For the next few weeks, I’ve decided to feature some of my favorite hotels around the world, simply because I love hotels. Last week I featured a business hotel in Manila. Today, I’d like to share my experience at the New World Manila Bay Hotel. I was very impressed with the accommodations, the casino, the breakfast buffet, and the staff.
Located on Manila Bay, the hotel is the second of two New World properties in the Philippines. The rooms are large and classy with a tub and shower to fit 4. Yes, I said FOUR. Not that I take showers with 4 people, but that’s how big they are. Don Ho always used to tell me that you can always tell a good hotel by how thick and new the towels are, and these guys went first class in that department. All marble with the good shampoo and body soap and not the stuff from a bucket bought in pallets. The bathroom gets an A.
The room came with a WIFI, a nice desk and first class mattress. I am a mattress expert when it comes to sleeping. I have seen them all in big to small hotels. My room at the New World had ample closet space and a sturdy safe for important storing personal belongings like my passport and credit cards. The in-house laundry service was most convenient. The hotel is full-service with a spa, a nice pool deck, and a great lounge near the front desk with live music.
I am breakfast guy and have seen some pretty bad buffets in my lifetime. The New World has an excellent breakfast buffet, complete with an omelette bar, and an abundance of Korean and Japanese choices for breakfast. They even have a noodle and pho bar and every day fresh juices and fruit from local farmers are brought in. The New World’s casino reminded me of Las Vegas, as it has 2 floors of all manner of gaming machines: black jack, poker, pai gow and even some Manny Paqiaou slot machines. If you’re looking for an affordable hotel in the hustle and bustle fast-developing Manila in the Philippines, the New World is an excellent choice. Tell them Lanai sent you!
