A stay with Makati Shangri-La is a truly luxurious affair. During a recent trip to Manila, I had the pleasure of being hosted by Makati Shangri-La in Manila, The Philippines. Makati Shangri-La is a renowned five-star luxury hotel, and constantly plays hosts to many events and conferences (the ballroom is very spacious). It is a prominent and beautiful structure within the Manila business district, and a luxurious sanctuary for both business and leisure travellers.
Front view of Makati Shangri-La, Manila. Photo © Gel ST.
An overview of the wide staircase of Makati Shangri-La, Manila’s lobby. Photo © Gel ST.
Check-in
As a Horizon Club guest, I greeted personally at the lobby by an executive staff and ushered into my room, enjoying a private check-in process. Effectively, I skipped the line at the check-in reception at the lobby. It’s a mark of genuine hospitality, and it’s worth staying a few more times yearly at other Shangri-La properties to be eligible for the Horizon Club benefits and privileges.
The Deluxe room has an interesting layout; the bed is in the centre of the room, at a diagonal angle to the floor-length window overlooking the glorious Manila skyline. The view is glorious, to say the least. Even watching the sunset is extra special, as I witnessed a helicopter taking off from an adjacent rooftop just as twilight began.
Interior of the Deluxe room. Photo © Gel ST.
Working area within the Deluxe room. Photo © Gel ST.
King-sized bed with headboard. Photo © Gel ST.
Sunset view from my Deluxe room, overlooking Ayala Avenue. Photo © Gel ST.
A sturdy safety deposit box comes standard in the Deluxe room, as with a bathrobes, a full ironing board and iron, a regular umbrella, and shoe-shine brushes.
In addition to the usual mini-bar, guests enjoy a complimentary mini spread of fruits thoughtfully placed on the tea table, with a couple of publications tucked into a corner. I swear the sofa is equally comfortable as the bed, as I almost dozed off on it while munching on a banana.
It’s all about class. A two-seater sofa with a generous tea table, topped with fresh seasonal fruits when you check-in. Photo © Gel ST.
The toilet facilities is excellent. The shower is a mixer type with one dial, and one gets to fine-tune the temperature to your ideal shower. The L’Occitane toiletries smell really good, and a spare set is provided in the bathroom. A clean, deep bathtub completes the experience. I do wish a portion of bath salt comes complimentary as well, but I’m just nitpicking here.
L’Occitane toiletries. Photo © Gel ST.
To get a good night’s sleep, one also gets the luxury in the form of a Pillow Menu, including options like a Lavender Pillow to “alleviate anxiety, stress and headaches”. I’m not complaining, as the in-room pillows are already soft enough for me. I’d try out the Buckwheat pillow the next time.
Pillow menu. Photo © Gel ST.
Guests are provided with wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the whole hotel, and the hotel went the extra mile to provide a LAN cable, in addition to a comprehensive IT Check List in the room and a Traveller’s plug adaptor should you forget to bring one. I managed to connect my phone, tablet, and tablet to the Internet without hassle, and achieved respectable speeds even during office hours.
Well-stocked mini-bar. Photo © Gel ST.
A very spacious bathroom. Photo © Gel ST.
Horizon Club Lounge
Within the private Horizon Club Lounge, eligible guests enjoy complimentary wine, cocktails and canapés from 5 pm to 7 pm daily. The spread was so substantial it can be a substitute for a light dinner. Actually, it’s a fine dinner. The Lounge area is a great place to mingle with other guests, or adequately comfy and spacious enough for reflection time.
Even at off-peak hours, the Horizon Club Lounge is yours to command. With a premium offering of Nespresso-based coffee drinks to choose from (Ristretto, or Lungo Decaffeinato), I spent a couple of hours working on my laptop in the comfort of the Lounge. The service staff occasionally checked on me if they could get me a new latte. Tea and soda are also available throughout the day for guests. The Lounge certainly doubles up well as a mobile office.
Lift lobby. Photo © Gel ST.
Entrance to the Horizon Club Lounge. Photo © Gel ST.
A wide variety of beer and wine, during evening cocktails. Photo © Gel ST.
Evening Cocktails. Photo © Gel ST.
Desserts during evening cocktails. Photo © Gel ST.
Cheeseboard. Photo © Gel ST.
Seasonal selection of sashimi. Photo © Gel ST.
Dining Options
Dining options is aplenty within the hotel. Circles Event Café offers fascinating open-theatre kitchens. Indulge in the freshest seafood and authentic Japanese cuisine at Inagiku or experience Shangri-La’s signature Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace, with its modern Cantonese cuisine.
Breakfast at Circles Event Café is easily one of the widest spread of international buffet one can find for breakfast. Indian curry, plain porridge, Filipino Bibingka, yogurt, and croissants are just a sampling of what the breakfast spread offers. I heartily recommend the Homemade Bibingka with Salted Egg and Cheese for the adventurous soul. Halal food is also available during breakfast.
Inside Circles Event Café. Photo © Gel ST.
Sashimi during breakfast hour at the Circles Event Café. Photo © Gel ST.
Photo © Gel ST.
Indian Naan for breakfast. Photo © Gel ST.
Shang Palace is an excellent location to host guests, even if you are not staying in the hotel. The thoughtfully-crafted “Exclusive Set Menu” starts at 1,488 pesos per person, and you can expect a 8 to 9-course meal for your money’s worth.
Dried scallops with shredded chicken, bamboo pith, fried fish maw and crabmeat soup. Photo © Gel ST.
Steamed lapu-lapu with light soya sauce. Photo © Gel ST.
Facilities and Nearby Attractions
Makati Shangri-La’s reception lobby is one of the most spacious hotel lobby I’ve ever stepped into. The hotel staff is consistently attentive. The front desk informed politely that I could call for a delivery of supper from the nearby Jollibee or McDonalds.
The extremely grand lobby of Makati Shangri-La, Manila. Photo © Gel ST.
Makati Shangri-La features a plethora of facilities, catering to every possible need. In fact, you can choose not to step out of this luxurious hotel and just live your vacation/business trip within the building. There’s a business centre,gift shop, foreign currency exchange counter, facilities for the physically challenged, and of course, a limousine and taxi service right at the hotel’s doorstep. Even the lobby lounge serves as a great mobile office, with the entertainment highlight being a 14-piece orchestra serenading the guests from 3 pm to 5:45 pm, every day of the week.
A view overlooking the Lobby Lounge in Makati Shangri-La. Photo © Gel ST.
14-piece orchestra performing daily in the Lobby Lounge. Photo © Gel ST.
The hotel is within walking distance from some of the most popular shopping malls in Manila, which include Glorietta, Greenbelt and SM Department Store. Do check out Greenbelt – it has some amazing local brands, but also enough international labels (think Topman, Tag Heuer) to keep you busy.
Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue,
Makati City, 1200, Philippines
Tel +63 2 813 8888
