City Garden Hotel Makati

City Garden Hotel Makati is probably not the most modern or stylish hotel in Manila, but it does offer a wide array of decent amenities, affordable rates, and comfortable rooms with views. The property is particularly popular among business travelers, as it offers meeting rooms, a fitness center, secretarial services, and free Wi-Fi, all in a central location in the business district. Decor is contemporary if a little generic in common spaces, and a tad bland in rooms. The lobby is bright and airy, with huge two-story windows overlooking famous Makati Avenue; contemporary furniture in grey, black and brown; and mirrored walls. The front desk is around the corner from the elevators, and there is a mezzanine level with a few tables and chairs. One of the best features of this hotel is its views. Directly south of the hotel is a residential area with low buildings, which makes for expansive views from many rooms, as well as from the rooftop deck and the gym.

The hotel is located directly on famous Makati Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Manila’s business district. A.Venue Mall, chock-full of restaurants and shops, is just down the street, and there are plenty of other dining and nightlife options nearby. However, there aren’t any major attractions within walking distance. Intramuros (the historic center of Manila), Quiapo neighborhood, Rizal Park, the waterfront area of Roxas Boulevard, and the University of Santo Tomas are all within a 15- to 20-minute drive in normal traffic conditions. Ninoy Aquino International Airport is a 15 minute drive away -- but Manila is known for its heavy traffic, so guests may want to leave the hotel well before their scheduled check-in time.

City Garden Hotel Makati features 160 rooms, most of which are on the small side but feature large windows offering expansive skyline views. Rooms are equipped with all the basics expected of a mid-range hotel, including flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Decor is homey if a little bland, with blonde wood furniture, generic bed runners in earth tones and flower prints, and tan couches and armchairs. However, parquet floors in different shades of brown are a stylish touch, and rooms are well-maintained overall (although some pieces of furniture are showing small scuff marks). Bathrooms are nice, with shower/tub combos (in most), cream-colored countertops, and a couple of wood accents. Free bottled water is replenished daily in all rooms.

The hotel features an airy fitness center equipped with up-to-date cardio and strength-training machines, free water, and flat-screen TVs. Floor-to-ceiling windows cover two sides of the room, letting in tons of natural light and offering striking city views. Guests have free access to a small, average spa complete with a sauna, a hot tub, and a couple of treatment rooms with large windows. However, the highlight here is the rooftop pool. It is small and there are few loungers around it, but the deck offers striking skyline views, and is a quiet respite from busy Makati. Additionally, there are two restaurants on-site, including an international one, and a rooftop grill with outdoor seating and views, as well as four meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment, a business center offering basic secretarial services, and free parking.