The odd couple: A four-star hotel in Makati’s red light district

I usually do an annual staycation, mostly at the strike of June when I’m fully acclimated to my work’s load and demands. A little “treat yourself” ritual to ensure I’m giving myself equal attention as I do my overpowering job. It’s good practice I tell you, and I highly encourage it.

Like any vacation, even a small retreat in the city merits logistics. I for one don’t bother considering the likes of Shangri-La for my overnight splurges, nor do I expect hostels to give the right pampering I desperately need. I'm like Goldilocks—everything needs to be just right.

The City Garden Grand Hotel is a four-star hotel very near Makati’s red light district—the same place notorious for expats on the prowl. It’s an odd coupling.

Location

The hotel sits inconspicuously on the corner of Makati Avenue and Kalayaan Avenue. Notably convenient to it are Rockwell, Century City Mall and a collective of hip hole-in-the-wall pubs and restaurants informally called "Williamsburgos."

Due to the crowd brought in by the mall and Williamsburgos, tastemakers and foodies have flocked to the district's perimeter, giving it an unexpected charm. Having these establishments around makes the populace younger, more diverse and wholesome, but has it lost its erotic flair? Not quite. You can still count on good old Kalayaan Avenue to be a hotspot for decidedly un-family-oriented activities.

What to do

Specifically in the evenings, this location is a playground for those with a taste for adventure and a buccaneering spirit. You can take a gambit at the hawker-style food that young Pinoys have come to embrace. It’s a far cry from old-time, urban Makati that’s just a hop and a skip away.

From the hotel, you can do a lot even within a small radius. One of the first things I did after checking in was walk over to Century City Mall for a light snack, then to Williamsburgos for a tall drink of beer in the pre-evening hours. It’s a vibrant little nook of Makati that’s just begging to be reimagined.

Hotel facilities

Don’t make the mistake of expecting modest rooms and facilities at the City Garden Grand Hotel because of the cramped situation of the streets adjacent to it. This place doesn’t make excuses for its location—and lives up to its starred rating, starting with the high-ceilinged lobby.

Rooms, too, have high ceilings, making the space breathable, while the furnishings are laid with wood accents.

I managed to squeeze in a workout the next day. The gym has more than enough space to accommodate several people on the floor, and the equipment is new.

The hotel also hosts a lunch buffet daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m—the food selection ranges from sushi to roast beef, Chinese noodles, pastas, pizzas, and a trifecta of meat options—and, on the Firefly Roof Deck overlooking the city, a dinner steak buffet with unlimited salad, buttered veggies, spaghetti and potato leek soup.

Both buffets, while gentle on the budget, are average when it comes to taste.

My favorite was breakfast—a smorgasbord of eats for the famished morning-after citizens: cereals, salads, cold cuts and cheese, fresh fruits, a Japanese menu (soba, miso soup, chicken teriyaki and teppanyaki beef), a Filipino menu (tocino, tapa and longganisa), an American menu (pancakes, fresh toast and bacon), pizzas, and a ham and egg station. It’s a pretty robust spread compared to what they have on the offer for lunch and dinner. You should definitely wake up for this.

I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel; I recommend it to anyone who needs a break from the sirens of the city but can’t part with the conveniences of it. Be prepared for the crowd that thrives in the area. There are still some gems hidden in this town worth noting. — BM, GMA News