Discover The Best Hotel In Makati For Shopaholics

The pool deck by night at Holiday Inn, Makati
The pool deck by night at Holiday Inn, Makati

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.

Our waiting cosy bed at the Holiday Inn, Makati
Our waiting cosy bed at the Holiday Inn, Makati

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 Santaโ€™s visit.

The breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn, Makati
The breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn, Makati

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 cafรฉ del mar hip place to hangout with funky lighting, cool tunes and sleek service.

The gorgeous pool deck by night
The gorgeous pool deck by night at the Holiday Inn, Makati

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.

Citron bar, Holiday Inn Makati
Citron bar, Holiday Inn Makati

Gym

One morning I head to the gym toย 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.

The Greenbelt shopping complex, Makati, Manila
The Greenbelt shopping complex, Makati, Manila

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 ย I’m

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

Top Travel Hack tips for a trip to Manila

    1. Book flights using Skypicker to search all airlines in one easy enquiry!
    2. Sign up for the IHG Rewards program to earn loyalty points on all stays and redeem them for FREE nights. Yes, totally free. No taxes to pay!
    3. Use local transport (check with the hotel concierge first as to what is safe!) such as a Uber, tricycle or jeepney to get around cost efficiently.

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.

This post may contain affiliate links which pay me a small commission should you click on them and make a purchase. Creating blog content takes up a lot of time including researching, fact checking, editing and more and for very little reward. It would be great therefore if you could use these links if anything catches your fancy. These small commissions help towards the cost of running the site, and the occasional glass of wine.
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About Anne

Anne is the founder and editor of Frommilestosmiles. If she isn't travelling, she is thinking of travelling or planning her next trip. She has visited over 90 countries on six continents and sampled everything from backpacking to bank bursting travel. Her mission is to help you enjoy more luxurious travel without the luxury price tag through the use of airline and hotel rewards and other money-saving travel tips

19 comments

  1. Holiday Inn, Makati definitely looks appealing and we have been in many IHG properties so even I can vouch for the comfort stay. Nicely written!

  2. It looks really good and that location is unbeatable. I stayed in a different part of Manila, but for next time – which will be soon, hopefully! – I’ll make sure to stay in Makati. Maybe even at this Holiday Inn.

  3. Oh you picked a good place to base in. It’s very interesting and alive there. Nice pool, do they allow night swimming ?

  4. I havenโ€™t been to the Philippines in years. this sounds like a perfect place to stay when we go back one day to visit with the kids. The breakfast buffet and pool sold it for me!

  5. I am glad you enjoyed Makati:) It’s a busy district and not all hotels are this nice like Holiday Inn. Especially the swimming pool looks amazing!

  6. What a lovely looking pool. And a great breakfast too. I’ve never been to the Philippenes but I’ll look out for the holiday in in Makati if I end up there

  7. i love Holiday Inn hotels… They have beautiful large and cozy beds ๐Ÿ™‚ Great review!! I would love to go in Manila !! Thanks for sharing your experience with us

  8. Looks like a great choice! I’m an IHG Rewards member too, great program!

  9. Do you believe if I say, right now I am in another Holiday Inn (Jaipur) ? Have always enjoyed IHG properties. This property is great. Nicely done review with great pictures. The night shot has come out well.

  10. Wow! From the photo, I would have never guessed that the Greenbelt complex was a shopping mall. I don’t enjoy the indoor malls, so I know I would like this way more since it literally looks like I’m still in paradise ๐Ÿ™‚ The hotel sounds like the perfect place to stay in Makati.

    • Yes I am not a fan of shopping malls either but loved the Greenbelt because it was like a mini jungle in the midst of designer shops. Plus there was a Starbucks which is always a bonus!

  11. A well-written review of the property and good pictures as well. Loved the travel hacks piece. The bed looks extremely cozy and comfortable. The swimming is small but chic. Loved the article. ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. We really enjoy hotels in the IHG portfolio – they always seem to research our perfect pillow preferences in advance too!! It’s as if they have a resident magician on staff lol!!

  13. I need to get back to the Philippines soon. Last time we didn’t spend any time in Makati, think we will next time.

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