Hotels in Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a dynamic metropolis where colonial history meets fast-moving modern life. Its rooftops look out over an ever-changing skyline, from Intramuros to the towers of Makati, and the constant bustle of the streets below.
Rooftop hotels in Manila split between two very different views, and choosing between them shapes the whole stay. Along Roxas Boulevard, in Malate and down into Pasay's bayside resorts, terraces face west over Manila Bay, where the sun drops toward the mountains of the Bataan peninsula and freighters sit at anchor offshore. Inland, the towers of Makati and Bonifacio Global City look across a denser skyline of glass offices and condo blocks, with the Sierra Madre showing as a blue line to the east on the clearest mornings. Intramuros and Rizal Park sit low between the two and read best from a bayside height. The dry season from December to May is the dependable stretch for open-air terraces; from June to October the southwest monsoon brings heavy afternoon rain and the odd typhoon, so covered decks earn their keep.
Manila in numbers
Light Premium Suites, Novotel Acqua Manila near Makati
Manila's skyline from a rooftop pool and bar
Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts
Manila's skyline from a serene rooftop pool and elegant terrace
Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila
Manila's skyline from a high-rise pool and luxury suites
RedDoorz Plus @ Bez Tower and Residences San Juan
Manila's skyline from a serene rooftop terrace
Somerset Central Salcedo Makati
A family-friendly rooftop escape with city views and a refreshing pool
Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Manila's skyline from a refreshing outdoor pool and city-view rooms
KL Executive Greenbelt (KLX)
Your private balcony, a front-row seat to Manila's skyline
ibis Styles Manila Araneta City
Manila's skyline from a refreshing rooftop pool and bar
Shangri-La The Fort, Manila
Manila's skyline from a luxury rooftop, day and night
Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts
Manila's vibrant nightlife, elevated by a dynamic rooftop pool
The Belamy House Managed by HII
Manila's skyline from a refreshing rooftop pool and bar
City Garden Grand Hotel
Makati's skyline at your feet, from pool to plate
Spacious 2BR Family Suite with City View near Airport, City of Dreams, Solaire, PARQAL, Ayala Malls, and MOA
Manila's skyline from your private balcony, a family-friendly retreat
lyf Malate Manila managed by The Ascott Limited
Manila's skyline from a sun-drenched terrace
Quest Plus Filinvest City Manila
A refreshing outdoor pool with city views in Manila
Red Planet Makati Amorsolo
Makati's skyline from a simple, modern rooftop terrace
The Sphere Serviced Residences Managed by HII
Manila's skyline from a comfortable serviced residence
What to expect
- Manila Bay sunsets toward the Bataan peninsula, seen best from Malate, Pasay and Roxas Boulevard
- Makati's Ayala Avenue towers and the newer glass grid of Bonifacio Global City
- Intramuros' Spanish-era walls and church domes, visible from bayside heights near Rizal Park
- Dry-season evenings from December to February, when terrace air is coolest and least humid
- City lights spreading across Metro Manila at dusk, from the bay to the eastern suburbs
- The Sierra Madre ridge on the eastern horizon on the clearest dry-season mornings
Local tips
- ✓Book a Makati or Bonifacio Global City hotel for a skyline of towers, and a bayside address in Malate or Pasay for open water at sunset.
- ✓Head up in late afternoon: sunset falls between roughly 5:30 and 6:30pm all year, so the golden light arrives earlier than many visitors expect.
- ✓Check whether a terrace is open to non-guests before you go; some hotels keep their upper decks and pools for residents or ask for a reservation.
- ✓Dress light but neat: humidity stays high after dark, and many hotel bars in Makati and BGC ask for smart casual wear rather than beachwear.
- ✓Pick a hotel with a covered or partly indoor deck between June and October, when monsoon downpours often roll in during the afternoon.
- ✓Leave early for any rooftop across town, as rush-hour traffic on EDSA between Makati, BGC and the bay can easily swallow your golden hour.
Where to stay
FAQ
When is the best time of year for rooftop hotels in Manila?
December to May is the dry season and the most dependable stretch for open-air terraces. December to February brings the coolest, least humid evenings, while March to May turns properly hot; from June to October, monsoon rain and typhoons regularly close terraces for an afternoon or longer.
Can you see Manila Bay from rooftop hotels in Manila?
Yes, from hotels on or near Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Ermita and Pasay, which face the bay directly. Further inland in Makati or Bonifacio Global City, the water shows only as a thin band on the western horizon, so book bayside if open water matters most to you.
Can non-guests visit hotel rooftops in Manila?
Many hotel rooftop bars and restaurants in Manila welcome outside visitors, although rules vary by property and pools are usually kept for residents. Reserving ahead is wise on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the tables facing the sunset or the Makati skyline fill up first.
Which Manila neighborhoods have the best rooftop views?
Makati and Bonifacio Global City have the densest high-rise skylines and the largest choice of tower hotels, while Malate and Pasay give you the bay and its sunsets. Ortigas and Araneta City in Quezon City add wider views toward the eastern suburbs and hills.
What time is sunset in Manila?
Sunset in Manila falls between about 5:25pm in late November and 6:30pm around late June, so the window barely moves through the year. Aim to reach the terrace roughly half an hour earlier to catch the warm light on the bay and the Makati towers.
Do Manila rooftop bars have a dress code?
Many do, especially hotel bars in Makati and Bonifacio Global City, which usually ask for smart casual clothes. Flip-flops, sleeveless tops for men and beachwear are the items most often refused at the door, so pack one light, neat outfit for evenings upstairs.