved ice and a scoop of purple yam ice-cream, is a must-try. The hotel’s 351 rooms and suites are designed to maximise natural light with a crisp palette of pale blue, white and dark timber tones. For next-level decadence, check in to the Peninsula Suite, where you can tinker on the keys of a grand piano. While the property is located in the bustling CBD, the Ayala Triangle Gardens, a glorious oasis of greenery that spans more than 20,000 square metres, is a two-minute stroll down the road. 

With high ceilings and gold touches in its 696 guestrooms and suites, the Makati Shangri-La is spacious and serene. The hotel is also home to five restaurants and bars, including the Sage Grill, where you’ll find organic salmon and Australian lamb racks on the menu, and Shang Palace, a Cantonese diner serving yum cha classics. But if you want to stay put, room service is available 24 hours a day. Head to Bonifacio Global City, a business and lifestyle district, to visit The Mind Museum, an interactive science gallery with more than 250 exhibits and a T-Rex skeleton, and the BGC Arts Centre, where Filippino artworks are on display.

Set on seven hectares of tropical forest roughly 30 minutes outside the city, Anya Resort Tagaytay is an idyllic place where, from the moment you’re shown to one of its 72 airy guestrooms, every need is met – starting with complimentary breakfast. Guest preferences, such as the room’s scent and what sort of amenities they prefer can be requested through an Anya Experience Assistant, who functions as your personal butler during your stay. Relax further at the Niyama Wellness Center with a mood-enhancing massage or enjoy a dip in the shimmering pool.

Situated near Cloud 9 surf break, where seasoned surfers from across the world come to tackle its signature barrelling waves, Nay Palad Hideaway is a secluded retreat with just 10 thatched villas. Each houses between six and nine guests and two come with their own pool. Borrow a couple of the property’s bikes and take a leisurely wander across Siargao Island then return and find bliss with a traditional Filipino hilot massage at the spa before enjoying a romantic farm-to-plate dinner under the stars.

A luxury boutique accommodation meshing Spanish and Filipino architectural styles, the Admiral Hotel, located on Roxas Boulevard in Malate, offers beachfront views of Manila Bay and is just a 20-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Each of the 123 rooms includes a minibar and espresso machine and most have dazzling vistas. Take a stroll along the beach or relax by the poolside bar with a Stiletto cocktail or two. After something a little different? The city zoo is just 300 metres down the road and you can see lions, tigers, hebras (zebra horses) and Philippine deer up close.

It might only be 20 minutes from the airport in one of the hottest spots in the archipelago, but , a gigantic six-hectare beach hotel, is a world unto itself. Guests are spoiled for choice; the property encompasses 290 villas, rooms and beachfront casitas (cottages) that are so close to the sea you can smell the salt. The Ocean Front Private Villa opens out to a plunge pool and a private beach. Relax with a massage at the spa or enjoy a paddle in one of the country’s best infinity pools while the kids have fun at the indoor play centre,.

It might only be 15 minutes from the airport in one of the hottest spots in the archipelago but Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, a gigantic six-hectare beach hotel, is a world unto itself. Guests are spoiled for choice; the property encompasses 290 villas, rooms and beachfront casitas (cottages) that are so close to the sea you can smell the salt. The private villas here open out to a plunge pool and sprawl over 115 square metres. Relax with a massage at the spa or enjoy a paddle in one of the country’s best infinity pools while the kids have fun at the play centre, Crimzone.

28 Surprisingly Affordable Stays in Asia