Hyatt Regency Manila, City of Dreams

Opened in 2015, the Hyatt is one of three hotels located within the grounds of the City of Dreams shopping and entertainment center; the other two are Nobu Hotel Manila and the Crown Towers Manila. From the outside, they all look the same: mirrored facades with golden shades, massive entrances, and tight security measures that include luggage scanning. The Hyatt, however, has a smaller lobby than the other two properties, as a big part of the ground floor is taken up by the casino. Huge black pillars flank the glass doors opening to the reception area, and high ceilings make the space look impressive despite its relatively small size. The centerpiece of the lobby is a winding light installation hanging above the front desk area. Dozens of small, round lamps in different shades of tan adorn the ceiling, giving the space a funky yet elegant touch. Curvy planks of dark wood break the linear design of the walls, while a small seating area with a rug in gray and orange hues adds some color to the lobby’s dark color scheme. 

The hotel is located inside the City of Dreams, a huge shopping and entertainment center with dozens of shops and restaurants, a casino, three hotels, several famous clubs, and a huge entertainment area for kids. One of the airport’s runways can be seen from some rooms, but although the terminals are nearby, the drive there can take between 15 minutes and one hour, depending on traffic. The Makati and Ortigas business and entertainment districts can be reached in about 30 to 35 minutes. The SMX Convention Center and the Philippine International Convention Center are each about 15 to 25 minutes from the hotel, and the hotel offers free shuttle service to famous Mall of Asia. All in all, it’s a convenient location for shoppers and business travelers, but those looking to explore the city’s historic sights in and around Intramuros may want to stay closer to the center. 

The hotel has 365 elegantly decorated rooms with striped dark-wood furniture, ochre carpets with simple white geometric patterns, and a brown color palette. Tan accent walls behind the beds add some texture. Although the style is a tad generic and lacking in local character, the overall feel is classy and upscale, and the many small lights give off warm light. Rooms feature 42-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, safes big enough for a laptop, coffeemakers, and feather pillows. Bathrooms are stylish and upscale, with round sinks over black counters, marble-clad surfaces, and glass-enclosed walk-in showers. All but Standard Rooms have separate soaking tubs. Club Room guests get access to a stylish lounge offering great freebies such as free breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and evening drinks. Light sleepers may want to request a room away from the main road.

Aside from the many dining options at adjacent City of Lights center, the hotel offers two on-site restaurants, both located on the lobby level. The main venue is The Cafe, a large, stylish restaurant open 24/7 and serving a huge buffet spread as well as a la carte menus. It is pricey, but past guests claim it's worth the splurge. The Lounge is a more casual spot for smaller bites, including snacks, pastries, and tapas. Also off the lobby is the casino, which offers plenty of slot machines and gambling tables. The rooftop deck houses a big outdoor pool lined with lounge chairs as well as a small plunge pool for children and a whirlpool. The fitness center is small but well-equipped with cardio and strength-training machines, and has large windows that let in lots of natural light. The Hyatt also has a Franck Provost salon with make-up, hair and nail services, but it lacks a full spa. The large ballroom can sit up to 500 guests and can be divided into three smaller meeting rooms. Additionally, there’s a 12-person boardroom for small corporate events. Parking and hotel-wide Wi-Fi are free.