Tourists, corporate executives, or small families who want to book a five-star hotel in Makati now have an enticing option—try staying in serviced apartments and residences. These are like hotels, but with bigger spaces—at cheaper rates.
The term “serviced” means guests are provided basic services like that of hotels—housekeeping, WiFi, TV, access to a gym and swimming pool, room service, breakfast—but with residential facilities such as a dining table, kitchen with stove and utensils, a microwave and a big refrigerator.
The Sphere Serviced Residences on Valero Street in Salcedo Village, Makati, offers traveling executives a place to stay within walking distance of the country’s central financial, business and commercial district, says operations manager Alec Yatco. But he adds that it’s also perfect for family staycations.
That’s what I did recently, bringing my family over to The Sphere for a two-day stay.
The first impression was its spaciousness. We took the one-bedroom suite, whose centerpiece is a modest living room with a 43-inch smart TV across an inviting couch, adjacent to the dining area and kitchen.
The bedroom could comfortably fit a couple and one child, even as my 10-year-old son said he wanted to sleep in the couch after bingeing on Disney films and Cartoon Network.
Breakfast, unlike the typical hotel buffet, consisted of set meals prepared at Little Flour on the ground floor. The restaurant has a full lunch and dinner menu.
Full night’s sleep
Upon check-in, guests are given a map of nearby restaurants, coffee shops and fitness centers within Salcedo Village.
Take note that the popular Salcedo Market, which offers a variety of foodstuff, opens 7 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday.
We tried walking around and reached Greenbelt to have dinner, and then walked back to The Sphere.
Back to our suite, wife and kid had a relaxing time watching cable TV while I indulged in red wine and music on Spotify in the bedroom.
The best thing about this stay was my uninterrupted, full night’s sleep, a luxury for a journalist. In fact, I dozed off again after a light continental breakfast downstairs at Little Flour.
I checked out the indoor swimming pool and found a family of three enjoying the water.
On our second day, wife and kid decided they wanted to have breakfast at our suite’s dining table, so I ordered takeout for them at Little Flour and went back up.
The rest of the day was spent lazing around the room and clearing the mind of worldly problems.
At night, I reflected on the peace and solitude that one could have in the heart of Makati. Gosh, I’d choose this over an out-of-town trip to Tagaytay.
The Sphere Serviced
Residences, 21st-26th floors, The Stratosphere Building, 136 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati; tel. no. +(632)
635-7288; email reservations@the spheremanila.com; visit thespheremanila.com.