Iloilo City: City of Love

Map

Wherever your travels take you in Iloilo, you will experience the unique charm of this historic province. A relatively short trip, and you are magically transported to a totally different environment, an extra ordinary destination of remarkable sights.
Standing at the crossroads of the Orient and the developed Western world, ILOILO lies in the Heart of the Philippines, stretching 4,663 square kilometers. This strip of land is cut by the Iloilo and Salog Rivers, looking like a nose, hence, the name "Irong-Irong," and later, Iloilo was given. Occupying the southern and northeastern portion of Panay Island, to the north of Iloilo lies the Province of Capiz and JIntotolo Channel, Guimaras Strait washes its southern shores, to the eastern side, the calm waters of Panay Gulf and Iloilo Strait, and the Province of Antique is our western neighbor.
Composed of 42 municipalities and a component city, Iloilo is readily accessible to the different regions of the country. Its unique location has made Iloilo the commercial, cultural and intellectual center of Western Visayas from the dawn of history. Strategically, it is considered as one of the main tourist’s entrance here in the region. Iloilo City, the vibrant provincial capital, is a booming financial center.
The provinces’ geographical structure and makeup has, in fact proven to be an advantage to the traveler, particularly the adventurous, daring and enterprising. The province is connected by a network of modern roads and bridges that traverse towns in the south with their old churches and Antillan houses; the cool, mountain haven of pine trees, flowers and wildlife sanctuaries in central Iloilo; and the stunning land and seascapes with strings of resorts in the north.
But, for many visitors to Iloilo, their enduring memory of their travel will always be the people. Considered as the birthplace of Malayan civilization in the Philippines, present-day Ilonggos are a complex lot, most come from Malay stock, with varying infusions of Chinese and Spanish ancestries. Ilonggos are gregarious, fun-loving people whose hospitality is legendary. Their amiable faces, always ready with a warm smile and a cheery welcome, embodies a beautiful culture with pleasing voices that echo a proud past. Ilonggos are proud of their legacy as people normally entertaining their guests with tales of their cultural affluence. Moreover, Iloilo is steep in historical significance. Its contribution to history is valuable. It is home to freedom fighters, outstanding legislators, legal geniuses, noted business pioneers and famed musicians. Ilonggo’s zest for life has made us a world-class professional human resource.
Wherever your travels take you in Iloilo, you will experience the unique charm of this historic province. A relatively short trip, and you are magically transported to a totally different environment, an extra ordinary destination of remarkable sights and attractions: a rendezvous of street dancing in January, retreat in April, beachcombing in May, from June to October, it is bustling education center, and the closest thing to white Christmas in December
There will definitely never be a dull moment here. Many who visit over and over again, and who have definitely fallen in love with the place, would attest to the charm, beauty, and magnetism of Iloilo.

How to get to Iloilo City

Panay Map

By Plane 55 minutes from Manila and 25 minutes from Cebu. By boat 20 hrs from Manila, 16 hours from Zamboanga, 14 hours from Cagayan de Oro, and 12 hours from Cebu. One hour trip from Bacolod City and it takes 38 hours from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, three times a month. 20 mins by pumpboat or 30 mins by ferry ride or RO-RO to the island province of Guimaras.

If you're from Dumaguete City you can ride a bus via Mabinay to Bacolod City for 5 hrs and via San Carlos to Bacolod City for 9 hrs. Then from Bacolod City to Iloilo City via express boat for 1 hr ride.

Where to stay

Hotels

First Class

Sarabia Manor Hotel

101 Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City,Philippines, 5000

Tel. No.: (033) 3351021 to 32

Fax No.: (033) 3379127

E-mail: reservation@smxhotel.com

Website: http://www.smxhotel.com.ph/

Four Seasons Hotel

Cor. Fuentes-Delgado Sts., Iloilo City, Philippines

Tel # (63)(33) 3361070/ 5093888

E-mail: info@four-seasonhotel.com

Website: www.four-seasonhotel.com

Amigo Terrace Hotel

Iznart-Delgado Sts.,Iloilo City,Philippines,5000

Tel. No.: (63 33) 3350908

Fax No.: (63 33) 3350610 / 3370144

E-mail: amigohtl@mozcom.com

Century 21 Hotel

Quezon Street, Iloilo City, Panay 5000, Philippines

Tel No: (033) 335-8821, (033) 335-8822, (033)(33) 335-8823

Cell No: (+63)920-9188821

Email: century21@ann2.net

Days Hotel

Location: Gen. Luna St. cor Bonifacio Drive

Tel. No.: (63 33) 337-3297, (63 33) 336-8801 to 10

Fax No.: (63 33) 336-8000

Mobile : (0917) 700-3297 or (0918) 933-3297

E-mail: reservation@dayshotel.com

EON Centennial Hotel

Jalandoni St., Iloilo City 5000 Philippines

Tel #: (033)3372277

Fax #: (033)3372299

E-mail: centennial.plaza1@skyinet.net

Grand Dame Hotel

Corner Rizal and Huervana Sts., La Paz, Iloilo City

Phone: (033) 508-8881

Fax: (033) 320-5656

Email: booking@granddame.net

Harbor Town Hotel

Corner J.M. Basa St., Iloilo City, Philippines

Tel. # (63)(33) 3372384

Email: harborth@skyinet.net

Hotel Del Rio

M.H. del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Tel. # (63)(33) 3351171

E-mail: hdelrio@iloilo.net

Website: www.hoteldelrio.net

Iloilo Grand Hotel

Iznart Street, Iloilo CityPhilippines 5000

Tel #: (033) 3351801-04

Fax #: 033-3350456

Globeline: 5099130-31

Iloilo Midtown Hotel

Yulo St., Iloilo CityTel. No. : (6333)3350008

Fax. No. : (6333)3380888

E-mail : midtownhotel@iloilo.worldtelphil.com

La Fiesta Hotel

M.H. del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo City

Tel. # (63)(33) 3380044/ 3382189

E-mail: lafiesta@iloilo.net

Residence Hotel

M.H. del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo City

Tel No: (033) 338-1091 to 93

Fax No: 337-2454

Entertaining places to go

Malls

SM City

SM City is the biggest and most popular mall in Iloilo, having a gross floor area of 101,735 square meters. It was opened on June 1999 and is built on a 17.5 hectare lot. It is located along Diversion Road (Benigno Aquino Avenue)

Jaro Town Square

Jaro Town Square is a new “mini-mall” in Quintin Salas, Jaro. The tenants in this building include an SM Supermarket (Iloilo’s 4th), Jollibee, Rose Pharmacy, Emcor, and a large Mandaue Foam Showroom.

Gaisano City

Gaisano City Iloilo is the second Gaisano mall in the city, located in La Paz District. It is six floors tall, including the basement. It houses 5 cinemas.

Gaisano Guanco

Gaisano Guanco is the first Gaisano in the city and has served the Ilonggo market for decades . It is located in Guanco St., City Proper.

Robinson's Place

Robinsons Place Iloilo is one of the three world-class shopping malls of Robinsons Land Corporation in the Visayas Region. Strategically located right in the center of downtown Iloilo, it complements the city’s busiest business district. It is bordered on all sides by main thoroughfares - De Leon, Ledesma, Mabini and Quezon Streets.

Marymart Mall

Marymart Center is a popular mall in Iloilo City, located in Valeria-Delgado Sts. It is composed of three buildings connected by elevated walkways.

Amigo

Amigo is a small mall inside the Amigo Terrace Hotel building located at Iznart-Delgado Sts., Iloilo City, Philippines, 5000

The Atrium

The Atrium is a 3-level mall, located in Bonfacio Drive (a short walk from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol). It is in the same building with Days Hotel.

Bars and Restaurants

Smallville