The Westin Manila Offers a Calming Respite in the Middle of the City

The Westin Manila is a hotel tucked in the middle of the Ortigas business district, just a few steps from Shangri-La Plaza Mall and SM Megamall. Opening in 2023, it marks the return of the Westin brand in the country, now under the giant Marriott International. 

Ortigas isn’t exactly top of mind for a quick breather, but coming from a hectic week and right before the Holy Week break when everything shuts down, I appreciated the invitation to unwind and experience a brief staycation at the hotel. I was also curious about what a “wellness-focused hotel” could offer in one of Metro Manila’s busiest business districts.

A Delxe Room at The Westin Manila

The first sign of a unique hotel experience is the scent. The Westin Manila perfumes its lobby and other public spaces with something called Westin White Tea, which is pleasant and calming, and sort of sets the stage for the rest of the stay. (I found out later that they carry the scent in their bathroom amenities, which is a nice touch).

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The lobby itself is clean and unfussy, with earth tones and natural textures and acoustics that help drown out the noise outside. The design is carried over to the room, a suite with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Ortigas skyline. The Westin Manila has made it a point to sell the “heavenly” qualities of its bed, and to be fair, it did feel just that, especially after cranking the air conditioning down and snuggling under the covers.

Tofu Inasal and Adlai from the Eat Well menu

While it was tempting to just stay cocooned like that until it was time to check out, there were things to do at the hotel. The first order of business was a massage session at Heavenly Spa, at the third floor. I fell asleep for the better part of the session, which, to me was a sign that I was totally relaxed, and therefore, the sign of a good massage.

Plant-Based Station at Season Tastes

There was a lap pool and a gym, but I chose to go back up to the room and finish some work before the start of the long weekend. For dinner, I went up to Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, the hotel’s Spanish restaurant. I have tried the dishes at the restaurant before and am familiar with the culinary skill of Chef Chele, so I knew what to expect. With a menu that included favorites like gambas, croquetas, and duck and mushroom paella, and textures of chocolate, dinner at Cantabria was undoubtedly a highlight of the stay. 

Gambas at Cantabria

Duck and Mushroom Paella

Interestingly, Westin Manila also offers what it calls an Eat Well Menu, which is a specially curated selection of healthier options for when you’re sick of fast-food and want to treat your body to something filling and tasty without the guilt. This includes dishes like Tofu Inasal on Adlai, Truffle Mushroom Risotto, and a Sisig Wrap that reimagines the favorite bar chow into something clean but still packs in the flavor. 

Sleep Well Menu at The Westin Manila

A view of The Westin Manila in the middle of the Ortigas business district

In the morning there was an array of choices for breakfast at Seasonal Tastes, but I chose to have a quiet meal at the lobby lounge. Traffic was beginning to ease up outside, and check-out was fast approaching, but for about an hour, it was nice to just sit still with a cup of coffee and unplug, recharged and well-rested.