What to expect: The modest reception desk of the Pan Pacific Manila is immediately to the left of the entrance, after which the lobby expands into a large area of marble, gilt mirrors, ornate flower displays, and walls banded in rich dark and light wood. Asian and Western business travelers, Japanese tourists, and visitors to the nearby U.S. Embassy relax in the sitting area on the right, which is backed by a modern bar with a wall display of bottles lit in cool blues. Elevators (which have key-only access for guests) emerge onto the exterior of the building at the sixth-floor pool level, offering views of the pool deck, Manila Bay, and city.

Insider tip: The surrounding Ermite/Malate district 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.