Posts Tagged ‘Gen. Douglas MacArthur’

 

Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar places, people and culture is paramount.

Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

 

 

MANILA HOTEL

 

Photo from:  https://www.facebook.com/TheManilaHotel/

 

 

History

1941 December – Manila Hotel became the command post at the onslaught of the Japanese invasion. But MacArthur and his men were unable to hold off the advancing forces and he and his men withdrew to Corregidor.

Quick fact: When World War II broke out, Gen. MacArthur made Manila Hotel his command post. On the height of the war, the Japanese occupied Manila Hotel and Gen. MacArthur was forced to leave. On his memoirs, he told of joining the patrol to recapture the hotel from the Japanese High Command, writing, ”I was anxious to rescue as much as I could of my home atop the Manila Hotel.”

1942-1945 – Japanese flag flew over the hotel during occupation in WWII.

1945 – MacArthur returned and was eager to rescue his home atop Manila Hotel as it was reported to him that the penthouse was intact. Upon reaching new Luneta however, they were pinned down by machine gunfire coming from the hotel. Suddenly, they saw that the penthouse blazed into flames consuming MacArthur’s military library, his souvenirs, and other personal belongings.

1946 July 4 – Manila Hotel was reopened for people who were determined to live well.

1950s to 1960s- Manila Hotel were graced by the likes of Bob Hope, Marlon Brando, Tyrone Power, Secretary John Foster Dulles, Senator Robert Kennedy, Sir Anthony Eden, Charlton Heston, Burgees Meredith, the Rockefeller brothers, John Wayne, Publisher Henry Luce, Vice President Richard Nixon, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson, and other notable personalities.

1966 July 4 – The Beatles stayed at the Manila Hotel. Their experience in the Philippines was a significant point in the group’s history. After their tour in the Philippines, they decided to stop touring altogether and just focus on strictly making studio albums. None of the Beatles ever returned to the Philippines again.

1966 October – Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion was the venue for the ASEAN Summit Meeting. Six leaders discussed the worsening situation in war-torn Vietnam.

1970 – Philippine Constitutional Convention was held at the Fiesta Pavilion which was led by the political party of Marcos. Among the 320 delegates were former presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Carlos Garcia. It was comprised of very noisy meetings and lots of walkouts.

1974 January – In accordance to Presidential Decree 645, the old Manila Hotel Company was liquidated and GSIS was given the mandate to form a new subsidiary corporation which will restore, renovate, and expand the Manila Hotel.

1976 – The Manila Hotel was remodeled.

1977 October 6 – Inauguration and formal reopening ceremonies of Manila Hotel.

1970s-1980s – In last two decades, Imelda Marcos could be frequently seen at the hotel. When she visited restaurants, a red carpet and garlands were put out and the air was sprayed with deodorant.

1986 July 6- A group of military officers loyal to the deposed President Marcos, takes over the Manila Hotel and declared Arturo Tolentino, who was Mr. Marcos’s vice presidential running mate, as President. They surrender two days later.

1987 October 20 – Cory Aquino delivered a speech at the hotel that became the turning point in her campaign.

1995 – Supreme Court blocked a takeover bid by a Malaysian company using “Philippine First Policy”. Fifty one percent of the ownership was awarded to Manila Prince Corporation.

1997 April 25 – New owners joined 49 percent shareholder.

 

Rooms and Suites

Manila Hotel offers more than 500 guests rooms that are all equipped with modern amenities designed for comfort. The rooms are all exquisitely decorated in a classic Filipiniana theme visible in the use of capiz shells, wood furniture, and paintings by Filipino artists. Each room is spaciously outfitted with advanced in-room technology and takes advantage of the hotel’s location with the rooms overlooking the Manila Bay, the magnificent sunset, or the fascinating view of Intramuros.

 

Dining

Restaurants

– Indulge your epicurean cravings in our restaurants that offer an extensive selection of international and local cuisines. Dine at the Mabuhay Palace for a taste of authentic Cantonese dishes, have a taste of the most luxurious French cuisines at the Champagne Room, or enjoy a gastronomic tour of the world at the Café Ilang-Ilang.

Lounges and Bars

– Enjoy light snacks and your favorite drinks anytime of the day at our lounge and bars.

 

Recreation

– Manila Hotel’s swimming pool was reconfigured and re-engineered with brand new state-of-the-art pumps and filter system. Decorative spouts and jets were also installed to add novel flavor and to complement the new “Quartzon” finish of the swimming pool. The Garden Alfresco at the Pool area of the Hotel provides a spectacular sunset view. Adding to the experience are the luxe Dedon Orbit Loveseats designed for comfort. The elegant cloth canopy keeps you safe from too much exposure from the sun and, not to mention, prying eyes.

 

Services Include:

•Internet/Computer Rental

•Typing

•Binding

•Printing

•Photocopy

•Scanning

•Fax Services

•Incoming Fax

•Phone Cards

•Equipment Rental

•Conference Room

•Courier

Inside Manila Hotel

•24-hour room
service

•24-hour concierge

•24-hour laundry/pressing services

•Currency Exchange

•24-hour business center

•Express check-in/check-out

•ATM machine

•24-hour Lobby Lounge

•Non-smoking floors

•Transportation services

•Meeting Rooms

•Ballrooms

•Hair salon

•Souvenir Shops

•Medical Clinic

Recreation

•Outdoor Pool

•Health Club

•Spa

•Sauna

•Jacuzzi

 

Off-site Recreation

•Golf

Dining Areas

•Café Ilang-Ilang (Intercontinental)

•Mabuhay Palace (Chinese)

•Champagne Room (French)

•Tap Room Bar

•Pool Bar

Inside your room

•A newly redesigned bathroom with Italian marble and a separate walk-in rain shower room*

•Water Proof LCD TV in the bathroom*

•Tempered glass shower partition*

•Kenneth & Mock sound-proof window panels*

•Largest LCD TV in the Philippine hotel industry

•New wall paper

•New carpet

•Senso memory foam mattress

•New linens

•L’OCCITANE bathroom amenities

•Newly upholstered furniture

•Mp3 dockable clocks

•New RFID Ving Card door lock system

•Mini bar ref by Dometic

•Electronic Lighting System

•Free wi-fi connection

•Hair dryer

•Paintings from renowned Filipino artists

•Safety vault

Note: Amenities with asterisk (*) are only applicable to Superior Deluxe, Sunset Suites and Sunrise Suites.

 

 

 

Staying at the Manila Hotel will give you the feel of the old Manila, within the comforts of the latest hotel accommodations.

 

Go To  Part  1 – 2

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

• Visit Manila – “The Pearl of the Orient”
• Popular Places in Manila
• Places of Worship in Manila
• Choices of Hotels in Manila
• Tourist Attractions in Manila
• Festivals in Manila