City of Dreams - Nobu Manila

City of Dreams - Nobu Hotel Manila stands as a Michelin Key Selected property, offering a blend of modern Japanese aesthetics and luxurious Filipino hospitality within the vibrant Entertainment City of Parañaque. It is consistently lauded for its attentive service, stylish design, and convenient location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Nobu Hotel Manila generally receives highly positive feedback, with guests frequently describing their stays as "relaxing and pleasant" and "one of the best". Review platforms like Booking.com and Agoda show aggregate ratings of "Superb" (9.0) and "Excellent" (8.9). The hotel has been recognized with Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star and ASEAN Green Hotel Awards. Its selection as a Michelin Key property further affirms its status as a destination offering "a very special stay" where "service always goes the extra mile". While an older report from 2015 had criticized the hotel for service issues, more recent reviews overwhelmingly reflect a high level of guest satisfaction.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise Nobu Hotel Manila for several standout features:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's friendliness, helpfulness, and willingness to go above and beyond are frequently highlighted.
• Elegant Design: The hotel boasts a distinctive modern, Japanese-inspired aesthetic with subtle interiors, minimalistic decor, calming artwork, and unique touches like cherry blossom patterns and origami-inspired carpeting.
• Prime Location & Facilities: Its strategic position within City of Dreams offers easy access to the casino, various restaurants, and proximity to major attractions and the airport. The hotel also features a stunning outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the Nobu Spa.
• Thoughtful Amenities: Complimentary soft drinks in the minibar are a welcomed extra by many guests.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at Nobu Hotel Manila are generally described as clean, comfortable, spacious, and well-maintained. They adhere to the hotel's modern Japanese-inspired design, featuring subtle interiors and calming decor. Guests appreciate amenities such as panoramic city or pool views (especially from Executive and Suite rooms), plush king beds, exclusive Natura Bisse bath amenities, Nespresso machines, fully stocked minibars (with some complimentary items), flat-screen IPTV with video on-demand, complimentary Wi-Fi, and JBL docking stations. The Nobu Suites are particularly noted for their expansive space, often including a separate living room and powder room.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's signature Nobu Restaurant offers a fine selection of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influences, known for its elegant, light, and balanced flavors. The omakase dinner is a highlight for many, complemented by attentive service. Guests can also start their evening with cocktails at the Nobu Bar.

For breakfast, options include the Nobu Restaurant (offering a half buffet, half à la carte experience) or the adjacent Hyatt hotel's cafe within City of Dreams. The buffet breakfast at the Hyatt is generally well-received, featuring a wide array of choices including Filipino dishes. However, one review noted the Hyatt's breakfast buffet as "underwhelming and disappointing". It's worth noting that Nobu restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Nobu Hotel Manila consistently receives high praise, being a significant highlight for many guests. Staff members are repeatedly commended for being incredibly friendly, professional, accommodating, and always willing to assist. Specific individuals like Karl at reception and bellman Neil have been singled out for their exceptional helpfulness. The presence of security personnel at all entry points also contributes to guests feeling safe and secure.

6. Location & Accessibility

Nobu Hotel Manila is strategically located within the City of Dreams integrated resort in Parañaque, part of Manila's Entertainment City. Its location offers significant advantages:

• Airport Proximity: It is conveniently situated near Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), typically a 10-minute drive or approximately 2.6 to 4.2 km away.
• Nearby Attractions: The hotel is close to major shopping destinations like SM Mall of Asia (about 2-3.1 km) and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
• Transportation: It offers easy access to the Asia World Interchange, a hub for various public transport options including buses, trains, and taxis. Free area shuttles and an airport shuttle service (surcharge) are also available. Guests appreciate the easy access to the casino and other dining establishments within the City of Dreams complex.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury hotel, Nobu Hotel Manila is generally seen as offering good value for its price point. While an average room might cost around $204, prices can fluctuate, with recent bookings ranging from $119 to $220. Guests looking for more economical options might find better deals during the low season, particularly in February and September. The hotel requires a deposit of PHP 2000 per night, and an extra bed costs approximately PHP 2455 per night.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms and minor issues have been noted by guests:

• Noise: Rooms facing the MRT/LRT train tracks can experience some noise.
• Casino Smoke: Guests sensitive to smoke find the necessity of walking through the casino to access other parts of the resort a drawback.
• Check-in Delays: The check-in process can occasionally be slow, with rooms not always ready by the official check-in time.
• Inconsistent Breakfast Experience: While many enjoy the breakfast buffet, some have found the spread at the Hyatt (where guests can also have breakfast) to be "underwhelming". Nobu restaurant itself is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, which can limit dining options.
• Parking Distance: Parking facilities can be a bit of a walk from the hotel entrance.
• Isolated Room Size Concerns: Although most reviews praise room spaciousness, one guest felt a standard room was too small and claustrophobic.
• Minor Housekeeping Lapses: An infrequent complaint mentioned a delay in receiving requested items, such as a face towel.

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