Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila > Reviews (1)

Makati Shangri-la Hotel is classy. And expensive. Staying there is a luxury which my family and I indulged in one weekend using the discount vouchers included in my Shangri-la Senses card. Makati Shangri-la is one of the most popular hotels in Metro Manila and is often chosen as the preferred residence of most foreign dignitaries and executives visiting the country. The moment you step into the lobby, you could already feel why it is given a five-star status. The lobby itself is impressive with its spiral staircase and huge chandelier hanging on top of a beautifully-designed floral centerpiece. However, some may find it a bit imposing. As to the service, it is prompt, impeccable and very professional although somehow I long for the more intimate service that I get from hotels of a lesser caliber.

The room we occupied is definitely beautiful with its wood-paneled walls with matching writing desk, cabinets and mini-bar. The pillows are soft and the beds are comfortable that I can spend the whole day there just snoozing. There are also the usual amenities – tea and coffee making facilities, in-house safe, complimentary broadband access, and satellite tv. As usual, the moment we settled down, the kids were already raring to check out the outdoor swimming pool which happened to be one of the loveliest ones I’ve seen in a hotel setting. I guess, a lot of the guests felt the same way too coz there were many people swimming when we get there. In other hotels that we stayed in, we often had the pool only to ourselves. Makati Shangri-la also has a gym, sauna and tennis courts but I am not into fitness so I didn’t find it necessary to try them out.

One of the things I’m fond of is eating and Makati Shangri-la’s Circles buffet restaurant is among my favorite haunts. It is where we go whenever we want a variety of food. It has Japanese, Chinese, Western, Filipino, Italian, and Indian Cuisine, among other things. It costs around Php 1,200 ++ per person. The waiters are very attentive and would even pamper you. Last May, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Circles again using my membership vouchers. The waiter who assisted us made sure that we were comfortable. He even convinced the bakeshop to whip up a cake for us at such a short notice and even nicely wrapped the complimentary bottle of wine for us to bring home. It was like having our own personal butler.

Red, on the other hand, is a fine-dining restaurant ideal for business meetings and romantic dates. It is not for people who are in a hurry since you have to spend about two hours there for a meal. A full-course meal at Red may cost around Php 3,000. Another expensive place is the Japanese restaurant Inagiku. While the food there is delicious, I think the same quality can be enjoyed in other less expensive restaurants around the area.

Makati Shangri-la is located in the heart of the Makati City Central Business District. Shopping and entertainment centers are everywhere so you would find a myriad of activities to indulge in while in the area. It is a few meters away from the bus stop and the Metro Rail Transit station and taxis can easily be hailed at the hotel or even along the road. Makati Shangri-la is highly-recommended for people with discriminating taste.