The A.Venue Hotel

Best Western Plus Antel Hotel is housed in three towers a block from one of central Manila’s main thoroughfares. While the top floors of all three buildings are private condos, guests can find at least a couple of hotel amenities in their own building, be it a fitness center, a restaurant, or a pool. Additionally, they also have access to all amenities located in the other two buildings. The property is located adjacent to A.Venue Mall, a large shopping center with an outdoor space used as a night market with food stands and music, and rooms facing this side of the mall may get some noise at night. Decor is different in each tower, with the most stylish and inspired being the Serenity Tower. Common areas vary in style, with the fitness centers -- of which there are two -- being pleasant and contemporary, and the restaurants feeling a little drab. The main lobby is spacious and bright, with a long white front desk, glass chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a small sitting area with a few couches and armchairs. 

The hotel is located directly on Makati Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in Manila’s business district. A.Venue Mall, chock-full of restaurants and shops, is right next door to the property, and there are plenty of other dining and nightlife options nearby. However, there aren’t any major attractions within walking distance of the hotel. 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.

Best Western Plus Antel Hotel offers 432 studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments spread throughout three towers. While most rooms feature similar amenities, -- such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs -- each tower has its own character and decor style. Antel Spa rooms are the most basic, with tiled floors and orange padded chairs in the dining area. A. Venue units are a notch above, with laminate floors, decor in earth tones, and a couple of pops of color. Serenity Tower rooms have cheerful modern decor, laminate floors, and nicer bathrooms with rain showerheads. All units feature basic cooking facilities -- including microwaves, electric kettles, and mini-fridges (but no stovetops) -- and at least a small sitting area with two chairs and a table. Most are also equipped with a sofa bed. However, many rooms are a little tight, and bathrooms can be cramped. Rooms overlooking the neighboring mall can get noise at night.

The Antel Spa Tower houses a bright fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines, a business center, and a relaxing spa offering body treatments and salon services. The A. Venue Tower features another business center, a fully equipped fitness center, an indoor infinity pool, and a cafe. The other pool and the kiddy area (complete with a supervised indoor playground) are located adjacent to the Serenity Tower, which also houses a Mediterranean restaurant. Additionally, the hotel also offers free parking, a lobby lounge, meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment, and free Wi-Fi.