Conrad Manila Review: A Comfortable Stay on the Bay for $259 a Night

The short version: Conrad Manila is the comfortable choice on the bay. It’s a modern hotel shaped almost like a boat, next to the Mall of Asia and connected to its own quieter mall, S Maison. The ground floor is low-key, but the third-floor lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows over Manila Bay, is where it shines. The room is a little smaller than the big Makati hotels but has no real flaws, check-in is fast, staff say “Mabuhay” every time they pass you, and you never wait for an elevator. The outside could use a refresh, and the buffet is big but not memorable. At about $259 a night all in with breakfast, it’s a great value. Book the garden view, not the ocean view.

I stayed at Conrad Manila for one night, October 25 to 26, 2026, on my own, in a room with two queen beds, and my family joined me for the Halloween dinner at the Brasserie. I booked direct with Hilton, paying cash rather than points, and moved from an ocean view to a garden view. I paid for everything myself, and nothing was comped.

Pros

• The third-floor lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the bay
• A modern, quiet room with no real flaws and automatic blackout curtains
• Fast check-in and friendly staff
• Elevator banks all over the building, so you never wait
• A clean, high-ceilinged gym with the treadmills facing the pool
• Filipino touches, from balut at breakfast to the carabao at turndown
• Connected to S Maison, a quieter, higher-end mall next to the MOA
• So much nearby: the Mall of Asia, the bay and boardwalk, the MOA Eye, the Space & Time Cube
• A great value at about $259 a night with breakfast

Cons

• The outside could use a power wash and some upkeep
• The buffet is big but not memorable
• Only two pillows per bed
• The ocean view mostly looks at the mall and the road
• Some light wear in the room
• Breakfast isn’t included in the room rate

Getting there

The Conrad is on Seaside Boulevard in Pasay, right on the water next to the Mall of Asia, about 6 km or 15 minutes from the airport. The area is modern and busy, built around the mall. The hotel connects to S Maison, which is basically the Conrad’s own mall: a slightly higher-end version of part of the MOA, bigger and quieter.

Arriving

The main entrance is on the ground floor, facing the bay rather than the mall. Security is normal for a higher-end hotel in the Philippines, if a little more formal than most: there’s a proper line to follow, where other hotels feel more open.

Inside, there’s a small café on the right, Brú, a small seating area, a few concierge staff and the elevators. It’s narrow, with high ceilings and dark brown undertones, it feels Southeast Asian and modern, and it smells good, like most Conrads. It isn’t meant to be the showpiece; that’s upstairs.

The lobby

Go up to three, where check-in is, and that’s where the beauty hits you. Tall floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the whole bay. During the day the sun shades are often down, so you can’t always see out clearly, but it’s light, bright and airy.

Check-in is on the right, and it’s smooth; there’s never really a line. On the left is the seating, and past it the Brasserie on 3. The lobby has free Wi-Fi anyone can use, so a fair number of the people sitting there may not be guests. It doesn’t bother me, and being up on three keeps out most of the crowd anyway.

There are elevator banks in several parts of the hotel, three elevators each, and they’re fast. With more than a hundred rooms per floor, that spreads people out, and I never waited. It’s a very good design.

The room: 8 out of 10

It’s a little smaller than rooms at the Raffles, the Peninsula or the Makati Shangri-La, but it’s an all-around good room with no real flaws. It isn’t the most unique room, but it’s well thought out: automatic curtains and blinds that get fairly dark, and all the connectors you need by the bed. The TV said “Welcome, Mr. Ansusinha,” which is a nice touch.

I slept well. The AC is good and not too loud, and goes down to 18.5°C. The bed is comfortable and the bedding is thick. It was quiet, about 43 decibels in the room. The only small things: two pillows per bed, where many luxury hotels give four, and Wi-Fi of about 14 Mbps, very usable but not fast.

The bathroom is good. The shower is fairly large, with good pressure, a rain shower and a handheld, and three separate controls. It got fairly warm, so it passes the shower test. The toiletries are Byredo Mojave Ghost, and the toilet has its own small room, with a phone.

The minibar has the usual, at hotel prices: Coke ₱200, San Miguel ₱260, dried mangoes ₱650. In-room dining runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There’s a little wear in places, like the finish peeling around the bedside outlets and a frayed carpet edge by the window. A few spots could be a touch cleaner. Small things, and they didn’t bother me.

Get the garden view

My first room, 4101, was an ocean view, and I moved to 5073, a garden view on the fifth floor, which I think is the better room. The “ocean view” doesn’t always face the ocean; it faces more of the mall and the road, so it’s noisier from the cars. It also costs more. The garden view looks over the fourth-floor garden, and it was ₱800 less.

The setting: 7.5 out of 10

It’s a tricky one to score. You’re right at the Mall of Asia, a major tourist spot, with S Maison next door and the boardwalk along the water. Inside there’s a pool, a gym, a spa and event space for weddings.

The pool is on three, and it’s enclosed by the hotel rather than facing the bay. I have mixed thoughts on that: it would be nice to face the water, but it gets very windy and very sunny out there, so I understand it. It’s a nice pool, if not incredibly memorable, and it gets a little busy but never too packed.

The gym, also on three, is quite nice: expansive, high ceilings, brown undertones, clean, and it smells good, which is a theme here. The machines are Technogym and Life Fitness, and the treadmills all face the pool. Staff hand you a towel right away and don’t ask for your room number, which I like; not asking makes you feel welcome.

The spa is on four, which is the one layout change I’d make; it would be nicer to have the gym, pool and spa together. It’s a very calm space, with dark undertones, a little light coming in and sand at the bottom, and it smells clean and relaxing. I didn’t get a massage. On booking sites, a 60-minute massage with spa access is about $67, fair for a luxury Manila hotel but more than double a mobile massage.

The fourth floor also has a beautiful garden that opens up as soon as you step out of the elevators, and the hallways and carpets throughout are well kept.

The outside could use a refresh

Step outside, though, and the building shows its age a little: water stains down the facade, some cracked stairs on the side, and grass that could be trimmed. It’s a modern, striking hotel, almost like a high-end boat on the water, a bit like the St. Regis Costa Mujeres. I understand the weather makes upkeep hard, but a good power wash and some repainting would go a long way.

What to do nearby

The hotel itself has less going on than the casino resorts down the road, but step outside and there’s more to do here than almost anywhere in Manila:

• SM Mall of Asia, one of the biggest malls in the country, with an ice rink inside.
• SM by the Bay and the MOA Eye, the seaside amusement park and Ferris wheel you can see from the lobby. The boardwalk next to the MOA Eye is a romantic spot for couples at sunset. Bring cash.
• The Space & Time Cube, an immersive art museum in S Maison, connected to the hotel. It’s excellent, and great for a date or for families.
• IKEA Pasay, one of the biggest IKEAs in the world, right behind the garden.
• MOA Arena and the SMX Convention Center for concerts and conventions.

The food: 7.5 out of 10

Brasserie on 3 is the buffet, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When I was there it was running a Harry Potter–themed Halloween dinner, ₱3,300 a person, and the staff took three photos of my family and me. It’s a big buffet, with seafood on ice, lechon, a rib roast, sushi, Indian curries, a halo-halo station and a whole candy table, and it’s big enough that it never feels crowded. The food was pretty good but not memorable; I think the Raffles buffet is better. My favorite was the lechon, an 8 out of 10; it’s one of my favorite Filipino dishes, and theirs is quite good. There are Western dishes too.

There’s also an outdoor terrace looking over the bay. Breakfast is ₱1,800 a person, 6 to 10:30 a.m., and isn’t included in the room rate. It has less selection than the Raffles but a good mix: an Indian station with dosa and idli, a cage-free egg station, pancit, kakanin, pandesal, a salad bar and cold cuts. The eggs were an 8 out of 10: soft, easy to crack, and there were always plenty out. They even have balut, a very Filipino, slightly quirky dish I was surprised to see. I like that; it feels like they’re bringing some Filipino style into the hotel. The one miss was the mango juice at the “freshly squeezed” bar, a 5 out of 10; it didn’t taste fresh squeezed, more like syrup.

It’s hard to tell in photos, but the wood floor in the breakfast room is a little warped in places. Like the outside, it’s the less obvious areas where I’d like to see the hotel kept up a little better.

C Lounge is a bar with mains, and I really like the space. There’s a spot that looks out over the water; it’s a bit small, with benches rather than chairs, but it’s beautiful, especially at night, usually with live music. It’s romantic, good for families and fine on your own, and I’ve never had trouble getting in, even the several times I went when I wasn’t staying here. The food, honestly, is just okay, a 6 out of 10; the setting is the reason to go. The day before my stay I had the tuyo Caesar (₱640) and the Mediterranean chips and dips (₱715) with a Coke Zero, and it came to ₱1,760 with service charge.

China Blue, on three, is the hotel’s high-end Chinese restaurant, by Jereme Leung, and it’s Michelin-selected. It’s beautiful and modern, and popular with locals. Full review here.

They could add maybe one more restaurant, but it’s a good selection, and with the MOA and S Maison next door, there’s no shortage of food.

Service: 8 out of 10

Great service; I have no complaints. Check-in was very fast. When I asked to move from the ocean view to a garden view, they found a room in about 45 minutes, inspected it before I moved in, and helped me move. At turndown they left a little Conrad Manila carabao, and the TV greeted me by name. The staff are always friendly; whenever they pass you, they say “Mabuhay.” And there are guards around the building to help if you’re lost.

What it cost

About $259 a night all in, for one person with breakfast. The garden-view room came to ₱14,785.34 with taxes and service charge, about $231, and breakfast is ₱1,800 on top. The ocean-view room I first booked was ₱15,585.34: ₱12,689.06 for the room, ₱1,627.37 in taxes and ₱1,268.91 in service charge.

Value: 8.5 out of 10

For under $260 a night, you get a modern, good-smelling hotel with good service and a room I had no complaints about. You also get the location: right on the water and the boardwalk, connected to S Maison, and next to the Mall of Asia, the MOA Eye and the Space & Time Cube. There’s a lot to do without a Grab. You also get real Filipino touches: balut at the buffet, the carabao at turndown, Filipino art around the Brasserie and the hallways, and a building that sits on the water like a boat. That’s a great value.

Vs. Solaire

I’ve also stayed at Solaire, a few minutes down the road, and the Conrad is the better hotel overall. It’s much quieter and more serious, and more Filipino-inspired. Solaire is livelier and has more restaurants inside, but between S Maison, the MOA and the bay, you actually get more to do around the Conrad. It also feels more welcoming and warmer, it isn’t as packed and doesn’t feel as mass-market, and the service is better and calmer. You do usually pay more for the Conrad, though at times the prices are about the same. And, of course, there’s no casino.

Who it’s for

Business travelers at the convention center, families going to the Mall of Asia, staycations, and anyone who just wants a comfortable stay. I wouldn’t spend your whole time in Manila here, but a night or two is a good way to see Pasay, the MOA and the bay. It may not be spectacular, but it’s comfortable, and you probably won’t have many issues.

Tips if you go

• Book the garden view: quieter, a nicer view, and ₱800 less.
• Breakfast isn’t included; it’s ₱1,800 a person at the Brasserie on 3.
• Skip the “freshly squeezed” mango juice; get the eggs and the lechon.
• Bring cash for SM by the Bay and the MOA Eye.
• Go to C Lounge at night for a drink by the water, more than for the food.
• The gym and pool are on three, the spa on four.
• For a massage, a mobile massage costs less than half the spa price.

I’ve since stayed at the Conrad Bangkok, which I also gave an 8. The two are very similar: both give you a little stuffed animal, and both feel inspired by where they are. Manila is maybe a little better, and Bangkok a little cheaper.

Verdict: 8 out of 10

You get a lot here, and almost all of it is pretty good: a beautiful lobby, a quiet, comfortable room, fast and friendly service, and the right spot for the MOA and the bay. The outside could use a refresh and the food isn’t the highlight, but if you want a comfortable stay, it’s a great choice. Would I stay again? Yes.

Breakfast matters? See my best Manila hotel breakfasts guide: nine buffets scored, with prices, hours and which rates include it.

FAQ

Where is Conrad Manila?

On Seaside Boulevard in Pasay, on Manila Bay, next to the Mall of Asia and connected to S Maison. About 6 km, or roughly 15 minutes, from the airport.

How much does Conrad Manila cost?

About $259 a night all in for one person with breakfast: ₱14,785.34 for a garden-view room with taxes and service charge, plus ₱1,800 for breakfast.

Is breakfast included at Conrad Manila?

Not on my rate. The breakfast buffet at the Brasserie on 3 is ₱1,800 a person, 6 to 10:30 a.m.

Garden view or ocean view?

Garden view. The ocean view mostly faces the mall and the road, it’s noisier, and it costs more.

Does Conrad Manila have a pool and gym?

Yes, both on the third floor. The pool is enclosed by the hotel rather than facing the bay, and the treadmills face the pool.

Is China Blue at Conrad Manila in the Michelin Guide?

Yes. China Blue by Jereme Leung is Michelin-selected in the Michelin Guide Philippines.

Conrad or Solaire?

The Conrad, for a quieter, warmer stay with better service and more to do nearby. Solaire is livelier, has more restaurants inside and a casino, and is usually a little cheaper.