New World Makati Hotel

Housed in a tall white tower in the Central Business District, the New World Makati Hotel has an overall corporate feel. It was first opened in 1994 as the New World Renaissance Hotel, but constant investments and renovations have kept it looking fresh and luxurious. The gray-and-white palette found in rooms and most common areas lends spaces an upscale, stylish look. The lobby is a long, bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and gleaming light-colored floors dotted with dark accents. A grand staircase with dark brown wooden railings leads to the mezzanine, while a couple of gray velvet armchairs provide comfortable seating where business and leisure travelers can be seen on their phones or laptops. The Lounge, a casual café serving coffee and drinks off of the lobby, has a few tables in an area overlooking a cute garden with a koi pond, a bridge, and lots of plants. 

The hotel is located on the corner of A. Arnaiz and Makati avenues, two of Manila’s main thoroughfares. High-end Greenbelt and Glorietta malls are just across and down the street, respectively, from the hotel. Ayala Avenue, known as the Wall Street of the Philippines due to its many corporate office buildings and status as home to the Philippine Stock Exchange, is located three short blocks away. Makati Avenue is a nightlife and shopping hot spot, with tons of businesses and restaurants; it offers easy walking access to some of the best malls in town. Aside from shopping centers, restaurants, and  bars, there are few other major attractions within walking distance. Intramuros, Fort Santiago, University of Santo Tomas, Rizal Park, and the Manila Cathedral are all a 25-minute drive away in normal driving conditions. The airport is about the same distance from the hotel during off-peak hours.

The hotel has 584 rooms, all decorated in a light gray palette with beige accents and black and cream-colored furniture. Room types range from Standard Rooms (known as Superior here) to Specialty Suites, and all feature upscale amenities such as large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, one king or two twin beds in each, fully stocked minibars, electric kettles, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Superior Rooms are located on floors five to 14; Deluxe on 15 to 21, and Premier can be found on floors five to 21. The only difference between them is the size and the views, though all overlook the Makati skyline. 

Residence Club Rooms are located on the top four floors of the hotel and are a notch above standard rooms, with sliding doors in the bathroom that open directly onto the sleeping quarters, mood lighting, DVD players, Elemis toiletries, seating areas with sofas and coffee tables, and dark wooden floors. Suites have Nespresso machines and iPod docks, and some have steam rooms. Residence Club Rooms and all suites have access to a private lounge with free breakfast, afternoon tea, and all-day drinks. Most rooms are spacious, but a handful are a little small.

The New World Makati has plenty of business-oriented amenities, including a business center with secretarial services, free Wi-Fi throughout, extensive meeting space with high-tech equipment, and a large fitness center with personal trainers (on request) and yoga, swimming, and boxing classes. There are two restaurants on-site, including an international buffet and a Chinese restaurant. They’re both known for their tasty cuisine and elegant decor style, but the favorite meal among guests seems to be the breakfast spread at Café 1228. The Lounge is a casual spot for a quick coffee or drink, and Bar Rouge serves beer and cocktails in a sexy, intimate space with wine-colored decor. The hotel also has an upscale spa with an extensive treatments menu, and a pool on the fourth floor complete with bar service, padded loungers, and a kiddy section. Located on the 24th floor, the Residence Club Lounge offers free breakfast, drinks, afternoon tea, and hors d’oeuvres, as well as a family-friendly area for those traveling with kids under six. Guests staying in Residence Club Rooms also get free parking.