InterContinental Manila
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former five-star InterContinental hotel on Ayala Avenue in Makati, Manila, operated from 1969 until the end of 2015.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
InterContinental Manila was a five-star hotel on Ayala Avenue in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was developed through a partnership involving Rizal Development Corporation and Pan American Airways and ultimately opened on April 11, 1969, as the InterContinental Hotel Manila. The property was owned by Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporation and managed by InterContinental Hotels Group from its opening. It became one of the landmark international hotels in the Makati business district and was described as the first five-star hotel in Makati and the second InterContinental hotel in Asia. The hotel was designed by Filipino architect Leandro Locsin, who was later named a National Artist of the Philippines. Its original development history began with a 1958 press announcement for a project then called the Rizal InterContinental Hotel. That initial design was not carried forward, and construction was completed roughly a decade later under the InterContinental name. The hotel became associated with the growth of Makati as a major commercial and financial center and was, at the time of its closure, the longest-operating international chain hotel in the Philippines. InterContinental Manila offered guestrooms and suites, restaurants and bars, banqueting, and meeting facilities. Its 332 rooms and suites were renovated in 2006 with a design intended to combine traditional Filipino elements with contemporary styling. The property also received recognition for its food and beverage operations, environmental programs, community involvement, and position among business and city hotels in Asia-Pacific travel awards. Operations ended on December 31, 2015, when the management agreement between the Ayala-affiliated hotel subsidiary and InterContinental Hotels Group expired. The building was subsequently demolished between April 2016 and March 2017. The site was redeveloped as One Ayala, a mixed-use project incorporating an intermodal transport facility, office towers, and a hotel operated under Hilton's Canopy brand. In March 2026, IHG Hotels & Resorts announced plans for a new InterContinental Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The proposed replacement property is being developed with Keyland Corporation, Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation, and Greenhills Properties Inc. It is planned to contain 212 rooms and open in 2032. This proposed hotel would revive the InterContinental Manila name in a different location; it is not the original Makati property.
History
The history of InterContinental Manila began with a 1958 announcement for a proposed Rizal InterContinental Hotel. Rizal Development Corporation and Pan American Airways were identified as developers of the early project, although the original design was later shelved and did not become the final building. Construction was eventually completed in 1969, and the hotel was inaugurated as InterContinental Hotel Manila on April 11 of that year. The completed property was designed by Leandro Locsin, a prominent Filipino architect who was later designated a National Artist of the Philippines. Located on Ayala Avenue in Makati, the hotel opened during the development of Makati into one of the Philippines' principal business districts. It was recognized as the first five-star hotel in Makati and the second InterContinental hotel in Asia. Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporation owned the property, while InterContinental Hotels Group provided hotel management from the beginning of operations. For decades, the hotel served international visitors, corporate travelers, local guests, and events in Makati. Its business included accommodation, food and beverage, conferences, banquets, and other full-service hotel activities. At the time it closed, the property had 332 guestrooms and suites. A major renovation completed in 2006 updated all of the rooms and suites and introduced a visual combination of traditional Filipino motifs and modern design. The hotel's dining operations also formed part of its identity. The Prince Albert Rotisserie was recognized for its wine list, while the Festival Gastronomique le Kikay bleu received a Best Hotel Kikay Festival award in 1982–83. The property was subsequently recognized in several hospitality, environmental, community, and travel-industry programs. Among the cited distinctions were a high ranking in the 1997 D'Richey Report, a 1998 Green Globe Award, a 2002 InterContinental community-involvement recognition, and three consecutive TTG Travel Awards as Best City Hotel–Manila from 2010 through 2012. InterContinental Manila ended its original operating period on December 31, 2015. The closure followed the expiration of the hotel management contract between the Ayala Land-affiliated subsidiary and InterContinental Hotels Group. The structure was demolished from April 2016 to March 2017. The site was incorporated into One Ayala, a mixed-use development that includes an intermodal transport facility, office towers, and a hotel operated as a Canopy by Hilton property. One Ayala opened in 2022. The InterContinental Manila name was subsequently associated with a planned second property in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. On March 16, 2026, IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the project in partnership with Keyland Corporation, Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation, and Greenhills Properties Inc. The planned hotel is expected to have 212 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2032. Because this project is in a different city district and has not replaced the original building, the historical Makati hotel and the proposed Taguig property should be treated as distinct phases of the name's history.
- 2026
New Bonifacio Global City project announced
[1]IHG announced plans for a new 212-room InterContinental Manila in Taguig, with a proposed 2032 opening.
- 2022
One Ayala opens on the former site
[1]The former hotel site was redeveloped as One Ayala, a mixed-use project with transport, office, and hotel components.
- 2017
Former building demolished
[1]Demolition of the original structure was completed in March 2017.
- 2015
Original hotel closes
[1]Operations at the Makati property ended on December 31 after the hotel management agreement expired.
- 2010
First of three consecutive TTG Best City Hotel awards
[1]The property won the TTG Travel Award for Best City Hotel–Manila, followed by the same award in 2011 and 2012.
- 2006
Guestroom and suite renovation
[1]All 332 guestrooms and suites were updated with a design blending traditional and modern Filipino influences.
- 2002
Community involvement recognition
[1]The hotel was recognized as outstanding in community involvement for Southern Asia among InterContinental hotels.
- 1998
Green Globe environmental recognition
[1]The property received a Green Globe Award for environmental programs.
- 1997
D'Richey Report ranking
[1]The hotel was reported to rank first in Asia-Pacific and third globally in the D'Richey Report.
- 1982
Dining operation receives Kikay Festival recognition
[1]Festival Gastronomique le Kikay bleu received a Best Hotel Kikay Festival award in the 1982–83 period.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Luxury international business and city hotel with Filipino architectural and design references
Hotel accommodation · 1969
Guestrooms and suites
The original hotel operated 332 guestrooms and suites. A property-wide update in 2006 refreshed the rooms with an interior concept combining traditional Filipino references and contemporary styling.
Food and beverage · 1969
Restaurants and bars
Food and beverage operations were part of the hotel's full-service offer. The Prince Albert Rotisserie was specifically noted for its wine list, and Festival Gastronomique le Kikay bleu received hospitality recognition during the hotel's operating history.
Events and business hospitality · 1969
Meetings and banquets
The property served business and social events through meeting, banquet, and event facilities, consistent with its role as a luxury international hotel in Makati's commercial district.
Hotel accommodation
Planned InterContinental Manila, Bonifacio Global City
IHG announced a proposed successor property in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The planned hotel is described as having 212 rooms and a target opening in 2032. It is a future project rather than a continuation of the demolished Makati building.
Brand decisions
2026
Announcement of a new InterContinental Manila in TaguigProduct launchBackground
IHG announced plans to revive the InterContinental Manila name in Bonifacio Global City, a different location from the former Makati hotel.
Action taken
IHG entered a development partnership with Keyland Corporation, Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation, and Greenhills Properties Inc. for a planned 212-room hotel.
Aftermath
The proposed property is scheduled to open in 2032, subject to completion of development.
2015
End of the original hotel management arrangementStrategyBackground
The hotel was operated under an agreement between the Ayala-affiliated owner and InterContinental Hotels Group. The agreement ended at the close of 2015.
Action taken
The hotel ceased operations on December 31, 2015, and the original Makati property was subsequently removed for redevelopment.
Aftermath
The site became part of One Ayala, which opened in 2022 with transport, office, and hotel uses.
Recent events
- 2026
IHG announces a planned new InterContinental Manila in Bonifacio Global City[1]
Product launch
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced plans for a 212-room InterContinental hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with an expected opening in 2032 and local development partners including Keyland Corporation, Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation, and Greenhills Properties Inc.
- 2017
Demolition of the former InterContinental Manila building is completed[1]
Other
Demolition works at the former Ayala Avenue hotel site took place from April 2016 through March 2017 as part of the redevelopment that became One Ayala.
- 2015
InterContinental Manila ends operations after its management agreement expires[1]
Other · Leadership change
The original Makati hotel ceased operations on December 31, 2015, following the end of the management contract between the Ayala-affiliated owner and InterContinental Hotels Group.
Sources1 sources
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