What the heck! 6 Star Hotels

Want to know about the famed "six star" ranking?  First of all, I spoke to a hotelier who told me there is no such thing.  These so called six star hotels are so because they proclaim themselves to be.  With no futher delay here are some of these unabashed brands.

The Burj Al Arab in Dubai has claimed the title of the world’s most luxurious hotel.  With reception desks on every floor, rain showers and Jacuzzis in every suite, a Rolls-Royce fleet, butlers on call around the clock, and a soaring height of 321 meters, this sets the standard for decadence in luxury hotels. Though it may be said that the Philippines can get 6 stars just based on the smiling faces of its vibrant and helpful hotel staff, let’s take a look at the actual contenders for luxury hotel living in the Philippines.

The Maxims Hotel at Resorts World Manila claims to be the only 6-star hotel in the Philippines. The all-suite luxury hotel by the Genting Group has all the trappings you would expect from a hotel like this including a signed welcome note from the general manager to accompany your welcome basket of fruits and the 24-hour butler service. But the biggest perk of staying in this hotel should be its proximity to Impressions, the exquisite restaurant run by famed French chef Cyril Soenen.

The Aman Resorts group maintains its standard of luxury and class through an exclusive island-resort in the Pamalican Island in Palawan. The resort has reportedly hosted Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Robert De Niro, although a resort of their stature would never validate claims like that to the press. The island, named after the sanscrit word for peace, aman, and the Tagalog word for island, is fringed by seven square kilometers of pristine coral reef in the tranquil Sulu Sea. This place doesn’t need any fancy bells and whistles to prove its exclusiveness, it just is.

The newly opened conjoined luxury hotels called the Raffles Hotel and Fairmont Hotels bring luxury hotels in the Philippines to another level by being right in the middle of all the action of the Central Business District of Makati in Metro Manila. The Fairmont will be targeting the corporate market while the Raffles will be targeting the luxury leisure travelers. The hotels have pools, gyms, and access to the best golf courses in the metro. It is also within walking distance from the swanky Greenbelt Malls complex and and the Ayala Museum. With floor to ceiling windows in the guestrooms, the first Willow Stream Spa in the Philippines (a Fairmont hallmark), as well as the first Long Bar outside of Singapore’s legendary Raffles Hotel, these hotels promise to boost Metro Manila’s tourism profile. Oh and it of course must be mentioned that they have 24/7 butler service, all highly-rated luxury hotels must have 24/7 butler services.