Seda Manila Bay,
Manila, Philippines
Why families love Seda Manila Bay
Seda Manila Bay is a family-friendly hotel in Manila’s modern Aseana City, just 10 minutes by taxi from the airport and connected to Ayala Malls Manila Bay by a covered walkway. Spacious family suites with a separate kids’ room, a huge infinity pool with a kids’ water playground, a games room and free mini golf make it a comfortable, easy base for families who want a few relaxed days in the city.
- 10 minutes from Manila airport
- Family suites with a kids’ room
- Infinity pool with a water playground
- Games room and free mini golf
- Covered walkway to Ayala Malls
- Buffet breakfast and a rooftop bar
First impressions
We looked long and hard for a comfortable, family-focused hotel where we could spend a few days at the end of our trip to the Philippines. After a lot of research, we settled on Seda Manila Bay, located in a modern, upmarket neighbourhood just 10 minutes by taxi from Manila’s airport. That short transfer is a real bonus at the end of a trip, when the last thing you want is a long journey with tired children and a pile of luggage. In this Seda Manila Bay review, we share what worked well for our family and what to know before you book.
Seda Manila Bay makes an immediate impression, surrounded by imposing shopping malls and green spaces, with a large, well-appointed atrium that feels suitably grand. There’s a sense of space and calm here that feels more reminiscent of Singapore than the usual hustle and bustle of Manila.
The hotel is huge, with 350 rooms, and it took us a little while to make our way to our room, so it’s worth allowing a few extra minutes to find your bearings when you arrive. Check-in starts at 2pm and check-out is at noon.
Accommodation
Once we reached our room, the whole family was thrilled. We had opted for a family suite, complete with a living room, master bedroom and, the pièce de résistance, a separate kids’ room with bunk beds, bean bags and their very own TV!
A separate room for the children is a real luxury when you’re travelling as a family. It gives everyone a bit of space, and there’s no tiptoeing around a dark hotel room once bedtime comes!
Having a separate living room gave us somewhere to relax that wasn’t the bed, which makes a big difference on a longer stay.
Seda Manila Bay also has standard king and twin rooms, larger rooms with a bathtub and one-bedroom suites, and some rooms include lounge access. Connecting rooms can be requested through the hotel, subject to availability.
Facilities & activities
The hotel was next level when it came to facilities, and we only wished we had stayed longer to enjoy them all! The star of the show is the huge infinity pool, which has a dedicated kids’ water playground.
Indoors, there’s a kids’ playroom and gaming area complete with air hockey and table football. It’s a lifesaver in the middle of the day when the Manila heat is at its peak, or when it rains (which is often in these parts!).
A welcome surprise is the complimentary mini golf course set in the hotel’s central courtyard, which makes a fun, free activity for the whole family and a good way to burn off some energy between swims. We couldn’t believe we had all this right in the middle of the city!
Parents are looked after too, with a fully equipped gym and the on-site Seda Spa, which offers massages and aromatherapy treatments.
Dining options
Seda has a spacious restaurant offering all day dining. The hotel’s buffet breakfast was good, with a mix of local Filipino dishes and international favourites to suit different tastes. It was extremely busy at the weekend though, so we’d recommend going early to avoid the rush.
For something a little more special, there’s Straight Up, the rooftop bar, where you can enjoy a drink with views over the city. During our stay there was a three-hour buy-one-get-one-free happy hour, which was very tempting! Offers change, so it’s worth checking what’s on when you visit.
Location & nearby attractions
The hotel was ideally located for our needs, not only close to the airport but also directly connected to Ayala Malls Manila Bay via a covered walkway. Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is around a 10 minute taxi ride away (there is also a shuttle available)
Ayala Malls is enormous and easily worth a few hours of exploring, with themed levels inspired by different Asian countries, a wide choice of eateries, a soft play centre and a giant Timezone arcade. Outside, green spaces are surrounded by restaurants, while a light display fountain adds to the atmosphere in the evening.
There’s plenty more to explore nearby, including SM Mall of Asia, the Okada Manila resort, which has a kids’ club (paid entry), and DreamPlay, an immersive DreamWorks themed entertainment centre. City of Dreams Manila is only around a 6 minute walk away. Given Manila’s notorious traffic, we preferred to base ourselves in the Manila Bay area, where there was plenty to keep the whole family entertained without having to travel far.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a family hotel near Manila airport, Seda Manila Bay is an excellent choice. With a family suite complete with a separate kids’ room, a huge pool with a water playground, a games room, free mini golf and a mall at the end of a covered walkway, there was plenty to keep us all happy without ever having to brave Manila’s traffic. We only wished we had stayed longer!
If you’re comparing family hotels in Asia, take a look at our Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua review too. It’s a long way to the Philippines, so our guides to flying with young children and flying with older children are well worth a read before you go.
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