Our Cityscapes series presents you with exciting alternative locations for your company gatherings and business meetings. Bring your team together in a refreshing way and inspire collaboration.
Manila has been the most important city in the Philippines for four centuries and today is known for its fantastic shopping opportunities and vibrant nightlife. The city is perfect if you want to uncover its history and culture and to enjoy its excellent cuisine. If you prefer a slower pace of life with gorgeous sandy beaches, lush vegetation and great diving opportunities, there are a number of perfect places to stay within easy reach of both Manila and Ninoy Aquino, its international airport.
Having said that, it is great fun to spend time in Manila, discovering its many surprises and sampling its amazing foods. Manila could well be the perfect location for your team’s next get-together.
In this article, we'll take a look at:
Manila is firmly established on the map as a world-class meeting venue, with an excellent infrastructure that represents great value for money. Manila offers business travellers so much with its unique combination of character and style mixed with culture and a wealth of recreational activities. Above all, a warm welcome always awaits visitors from the local event coordinators who display a high level of professionalism.
Manila pioneered Asia’s MICE industry (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition/ Events) with the establishment of its Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC) in Pasay which encouraged neighbouring countries to develop their own corporate facilities. Manila also has the SMX Convention Centre which is another world-class facility and its World Trade Centre in Metro Manila is regarded as the best exhibition centre in the Philippines. Business visitors organising corporate events in Manila are well supported by both the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotional Board (TPB).
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the primary gateway to the Philippines and is conveniently connected to the Manila Metro. Manila has the best tourism products and has vast opportunities for business. Its growing local economy is proving attractive to overseas investors too.
The below information is from Covid Entry Check by TruTrip. With travel restrictions changing from time to time, you are advised to check for the latest information regularly.
We bring you our collection of stunning places to stay for your next team-building event. All prices were as follows at the time of publication.
Situated less than two hours’ drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, this beautiful eco-friendly villa feels like another world! The villa has a total of six bedrooms including one in the main farmhouse and can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests. Each bedroom has its own sitting area, television and dedicated workspace. The villa offers stunning panoramic views of Taal Lake and Tagaytay ridge and these can be enjoyed from the spacious covered and fully furnished viewing deck. This is the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries while spending quality time with your colleagues. There is a well-equipped kitchen and large barbecue for al fresco dining and a hot tub for leisurely moments. If you do want to do some sightseeing the Manila Metro is just under two hours away.
Prices start at $52.00 per person per night.
This stylish designer villa certainly has a ‘wow’ factor as it has been beautifully created for a relaxing stay and its peaceful location is inspirational. There are four spacious double bedrooms (fitted with double beds) and a beautiful living room with stunning views of Taal Lake. The floodlit pool has a spacious surrounding terrace and sun loungers for restful moments and offers the perfect setting for casual evening meals under the stars.
Prices start at $75.00
This beautiful log cabin (also known as Hillside Villa) nestles amongst lush greenery on a hillside, overlooking Lake Caliraya. There are six double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a third with easy access from the swimming pool. The large lounge area overlooks the lake with Mt Banahaw as its magnificent backdrop. There is an adjacent room with a large table and television that is ideal for meetings. The open-style kitchen is well-planned with groups in mind and even features a pizza oven.
Outside there is a recreation area with kayaks, stand up paddleboards and fishing gear. The water trampoline is definitely a fun way to work out and for memorable evenings there is a fire pit that is perfect for toasting marshmallows. If you want to experience the colourful bright lights of Manila, the Metro is two hours 30 minutes away.
Within a few months, work will be completed on a second cabin called ‘Springside’ and this will be able to accommodate 6-8 guests.
Prices start at $85 per person per night.
The Henry Manila is a charming boutique hotel in Pasay. The hotel is a tranquil hidden gem amidst the colourful bustle of the city and is conveniently situated just 15 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and 20 minutes from the Manila Metro. The Henry is close to museums and galleries as well as just minutes from the World Trade Centre and the newly-opened Blue Bay Walk.
The hotel owner has cleverly combined old world comforts with contemporary amenities. The guest rooms are individually designed and very comfortable and, with group meetings in mind, there is a cosy library. The hotel has attractive gardens and its swimming pool is surrounded by leafy greenery. Apartment 1B is the hotel’s popular restaurant that offers both local and international cuisine. If you fancy some good retail therapy, there is a complimentary bus service to two large shopping malls.
Prices start at $100 per person per night.
Well situated at 75 minutes from Ninoy Aquino Airport and 30 minutes south of Metro Manila, this luxurious resort has so much to offer its guests. Anya Resort nestles in 7.2 acres of lush greenery and has been beautifully designed, combining a tropical Filipino theme with colourful contemporary accents. There are 78 suites and each has been luxuriously furnished.
Guests enjoy warm hospitality and impeccable service and there are lovely personal touches such as customised scents and pillows in the guest rooms. Quite rightly, the hotel appears in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). Anya Resort has three restaurants serving a wonderful array of international dishes. It is situated close to theme parks and world-class spas and for golfers, it is within easy reach of three excellent golf courses.
Prices start at $116 per person per night.
Nestling on a cliffside, overlooking Nasugbu Bay, this beautiful villa has spectacular views of Natipuan, Kawayan and Canyon. On a clear day, several of the outlying islands can also be seen. The villa is aptly called ‘Angelscove’. The villa comprises eight bedrooms, each with an en suite and accommodation is for a maximum of 16 guests and Wi-Fi is available in all guest rooms.
The Cliff Lounge is perfect for team meetings and simply relaxing together as well as enjoying drinks or a light meal. An á la carte menu is also offered. For large groups, the Lanai on level three is where breakfast and other meals can be enjoyed. There is also excellent butler service. Outdoors there is a cabana garden and a beautiful abstract-shaped swimming pool for relaxing moments.
Prices start at $117 (after discount) per person per night.
Set amidst lush gardens on a hillside that overlooks Taal Lake, stands this beautifully designed pavilion. With double-height windows and incorporating plenty of natural materials, including wood, the Narra Hill is surrounded by nature and is the perfect venue for a team meeting. There are four suites and two guest rooms that can accommodate up to 20 people, but no television or Wi-Fi in the guest rooms (portable only).
There is a small plunge pool and a stunning infinity pool that perches on the hillside by the Premier Suites and also an outside jacuzzi and sauna. Breakfast is provided and other meals can be arranged with prior notice. Narra Hill has a bar that overlooks a creek, the gardens a lake and a lagoon. Narra Hill lies conveniently close to Tagaytay (25 minutes).
Prices start at $141.00 per person per night.
If you don’t mind a longer transfer time from the airport and being a distance from Manila (more than three hours from both), this beautiful villa is certainly very appealing as it stands on 2.5 hectares of grounds and mango groves on a hillside and is in its own little world. The villa has beautiful ocean views of Lubang Island and Mindoro. It offers comfortable accommodation for up to 20 guests (plus there are also four-floor mattresses available) in the main house and adjacent annexe.
There is a gorgeous infinity pool plus a pool table and table tennis. With al fresco meals in mind, there is a charcoal oven and barbecue. The nearest beach is a ten-minute walk away and the area has several good mountain bike trails. For golfers, there is a challenging course just 15 minutes drive away and Lago de Oro for wakeboarding is 20 minutes.
Prices start at $146.00 per person per night.
If you fancy staying somewhere that is a secluded little paradise, Casa Bu is a great choice. Situated more than three hours from the airport and Manila, this stunning beachfront accommodation offers a lovely walk to its private sandy beach and memorable sunsets. Casa Bu has been designed open plan and has beautiful individually styled bedrooms that can sleep up to 16 guests with both TV and Wi-Fi. The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped and there are several lounge areas. The large covered verandah is perfect for both work and relaxing moments and a large pool with adjacent sunbeds.
Prices start at $155.00 per person per night.
Situated in extensive grounds, El Jardin de Zelda is an idyllic resort, spa and events venue just a few kilometres from the fishing village with the same name. Guests are enchanted by its location with its exotic tropical flowers, the canopy of leafy trees and magnificent mountain backdrop and love its peace, tranquillity and welcoming staff. Each guest room is spacious, comfortable with charming décor and good amenities including Wi-Fi. Each guest room also has a stunning view from its windows. Rodolfo’s is the resort’s restaurant that overlooks the Grand Sunset Pool.
The Rocio Spa offers an exciting range of signature treatments. The Kamagong Pavilion has been designed in contemporarily Filipino style and is the perfect setting for great team moments. The Casa Molave is a nearby two-storey ancestral home that has been fully renovated and offers stylish outside dining areas as does the Royal Palm Garden. The beaches near El Jardin are popular for surfing and other water sports. Other activities that can be organised include horse riding and fishing.
Prices start at $161.00 per person per night
This beautiful holistic wellness resort is situated amongst coffee plantations about 80 minutes drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and a similar distance from Metro Manila. The Nurture Wellness Village is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers a unique ‘Ecotherapy’ with the mission to give good health and happiness to all its guests.
The village has cosy accommodation and pampering spa and wellness treatments for individuals, couples and teams. Team building programmes are also available. The village offers guests detoxification and natural healing treatments that have been designed by a practising medical doctor
Nurture Wellness Village features Ilfugao native huts all areas are decorated with Filipino themed décor. The Spa feature Filipino inspired treatments and the restaurant specialises in Filipino fusion cuisine. The village’s Nurture Farmacy specialises in growing healing herbs and vegetables.
Prices start at $350.00 per person per night and this price includes three meals per day plus one spa treatment.
If you are seeking a really unusual setting for your team’s next get-together, Stilts offers the perfect getaway. Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort is situated in 24 hectares of rolling hills and white sand beaches, three hours from Ninoy Aquino Internal Airport and Metro Manila and offers a variety of corporate packages and a great selection of aqua and adventure activities including boat adventures, sandbar tours and ATV adventure trails, as well as mangrove eco-tours and diving packages.
Accommodation comprises five large, airy floating cottages (standing on stilts over the water) – each one with a master bedroom, guest room, loft and living room. Each cottage is stunning with polished wooden floors and snowy white soft furnishings that contrast perfectly with the azure tones of the ocean. There are also beach cottages for those who prefer ‘terra firma’ and several gorgeous treehouses for a truly unique and memorable stay.
Prices start at $250.00 per person per night in a floating cottage or treehouse.
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