Hotel Lucky Chinatown + Things to Do in Manila

April 12, 2019 Ruth Dela Cruz

Hotel Lucky Chinatown + Things to Do in Manila

When people learn that I live in Manila (and that Divisoria is just a 15 minute walk from my place), they always ask me if I always go to Tutuban and Binondo.

Well, that is one of the ironies of life. We oftentimes neglect exploring the places that are close to us, thinking they would always be there.

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, with Binondo being the former business capital. The city still has its own charm despite its crowded little towns and narrow side walks.

People would never understand when we say, we got stuck in the Manila traffic, it is not easy to navigate through the crazy main roads like Jose Abad Santos, Juan Luna, Recto and Roxas Blvd.

Inside Hotel Lucky Chinatown

If you are planning to spend a day to visit and get to know Manila, you are in good luck as Megaworld recently opened Hotel Lucky Chinatown. It is the newest hotel by Megaworld Corporation after opening 7 hotel developments under four brands including Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Twin Lakes.

The Hotel Lucky Chinatown is directly connected to the Lucky Chinatown Mall via footbridge, which offers 93 rooms and suites ranging from Standard Queen, Standard Twin, Junior Suite and Executive Suite.

It has all-day dining restaurant, the Cafe de Chinatown, to be managed by the Raintree Group of Companies, the company that owns Museum Cafe and Terraz in Makati, and Chelsea Kitchen.

The Php750-million hotel also has Zabana Bar, Spa, Sauna, Jacuzzi, and Fitness Center. It also has high-ceiling Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 350 guests in banquet setting, and can be divided into 3 smaller ballrooms. It has 3 meeting rooms for smaller groups named after popular streets in Manila. My favorite spot is the Zen Garden at the Atrium – adding a touch of green in the prominent white and orange interior.

We got to tour the hotel and its facilities, and I am quite impressed with its pretty, clean and modern contemporary design and interior. It is an impressive contrast to the old and busy charm of the old town that is Binondo.

The rooms have the usual amenities of a hotel which include TV, coffee, tea, mini-bar, toiletries, fresh towels, and hot & cold shower.

I really like the idea of having a nice hotel around the neighborhood. Oftentimes, we want to go for a quick staycation but we always have to worry about the traffic. We also always plan to do a New Year’s Eve celebration in a hotel but we worry about possible emergencies (like fire), so it is good to have Hotel Lucky Chinatown which is just near our home.

Things to Do Around the Hotel + Places to Visit in Manila

Hotel Lucky Chinatown is strategically located near Manila’s historic and cultural sites such as Intramuros, National Museum and Chinatown. It is just around 40 minutes away from NAIA International Airport. From the hotel, you can take a Grab, tricycle or public transportation to go around. Walking is nice too and a great exercise.

Here are the things I would suggest that you do when you plan to stay at Hotel Lucky Chinatown:

1. Go on a Food Trip around Binondo

Hotel Lucky Chinatown is just a 5-minute walk to Ongpin. It is a place to have a gastronomic journey and indulge in lumpia, siomai and hopia.

2. Shop at Tutuban Center, 168 Mall or Divisoria

Divisoria is always the best place to shop for anything – food, accessories, cloths, home needs, party needs, etc. The only items I wouldn’t recommend you buying from Divisoria are electronics, makeup and skincare products.

Don’t leave Binondo without checking out the good deals and discounts at Tutuban, Divisoria and neighboring malls. Some tips for shopping: haggle half the given price. bring lose bills and wear comfortable clothes.

3. Learn More About Philippine History through the National Museum

From Lucky Chinatown, you can take a jeepney (route Buendia – Taft) and alight at United Nations street (from there, you can walk toward National Museum).

At the National Museum, you can learn more about the Philippine history and you can see the popular painting of Spolarium by Juan Luna.

4. Visit the National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History features 10 galleries of plants, animals and fungi that are only seen in our country. It is a beautiful museum that is also perfect for your Instagram.

5. Explore Luneta Park

While you are in the area, you can go and explore the historical urban park that is Luneta (formely known as Bagumbayan) and visit the mini-parks and gardens like the Chinese Garden.

6. Look back at the Past in Intramuros

Intramuros is the 0.67 square kilometres historic walled area in Manila.

Inside Intramuros, you can visit the Fort Santiago – the old citadel where Philippines’ National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution, and San Agustin Church – a UNESCO heritage site in Manila.