Nostalgic sanctuary opens in Pasay City

LIBERATION-STYLE houses of The Henry Manila

A nostalgic sanctuary, The Henry Manila welcomes travelers looking for a place of simplicity and quiet amid the hustle and bustle of life. Brought to the country’s capital by the same team behind the iconic The Henry Cebu, The Henry Manila offers a unique experience for city dwellers searching for a quick escape.

Located inside the 2680 Compound on FB Harrison Street in Pasay City, The Henry Manila is a 34-room boutique hotel spread across five Liberation-style houses that were lovingly restored and repurposed for its guests. Developed by Innovoterra Properties Inc. and Atlas Properties Shared Services Inc., it is set to make a statement for boutique hotels with style and vibe that are truly its own.

CLASSIC living room interiors CLASSIC living room interiors

“We planned and designed The Henry Manila in a way that will allow it to offer guests a tight, consistent nostalgic experience. We implemented what we call ‘adaptive reuse’ and worked around the old houses, whose look gives the place its distinctive appeal,” says Innovoterra Properties chair Hanky Lee.

All of the hotel’s elements, from the plants that adorn its expansive garden, to each room’s furnishings, took off from the austere aesthetic of its Liberation-style houses to tie up with the nostalgic theme.

The experience begins as one cruises along The Henry’s driveway, which is lined with acacia and caballero trees. It’s a trip down memory lane as the five houses come to view and lead to the garden designed by Ildefonso P. Santos, National Artist for Landscape Architecture. One of the master’s last projects, the garden features a well-thought-of plant palette which features postwar favorites: palmera, santan, lantana and champaca, among others.

The houses’ simple architecture is spruced up by key design components, beginning with the Scala grilles, inspired by the Art Deco style of the famous Scala Theater on Avenida Rizal, designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio. The floors are made of baldoza tiles, which were in vogue during the period. Vibrant colors and varying patterns in floral, vegetative and geometric shapes decorate the tiles, further adding to the artistic touch.

Inside, the houses were redesigned to accommodate spacious rooms equipped with modern amenities. Thirty-four doors lead the guests to delightful respites, and each room is highlighted with its own unique furniture, from closets or aparador to side chairs or sunroom sets, which were sourced from all over the Philippines and refurnished for that modern vintage twist. Famed interior and furniture designer Eric Paras worked on each room to bring the nostalgic concept to life.

More areas for relaxation

MASTER bedroom at The Henry Manila

Outside, pocket spaces in between the houses give guests more areas for relaxation. They’re especially cozy in late afternoons, when the soft breeze and lingering rays of sunlight provide the perfect company as one sits down for thoughtful activities such as writing or reading a book.

“The backdrop of The Henry Manila makes it the perfect place to stay for tourists who want a dose of Manila’s rich history. Not only is the hotel a recreation of a former way of life, its location also places it close to Manila’s heritage and culture sites like Intramuros and the National Museum,” Hanky adds.

Its interaction with local history, Hanky believes, is the very essence of what will make The Henry Manila a hit among its guests. “We could’ve gone the easy route and demolished everything and built something more modern from scratch. But we lovingly restored The Henry Manila because of its unique charm.” he concludes.

For reservations, please call (632) 8078888, e-mail [email protected] or log on to at www.thehenryhotel.com. The Henry Hotel is professionally managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc. (www.hii.com.ph).