Cubao’s heritage jewel MiraNila opens hotel, restaurant 2
An old world setting meets modern amenities in the soon-to-be-launched MiraNila compound. Left, the museum and library. Right, a peek at a bathroom in The Henry Suites.
Culture

SNEAK PEEK: Cubao’s heritage jewel MiraNila opens hotel, restaurant within its stately compound

One can now make a day of visiting the Benitez family’s museum and library in Quezon City
ANCX Staff | Apr 20 2022

Back in 2019, we featured one of Cubao’s fabled heritage structures: the MiraNila, an elegant pre-war family home that’s been repurposed as a museum. 

According to the writer Isidra Reyes, the building is one of a few residences in Manila that dates back to the American Colonial Era. Built by educators and civic leaders Conrado Benitez and his wife Francisca in 1929–even before there was such a thing as a Quezon City—it is a survivor of the Second World War and the ensuing rapid urban development outside its fences.

A room inside The Henry Suites.
A room inside The Henry Suites.

Within the same estate, it turns out, exists a much younger structure, albeit designed to echo the beautiful Italian architecture of its predecessor. Built sometime in the 70s, the building has been made over and will soon be ready to welcome guests as The Henry Suites Quezon City—the fourth hotel property in the country under the reputable The Henry brand. 

Evoking old world elegance in a modern setting.
Evoking old world elegance in a modern setting.

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According to its press release, QC’s The Henry Suites offers spacious rooms and hospitality unlike any other hotel. It’s for guests “seeking the unique experience of staying in a private estate without having to leave the bustling city environs.” 

A room at The Henry Suites.
A room at The Henry Suites.

Adding a richer experience to the hotel and the MiraNila Heritage House and Library is The Gallery by Blue Leaf, a modern events space set in the estate’s gardens, aimed at lending an old world charm and grace to contemporary gatherings. Finally, there’s Bizu which, apart from having a terrace cafe now welcoming guests, will open a lobby cafe within The Henry Suites. 

The door that leads to a relaxing stay.
The door that leads to a relaxing stay.

With these additions to the museum, one can now make a day of being in the MiraNila estate in Cubao. Visitors can arrange for a museum tour by appointment and be transported back to a more gracious era through the art, antiques and other memorabilia on display in the Benitez family’s historic Filipino home. After, they can check out the hotel and the events space before ending their visit with the French patisserie-inspired offerings of Bizu. Now who said Quezon City is lacking in charming tourist attractions? 

A portion of The Henry Suites.
A portion of The Henry Suites.

The MiraNila Heritage House and Library, which was given landmark status by the National Historical Commission in 2011, will inaugurate its venues on May 3, 2022 with Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat as guest of honour.

For more information please contact 63287214942 or +63906 303 3381.

Photos courtesy of Hanky Lee.