The Henry Hotel: a boutique oasis in the heart of Manila

The Henry Hotel and Resort is a boutique property in the heart of Manila that oozes character and soul. Unlike most of the large, concrete hotels in the city, we offer just 35 rooms spread across two 70-year-old heritage buildings, set among tropical gardens designed by a national artist. It’s a really local area with a bakery, Catholic school and even a nunnery next door. So, even though we’re just a hundred metres off Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, the hotel feels like a rural oasis complete with tall trees, exotic plants and a pool.

The property itself was built in post-liberation style, right after WWII, and is infused with local materials. We’ve preserved the 1940s structure with its high ceilings, large windows and original Baldoza floor tiles patterned with flowers and pineapples. You can also expect some modern touches alongside the vintage, mid-century furnishings. We have plenty of artistic neighbours, so the area is an enclave of Filipino culture. There’s even a gallery and library on site, as well as an honesty shop featuring local products.

Guests really appreciate the unique design and local feel of the Henry Hotel and Resort. In their reviews they use words like hidden gem, heritage and one-of-a-kind, which really exemplifies our tagline: Like no Other. The hotel’s central location is also a key highlight, as you can easily head out to explore Manila’s sights and then retreat to our tranquil garden for a dip in the pool. When it comes to dining, our on-site restaurant, Apartment 1B, serves a mean fish and chips and beef pie as well as rotating Filipino specials.

Filipino people are considered some of the most hospitable in the world, so we wanted to harness this reputation by hiring local staff who we’ve trained to deliver world-class service. We also work with social enterprises to give back to the local community. For example, our cleaning products come from Messy Bessy, an eco-friendly company that employs disadvantaged women. Our coffee is also from a Fairtrade partner just outside of Manila and our chocolates are bean-to-bar.