For anyone who has stepped into the wonderful world of Hobbiton in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, be prepared to experience it live and in person within the charming confines of the Hobbit House in Manila. This splendid Philippine capital is home to a vast array of attractions that are best enjoyed from a stylish Manila hotel which you will find firsthand at The Heritage Hotel Manila. With luxury interiors and attentive hospitality, this is one luxury hotel in Manila that will leave you coming back for more. The beautiful brain child of Jim Turner, a Peace Corps Volunteer and college professor, the quaint Hobbit House came to life in 1973 as a viable employment locale for the city’s “little people” or dwarf population. Visitors can pose for pictures with these miniature wizards who provide a warm welcome for you at this eclectic family restaurant and pub. The Hobbit House is easily recognized from the street, as its front façade boasts a mural featuring leading characters from the trilogy, as well as a huge circular door – the preferred portal shape of any respectable hobbit from Hobbiton. Your presence into the premises will be greeting by the tinkling of a little bell. Inside, you’ll witness various scenes from the novels come to life, with the rustic wood paneling and candle-lit interiors providing access into another world of experiences. The House features a well-equipped bar with your favourite brands of vodka, gin, and other spirits, as well as the local favourite, Lambanog. The bar also features some local and international brews as well as 150 types of ales and cider, if your palate craves variety. The cuisine here is delicious and hearty, with choice selections as such English sausage and potatoes, New York cut steak, as well as tomato, basil and garlic pasta for those preferring lighter fare. But the highlight of Hobbit House comes in the form of its delightful “small” staff, who are ready with a welcoming smile and who graciously allow visitors to take pictures with them for an authentic “Hobbit” experience to show the folks at home. For a charming experience straight out of Tolkien’s mythical world, head to the Hobbit House when your travels transport you to Manila.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.