(SPOT.ph) Manila City, the country's capital, is a place you can both love and hate. While it is plagued with traffic jams, frequent flooding, and pollution, it is also home to heritage sites and historical destinations like no other. It takes pride in having structures dating back to the Spanish occupation, such as Intramuros, Manila Cathedral, and San Agustin Church. Even its hotels have great stories to tell, especially the country's oldest premier hotel: the century-old The Manila Hotel. And at the center of it is the MacArthur Suite, which has overnight rates at P400,000 for four people.
The Legendary MacArthur Suite of The Manila Hotel
One of the many cool trivias about The Manila Hotel is that it was once the home of General Douglas MacArthur during his tenure as the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines from 1935 to 1941. The hotel was already more than two decades old back then, and the general commissioned Architect Pedro Luna, son of Juan Luna, to construct a penthouse suite for him, his wife Jean, and his son Arthur on the building's fifth floor.
MacArthur was even given the honorary title of "General Manager," which started only as a figurehead status just to balance out the cost of his suite. But the general actually attended monthly meetings and became involved with the management of the hotel. According to The Manila Hotel's website, MacArthur's favorite food at the hotel was lapu-lapu.
While the current MacArthur Suite is only part of General MacArthur's family's fifth-floor's penthouse, the space was refurbished to replicate the original design of his home at The Manila Hotel. It has a master's bedroom with a dressing room, one guest room with twin beds, one powder room, two bathrooms with Bvlgari amenities, a study room, a dining table for 10, and a fully equipped kitchen. Guests also get 24-hour butler service and access to the Executive Club. The drapes and bedding are made from hand-embroidered jusi. But the Suite's best feature is its view of Manila Bay's famous sunset.
Check out these photos of The Manila Hotel's MacArthur Suite:
Check out our Tiktok video of this Manila hotel:
@spot.ph Sleep in what was once the home of General MacArthur at the historic Manila Hotel. #SpotPH #SpotStays #MacArthurSuite #TheManilaHotel ♬ Hotel Room - Corbelet, Barthélémy
The Manila Hotel is at One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila City. Rates for MacArthur Suite start at P400,000. To book, contact (02) 8527-0011 or e-mail resvn@themanilahotel.com.