Edsa Shangri-La, Manila

...it would be “lovely”. EDSA Shangri-la Hotel is like an oasis in the middle of the city. The beautifully-landscaped garden with the flower-shaped pool, jogging path and tennis courts, is a wonderful spot to unwind. Within the area is the Chi’ Spa, a relaxing place to be pampered and to soothe one’s tired muscles though the prices of spa services are quite high based on Manila standards. Well, I guess, one has to pay for ambiance.

My family ...
...a five-star hotel. Well, EDSA Shangri-la is part of the Shangri-la chain so it is not surprising that the rooms and services are of high standard. It has two wings. We stayed in the cosmopolitan wing which has a view of the city. The other wing overlooks the garden.

During our short vacation, the kids had a blast in the pool while my husband and I spent a few hours getting a full-body massage at Chi’. Afterwards, we had dinner at Heat, ... more

If there is one word to describe this hotel, it would be “lovely”. EDSA Shangri-la Hotel is like an oasis in the middle of the city. The beautifully-landscaped garden with the flower-shaped pool, jogging path and tennis courts, is a wonderful spot to unwind. Within the area is the Chi’ Spa, a relaxing place to be pampered and to soothe one’s tired muscles though the prices of spa services are quite high based on Manila standards. Well, I guess, one has to pay for ambiance.

My family once spent a weekend in EDSA Shangri-la to celebrate my birthday which coincided with Mothers’ Day. The rooms are exactly what you can expect from a five-star hotel. Well, EDSA Shangri-la is part of the Shangri-la chain so it is not surprising that the rooms and services are of high standard. It has two wings. We stayed in the cosmopolitan wing which has a view of the city. The other wing overlooks the garden.

During our short vacation, the kids had a blast in the pool while my husband and I spent a few hours getting a full-body massage at Chi’. Afterwards, we had dinner at Heat, a buffet restaurant at the ground floor of the hotel which serves mouth-watering international cuisines comprising of lobsters, prawns, crabs, salmon, oysters, sushi, roasted meat, sashimi, different kinds of noodles, and a lot more. The dessert bar is also to die for. Heat, however, could be quite crowded and noisy especially during lunch coz it is a favorite hangout of executives working within the Ortigas complex. Summer Palace, a fine-dining Chinese restaurant, is a favorite of our guests because of the super-delicious food and large serving. On my part, I like Paparazzi, an Italian pizza place, which is really cozy and the food is always worth the price. EDSA Shang also has a Japanese restaurant but I haven't tried it yet.

But since dining in a hotel can blow your budget out of proportion, you can just walk to Shangri-la Mall or to SM Megamall to grab a bite. Both malls have a food court offering inexpensive yet delicious meals. There are also popular fast food branches if you crave for burgers, doughnuts and pizzas. Restaurants serving the A and B markets also abound. Megamall, by the way, is considered as a shopper’s paradise. Anything you want can be found there –clothes, native handicrafts, housewares, appliances, gadgets, among others, all at very affordable prices. It also has a number of movie houses, gaming arcades, and Internet cafes. To explore every nook and cranny of the huge mall may take you one day.

EDSA Shangri-la may be a bit far from the financial district of Makati City but it is located in the bustling Ortigas complex, another business hub in Metro Manila. There are no tourist attractions within its vicinity but one can just take a cab and go to the City of Manila (about 30 minutes to one hour depending on traffic) to check the historical sites of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Manila Cathedral, watch a play or musical performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, or explore the colorful Chinatown in Binondo.

The hotel is very near the Metro Rail Transit terminal which is located inside Shangri-la Mall. It is also just a short walk away from the bus stops (though I won’t recommend taking the bus since they are slow and crowded). Taxis can be hailed right outside the hotel or you can walk to the mall area to get one.

My family and I love EDSA Shangri-la (actually all the Shangri-la Hotels we’ve been to are wonderful) and would not hesitate to spend another mini-break in this lovely hotel.
 

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