Insider Spotlight
The planned 212-key hotel marks the return of the InterContinental brand to the capital more than a decade after the original property in Makati closed in 2015, once a long-standing symbol of luxury hospitality in the city.
Why it matters
The new InterContinental signals growing investor confidence in the Philippines’ tourism and premium hospitality sectors as international travel rebounds and demand for luxury accommodations rises.
The project also strengthens IHG’s luxury and lifestyle expansion strategy across Southeast Asia, where the company continues to scale its portfolio amid strong travel fundamentals.
Vivek Bhalla, managing director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said in a press statement on March 17, 2026: “The InterContinental brand has a storied history in Manila, having first opened in the city in 1969 and for 46 years it was a symbol of luxury and a hotel icon.”
“Reintroducing InterContinental to Manila is a wonderful milestone, and a perfect fit for the city with strong long-term fundamentals and increasing demand for luxury travel. This signing reinforces our commitment to expanding our Luxury & Lifestyle presence across the Philippines and the wider region,” Bhalla said.
The iconic five-star InterContinental Manila in Makati ceased operations in 2015 after the management contract between AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corp. and InterContinental Hotels Group expired.
The details
The upcoming hotel will rise in Bonifacio Global City, the 240-hectare master-planned district that has evolved from a former military base into one of Metro Manila’s premier business hubs.
BGC hosts the Philippine Stock Exchange, multinational corporate offices, and many of the capital’s modern commercial and residential towers, making it a prime location for international hospitality brands.
IHG is working with local developers Keyland Corp., Philippine Realty and Holdings Corp., and Greenhills Properties Inc. to deliver the project.
Jose Ma. Montinola, president, Keyland Corp. said: “Partnering with IHG to bring a globally recognised and well-loved brand such as InterContinental to Manila is an exciting new chapter for our partnership.”
“We are immensely proud to build on the brand’s storied legacy in Manila and to play an integral role in its return to the capital, delivering a stand-out hotel that honours its past while setting a new benchmark for luxury stays in the city.”
Globally, InterContinental operates more than 240 hotels, underscoring its position as the world’s largest luxury hotel brand. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
