| The Peninsula Manila | |
|---|---|
| "Jewel in the Capital's Crown" | |
| Location | Corners of Ayala & Makati Avenues, Makati City, Philippines |
| Opening date | September 1976[1] |
| Management | Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels |
| Owner | Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd. |
| Rooms | 497 |
| Restaurants | 7 (including 2 bars) |
| Floors | 11 |
| Website | manila.peninsula.com |
The Peninsula Manila (colloquially Manila Pen/Manila Peninsula), is a 5-star hotel in the Philippines. It is located on the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue in the central business district of Makati City, wherein it is now a landmark because of its majestic fountain and falls in Metro Manila. It is located also in Barangay Urdaneta. This hotel is part of The Peninsula Hotels chain based in Hong Kong and is the first hotel of that chain outside of the Chinese territory. Also, its lobby is one of the most recognizable and distinctive in Metro Manila.
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The Peninsula Manila was built to coincide with the hosting of the International Monetary Fund conference in Manila. It was built on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, after which they are named. After undergoing several renovations, The Peninsula asserted itself as the "Jewel in the Capital's Crown".
Upon the opening, the Peninsula Manila did not need to introduce itself to the public, for its main counterpart, The Peninsula Hong Kong already had established a name for The Peninsula Hotels decades ago, thus making it the favorite hotel for the high-ranking of the society.
The Pen consists of two wings, which host all 468 rooms and suites.
The hotel's roof was the scene of Filipino singer Regine Velasquez's performance for 2000 Today telecast.
The Manila Peninsula rebellion occurred on November 29, 2007. Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, General Lim and other Magdalo officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, called for the ousting of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and seized the second floor of The Peninsula Manila along Ayala Avenue. Former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona also joined the march to The Peninsula Manila Hotel as well as some of the soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The siege was ended after the military stormed the lobby and the second floor where Rizal function room was located and Trillanes was seized.
The lobby of the hotel sustained much damage because of gunfire that rattled through its walls, windows and the main glass door was obliterated by an armored personnel carrier on the assault to serve Trillanes et al. their arrest warrants.
On December 4, 2007, David Batchelor, general manager of the hotel, announced the filing of damage suit within 10 days, as some estimated the damage at US$ 1.2 million or P 50.766 million. Meanwhile, even before the reopening, it already received guests’ bookings or 51% room occupancy. The Peninsula Manila is 77% owned by the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited.[2]
On December 4, 2007, United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney stated that she would visit The Peninsula Manila: "Fortunately, the hotel, a great hotel, has opened again. I look forward to going there myself." [3] [4]