Manila, Philippines: Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Bonifacio Global City, the archipelago’s most exciting neighborhood

In January 2018, the Grand Hyatt Manila made its Philippine debut at the Metrobank Center, a 1,043-foot skyscraper — the tallest in the country. The hotel’s 461 rooms and suites occupy the top 25 floors of the building. Shiny wood furniture and veined marble bathrooms add a glamorous touch to each room, but it’s the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the skyline that really make your stay. There are also eight dining concepts here, including casual bites at the Pool House, where you can sip on frozen daiquiris next to one of the city’s best hotel pools.

Many Filipinos trade the sweltering streets of Manila seen here for huge, air-conditioned malls.

Christian Ang/Unsplash

But shopping still has to be done outside – like at this stand for fresh coconuts.

Nikada/Getty

Best things to do in Metro Manila, Philippines

In Manila, do as the Filipinos do by shopping while they shop. Filipinos love to spend hours (and hours) in massive air-conditioned malls, transforming these business towers into dynamic cultural epicenters — legend has it that one of the country’s first air-conditioned buildings was a mall. And BGC is no different; There are a number of different malls here, but the newest is a transplant from Japan, which opened in November 2022: The four-story Mitsukoshi BGC houses mostly Japanese vendors like the bookstore Kinokuniya and the global steakhouse chain Ikinari Steak, which has over 320 branches in Japan , and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory. The latter has just launched Nama Donuts, pillowy, cloud-like treats filled with Hokkaido cream. Local streetwear brand MN+LA also brought its collection of cotton hoodies, wide-leg pants and graphic tees to a new ground-floor store.

Fitness lovers will also find plenty of active activities. Jog or horseback ride across Track 30th, an open lawn between BGC’s high-rise buildings, with a 1,000-foot running track and exercise and yoga platforms. For more cultural activities, the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc has programs throughout the neighborhood, be it the BGC Arts Center’s Art Mart (a monthly weekend market for local artists), its musical theater workshops, the BGC Public Art program or The Mind Museum with its family-friendly space and natural history exhibits.

If you’re looking for a rousing night out, add Nectar Nightclub to your must-do list in Manila. This lively hotspot is a major fixture in the area’s queer nightlife, and many of the area’s top drag queens, including those who competed in the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines, make frequent appearances here. It’s a fantastic place to celebrate the Filipino drag scene (and party with locals), especially as drag artists continue to come under fire in the United States.

Gallery by Chele is an upscale restaurant with an ever-changing menu.

Gallery of Chele

Seen here is an entry in the “Montañes” course, which consists of a meat concoction wrapped in kale.

Gallery of Chele

where should we eat

When it comes to must-know restaurants and bars, the BGC is perhaps the most dynamic neighborhood in the capital region; There seems to be a lively opening almost every week. The above hotels would be a good place to start. Both have so many restaurants, but at the Grand Hyatt, the showpiece is The Peak, a grill-meets-cocktail-bar-meets-whisk-library on the top floor of the 60-story building. The menu is based on prime cuts of meat from around the world (Japan, Australia) as well as the equally global selection of very old, very expensive whiskeys. The lustrous, textured interior and incredible views of Manila provide a fantastic backdrop for an elegant evening.