Discover The Best Hotel In Makati For Shopaholics

A welcoming hotel in Makati

From the minute we walk into the lobby of our hotel in Makati, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep on our thirty-hour journey, we are treated like VIPS. Our bags are swiftly whisked out of the car boot and taken away for safekeeping, a member of staff checks that we have not left anything in the taxi (she obviously recognises that zombie look!) and we are promptly escorted to reception.

There we are handed complimentary drinks tokens for being loyal IHG members (even though I am still a paltry basic member) and efficiently checked into our room. We have barely time to register that its spacious and comfortable before everything is unceremoniously dumped as the lure of the king size bed entices us into its lair.

The perfect bed

Beds have taken on a whole new meaning since injuring my back some years back. My days of sleeping on concrete mattresses are over. A poor bed is a recipe for pain and immobility so I am practically in heaven as I sink into its firm (but not too hard) mattress, delighting in crisp linens and the perfect combination of pillows.

Pillow perfection

The pillows are bulky and firm, just as I like them. Jason has two flimsy thin ones (just as he likes them!) almost as though the hotel somehow researched our pillow preferences beforehand. Now that would be impressive!

Breakfast buffet

In the morning we wake late and rush to the restaurant for breakfast. Bright and airy, there’s stations for eggs, waffles, fruit, sushi, cold meats, pastries and hot selections. Juicy pastries and sticky doughnuts invite guests to treat themselves and Christmas themed ginger bread houses decorate the stands. Christmas is definitely a big thing in the Philippines with huge displays inviting children to head to the North Pole or post a letter to the big man. There’s even a fireplace all decked out ready for Santa’s visit.

We indulge in made to order omelettes, hot lattes and fruit skewers taking our time for a leisurely start to the day.

Pool deck

Later we head to the pool deck where waiters rush to lay towels and take our drinks order. A decent size pool invites us to take a dip and lush foliage surrounds the deck which overlooks the Makati and skyline. By day it’s a great place to sunbathe but by night it transforms into a café del mar hip place to hangout with funky lighting, cool tunes and sleek service.

If you tire of shopping and lack the energy to make it up to the pool deck you can indulge in a cocktail or selection of wines and spirits at the lobby bar. This is a more formal affair where smart business people hold auspicious looking meetings and highly groomed women stop by for afternoon drinks with their friends.

Gym

One morning I head to the gym to encourage my body clock onto Filipino time. It’s compact but has cardio and free weights with panoramic windows over the pool. The view is a nice distraction from trying not to panic at every twinge my training sessions might unearth.

Location

This hotel is the perfect hotel for business and leisure travellers. In the heart of Makati, it is in the heart of the business district yet surrounded by mega malls. Designer vultures can find Gucci and Louis Vuitton just a stone’s throw away. You don’t even need to go outside the hotel to start your shopping experience as you can access the Glorietta Mall directly from the hotel ground floor.

I highly recommend the Greenbelt complex which is just a few minutes walk. It is probably the best-designed mall I’ve seen with tropical foliage surrounded by endless cafes and restaurants to keep you fed for months on end. Every type of cuisine can be found here from Korean, to American, Italian to Japanese. Truly you will be spoiled for choice. Even though our trip was accompanied by torrential rain, sitting drinking a Starbucks in the central plaza watching the rainfall was great fun.

Service

The thing that makes this hotel special is simply the service and nothing is too much trouble. Our room attendant leaves us fresh water each day, we are greeted with beaming smiles everywhere we even find ourselves taking bets on how long it will be before our breakfast plates are clear. For the record, a few seconds was not uncommon.

So if you are visiting Manila and need a central place to stay, I highly recommend this hotel for great service, spacious rooms and super comfortable beds.

Accelerate

As an added bonus Holiday Inn is currently running an Accelerate offer allowing you to earn extra points for stays before 15 December 2016. Simply register for the offer and you can earn an easy 2,000 bonus points on your stay. Hi  I’m

As an IHG reward member you will also benefit from:
• Late checkout until 2pm
• Complimentary daily newspaper
• Free internet access for up to eight devices
• No blackout dates on redemptions at 5,000 hotels worldwide

Disclaimer: We stayed courtesy of Holiday Inn, Makati but all views are unedited and our own. This is a hotel I would not hesitate to recommend for comfy beds, a great location, pool and bar.