On my second day in Resorts World Manila (RWM), we woke up early at 7am for breakfast at Passion Restaurant, located on the second floor of Maxims Tower. The restaurant serves Chinese cuisines and has a seating capacity of 400. Breakfast was dim sum buffet with other Cantonese fares like fish congee and braised chicken feet.
This was followed by a quick welcome and presentation by a few of the key management staff at RWM on the integrated resort and its attractions.
![Passion Restaurant has an interesting Chinese name which means "Wedding Banquet" Passion Restaurant has an interesting Chinese name which means "Wedding Banquet"](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701739425_d1c75ce728_z.jpg)
![Inside Passion Restaurant Inside Passion Restaurant](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6701752921_7879dab806_z.jpg)
![Buffet items Buffet items](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6701742965_0ee39d1bd7_z.jpg)
![My breakfast My breakfast](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6701739075_797797ea29_z.jpg)
![The main dining area of Passion Restaurant The main dining area of Passion Restaurant](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701744335_ff33b55cb2_z.jpg)
![An introduction to RWM An introduction to RWM](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6701760701_827d5938f3_z.jpg)
Next, we were brought around RWM for a familiarisation tour, guided by friendly RWM staff. We headed to Maxims Tower first to check out their various super luxurious six star suites.
Maxims Tower is the first all-suite luxury hotel in the Philippines. It has a total of 172 suites, each one richly-furnished and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Each suite is served by a personal butler; available round-the-clock to take care of every detail.
There are eight room categories in Maxims Tower:
MAXIMS TOWER ROOMS | HOTEL RATES* |
Maxims Suites | P15,800 (S$466) |
Maxims De luxe | P19,800 (S$584) |
Executive/Corner | P26,800 (S$791) |
Signature | P29,800 (S$879) |
Ambassador | P42,800 (S$1263) |
Villa | P115,000 (S$3393) |
The Mansion | P138,000 (S$4072) |
Key Room Amenities include:
– 42″ HD Internet TV with wireless keyboard
– Touch pad room service menu
– All-suite with basic cooking facilities
– Bar facilities
– Massage room
Room booking comes together with 24/7 butler service, welcome drinks and fruits, breakfast for 2, complimentary parking and in-room Wi-Fi.
Yes it is expensive, but luxury and tip-top service comes at a premium.
There are also no hidden charges for Wi-Fi, pay TV and other miscellaneous service fees as everything is covered in the room rates.
We would be shifting over from Remington Hotel to Maxims Suites the next day. After touring the suites at Maxims, understandably, everyone got really excited and wanted to move over as soon as possible!
![Cafe Maxims at the lobby Cafe Maxims at the lobby](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6701755881_8ed3a8a11b_z.jpg)
![Ballerini by Fernando Botero Ballerini by Fernando Botero](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6701755059_85eb160ba9_z.jpg)
![Stretch of high fashion retail shops Stretch of high fashion retail shops](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6701743561_1863d57de0_z.jpg)
![Even the escalator area is nicely furnished Even the escalator area is nicely furnished](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6701750883_548a204389_z.jpg)
![Casino entrance Casino entrance](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6701751567_3a31474c21_z.jpg)
![Interesting rooftop at Maxims Towers shopping wing Interesting rooftop at Maxims Towers shopping wing](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701762063_74667ac68a_z.jpg)
![Roof-top pool facility Roof-top pool facility](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6701763803_b9a8c2c337_z.jpg)
![The swimming pool is an infinity pool The swimming pool is an infinity pool](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6701747945_98854c882c_z.jpg)
![View of Maxims Towers on the roof-top View of Maxims Towers on the roof-top](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6701747001_fe5dea332f_z.jpg)
![The pool The pool](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701740423_289effb889_z.jpg)
![Little huts for lazing around and massages Little huts for lazing around and massages](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6701752321_75bcab8984_z.jpg)
![Corridor leading to the rooms Corridor leading to the rooms](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6701745385_aedb42e398_z.jpg)
![The bedroom The bedroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6701754567_d8719b9247_z.jpg)
![Bathroom in The Villa Bathroom in The Villa](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6701753613_fcbe2afdab_z.jpg)
![Private sun-deck and chair Private sun-deck and chair](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6701762703_cdca8e51a9_z.jpg)
![Jacuzzi area Jacuzzi area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6701742139_7e3a691c51_z.jpg)
![The Presidential Suite - The Mansion The Presidential Suite - The Mansion](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6701746545_3bbd959a0b_z.jpg)
![A personalised butler in each room A personalised butler in each room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6701761677_dd4c27860a_z.jpg)
![Bathroom in The Mansion Bathroom in The Mansion](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6701743915_7a24eaeb30_z.jpg)
![Master bedroom Master bedroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6701753929_b4cd6f2d96_z.jpg)
![Living room Living room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6701755489_f9c18240d6_z.jpg)
![Dining room Dining room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6701756567_9db0d346a0_z.jpg)
![Floor windows Floor windows](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6701757549_5d2ebdca2c_z.jpg)
![Fresh fruits! Fresh fruits!](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6701739987_e0a150d4ba_z.jpg)
![TV area TV area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701758657_393e6f45b9_z.jpg)
![Private massage room Private massage room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6701750203_205e412a71_z.jpg)
![Cosy beds Cosy beds](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6701741291_34b71ef49f_z.jpg)
![Another bathroom Another bathroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6701759739_0ac66e8a15_z.jpg)
![Room view from The Mansion Room view from The Mansion](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6701749603_c78b63e0ac_z.jpg)
![View from another angle View from another angle](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6701759457_f9918a383d_z.jpg)
![Best of all - a private infinity pool! Best of all - a private infinity pool!](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6701747437_2bfae61548_z.jpg)
![View of the infinity pool in The Mansion from another angle View of the infinity pool in The Mansion from another angle](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6701751213_39b7cb329b_z.jpg)
Next, we visited the five-star Marriot Hotel Manila, also located within RWM. Designed for both leisure and business travelers, the hotel has 342 rooms and boasts exquisite restaurants and bars as well as spa and beauty services. Room rates are available via their official website.
![Marriot Hotel reception Marriot Hotel reception](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6701742609_b2effb676b_z.jpg)
![Marriot Hotel lobby Marriot Hotel lobby](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6701749949_110ae39338_z.jpg)
![Desert bar Desert bar](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701750549_f6f0b81875_z.jpg)
![Hotel restaurant at the lobby Hotel restaurant at the lobby](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6701764277_af9ced53a6_z.jpg)
![Wine chiller Wine chiller](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6701757895_72ab4b666e_z.jpg)
![Hotel restaurant Hotel restaurant](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6701744793_4fd7a1be9a_z.jpg)
![Roast beef Roast beef](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6701762383_e5dfcfee06_z.jpg)
![View of the lobby from the second floor View of the lobby from the second floor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6701763473_502d1a9bb5_z.jpg)
![Spa services Spa services](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6701757215_6621ed83e5_z.jpg)
![Swimming pool Swimming pool](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701756249_79fbc73b4e_z.jpg)
![A guest sun-tanning A guest sun-tanning](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6701748793_95a6a3e16b_z.jpg)
![Checking out the hotel rooms Checking out the hotel rooms](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6701753297_5afd47d1ab_z.jpg)
![Living room area Living room area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6701762963_068c00987b_z.jpg)
![The bedroom The bedroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6701760425_260737e0e5_z.jpg)
![Bathroom Bathroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701764013_fda121bb37_z.jpg)
![Wider view of the bathroom from the connecting bedroom Wider view of the bathroom from the connecting bedroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6701752569_735c20c9ff_z.jpg)
Lunch was hosted at The Terrace restaurant, located on the fifth floor of Maxims Tower. We were served a satisfying four-course western meal.
![The menu The menu](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6701732003_edac0430fe_z.jpg)
![A small salmon paste starter A small salmon paste starter](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6701732473_43a8daf447_z.jpg)
![Traditional French Onion Soup Traditional French Onion Soup](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6701733091_24c46cb832_z.jpg)
![Sear free range chicken breast with pumpkin risotto and glazed French beans Sear free range chicken breast with pumpkin risotto and glazed French beans](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6701732823_1243c00fdf_z.jpg)
![Vanilla Panna Cotta with Hazelnut Tuile Vanilla Panna Cotta with Hazelnut Tuile](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6701738849_08457618fb_z.jpg)
Up next was some shopping! We left the RWM premises via a chartered tour bus.
Our first stop was at the Greenhills Shoping Center, a shopping centre in the city of San Juan. There are over 2,000 stores and the area epouses an “indoor-outdoor” theme, with the shopping centre having the appearance of several distinct buildings that are all interconnected through pathways and bridges.
I find the place much like Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, but with items going at lower prices, probably due to the differences in exchange rates.
I bought quite a fair bit of stuff here for my wife and son. Best of all, the total bill came to only around S$60+.
![Our drop-off point at Greenhills Our drop-off point at Greenhills](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6701736797_b804f79209_z.jpg)
![Security check before entering the shopping zone Security check before entering the shopping zone](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6701733451_9d61bc9deb_z.jpg)
![Lots of stalls selling all sorts of stuff Lots of stalls selling all sorts of stuff](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6701736011_45c6f82400_z.jpg)
![Angry Birds merchandises everywhere Angry Birds merchandises everywhere](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6701731541_5d49272400_z.jpg)
![Women's wears Women's wears](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6701735205_534d0198f5_z.jpg)
![Men's tee shirts Men's tee shirts](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6701738291_71251e282a_z.jpg)
![Filipino foodstuff Filipino foodstuff](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701729177_4b3cecc936_z.jpg)
![Pink salted eggs Pink salted eggs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6701732261_54acd130ab_z.jpg)
![Dried goods Dried goods](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6701737475_754fbc05a8_z.jpg)
![I tried one of these - chocolate ice cream infused into a long, thin waffer cone I tried one of these - chocolate ice cream infused into a long, thin waffer cone](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6701733663_d1a7b66918_z.jpg)
![Stuff I bought for my family and myself Stuff I bought for my family and myself](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701767033_8c5149cc13_z.jpg)
Next, we headed to the Greenbelt Malls (Ayala Center), located in the middle of the bustling Makati metropolis. Owned by Ayala Malls group, it is a three-hectare park punctuated by cascading landscapes and water features. Things here are more upmarket and cosmopolitan. Much like the usual shopping districts in major cities like Orchard Road in Singapore and Siam Square in Bangkok.
Usually I do not shop much at the these cosmopolitan malls as they generally offer the same few global brand name stores which are likely to be widely available in Singapore at better retail prices. Instead, I will hit the supermarkets and restaurants to check out the local food, buying some back to share with my family and friends.
Likewise in Greenbelts, I headed straight for the supermarket at the basement of Landmark shopping mall and bought a cart of local tidbits and snacks.
![In the Greenbelt area In the Greenbelt area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6701730083_9403f8d11f_z.jpg)
![View from atop a pedestrian bridge View from atop a pedestrian bridge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6701737091_6bd4d89ab5_z.jpg)
![Lorry-bus Lorry-bus](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6701730413_4d8cdf0f85_z.jpg)
![Spotted a colourful McDonald's version Spotted a colourful McDonald's version](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6701736315_9a8636b53d_z.jpg)
![The Landmark shopping centre The Landmark shopping centre](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6701734389_99dbfcbe2f_z.jpg)
![Entering Landmark shopping mall Entering Landmark shopping mall](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6701729613_ed37674a06_z.jpg)
![Tidbits heaven Tidbits heaven](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6701737955_cddc62b407_z.jpg)
![Crazy tidbits shopping - we went for all the local brands and favours Crazy tidbits shopping - we went for all the local brands and favours](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6701734805_be68240e9a_z.jpg)
![Catherine paying for her basket load of tidbits Catherine paying for her basket load of tidbits](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6701735649_3beec29d8c_z.jpg)
![Tidbits I bought Tidbits I bought](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6701766759_b58ef2432f_z.jpg)
After an evening of intensive shopping, we headed back to RWM for dinner and to retire for the night. Dinner was hosted within the super exclusive members-only Genting Club with live band performances.
The lifestyle club is designed particularly for Manila’s elite. Photography is not allowed in the club, hence I can only share photos taken at Taps, the performance area in Genting Club which we ate at.
![Seated and ready for dinner Seated and ready for dinner](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6701767401_6fbdb80ac4_z.jpg)
![Snazzy club lights Snazzy club lights](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6701766275_fe71c8767a_z.jpg)
![Live band performance Live band performance](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701768353_7eed896970_z.jpg)
![Lead singer Lead singer](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6701765319_c708e9cf08_z.jpg)
![Sushi items Sushi items](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701767747_b2f4d9896f_z.jpg)
![Beef salad Beef salad](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6701765599_f171f72149_z.jpg)
![Sheperd's pie Sheperd's pie](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6701768063_4481837c4c_z.jpg)
![Chawanmushi and little spoons of octopus Chawanmushi and little spoons of octopus](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6701768855_e1d1f0967a_z.jpg)
![Apple pork Apple pork](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6701765887_9e22bf07dd_z.jpg)
![Fishcakes Fishcakes](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701764857_67a7accf8e_z.jpg)
![Chicken liver pate Chicken liver pate](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6701765123_014eb9d55e_z.jpg)
![My dinner My dinner](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6701764559_a13b96b818_z.jpg)
After dinner, some of us headed back to our hotel rooms for an early night while others went to check out the live entertainment at Bar 360, located within the casino on the ground floor. There were also some who went to try their luck at the casino which is open 24-7.
I explored the casino a little and then tucked in and slept early, looking forward for more exploration the next day (and also to checking into Maxims Suite). Stay tuned for my next post. 🙂