A Momma Abroad

View Original

The Henry Hotel Overnighter

Two months ago my husband and I snuck away for a much needed night away from the kids. We needed to stay somewhere in the city because of car logistics and an overnight at The Henry Hotel is actually something I have wanted to do for two years. (I can’t believe this post was over two years ago!) Habits die hard as I am still such a sucker for museums. We even visited the new National Museum of Natural History which made it my fifth visit total. So, if you are looking for a close getaway with great design, a little adventure and access to lots of museums here’s a simple idea for you.

The Henry|

Located in a hidden family compound on FB Harrison in the beating heart of Pasay nestled behind an inconspicuous gate you will find the ever charming Henry Hotel. The exteriors have a flare of 1950’s mid-mid-century modern but I also saw a reflection of the British Indochine design I witnessed in Yangon earlier this year. The outdoor lanai with open air fans, white columns and glorious furniture details never got old.

the henry will coordinate a bamboo bike tour for requesting guest

Ancestral homes that are connected through hallways make up the different guest rooms at the Henry. The interiors of the rooms are as sarap as the exteriors. From ceilings, to bathtubs to floors everything is something to digest.

all the details were so stylish. I prefer more natural sun light but I still very much enjoyed the space.

no kids, kick your feet up!

white on white gets me every time. a local recycled tetra pack in place as the basurahan.

A-11| 

I mentioned A-11 in an earlier post and wanted to plug here it as well because it’s that good. If you are visiting the city and want a taste of eclectic home pieces, make sure to hit this spot.

rizal park hotel, Penthouse By The bay and Manila Hotel|

We arrived at the Henry in the early afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon and then took an early dinner at in-house restaurant, Apartment 1-B (yes, Makati and Rockwell’s neighborhood favorite). After dinner we ventured down to drink in a view of Manila from Penthouse By The Bay located on the roof of newly renovated Rizal Park Hotel. To burn off a few calories (like maybe 5) we walked down the street to Manila hotel for a Filipino classic of bibingka and tsokolate. The history in both of these hotels is rich, truly a feast for the history buff and interior design lover. Oh yeah, and the food lover as well!

National Museums|

We woke up on time to hit up the National Planetarium for the 9 am show and to our misfortune, there was an error with the screen and a show on the dome projector was not being shown. This was a pretty big bummer because I checked times a few days before but more so, my husband LOVES space and has never been. Many times I go on adventures with my kids because my husband works Saturdays so he misses out on the fun and he really wanted to see the dome projector I have talked about for years. So, a tip: be flexible. We did all we could to prepare and we still came up short. 

photo courtesy of national planetarium

Don’t worry too much because the National Museum of Natural History is open for all and has even added two more floors since my last visit. 

Topos Na|

Thanks Pasay for a great overnighter full of culture, good food and impeccable design. I wanted to experience this part of Manila for more than the few hours I usually get because of kids and traffic and I am so happy I saw her with new eyes. Sometimes all we need is to see our place with new eyes or exploring a new pocket, it can really help in our happiness. Manila, you are a gem. 

Kita Kita,

Amber