As an outsider who is coming to the big city, I have not heard of The Henry Hotel Manila. From a Mindanaoan standpoint, when I hear of Metro Manila, I often associate it with concrete jungles, chaotic traffic, and fast-paced life. But it didn’t occur to me that there are small pockets of serenity in Manila, amidst tall buildings and in a city that can feel overwhelming if you move slowly.
While a lot of people look for the shiniest and newest thing marketed on social media nowadays, some people spend time looking for things that have stood the test of time and bring not only history but also culture. And while the latter is not better than the other or vice versa, it is amazing what you can experience if you’re just open to something that is outside your typical preference or comfort zone.
And this is what I felt when I said “yes” to booking a hotel at The Henry Hotel Manila. So, why should you stay at The Henry Hotel Manila?
Elegance in Merging Two Different Timelines
I have always been captivated by restored heritage buildings, as they are remnants of the past. A reminder of what life was like before AI and Western modernisation in the Philippines.
The Henry Hotel Manila is no exception to places that awe me. From the moment you see their gate, and as you walk along the property, there is an instant transition to a calm, relaxed atmosphere. It feels like you were transported in time.
The Henry Hotel Manila elegantly merges two different timelines through its thoughtful architectural restoration and design of this 1940s compound. It retains its original structure and deliberately addresses its design needs and design problems while intending to make it feel more modern and not like a museum. Yet, it encases its original essence and culture, providing a sense of nostalgia. It is a perfect harmony of tying up both modernity and heritage.
One detail I loved in this hotel is the clipped-on grills for their windows. It is a remembrance of the past, as they are still using the original material, wherein, in the 1950s, welding was not yet introduced to the Philippines, so the grills are clipped onto the window and not welded. It was in the 1960s that welding metals was introduced in the Philippines.
An Amalgamation of Creative Geniuses
The Henry Hotel Manila is built and loved by a community of creatives.
Passion Project By The Innkeeper
Let’s start with a brief introduction to the place’s innkeeper – Hanky Lee III.
Without Hanky Lee III, the Henry Hotel Manila wouldn’t be what it is now. Drawn to the charm and history of the original post-war compound, Lee envisioned a nostalgic and contemporary oasis in the middle of Manila, which came into fruition, making The Henry Hotel Manila what it is. He refers to himself as the innkeeper rather than a hotelier, reflecting his passion for making intimate spaces rather than conventional hotels.
Lee is widely known as one of the co-founders of Yellowcab, a proudly Filipino-grown pizza brand established back in 2001. He helped the brand become recognised as a household name. He contributed to the expansion of the pizza chain, making it one of the most successful locally owned pizza franchises in the country before it was acquired by the Pancake House Group in 2011 and later became part of Max’s Group Inc.
Landscape Design by a National Artist
One of the first things you’ll notice when you enter the grounds of The Henry Manila is its nostalgic landscape. Stepping through its gate feels like passing through a portal. It’s easy to forget that you are still in the heart of Manila because you feel transported to the quiet charm of the province. This is all thanks to the landscape design from none other than the father of Philippine landscape architecture, Ildelfonso P. Santos, Jr. He is one of the National Artists of the Philippines for architecture, conferred in 2006.
Beauty in imperfections: The Interior Designer’s Approach
The key features of The Henry Hotel Manila are its intentional and respectful interior design, highlighting the beauty of the past while seamlessly blending it with contemporary comfort. Much of the charm is credited to the creative vision of Eric Paras, whose inspiration centred on preserving and enhancing the compound’s post-war liberation-style architecture.
There is beauty in ruins and charm in the imperfections. Rather than modernising, he completely embraced the imperfection and built on its historical and vintage appeal. He brings character to each individual room through thoughtful curation of furniture, art pieces, and design rather than the typical generic templates for typical hotels.
Faithful Restoration
Other contributors to The Henry Hotel Manila include Atlas Real Estate, which led the architectural work to ensure the structures were preserved as faithfully as possible. A significant portion (80-90%) of the original compound has been retained, allowing its heritage character to remain intact.
Champion in Quality Service
The Henry Manila is not just about beautiful aesthetics and history. It also parades itself as one of the best boutique hotels not only in Manila but all over the Philippines.
It has won the Tatler Best Award for being the best boutique hotel in the Philippines in 2025 and 2026. It is also consistently nominated as the best boutique hotel in the Philippines by publications like the World Travel Award.
The Real Reason – My Reason for Staying Here
Going to the Henry Hotel Manila, there is a sense of calm and clarity that this place brings. The big city, as a person who lives in a more provincial and suburban area of the Philippines, surrounded by trees, brings a quiet but peaceful energy to the soul.
While the more modern and elevated hotels have their own appeal, this type of hotel resonates with me on a deeper level. As an introverted and shy person, booking a place that feels more intimate and provides a more personalised experience is ideal. With only limited rooms, the place is quiet and brings solace.
Apartment 1B, A Foodie’s Destination in Itself
While the 2PM check-in time is non-negotiable, their beautiful restaurant, Apartment 1B, offers a welcome retreat from the heat while waiting for check-in. Not only does it offer refreshing drinks and mouthwatering food, but it is also tied to the hotel, so they provide the complimentary breakfast, which is a score.
Apartment 1B has its own charm and identity, and its food is worth writing home about. If not booking at the Henry, then this quaint brunch place should be added to the list when visiting Metro Manila.
Room Experience: Nostalgia With Comfort
As you step into the room, you are greeted with vintage furniture and eclectic art pieces. The room feels dated yet feels sophisticated at the same time. When people think of old houses, they think of things beyond the veil, but it doesn’t feel haunted. It’s nostalgic, yes, but it still feels modern, which brings a perfect balance of experience.
The room wafts with its unique hotel scent. It’s a Filipino-forward scent and is unlike any I have smelled in any hotel stays I’ve been in before. It’s curated to provide a specific vibe that perfectly fits the vintage atmosphere. It is a mix of a tropical citrus scent of calamansi and of something floral and fresh.
The bed is comfortable and soft with fresh white linens. The windows are beautiful and old. The type of windows you have to push with your strength to part them or bring them close together in the middle to close them.
My favourite thing about the hotel is the presence of light that breaks through the gap between the window grills. The soft lights that hit your face when the morning comes.
I also love their beautiful, white, but clean bathrooms. Even the corners are so well-cleaned and maintained that they don’t show any stains.
Beyond the stay itself, the property also offers numerous visually striking corners that feel tailor-made for creatives. It serves as a natural backdrop for photography, storytelling, and even film production. In fact, we were told that parts of The Beloved (2026) were filmed within the property, further reinforcing its cinematic quality.
Beautiful but not perfect. What could be improved?
The least appealing aspect of the hotel is the lack of activities. While it does offer a pool, its design feels slightly disconnected from the overall aesthetic of the property and could benefit from better upkeep. In addition, given the absence of recreational options, an upgrade to the in-room television would significantly enhance the guest experience, as it currently feels dated compared to the rest of the hotel’s well-preserved charm.
On the other hand, the hotel thoughtfully provides complimentary coffee and signature teas, along with a French press setup in-room.
So, was this your first time hearing about The Henry Hotel Manila? And more importantly, does this shift your perception enough to consider it for your next getaway?
As a Mindanaoan, my first impression of Metro Manila has always been shaped by its reputation – chaos, congestion, and an unrelenting pace of life. But the Henry Hotel Manila quietly challenges that perception.
It is a reminder that even big cities hide pockets of calm, beauty, and stillness waiting to be discovered. It’s amazing how places like this exist in the middle of a concrete jungle. There is history and culture preserved in a city that feels all too modern.
Eats Me, Jax! 