Hotels in Manila
Manila is the Philippines' dense capital on Manila Bay, stretching from historic Intramuros through the business towers of Makati and Bonifacio Global City to the reclaimed waterfront around Mall of Asia. Its pool hotels range from condotel staycations near the bay to five-star towers in the financial district.
Hotels in Manila cluster around a handful of very different districts, and picking the right one decides whether a stay revolves around traffic or around a pool deck. Makati's central business district holds the highest concentration of five-star towers with rooftop and spa pools, walkable to Greenbelt and Glorietta malls. Bonifacio Global City (BGC) offers a newer, more orderly grid with condotel-style pools near Bonifacio High Street. Pasay, around SM Mall of Asia and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is where staycation aparthotels with smaller, quieter pools concentrate, useful for late flights or families avoiding downtown traffic. Quezon City, further north, mixes business hotels with outdoor pools at a lower price point. EDSA traffic between these districts can eat an hour at peak times, so most travellers pick one base and stay close to it.
Manila in numbers
Indoor poolSpacious 1BR APT near Nightlife and Business Center in Makati
Both a rooftop and indoor pool in one Makati building
Outdoor pool2BR at the FORT BGC near Malls, Restaurants & Shops
A garden pool and hot tub steps from Bonifacio High Street
Outdoor poolHotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts
A resort pool inside the Newport casino complex
Outdoor poolAscott Bonifacio Global City Manila
An outdoor pool 130 metres from The Mind Museum
Outdoor poolGrand Hyatt Manila
A year-round pool, hot tub, and child-friendly pool in BGC
Private poolObetskie's Haven Condotel
A condotel pool with spa, bar, and playground bundled in
Lap / Olympic poolMakati Diamond Residences
A 25-metre lap pool across from Greenbelt
Outdoor poolMy Humble Abode at Shore 3
A garden-set pool a short stroll from Mall of Asia
Infinity poolDiscovery Primea
An urban infinity pool 400 metres from Glorietta
Spa / thermal poolLanson Place Mall of Asia Manila
A rooftop pool with sea views and a kids' pool too
Outdoor poolThe Peninsula Manila
A five-star pool bar in the heart of Makati
Indoor poolKL Executive Greenbelt (KLX)
An indoor pool and sauna five minutes from Greenbelt
Outdoor poolSomerset Central Salcedo Makati
A year-round family pool minutes from Greenbelt
Outdoor pool101 Newport blvd C2 4F by Rechelle Nunag
A garden pool with sauna, steam room, and spa bath
Outdoor poolThe B Hotel Quezon City
A Quezon City pool deck away from Makati's prices
Private poolSHORE 2 MOA Staycation T2 U1712
A quieter private pool a short walk from Mall of Asia
Outdoor poolSeda Vertis North Quezon City
A city-view pool beside Ayala Malls Vertis North
What to expect
- Makati: the highest density of five-star hotels with rooftop and spa pools, next to Greenbelt and Glorietta malls
- Bonifacio Global City: newer condotel towers with pool decks, a short walk from Bonifacio High Street
- Pasay and Mall of Asia: staycation aparthotels with smaller pools, closest to Ninoy Aquino International Airport
- Quezon City: business-district hotels with outdoor pools at generally lower rates
- Dry season (December to May) gives the most reliable pool weather; June to November brings heavier rain
- EDSA and Metro Manila traffic can turn a short map distance into an hour-long transfer at peak times
Local tips
- Pick your district first, not your hotel: Makati, BGC, and Pasay each have a distinct atmosphere and their own traffic to navigate.
- Book a hotel near Mall of Asia if your flight lands or departs late, the airport is only minutes away.
- Aim for the dry season, December through May, to enjoy an outdoor pool without rain interruptions.
- Build in extra time between districts during peak hours, EDSA traffic can turn a 5 km trip into an hour.
- Consider the LRT or MRT train to skip traffic between Makati, BGC, and the historic centre.
Where to stay
FAQ
Which district should I choose for a Manila pool hotel?
Makati has the most hotels with rooftop and spa pools, BGC offers newer condotel towers with pools, and Pasay near Mall of Asia suits short stays close to the airport.
What types of pool accommodation are available in Manila?
Options range from condotels and aparthotels with small shared pools in Pasay and BGC to five-star Makati towers with infinity pools, spas, and waterside bars.
What is the best time to visit Manila for a pool-focused trip?
The dry season, December to May, gives the clearest skies for an outdoor pool, while the wet season, June to November, favours hotels with an indoor or heated pool.
Where should I stay in Manila to avoid traffic?
Staying in one district limits transfers: Makati and BGC are both walkable to their own malls, while Pasay remains the best base for an early morning or late night flight.