Plus life in a super hotel

WHEN the circus came to Manila, I made sure I was there as well. On this quick stop, Best Western Plus Antel Hotel was my home. Quite convenient I must say, it’s along Makati Avenue, a stone’s throw away from Rockwell, a (free) shuttle ride to Greenbelt Malls, it’s at the center of the entertainment district, and a block away from my best friend’s pad. More importantly, with someone I’ve known for years manning the helm of this impressive hotel, I was at the right place and in good hands. What more can I ask for?

The Best Western Plus Antel Spa lobby

and the lobby of the the Best Western Plus A. Venue

Amazing enough, General Manager (and friend) Yvonne Villacorte welcomed me personally on my arrival – at midnight! It was great to catch up with a friend no matter what time of day (or night) it was.

A midnight chat with Yvonne Villacorte, Best Western Plus Antel Hotel's General Manager

I told her that was a bit surprised with the arrangement of this hotel having three towers. Yvonne shared that it’s a move of Best Western Hotel, the largest hotel chain in the world, to create a new “super hotel” in Manila and merging three existing Best Western hotels the into one exciting, all-encompassing destination.

Deluxe Room at the Antel Spa Tower

Yvonne personally gave me a tour of the hotel she’s managing and said that the new Best Western Plus Antel Hotel, the first Best Western Plus property in the country, is the result of an unprecedented merger between three of the company’s popular Manila properties; the Best Western Antel Spa Suites, Best Western The A. Venue Suites and Best Western Plus Serenity Suites. The three hotels are interconnected and an access to all hotels is provided on the fifth level of the towers.

Relaxing. The queen bed of a One-Bedroom Suite at the A Venue Tower

Combining the three hotels, Best Western Plus Antel Hotel will be able to offer an increased range of facilities and amenities to all their guests, and achieve significant operational synergies. In doing so, the property will be able to better focus their resources and offer its clients the best possible service and experience.

Two-Bedroom Suite at the A Venue Tower

Having gained an excellent reputation, the three hotels have gained a strong following with both domestic and international visitors. Yvonne shared which nationalities favor what hotel as each tower exudes a distinctive look and aura, and when she divulged the property’s room occupancy rate, I was very impressed.

The infinity pool with a view of the Makati Skyline at the 18th floor of the Serenity Tower

Luck was on my side. I was told that the hotels were fully booked on my date of visit but I was accommodated in a one-bedroom suite in the Serenity Tower, of the 210 rooms the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel will be offering, all non-smoking and open onto balconies, with a range of upscale in-room amenities that includes a kitchenette, work desk and complimentary internet access. It’s affordable luxury, I must add, inexpensive room rates with 5-star hotel offerings.

Upscale room amenities. Living Room & kitchenette at the A Venue Tower

In this hotel, I saw the future. It was like walking into my own pad (I am looking to move in a condo soon) and got the vibe of condo living. The feeling was good.

And the good feeling extended to the rest of what the property offered. The expanded hotel offers a broad selection of guest facilities- three lobby lounges, two restaurants, two swimming pools, two fitness centers, spa, game rooms, a children’s playground and eight function rooms. Best Western Plus Antel Hotel will also be a haven for the corporate and events market with a ballroom and meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 200 delegates.

Where I stayed. The One-Bedroom Suite at the Serenity Tower

The best asset of this property though is not in its modern appointments or chic interior design, but in the people it employs. In the short stay with them, I encountered countless smiling faces, warm and efficient staff – from the doorman to the duty mangers, and the extra mile they will extend to make their guests secure (thank you very much Yvonne, you know what this paranoid guest of yours is referring to). Personally, these are the PLUSES that make Best Western Plus Antel Hotel truly a super hotel.

Best Western Plus Antel Hotel is 7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City. For information and reservation, call (+63 2) 403-0888 / 403-0808, or visit their website at www.bestwestern.com and www.antelhotel.com

For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ andhttp://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on September 16, 2012.