As of writing, there are currently 60 hotels, 23 bed and breakfast inns, and 24 specialty lodgings in Makati City. But just as we thought Makati has already enough accommodation options, a 348-room hotel recently opened its doors at the heart of Makati's Central Business District.
Holiday Inn and Suites Makati, the first purposely-built Holiday Inn in the country, sets itself apart from other Makati hotels by encouraging its regular corporate guests to bring their families along for a staycation.
The Ayala-owned hotel, standing just right by The New Glorietta wing, is the fifth IHG hotel in the country. Asked how different is this Holiday Inn from the other two in of the same brand in the country, Teri Flores, PR and Marketing Communications Manager answers “Holiday Inn and Suites Makati was purposely-built. By purposely-built, I mean that we all had a hand on how this hotel would look like. We thought of the designs, and we thought of the concept.”
At Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, guest can opt for a 48sqm Junior Suite, a 63sqm Executive Suite, or 93sqm Makati Suite (Note: room rates starts at around P6,500++). “We may have been creative and experimental with the hotel's interiors but the rooms are definitely consistent with international Holiday Inn standards,” Teri explains.
As in any Holiday Inn property worldwide, all beds are topped with Holiday Inn's signature Simply Smart™ firm and soft pillows that cater to different sleeping tastes. Bathrooms, albeit bathtub-less, are simple, clean, and functional– equipped with their signature Stay Smart® multi-setting Showerhead by Kohler®. Business travelers will also be pleased with the room's working desk and standard Internet service that's free for all guests.
But what sets Holiday Inn apart from all the other business hotels within the vicinity is their concern for families with kids. In their Executive Suite, there's a separate bunk bed area for two children and a king bed for parents. It has a spacious living room with two LED TVs and a kitchenette with induction cooker and sink. For even bigger families, the hotel’s Makati Suite boasts two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchenette. All Holiday Inn & Suites Makati rooms have mini bars equipped with snacks and activity kits for children.
As for dining and drinking options, guests have three outlets to choose from. Citron, Holiday Inn's lounge restobar, offers a menu based on one’s blood type. Oz Bar, the hotel's roof deck bar offers local-ingredient based cocktails and an unparalleled skyline view of the city.
Flavors, the sole restaurant that serves the hotel, houses a small but comprehensive buffet for Holiday Inn guests. Instead of grouping their food offering by region or cuisine, Flavors does what's unconventional and classifies the buffet by flavor: spicy, sweet, creamy, fresh and savory.
The fresh area is popular for the make your own Tom Yum bowl and off-the grill specialties. Tandoori headlines the few spicy options. When at Flavors' sweet section, be sure to get the mango cheesecake and the chocolate cake– the best desserts on the counter.
Again, Holiday Inn's concern for kid guests becomes apparent with the inclusion of a kid-friendly menu: nuggets, pasta, and cheese-topped burger patty. To make them feel extra-special, kids are even provided cute plastic utensils to slice their food!
During Sunday brunches, Holiday Inn delegates the floor on top of Flavors restaurant as play area for kids. While mom and dad are busy with their bacon and pancakes below, the kids can play Wii, watch an animated movie, or build blocks in the floor above.
Located approximately thirty minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a ten-minute ride to nearby Bonifacio Global City, a short walk to the Makati Philippine Stock Exchange, and a door away from Glorietta Mall, Holiday Inn and Suites Makati is a prime choice for traveling executives.
But more than your regular business hotel, Holiday Inn and Suites Makati offers a family-friendly environment with a “kids stay free, kids eat free” policy. Because of this, the new branch in the city is a welcome treat, despite the 107 accommodation options available in Makati.
**Exterior photograph of the hotel is from Holiday Inn and Suites Makati's webpage.
