81 Newport: Manila's Hidden Luxury You NEED to See!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into 81 Newport: Manila's "Hidden Luxury You NEED to See!" (and yes, that all-caps sentiment is exactly my vibe right now). Forget those cookie-cutter reviews – this is going to be raw, real, and probably a little bit chaotic, just like my travel experiences. Here we GO.
(Rambling Intro: The Pressure Cooker of Manila & My Escape)
First, a confession. Manila? It's… intense. Like, sensory overload x1000. The heat, the traffic, the sheer energy… it's glorious and exhausting all at once. Finding a haven, a true escape, is basically a survival necessity. And that's where 81 Newport supposedly comes in. Let's see if it delivers.
(Accessibility & Getting There: Blessedly Simple!)
Okay, let’s rip the band-aid off right away. Accessibility is a HUGE deal for me, even if I won't be utilizing it, but its important to know and its good sign for all kinds of people. Good news: this place gets a gold star. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Yep. Solid foundations. And, THANK GOD, the car park [free of charge] is a lifesaver in a city where parking feels like an Olympic sport. Airport transfer is a breeze, thank you very much, because hauling luggage through Manila traffic is not my idea of fun. Taxi service is readily available, too. Phew.
(Inside the Luxury: A Room, and a View (Maybe))
Let's talk ROOM. (Breathe in, breathe out…)
Air conditioning: Essential. (And thankfully, it works.)
Free Wi-Fi: Yay! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Double yay! (I need my Instagram fix, okay?)
Bed: Comfortable? Yes. Extra long? Now we're talkin'. I'm a big dude, I need a big bed.
Bathroom: Okay, let’s get real, the bathroom is the first test for me. Is it clean? Is it practical? Is the water pressure good? I won't lie: I’m the kind of person who needs a good shower after a day of Manila madness. I didn’t have any issues, but the one thing that they absolutely HAVE to address is the hair dryer. It was…weak. Like a sad little kitten trying to blow dry a lion's mane. (First world problems, I know.)
TV: Satellite/cable channels? Check. On-demand movies? Check. (Did I spend an entire afternoon binge-watching something cheesy? Maybe. Don't judge me.)
Amenities: Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Free bottled water… these are the things that make me happy after a long day of sightseeing.
Soundproof rooms: Bless. The. Gods. Manila is loud. You need this. I repeat, you NEED this.
I don’t usually use robe and slippers, but they are there and clean.
This is all good, but I need to be honest. It definitely feels like a luxury experience, and I feel like I’m one step away from a king size bed, but still not entirely sure if I'm there.
(Dining: Food, Glorious Food! (and a few hiccups))
Okay, food. Because, Manila!
- Breakfast [buffet]: I LOVE a good breakfast buffet. And, yes, the buffet at 81 Newport, it definitely had a good spread, but I think I was just overwhelmed. I feel, like, at the beginning of the buffet, it was pure perfection, but as time went on, some of the less-popular offerings seemed to…wither.
- Restaurants: They have multiple restaurants, serving international cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant (huge plus!), and even vegetarian restaurant options.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a lifesaver. A total lifesaver. Let's just say I took full advantage of it after a particularly exhausting day. (Order the burger. Trust me.)
- Coffee shop: Good for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
- Bars: Excellent Bar, Poolside bar: Great with a view.
- Snack Bar: Ideal to take in one of the pools?
(The "Relaxation" Zone: Spa, Pool, and Bliss!)
This is where 81 Newport really shines.
- Swimming pool: The outdoor pool? Gorgeous. Seriously, a proper oasis of calm in a chaotic city.
- Pool with view: Yep, absolutely the view.
- Spa: The real deal. I’m no spa expert, but I'm pretty sure that the massages were excellent, and I truly relaxed.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Essential for a proper pamper.
- Gym/fitness: Alright, alright, I admit it. I went. The fitness center is actually pretty well-equipped, which is a nice bonus.
- Body scrub, body wrap: I didn't try these, but they're there, and I'm so tempted next time.
(Cleanliness & Safety: Comforting, Considering Manila's Current Context)
Listen, in the current climate, safety matters. Big time. And 81 Newport delivers.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check, check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A nice touch of control.
- I was happy to see a Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit.
And most importantly: the hotel felt clean, safe, and well-maintained. That's a huge win in a city like Manila.
(Services & Conveniences: Little Things that Matter)
- Concierge: Super helpful (pointing me in the direction of the best local food, which, of course, I devoured).
- Laundry service, dry cleaning, ironing service: They've got you covered.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Gift/souvenir shop, convenience store: Useful to pick up any gifts or quick snacks.
(Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls)
This is where I’d be remiss not to mention the location. 81 Newport is well-situated. You're close to the airport (hello, easy transfers!), and there's plenty of entertainment nearby. Meeting/banquet facilities, plus Audio-visual equipment for special events, I really didn't use them, but they are available, maybe good for business men? On-site event hosting is something to look into, if that's your thing, too.
(For the Kids: Family-Friendly-ish?)
I didn’t test it, but they have Babysitting service, and are generally Family/child friendly, with Kids facilities, and a Kids meal.
(Internet: Crucial for the Modern Traveler)
- Free Wi-Fi: Did I mention the FREE Wi-Fi? It's fast, reliable, and available everywhere. This is a HUGE win.
- Internet access – LAN: I saw this during my stay, but I don't recall using it.
(The Imperfect Moments: What Could be Better)
Okay, let's get real. No place is perfect.
- The one thing that they absolutely HAVE to address is the hair dryer. Seriously, it was…weak.
- The internet wasn't always perfect. Slow sometimes. (Although, generally, it worked fine).
(Final Verdict: The "Hidden Luxury" is Real!)
Look, 81 Newport isn't perfect, but it's damn good. It's a haven, a sanctuary, a place to recharge in a city that can be both exhilarating and exhausting. The best part? It feels like a secret, a hidden gem.
My Offer for YOU:
Book your stay at 81 Newport now and receive a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability) AND a free spa treatment! (Because you deserve it!) Use code "MANILARELAX" at checkout for an extra 10% discount on your entire stay. Treat yourself. You deserve it. Go on, escape to paradise!
Shah Alam's BEST Infinity Pool Apartment (3BR!) - You WON'T Believe This!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned trip. This is a messy, glorious, jet-lagged descent into what might pass for a vacation in Manila, starting in the chaotic embrace of NAIA Terminal 3, by way of Eighty-One Newport. Here goes…
My Manila Meltdown (and Maybe, Just Maybe, a Vacation):
Day 1: Arrival - The Airport Awakening (And the Search for Aircon)
- 06:00 AM (give or take – because sleep is a myth, right?): Landed at NAIA Terminal 3. Oh. My. Goddess. This is it. The Philippines. Finally. (Or, more accurately, eventually - it's been a hell of a flight.) The humid air slaps you in the face the second you step off the plane. Instant hair frizz, sweat situation initiated.
- 06:15 AM: Passport control. Pray to the travel gods you packed your patience. The lines are long, the officials are… well, let's just say they have a certain… relaxed approach to efficiency. I feel like I'm in a game of 'Where's Waldo', except Waldo is the stamp guy, and I'm the sweaty, disgruntled seeker.
- 07:00 AM: Breathe a sigh of relief (and a healthy dose of exhaust fumes). Made it through! Now, the baggage carousel game. This is where the fun really begins. Will my bag arrive first? Will it ever arrive? Will that tiny, adorable dog wearing a backpack steal mine? The suspense is killing me (and adding to the already intense heat).
- 07:30 AM: Victory! My mangled suitcase emerges, bruised but not broken. Commence the mad dash for… AIR CONDITIONING! I'm convinced the entire purpose of NAIA 3 is to test your mettle against the elements.
- 08:00 AM: Taxi hunt. This is a sport. Negotiations, suspicious meters, and the existential dread of traffic – it's all part of the Manila experience. Praying to find a decent driver, I am.
- 09:00 AM: Arrive at Eighty-One Newport (hopefully). Checked In. Finally reached the hotel. The lobby is bliss. Aircon heaven. (Almost weep with joy.) The room is… well, it's a room. Not exactly the pristine, Instagram-worthy paradise I'd envisioned. But it has air conditioning, a bed, and a promise of a shower. And it's all I need to stay sane.
- 09:30 AM: Shower! This is life-changing. The hot water, the soap, the feeling of cleansing away the journey's grubbiness. I think I may never leave the shower.
- 10:30 AM: Post-shower existential crisis. Okay, I’m in Manila. What now? Do I even want to leave this air-conditioned haven? I feel a deep need to order room service. Probably just coffee and a croissant and a book.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Food coma. Coffee, croissant, book. The best part of the day.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring the Newport World Resorts. The mall is a cacophony of noise and lights. It's overwhelming in the best of ways. I get lost, accidentally stumble into a casino (nope!), and end up eating a questionable ice cream sundae. But it's a Manila experience.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pool time. It is HOT. The pool is amazing. I float. I melt. I don't care.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant in Newport: Adobo. I’m already in love. Maybe this trip won’t be a disaster after all….
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Strolling outside: I realize Manila is beautiful at night.
- 10:00 PM: Lights out. Yeah, right. Jet lag is a monster. I will likely be awake until 3 am staring at the ceiling fan.
Day 2: Manila Madness (and Attempting Structure)
- 7:00 AM : Wake up… or more accurately, roll out of bed. The jet lag is real. Feeling more like a zombie than a tourist.
- 8:00 AM: Quick breakfast at the hotel. Attempt to plan the day. Fail.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Intramuros Adventure: Okay, walking through Intramuros is the best. It feels like stepping back in time. The Spanish colonial architecture is stunning, and exploring Fort Santiago is a must. (Even if it does get hot, I would visit again.)
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant in Intramuros. Try some traditional Filipino food – adobo again, because, yum. This time, I'll order some sinigang. My taste buds are doing the happy dance.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Ride a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) through Intramuros. It’s touristy, yes. But also charming. The driver tells me about the history of the area. I feel strangely romantic.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: National Museum Complex. This has three amazing museums.
- 6:00 PM: Head back to the hotel to rest. Prepare for the evening's festivities.
- 7:00 PM: Head to a restaurant to enjoy the Manila nightlife with good food and drinks.
- 9:00 PM: Stroll around the area to see the night lights.
- 10:00 PM: Back to the hotel. It's time for a good sleep.
Day 3: Manila’s Music and Markets
- 9.00 AM: Have breakfast at the hotel.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Visit the local market to buy some souvenirs for the family.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Have Lunch at a well-known restaurant in the area.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Visit the local music store to buy some tracks from the local artists.
- 7:00 PM: Have dinner at a restaurant with live music.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: Farewell, for Now… (And the Hope for a Return)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. One last attempt to eat a mango. I'm probably going to miss this fruit.
- 9:30 AM: Pack. The suitcase is bulging. I may have bought too many souvenirs.
- 10:00 AM: Check out.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Head to the airport.
- 12:00 AM: Check in and go to the airport.
- 3:00 PM: Fly home. The feeling of leaving is bittersweet.
- 6:00 PM: I'm already planning my return because Manila, with all its glorious chaos, has a way of getting under your skin.
Notes/ Ramblings/Confessions:
- Traffic: Manila traffic is a beast. Embrace it, accept it, and maybe, just maybe, it'll work for you.
- Food: Eat everything. Especially sisig and adobo! Okay, maybe not everything (proceed with caution regarding street food).
- People: Filipinos are incredibly friendly and helpful. Don't be afraid to ask for help (even if you're pretty sure you're speaking gibberish).
- Imperfections: Expect delays, learn to go with the flow, and be prepared to laugh at yourself. This is part of the adventure.
- Regrets: That I didn’t learn any Tagalog.
- The Verdict: Manila is overwhelming, chaotic, and completely captivating. It’s a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and ultimately, steals a little piece of your heart. Would I go again? Absolutely. And next time, I'll bring a bigger suitcase and more patience. And maybe a translator app. (Just in case.)
81 Newport: Manila's Hidden Luxury You NEED to See! ...Or Do You? My Honest Take...
Okay, so 81 Newport. It’s plastered everywhere, right? Instagram, lifestyle mags… it’s *the* place. But let me be real with you. I’m not exactly a trust-fund baby. I’m more of a “treat myself to a decent coffee once a week” kinda gal. So, diving headfirst into a place that screams "luxury" was, frankly, terrifying. But I did it. And here's the brutally honest, messy, and oh-so-human breakdown.
Before we get to the nitty gritty, let’s just say, I think my expectations, and my bank account, may have been a *tad* unprepared. But, hey, at least I got a good story out of it, right?
What *is* 81 Newport, exactly? Is it like, a hotel? A castle? A… space station for the extremely well-off?
It's…complicated. Think of it as a sprawling, multi-faceted entertainment complex. There are luxury residences (I think I saw a balcony bigger than my entire apartment!), a hotel, a casino (yikes), a shopping mall (double yikes for my wallet), and enough restaurants to make you think you've travelled to the city of food and drinks. It’s all shimmering and gleaming and… honestly, a little overwhelming at first. I felt like a lost tourist in a high-end, air-conditioned bubble.
My initial impression? Wow. Just…wow. Like, "I need a second job just to breathe the same air" kind of wow. But also, a tiny voice in my head whispered, "Is this…real?"
Okay, let’s talk about the hotel. Is it as ridiculously fancy as it looks in the pictures? Can a commoner like me actually check in?
The hotel… Oh, the hotel. Let me just say, the lobby smelled of a thousand dollars and imported orchids. The pictures *do* actually give a pretty accurate representation of the ridiculousness. Marble everywhere, chandeliers the size of small cars, and staff who look like they've been personally trained in the art of impeccable service. Yes, a commoner *can* check in. But be prepared to weep a little when you see the price tag. I almost needed oxygen. The thought of affording a room there gave me a panic attack. So, I stuck to a day trip. I was a tourist, after all.
Okay, confession time: my first thought when I walked in was, “Do I look like I belong here? Should I pretend I’m a visiting Royal? Maybe adopt a British accent? No, too obvious.”
The restaurants. So many restaurants! Which ones are actually worth the splurge (or maybe just a quick peek)?
Alright, here's where I got to *actually* experience some of the "luxury." I was too scared to eat dinner, or buy a cup of water, until a few hours past noon, I had to eat. The food is pretty pricey, but here’s the lowdown:
The Good (and Semi-Budget-Friendly, by 81 Newport standards):
- I really enjoyed a great coffee at a small coffee shop with a view, not that it was inexpensive.
- There's a food court with stuff one might get the budget for, and I spent an hour taking my time.
The "Maybe Someday When I Win the Lottery" Category: The fancy, proper restaurants with white tablecloths and waiters who probably know your blood type. Look, they *look* amazing. But unless you have a spare yacht lying around, I'd suggest window shopping instead. Again, I was too scared to eat. They looked *very* expensive.
Let's be real, how much did this adventure hurt your wallet? Be honest!
Oof. Okay, deep breaths. I'd say, with everything considered, this was definitely more than my usual budget for a day out. Some window shopping, a coffee, snacks, and the occasional peek in the shops…lets just say the credit card got a *workout*. BUT, keep in mind, I didn't do the REALLY fancy stuff. Could I have done it cheaper? Absolutely. Did I enjoy the day? Definitely. Let's just say I'll be eating instant noodles for the next week to compensate.
The casino… Did you even *dare* venture in? Spill the tea!
The casino? Okay, full transparency: I briefly *considered* going in. Like, I walked right up to the entrance, peered through the automatic doors, and… Nope. Absolute and utter terror. The flashing lights, the hushed voices, the apparent mountains of cash…it just wasn't my scene. I'm more of a “spend my rent money on a new book” kinda gambler. My bank account and I decided to steer clear that day. Thank God.
My best guess? It probably smells of money and desperation. I didn't stick around long enough to verify. I had to go see a doctor afterwards, because I started getting paranoid. Very weird.
Worth it? Would you go back? And if so, with or without a bodyguard?
Worth it? Hmm. That's a tough one. It's a spectacle, for sure. A peek into a world beyond my usual reality. It's beautiful, it's flashy, and the service is undeniably top-notch. I can see the appeal, especially if you're, you know, actually wealthy. Would I go back? Maybe… if I had a winning lottery ticket or a sugar daddy (kidding! …mostly).
A bodyguard? Kinda tempting. Not for the security, but… for the feeling of belonging. Maybe I'd feel like the VIP I'm obviously not...but hey, that's the paradox of luxury, right? It's all a show.
Look, here's the deal. If you're looking for a mind-blowing experience, and money is no object, then absolutely, go to 81 Newport. Go crazy! But for the average person? Be prepared for a slight case of sticker shock and a whole lot of "Wow, that's a lot of money." But hey, even if you can only afford to window-shop, it's still an experience. And you'll have a story to tell.
Just maybe, bring a friend who can lend you money. Seriously.
