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The Michelin Guide Added Nine More Philippine Hotels to Its Roster of Recommendations
The Westin Manila and NUSTAR in Cebu made it to the list.
by Jerome Gomez
Published on Aug 21, 2025
(SPOT.ph) They started with six, added five more in April this year, and now there are 20 Philippine hotels in the Michelin Guide Hotels list. Yes, nine more hotel properties in the country debuted in the list while we were all sleeping: four are located in Manila, three in Cebu, two in El Nido and one in Boracay.
Why is making it to the list a big deal? Well, because the Michelin Guide is the preeminent influencer in the world when it comes to guiding people where to eat (select Philippine dining spots are expected to get their own Michelin Guide citations before the year ends), and perhaps unknown to many, the guide has also been giving hotel recommendations since the 1920s. The Philippines, however, has only started to figure in the list last year.
Be that as it may, if a hotel makes it to the list, it’s considered among the best of the best—selected by hospitality experts, experienced travelers, and design and architecture specialists. Put simply and to use the Michelin description, they “excel in design, architecture, service and personality.” Now to earn a Michelin Key, that means belonging to a more rarefied league—“the MICHELIN Key denotes the absolute most outstanding experiences in our selection.” It’s the equivalent of a star in the dining stratosphere. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re hoping that in the near future, a Michelin Key for the Philippines is, well, uh, in the stars.
Why is making it to the list a big deal? Well, because the Michelin Guide is the preeminent influencer in the world when it comes to guiding people where to eat (select Philippine dining spots are expected to get their own Michelin Guide citations before the year ends), and perhaps unknown to many, the guide has also been giving hotel recommendations since the 1920s. The Philippines, however, has only started to figure in the list last year.
Be that as it may, if a hotel makes it to the list, it’s considered among the best of the best—selected by hospitality experts, experienced travelers, and design and architecture specialists. Put simply and to use the Michelin description, they “excel in design, architecture, service and personality.” Now to earn a Michelin Key, that means belonging to a more rarefied league—“the MICHELIN Key denotes the absolute most outstanding experiences in our selection.” It’s the equivalent of a star in the dining stratosphere. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re hoping that in the near future, a Michelin Key for the Philippines is, well, uh, in the stars.
The New Philippine Hotels Added to the Michelin Guide
Anyway, which Philippine hotels are the latest additions to the Michelin Guide? Joining the ranks of Amanpulo, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebu, Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao, The Peninsula Manila, Admiral Hotel Manila-M Gallery (the five initial Michelin honorees), Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, Fairmont Makati, Raffles Makati, and Shangri-La The Fort, are:
The Westin Manila
What the Guide says: "The Westin Manila brings a wellness-forward perspective to Ortigas Center, one of Metro Manila’s busiest commercial districts. Rooms are generously sized and insulated from the city’s buzz, with floor-to-ceiling windows, soft-toned interiors, and the brand’s signature Heavenly Beds."
The Westin Manila
What the Guide says: "The Westin Manila brings a wellness-forward perspective to Ortigas Center, one of Metro Manila’s busiest commercial districts. Rooms are generously sized and insulated from the city’s buzz, with floor-to-ceiling windows, soft-toned interiors, and the brand’s signature Heavenly Beds."
Nustar Hotel Cebu
What the Guide says: "NUSTAR Hotel’s rooms and suites are oversized, with deep soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over sea or skyline. And while the atmosphere is design-hotel hip, it’s also relaxed and unhurried — though the energy picks up in the tasting room, lounge, and pool villas."
What the Guide says: "NUSTAR Hotel’s rooms and suites are oversized, with deep soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over sea or skyline. And while the atmosphere is design-hotel hip, it’s also relaxed and unhurried — though the energy picks up in the tasting room, lounge, and pool villas."
Hotel Okura Manila at Newport World Resorts
What the Guide says: “Upscale Japanese elegance infuses public spaces, most notably on the rooftop, which boasts a bar, heated pool, Zen garden, and spa area. Rooms are sleek and contemporary with cityscape views, and some come with hinoki wooden tubs.”
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort
What the Guide says: "Brings together Filipino warmth and Thai hospitality, offering intuitive service and one of the most impressive infinity pools in the region. Rooms are bright and comfortable, many with balconies made for sunset-watching."
What the Guide says: “Upscale Japanese elegance infuses public spaces, most notably on the rooftop, which boasts a bar, heated pool, Zen garden, and spa area. Rooms are sleek and contemporary with cityscape views, and some come with hinoki wooden tubs.”
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort
What the Guide says: "Brings together Filipino warmth and Thai hospitality, offering intuitive service and one of the most impressive infinity pools in the region. Rooms are bright and comfortable, many with balconies made for sunset-watching."
Click to Enlarge
Inside Piece Lio in El Nido. Photo from the hotel's Instagram.
Piece Lio at El Nido
What the Guide says: "Piece Lio sits within the protected Lio Tourism Estate, where Japanese-inspired architecture meets Palawan’s wild scenery. This partnership between H Hotel Group and the Piece brand brings a crisp, minimal style to the resort, from the landscaped gardens to sunlit rooms."
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort
What the Guide says: "Set along a white-sand stretch of Mactan’s coast, just half an hour from the airport. Rooms and suites are among the island’s largest, with balconies, soaking tubs, and views over the gardens or sea."
City of Dreams - Nobu Hotel Manila
What the Guide says: "Brings the brand’s signature Japanese aesthetic and easy glamour to the Philippines, as part of the City of Dreams complex in Entertainment City. Though you are steps from the casino and nightlife, the hotel itself is composed and design-forward, with bamboo details, low-slung furniture, and sleek, sun-filled rooms."
Grand Hyatt Manila
What the Guide says: "Delivers high-rise hospitality on an impressive scale. Its rooms and suites feature large windows, marble bathrooms, and warm wood finishes, along with expansive city views."
The Lind Boracay
What the Guide says: "Details like Malin + Goetz amenities and sculptural lighting nod to its lifestyle-hotel roots, while the service remains distinctly Filipino: warm, attentive, and unpretentious. The Lind is where good design and genuine hospitality go hand in hand."
The Funny Lion, El Nido
What the Guide says: "The Funny Lion stands out with 50 designer rooms and an atmosphere that is buzzing but never chaotic. Rooms are bright and functional, each with a veranda overlooking the pool and plenty of little comforts for downtime between adventures. Rooms are smartly laid out, with locally sourced materials, clever lighting, and breezy balconies facing the pool."
What the Guide says: "Piece Lio sits within the protected Lio Tourism Estate, where Japanese-inspired architecture meets Palawan’s wild scenery. This partnership between H Hotel Group and the Piece brand brings a crisp, minimal style to the resort, from the landscaped gardens to sunlit rooms."
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort
What the Guide says: "Set along a white-sand stretch of Mactan’s coast, just half an hour from the airport. Rooms and suites are among the island’s largest, with balconies, soaking tubs, and views over the gardens or sea."
City of Dreams - Nobu Hotel Manila
What the Guide says: "Brings the brand’s signature Japanese aesthetic and easy glamour to the Philippines, as part of the City of Dreams complex in Entertainment City. Though you are steps from the casino and nightlife, the hotel itself is composed and design-forward, with bamboo details, low-slung furniture, and sleek, sun-filled rooms."
Grand Hyatt Manila
What the Guide says: "Delivers high-rise hospitality on an impressive scale. Its rooms and suites feature large windows, marble bathrooms, and warm wood finishes, along with expansive city views."
The Lind Boracay
What the Guide says: "Details like Malin + Goetz amenities and sculptural lighting nod to its lifestyle-hotel roots, while the service remains distinctly Filipino: warm, attentive, and unpretentious. The Lind is where good design and genuine hospitality go hand in hand."
The Funny Lion, El Nido
What the Guide says: "The Funny Lion stands out with 50 designer rooms and an atmosphere that is buzzing but never chaotic. Rooms are bright and functional, each with a veranda overlooking the pool and plenty of little comforts for downtime between adventures. Rooms are smartly laid out, with locally sourced materials, clever lighting, and breezy balconies facing the pool."
Jerome Gomez is Spot's EIC. He counts knowing how to roast a chicken, make Korean army stew, and mix a good Negroni among his great accomplishments in life.
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