The Manila Hotel which opened in 1912 and extensively remodeled in the 1970s is a Philippine landmark, home to high society and to political intrigue, and often a scene of historic events.

1898- Judge William Howard Taft issued of the first decrees of the Second Philippine Commission, to create an urban plan for the Manila. Architect and city planner Daniel Hudson Burnham drafted a wide and long tree-lined boulevard that would begin at the park and at the spit’s end of the bay, a boulevard that would be dominated on one end by a hotel.

1908- William Parsons was appointed to continue where Burnham left off. He supervised the design and construction of Manila Hotel and was completed four years later. Soon, a magnificent, white, green-tile-roofed California Missionary-styled edifice emerged housing 149 spacious and high-ceilinged rooms. Since then, it is a hotel that commands the best westward view of Manila’s fabled sunset, the fortress of Corregidor, the poignant ruins of the medieval fortress that was Intramuros, and the palm-lined promenades of Luneta Park.

July 4, 1912- On the commemoration date of the American Independence, Manila Hotel was inaugurated and officially opened. With the Hotel garbed in full regalia, four hundred handsomely groomed and elegantly attired guests were ushered in for a dinner of American roast, Philippine lobster, and French champagne.

1912 to 1935- Manila Hotel was visited by some of the most prominent and notable personalities.

1935 to 1941- Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon invited General Douglas MacArthur to build the Philippine Army in 1935, Gen. MacArthur responded to the request of his long time confidant and sailed back to the Philippines. During his tenure as the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines, Gen. MacArthur, his wife Jean and son Arthur made Manila Hotel their home. 

Quick fact: To handle the cost of MacArthur’s suite, he was given the honorary title of “General Manager”. He attended the monthly meetings. He, however, ignored the figurehead status and instead took control of hotel management. MacArthur’s favorite food at the hotel was lapu-lapu, a grouper fish native to the Philippines, wrapped in banana leaves. 

1941 December – Manila Hotel became the command post at the onslaught of the Japanese invasion. But MacArthur and his men were unable to hold off the advancing forces and he and his men withdrew to Corregidor.
Quick fact: When World War II broke out, Gen. MacArthur made Manila Hotel his command post. On the height of the war, the Japanese occupied Manila Hotel and Gen. MacArthur was forced to leave. On his memoirs, he told of joining the patrol to recapture the hotel from the Japanese High Command, writing, ''I was anxious to rescue as much as I could of my home atop the Manila Hotel.''

1942-1945 – Japanese flag flew over the hotel during occupation in WWII.

1945 – MacArthur returned and was eager to rescue his home atop Manila Hotel as it was reported to him that the penthouse was intact. Upon reaching new Luneta however, they were pinned down by machine gunfire coming from the hotel. Suddenly, they saw that the penthouse blazed into flames consuming MacArthur’s military library, his souvenirs, and other personal belongings.

1946 July 4 – Manila Hotel was reopened for people who were determined to live well.1950s to 1960s- Manila Hotel were graced by the likes of Bob Hope, Marlon Brando, Tyrone Power, Secretary John Foster Dulles, Senator Robert Kennedy, Sir Anthony Eden, Charlton Heston, Burgees Meredith, the Rockefeller brothers, John Wayne, Publisher Henry Luce, Vice President Richard Nixon, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson, and other notable personalities.

1966 July 4 – The Beatles stayed at the Manila Hotel. Their experience in the Philippines was a significant point in the group’s history. After their tour in the Philippines, they decided to stop touring altogether and just focus on strictly making studio albums. None of the Beatles ever returned to the Philippines again.

1966 October – Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion was the venue for the ASEAN Summit Meeting. Six leaders discussed the worsening situation in war-torn Vietnam.

1970 – Philippine Constitutional Convention was held at the Fiesta Pavilion which was led by the political party of Marcos. Among the 320 delegates were former presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Carlos Garcia. It was comprised of very noisy meetings and lots of walkouts.

1974 January – In accordance to Presidential Decree 645, the old Manila Hotel Company was liquidated and GSIS was given the mandate to form a new subsidiary corporation which will restore, renovate, and expand the Manila Hotel.

1976 – The Manila Hotel was remodeled.

1977 October 6 – Inauguration and formal reopening ceremonies of Manila Hotel.

1970s-1980s – In last two decades, Imelda Marcos could be frequently seen at the hotel. When she visited restaurants, a red carpet and garlands were put out and the air was sprayed with deodorant.

1986 July 6-  A group of military officers loyal to the deposed President Marcos, takes over the Manila Hotel and declared Arturo Tolentino, who was Mr. Marcos's vice presidential running mate, as President. They surrender two days later.

1987 October 20 – Cory Aquino delivered a speech at the hotel that became the turning point in her campaign.

1995 – Supreme Court blocked a takeover bid by a Malaysian company using “Philippine First Policy”. Fifty one percent of the ownership was awarded to Manila Prince Corporation.

1997 April 25 – New owners joined 49 percent shareholder.

1999 – Imelda celebrated her 70th birthday with 1,500 guests.