What to expect: Pillars paneled with sculpted glass reflect the marble floor tiles and gold-colored ceilings of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino's compact lobby. A short flight of steps leads to the casino, while to the right lies a circular lobby lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows. Leisure guests from Japan, Korea, and China, as well as business travelers and foreign embassy staff, frequent the restaurants. Decor throughout is characterized by sleek marble and rich wood, highlighted by sculptures in metal and abstract artworks, mostly by local artists.

Insider tip: The Ermite/Malate district surrounding the Hyatt Hotel and Casino is known for its entertainment and nightlife, and is crowded with restaurants and small bars (around the crossroads of Julio Nakpil and M.Y. Orosa Streets, many cater to the gay and lesbian community). Two blocks away, Robinsons Mall is a vast shopping complex that provides another good glimpse into the lifestyles of middleclass Filipinos. It has a cinema complex as well as a department store, numerous boutiques, homeware stores, and innumerable restaurants and fast food outlets.