Mandarin Oriental To Make A Comeback in 2026

(SPOT.ph) Mandarin Oriental, the iconic hotel that once stood as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the heart of Makati City, is set to reopen in 2026, promising “world-class experiences.”

Being developed by AyalaLand, the hotel will make its comeback at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, a prime address at the Makati Central Business District. It will have 276 rooms and “an array of amenities, from top-tier dining options to its renowned spa experience.”

“We are excited to witness how this structure will help Makati's landscape evolve as well as provide our community world-class experiences!” Ayala Land said in a Facebook post.

The post came with a preview of the new Mandarin Oriental— two adjacent towers that, by the looks of it, will come to reshape the famed Makati Skyline.

The good news came in the wake of reports that another hotel gem, Sofitel Manila, was closing down. 

Also read: Here's What We Know About Sofitel Closing This Year

Netizens welcomed the return with positive comments. “#ForeveraFan,” said one commenter.

A former employee said: “1^st real job experience. Happy memories.”

The old Mandarin Oriental, located on Makati Avenue corner Paseo De Roxas, closed its doors in 2014, after 38 years of operations. In announcing its closure, its then management said it was set to reopen in 2020, but the pandemic apparently delayed its return.

In a 2014 disclosure, AyalaLand Inc. said its subsidiary AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corporation had “signed a long-term management agreement with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) to develop and operate a luxury hotel in Makati City” as part of its portfolio expansion.

Countdown to the opening

AyalaLand and MOHG has started counting down to the opening of the new Mandarin Oriental, with officials visiting its new site in April.

“Mandarin Oriental Makati reflects our commitment to exceptional quality and to continually setting new standards that solidify our leadership in the Philippine hotel industry,” said AyalaLand Hotels and Reports Corp. president and CEO George Aquino.

“As a brand that was born in Asia, Mandarin Oriental has always been at the heart of the region’s development and evolving culture. We’re optimistic about the future prospects of the Philippines, and are happy to be returning to the country now,” said Christoph Mares, MOHG COO.

Also read: Bring Your Bikes and Skates as Ayala Triangle Opens a Car-Free Fitness Loop