REDISCOVERING MANILA: Where To Go, Where To Stay, Etc. | Hotel Lucky Chinatown Is Now Open!

I am a tourist of my own country.

I am guilty of not travelling more around my own country, the Philippines. But I am recently changing this by having at least once a month trip in our beautiful provinces: Iloilo, La Union, Bohol, Marinduque, etcetera. But as they say bat pa tayo lalayo, I really want to get to know more of my home MANILA. 

I recently redisovered that Manila has so much to offer especially to those willing to explore it. One of my main goals this year is to create a Manila Itinerary, to stay for about a night or 2 in our capital city and pretend I am an outsider.. a traveller!

Everyday I will make sure to maximize my stay in this rich and colorful city by exploring must-visit sites like a real tourist. 

And so Mabuhay! Sharing some of the things included in the Manila travel list I am currently building.

Where To Go?

Like in any trips, I want a mix of culture and history, adventure and outdoor, food trip, shopping, and other new things to do.

History and Culture:

1) Intramuros / Fort Santiago

2) San Agustin Church

3) Manila Cathedral

4) Museums: National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Fine Arts, etc.

5) Escolta

Outdoor Activities:

1) Rizal Park - also known as Luneta. Just chill or take a stroll and check out important monuments of the country

2) Chinatown - Photowalk, shopping, and food trip in Binondo

3) Sunset in Roxas Boulevard / Baywalk

4) Star City (theme park)

5) Intramuros Bambike Tour

Shopping and Food Trip:

Where To Stay?

I've been searching for an ideal accommodation where I can spend a few nights for my Manila exploration. The new Hotel Lucky Chinatown may seem like the best bet.

The Hotel Lucky Chinatown is located at the heart of Binondo, Manila, the world’s oldest Chinatown. It is right next to the Lucky Chinatown shopping center, and even has a connection so you can conveniently shop and eat, then go back to your hotel room.

It's like a sanctuary in the middle of busy Manila. Architecture is a mix of modern contemporary, but definitely not a sore thumb from the outside as it blends well with old Manila's aesthetics.

Hotel Lucky Chinatown has 93 rooms and suites, and has 3 different room types: the Standard Room (twin beds or 1 queen sized bed), the Junior Suite, and the Suite. 

All rooms in the hotel is equipped with everything you'll need for a relaxing accommodation: a flat-screen TV, a seating area, free Wifi, and a private bathroom with free toiletries.

As for the facilities, the Hotel Lucky Chinatown has a zen garden, gym, and a spa with hot tub and sauna. The sauna and spacious gym look so inviting--I will definitely be back to try them out!

They also have a restaurant and bar:

Heading out, the Hotel Lucky Chinatown is within 1.9 km of Fort Santiago 2 km of the Manila Cathedral, 2.1 km of San Agustin Church, 2.4 km from Intramuros, and 2.8km from Rizal Park. 

The NAIA International Airport is about 13km from the property.

Mode of transportations to go around can be via GRAB taxi hailing app, or if you're adventurous, you can also walk, take a padyak (pedicab), the jeepney, and the trains.

Hotel Lucky Chinatown is located in Reina Regente St, Binondo, Manila. For for information like room rates and updates, you can follow them on Facebook or visit their website at https://www.hotelluckychinatown.com/.

 They have 3 function rooms for events named after famous streets in Manila--Ongpin, Benavidez, and the Escolta--where we celebrated the hotel's opening yesterday, April 10, 2019.

We all received red string bracelets to ward negativity, and allow good things in our lives!

Best wishes to Hotel Lucky Chinatown, and I can't wait to experience your new accommodation!