Manila at night
Manila street food
Manila, the city where I was born and raised, is not for the fainthearted. Gritty yet vibrant, it assaults the senses the moment you arrive. Noise, crowds and the aroma of food wafting from street vendors’ kiosks compete for attention. Jeepneys jostle for position, clogging the city’s arteries. There are no rules. The city makes no excuses. It’s all part of a tightly woven fabric that makes Manila an enigma.
But there’s also a soft side to this sprawling metropolis that wins over even the most jaded observer. Manila’s denizens are some of the world’s friendliest—from smiling children in hard-up townships to heavily-armed security guards and courteous sales assistants. Filipino hospitality is legendary, and food is arguably considered more sacred than religion.
Manila’s skyline has changed over the last few decades. One area that stands out from the rest for reshaping the city’s skyline is Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a trend-setting enclave in the city of Taguig, through which the Pasig River meanders. This area, stretching 240 hectares of land, was once a verdant field dotted with army homes and barracks when it served as an American military base. In 1957, it became the permanent base of the Philippine Army and was renamed Fort Bonifacio, after Andres Bonifacio, the national hero who led the revolution against Spain.
Today, BGC is a dynamic hub for financial, commercial and residential growth to rival its neighbour, Makati City. Since its inception, it has become the new home for investment banks, embassies, international schools, universities, retail shops, upmarket malls, trendy cafés, bars and restaurants. Towering condominiums have mushroomed from block to block. The grid of numbered streets and avenues mimics New York City, as does the manic noise of traffic. But there’s a big difference. The streets are cleaner and safer. I could walk around late at night, safe in the knowledge that there are security guards on duty 24/7 at every corner.
Pool area at Grand Hyatt Manila
GRAND HYATT—AN OASIS OF CALM
Amid the views of distant mountains and bustling intersections from the window of my high-rise condo, there was one that was hard to miss—the 66-storey Grand Hyatt Manila, BGC’s most iconic building soaring 318 meters above ground. So far, it’s the tallest skyscraper in the country, its upper 25 floors comprising 409 rooms and 52 suites, all with spectacular city vistas. At night, the building illuminates the area with bright strips of lighting running along the length of the building’s glass façade. The five-star hotel’s contours and beacon reminded me of New York City’s Empire State Building.
Living up to its name, the hotel’s palatial lobby and decorative ceiling are designed to impress the moment guests step in. At the centre of the lobby is an imposing centrepiece, which changes according to the occasion. I happened to be visiting during the Christmas season, so the sight of a towering red Christmas tree certainly brought a sense of magic and celebration. Families posed for selfies in front of the gigantic tree, while jazzy tunes came from a live three-piece band and a female crooner performing on the lobby’s mezzanine stage.
An illuminated glass staircase reminiscent of classic Hollywood musicals leads visitors up to The Lounge, a popular haven where food and drinks are served at tables with plump sofas and chairs well spaced apart, some overlooking the lobby and mezzanine stage. My favourite spot was a quieter section behind the main dining area, a perfect nook for a private tête-à-tête. The menu offers a selection of tempting dishes and desserts, including a Traditional Afternoon Tea. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are complemented by freshly-made juices, and after a long stroll around BGC on a humid day, there’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold juice infused with natural Pandan flavour. The attentive, friendly service made all the difference.
Lobby at Grand Hyatt Manila
One level above is The Grand Kitchen, an all-day buffet and à la carte restaurant for guests with ravenous appetites. The endless spread of international dishes was enticing but overwhelming, and to think that one could consume a week’s worth of food in one sitting was mind-boggling. Taking time to digest before another round, diners can walk around and observe chefs cooking from their respective show kitchens.
An even more exciting dining experience awaits at The Peak, aptly named for its vertiginous setting on the 60th and 62nd floors, where a fine-dining restaurant, whisky bar and music lounge are accessed through a dedicated express lift. My ears popped as we gained altitude, and in no time, I was transported to another world where intricate geometric patterns carved on black walls evoke both ancient and futuristic civilisations.
Viewed from The Peak’s open-air observation deck and bar area, Manila’s landscape revealed a dense jungle of residential communities wrapped around high-rise condominiums, set against a horizon spanning distant mountain ranges, Manila Bay and Laguna Bay. It was worth hanging around from sunset until dark to witness the city coming alive with bright lights, trails of traffic beams forming arteries stretching for miles. Nocturnal revellers hit the clubs, trendy eateries, wine and coffee bars while soaking up the city’s pulsating energy.
Grand Club Lounge
CLUB SUITES
Leaving The Peak’s club music for the younger generation to enjoy, I made a dash down to the 55th floor, where I could observe the same views in comfort and solitude at the Grand Club Lounge. Accessible exclusively to guests booked on one of the Grand Club rooms on the upper floors, the VIP experience comes with personalised check-in/check-out service, complimentary breakfast, all-day snacks, beverages, evening canapés, cocktails, wines and spirits. The chilled-out atmosphere and plush sofas are perfect for guests in work or leisure mode. It’s easy to lose yourself in this sanctuary far from BGC’s hustle and bustle.
Back in my room, I perused another angle of the metropolis through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. This King bedroom is part of the Club Access category and is conveniently located just two floors above the Club Lounge. Maple hardwood flooring adds a touch of timeless elegance and is also healthier for guests like me with allergy issues. The grey-white marble bathroom has a separate, spacious shower with a seat, while the other side has a bath, next to which is a sliding frosted-glass door that opens onto views of the skyline. The laid-back ambience is all down to a delicate balance of artistic details, such as the retro-style table lamp, chaise longue and chrome-framed floor-to-ceiling etched wall mirror to add depth and space. Instead of the standard white ceramic tableware, I was pleased to find a stoneware-and-chrome teapot with matching cups and saucers for a touch of Oriental style.
Interior of The Cellar
Time flies when you’re chilling out on a comfortable bed with crisp white linen and bouncy pillows. But dinner was soon beckoning. My dining destination, The Cellar, has a dedicated wine tasting room and a restaurant specialising in traditional Spanish cuisine. The Cellar Signature Set Menu came with a trio of appetisers—Gallagher Oysters (which they kindly substituted at my request), Jamón Iberico Croquetas with tomato chutney, and Salmorejo with Jamón Iberico and cage-free egg.
Then came the fish course of Grilled Octopus tentacles—fresh, tender and flavoured with Romesco sauce, potato and chimichuri, followed by a Grilled Patagonian Toothfish, which, despite its quirky name, was a delightfully chunky fillet, juicy and buttery, flavoured with Pil Pil sauce and Basque chilli. This deep-sea creature with botox-like lips is more commonly known as Chilean Seabass, a more elegant name conceived by fish wholesaler Lee Lantz back in 1977 to make it more palatable to Western consumers. A sweet ending of Burnt Basque cheesecake with raspberry compote rounded off an indulgent dinner made more authentic by a guitarist who played and sang mellow Spanish and Latin songs.
Away from the exhilarating but relentless energy of BGC, Grand Hyatt Manila provided a welcome refuge, serving as a symbol of comfort and luxury in the heart of this amazing city.
The Cellar Wine Room
Cuisine at The Cellar
To find out more about Grand Hyatt Manila and book, visit the links below:
Grand Hyatt Manila
8th Avenue, corner 35th Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Manila 1635, Philippines
Web: hyatt.com
Tel: +63 2 8838 1234
Instagram: @grandhyattmanilaph
Facebook: @grandhyattmanilaph