From 1976 to 2014, Mandarin Oriental stood at the center of Manila’s social and cultural landscape for generations. Designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, it emerged as one of Manila’s most enduring social landmarks, hosting generations of influential figures from across the worlds of business, culture, government, and the arts.

Today, the luxury hospitality brand is set to once again grace the Makati CBD skyline; one that reflects the Philippines of today while introducing a new generation of travelers to the brand’s legendary hospitality.

“This is a proud moment for our team together with Mandarin Oriental,” says Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, creative director of Ayala Land. “We have created a place that feels deeply Filipino while offering the very best of global luxury. Every detail, from the locally crafted interiors to the dining and wellness facilities, has been designed to celebrate who we are as a people and to welcome the world to experience it. The city has been evolving into something truly extraordinary, and this hotel is our most heartfelt expression of that journey.”

Rising within Ayala Triangle Gardens, the 98.7-meter-tall Mandarin Oriental Makati, Manila is set to become a new luxury address in the heart of the Makati CBD. Developed in partnership with Ayala Land, the hotel places guests within easy reach of the city's premier retail, dining, business, and cultural destinations.

A globally renowned luxury hospitality brand, Mandarin Oriental operates more than 50 hotels in 26 countries. At the heart of the brand is a commitment to creating authentic experiences that reflect the essence of each destination.

Guests in the Philippines can expect the group’s hallmark standards of legendary service, exceptional craftsmanship, and a highly personalized approach that turns visitors into what the brand affectionately calls “Fans”—loyal guests who return time and again for the distinctive Mandarin Oriental experience.

The new Mandarin
The hotel is looking toward the future while honoring its legacy. Rather than recreating the past, the hotel aims to establish its own identity, one that reflects the Philippines of today and the evolving expectations of modern luxury travelers.

Paloma sees guests embracing the property for what it is: a new chapter for the brand in the country. The hotel may evoke memories of the old Mandarin Oriental, but she says the new property has been conceived with its own personality and sense of place.

Mandarin Oriental Makati will feature 275 guest rooms and suites inspired by nature and enriched by local craftsmanship. Warm timber finishes, woven textures, natural materials, and bespoke artisan details create spaces that feel both refined and welcoming.

There will also be five dining and bar concepts catering to the international palates of both Filipino and foreign guests, as well as a club lounge, 24-hour butler service, extensive spa and wellness floor, outdoor swimming pools, and ballroom.

Global Filipino design
In terms of design, the hotel reflects modern Filipino craftsmanship with a global intention.

For the guest suites, Paloma says, “We want them to feel timeless, calming, and restorative. The colors and material references the islands and waters of the Philippine Archipelago. The result feels unmistakably luxurious, yet still very connected to the place.”

And then there is beautiful craftsmanship in the details. “One of my favorite moments in these rooms that guests will discover unexpectedly are beautiful binakol woven special details,” she says. This special project gave the team an opportunity to employ 60 weavers in Abra and commission custom weaves specifically for the hotel. The project also partnered with artisans in Negros to create bathroom amenities using banana bark.

“These all seem like small details, but they carry stories, likelihoods, and generations of craftsmanship,” she shares.

Then there is the presidential suite, which embodies the hotel’s timeless approach to luxury. According to Paloma, the design draws “inspiration from the colors of the Philippine Archipelago viewed from above.” The suite also features a statement chandelier inspired by the sampaguita flower.

Elevated experiences
For its dining and bar outlets, Franck shared that the culinary team is being assembled from across the globe. A French executive chef with experience working across different continents will lead the hotel’s culinary operations. He will be joined by an executive sous chef from Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, an F&B manager from Thailand, and a pastry chef from The Landmark in Hong Kong. Collectively, the team brings experience from restaurants with two- and three-Michelin-star pedigrees.

The hotel will feature a contemporary Chinese restaurant, a whisky bar in the lobby, a bar overlooking the gardens, and an all-day dining restaurant offering Filipino and international cuisine.

Franck is particularly excited about the hotel’s ballroom, which he describes as one of the property’s standout event spaces. Featuring an eight-meter-high ceiling, the venue can accommodate around 600 guests in a seated banquet-style setup. What sets it apart, he says, is its connection to the surrounding greenery. “What I think is very special about this ballroom is that when you are inside, and you look outside, it's all green. It's quite rare,” he says.

“We believe the future of luxury lives in creating places, with the general sense of place, of identity, places that celebrate where they are and the people who made them special. And we believe this property has all of that,” Paloma concludes.