International tourists and locals looking for a place to stay with a rich sense of history close to Manila’s major landmarks might want to check into Rizal Park Hotel. This boutique hotel located along Manila Bay is relatively new and has a unique history as it adaptively reuses the former Manila Army and Navy Club building, a National Historical Landmark originally built in 1911.

The hotel instantly transports guests to the glitz and glamour of old Manila, but will all the modern comforts.

My family and I stayed overnight here in July 2023 to celebrate my mom’s birthday after an event in the Taft area. While the hotel looks fancy, room stays are not as expensive as other hotels in the area and it’s located near the National Museum complex.

We originally planned to visit several museums and restaurants nearby but the weather wasn’t great during the time of our visit, so we ended up just enjoying a staycation at the hotel. In case you’re looking for a place to stay in Manila, here’s what you can expect from Rizal Park Hotel.

Location

Rizal Park Hotel is located along South Road Drive, Kalaw Ave, Ext, Manila in the Manila Bay District. Nearby landmarks include Manila Ocean Park and Quirino Grandstand. The location serves as a good jump-off point for other spots in Manila, including Rizal Park (just 500 meters away), Museo Pambata, the National Museum of Natural History, Fine Arts, and Anthropology, and Manila Zoo. Intramuros is just 1.2 km away.

History

According to the National Historical Landmark marker on site, the Army and Navy Club Building was originally designed by William R. Parsons as part of Daniel Burnham’s plan for the city of Manila.

Inaugurated on April 19, 1911, the building served as the clubhouse of the Army and Navy Club of Manila from 1911 to 1942 and 1946 to 1980. It underwent massive reconstruction after sustaining heavy damage during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

After being declared a national historical landmark in 1991, the building was rehabilitated again from 2014 to 2017 by hotel developer Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp. and it was reopened to the public on July 26, 2017.

Ambiance

Today, Rizal Park Hotel offers a hotel and events venue that looks like something out of a history book or vintage postcard. It’s become a popular venue for weddings, events, and photoshoots because of the classic interiors.

Both the exteriors and interiors of the hotel feature the trademark arches that original Architect William Parsons favored in his designs a century ago.

The hotel manages to feel both old and new. The impressive, airy lobby boasts of classic black and white checkerboard tiles complemented by pops of color in the carpet going up the stairway and stained glass windows surrounding the dramatic domed ceiling.

Rooms

The modern hotel now features 110 beautifully-designed rooms that embody a unique colonial-era design. The hotel has rooms ranging from deluxe rooms, junior suites, premier suites, and an Army Navy Club Suite, also known as the Presidential Suite.

The neutral nude tones dominating the room and touches of gold hardware and nostalgic tiles, make each room feel light, yet luxurious. Each room is equipped with modern conveniences like a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and a small coffee and tea making station. Some of the larger rooms, also have a couch and sitting area.

Swimming pool and courtyard

There’s an infinity pool that gives guests a view of the sea and famous Manila Bay sunsets on the fourth floor of the annex building. There’s also a gym and sauna right next to the pool area that guests can enjoy during their stay.

Aside from the main dining area, there’s also a secluded al fresco courtyard in the ground floor in the middle of the hotel.

Dining

The hotel has fully-equipped entertainment facilities such as a spa, a coffee shop, a sky bar, a courtyard, function halls, a casino, marina, and in-house restaurant Café Rizal that offers guests a place to enjoy fine dining or buffet meals.

Cafe Rizal offers a buffet spread with Western, Chinese, Japanese, and local selections. Guests can also order via their ala carte menu like pizza and pasta for snacks, appetizers, and main dishes.

How to book

We stayed in a Deluxe Room that cost around P4,602.51 per night for 2 pax. Get discounts on room rates when booking rooms via Agoda here.

Address and contact info

Rizal Park Hotel is located at South Road Drive, TM Kalaw Extension, Ermita, Philippines.

• Contact numbers: Tel: (02) 8804-8700
• Email: reservations@rizalparkhotelmanila.com
• Website: www.rizalparkhotelmanila.com

NOTE: A version of this article “Enjoy history in style at Rizal Park Hotel” was first published in The Philippine Star’s Property Report (Sept. 1, 2023). Additional photos from Rizal Park Hotel’s website.