The 236-room Pan Pacific is a luxury hotel in Malate, a short walk from Manila Bay and several shopping malls. The hotel is known for its outstanding service and great amenities, including several restaurants and bars, a well-equipped fitness center, a business center with secretarial services, and a small pool complete with a whirlpool. Rooms are spacious, comfortable, and upscale, with separate showers and deep soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and pillow menus -- but decor lacks the wow factor of other high-end properties such as the Edsa Shangri-La. Neighboring New World Manila Bay Hotel is a little more expensive but has more stylish rooms and a spa. (Massages are available at Pan Pacific on the sun deck, but there is no full spa.)

This 510-room property is Manila’s grand dame. It wows guests with world-class service, opulent Filipiniana-style interiors, and top-notch amenities, including a wonderful spa, modern fitness center, large pool with a swim-up bar, and four outstanding restaurants. Rooms are some of the most decadent in Manila and have large marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. It may not be the city’s newest hotel, but it is one of the most luxurious and is a short walk from major tourist attractions such as Intramuros and Rizal Park.

The 147-room H2O is an upscale hotel offering the one-of-a-kind experience of, literally, sleeping with the fishes. Most rooms have striking views of Manila Bay, but Aqua Rooms are the highlight here, with huge wall-to-wall aquariums full of fish and jellyfish. There is a nice fitness center, relaxing spa, extensive meeting space, stylish lounge, and average restaurant. The property is in the same complex as the family-friendly Ocean Park, which means it can get loud with kids running around. Those traveling with kids will probably enjoy their stay; business travelers may find the property lacking in attention to detail and its location a bit out of the way.