Novotel Manila Araneta Center

Location

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is the first Novotel in the country and is also the first four-star hotel in Cubao.  The hotel is right next to Araneta Center, a few steps away from Gateway Mall and is right in front of Shopwise.  KIA Theater, Farmer's Market, and SM Makati are also within walking distance.

Check In / Out

Checking in and out of the hotel were a breeze.

Their keycards look really hip, as is the keycard sensor on the hotel door.

Room Size

I stayed in the Superior Twin Room and liked the comfortable size of the room.

Room View

I had the view of the pool and the construction that was still on-going.  To my surprise, there was no construction noise that bothered me during my stay there.

Room Amenities

The color palette of the room gives off a very modern vibe.  The room has the standard desk.

They also have a couch and I love that they have a custom made small table so that you can work from there.

Wifi is strong and consistent and there were a lot of sockets for your charging needs and connectors to hook up your laptop to the tv.

Robes are provided but you have to request for an iron and ironing board if you need them.

Sleep Quality

The bed provided a good night's sleep. Their uniquely shaped pillow is perfect is you're like me who prefers to stay in bed while using my laptop (scroll back up for the photo of the bed and pillows).

Bathroom

I liked how the bathroom door looks like a closet door.

The shower area and the toilet are separate and the entire area looks and feels really clean. Water pressure is strong, perfect for taking long showers.

They also provided Lanvin soaps.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel's scent brand is pleasant and doesn't assault you, smells a lot like Edsa Shangri-La's scent brand.

I particularly liked the fact that natural light floods the hallways.

Breakfast

My stay didn't come with breakfast but I should try it one time seeing how nice the restaurant looks.

Staff Courtesy

As with what one may expect from any Accor brand, the staff are all very helpful and friendly.

Hotel Amenities

There are still some work to be done on the hotel, they have a makeshift gym for the meantime.

Overall, I was very impressed with the property and while Cubao has not been my usual preferred location for a stay-in, Novotel has changed my mind. 

Novotel Manila Araneta Center

Gen Aguinaldo Avenue,

 Araneta Center

Email H7090@accor.com

Summit Hotel Magnolia

Location

The hotel is located right beside Robinson's Magnolia and there's a door at the lobby that leads you straight to the mall.  Timog would also be about a 5-minute ride away.

Check In / Out

Checking in and out was pretty efficient. They also provide you with free magazines upon check in which was a nice touch.

The hallway looks pretty cool.

Room Size

I booked the Fabulous Suite which was really spacious as you have your own separate living room, a powder room, main bedroom and a large bathroom.

I also liked the bedside tables.

Room View

The Fabulous Suite gives you a view of rooftops while the Magical Suite has one really small panel window, nothing to see.

Room Amenities

The room has the standard minibar and an electric water kettle.  They don't provide bathrobes even if you ask for it.  There's also no ironing board in the room - I'm not sure if they can send one to your room if you ask.

Wifi for the most part is strong and reliable. 

Network signal is bad for Smart and is even worse for Globe. I barely had a signal the whole time.

There was a funky smell in the suite and the air conditioner of the Fabulous Suite was busted so they had to move me to the Nostalgic Suite.

The room wasn't bad, however, it had no tub.

I then moved to the Magical Suite.

Sleep Quality

The bed was large but the sheets could be better.  I also found the pillows to be really uncomfortable. They also have the tempur style pillows in the wardrobe but I didn't bother because I don't find the ergonomic style of those pillows to work for me.

Bathroom

They have nice bath amenities and a large shower area but there's no bidet.

Water pressure is okay but unreliable. When I took a shower at night, the pressure was so weak, the heater wasn't kicking in. 

Hotel Amenities

There are two computers in the lobby if you wish to use one other than that, there are no amenities. It's a small hotel with only two room floors.

Breakfast

Breakfast is at Conti's, a few doors down. You have to exit the hotel to get to the restaurant. 

Staff Courtesy

Staff is friendly, nothing extraordinary.  When they asked me to transfer because of the busted air conditioner, they moved me to a room without a tub.  I called the front desk and requested for one because that is what I specifically booked. They said the only other room with a tub costs more and I ended up paying an additional 500 pesos for it.  I don't mind but if it's not the guest's fault, I would think I shouldn't be paying for it. 

Room Service

Room Service is provided by The Clubhouse which is also in the mall.  The downside is it also operates during mall hours so it's not going to be available if you have a sudden midnight craving.

Good Deals!

Check out their FB page: Summit Hotel Magnolia to get good deals.  I got a special discounted rate because of the Robinson's Rewards card that I have and promo was posted on their page.


Overall, it was an okay stay. I would stay there again because of the value for money.

Summit Hotel Magnolia

Aurora Boulevard cor. Hemady St., 

New Manila, Quezon City

http://www.summithotels.ph/

KL Tower Serviced Residences

We arrived early at KL Serviced Residences since we have an early appointment at Greenbelt.  We weren't able to check in yet so we left our stuff at the front desk.  When I came back to check in, the room still wasn't available so I had to wait some more.  Good thing the lobby looks amazing. 

What I loved about the hotel is its location.  It is right in front of Legazpi park and once you exit out of the hotel and head to your right, this leads you straight to Greenbelt 1.  There's also a 7-11 beside it.  If you don't feel like heading to Greenbelt, walk straight, cross the park and this should lead you to Rada street where some great restaurants like Sarsa and Wildflour are located.

The elevator is small, hot and feels like there's no ventilation.  The hallway is also warm and smells like someone is cooking.  As it is a serviced residence, I guess it is to be expected.

We booked the studio premiere and the room was quite spacious. 

I'm not a fan of their wardrobe as it has a weird smell.  The cupboard is also missing the front panel.

What I particularly liked is that you have a small balcony and this gives you a good view of the park.

On to the other important things, Wifi is not consistent and is also limited to two devices per room. Smart's signal is also very weak which can be very frustrating.  To add to that there are not a lot of power outlets available.

The bathroom also looks unfinished and what's worse is that the water turns cold quick and takes a while for the heater to work.

The hotel has a pool and a children's play area.

Though fairly new, the property is already showing signs of poor upkeep.  Price point is also low considering the location but this shouldn't be an excuse.

KL Tower Serviced Residences

117 Gamboa St., Legaspi Village

Makati City 1229

http://kltower.ph/

Cocoon Boutique Hotel

The Cocoon Boutique Hotel is one of the hotels that recently opened near the Timog-Tomas Morato area.  Having lived in the Scout area a few years back, the place is close to my heart.  We decided on the Cocoon Boutique Hotel having read really good reviews about it.  It's also a plus that one of my favorite movie, Sana Dati, used the hotel as their location.

The lobby is small and the couches look a little worn out but the staff were very friendly and welcoming.  We were given welcome drinks upon arrival.

They only have one elevator but the hotel wasn't busy when we checked in so we didn't have to wait long.

We loved how the hallway leading to the rooms look with the wooden panels.  The wooden theme matches the room that we stayed in.  It was gorgeous, the room feels like it belongs to a cabin in Baguio.

What we particularly love about the room would be the sheets, they were heavenly.

They also have free and new magazines.

One minor thing that we wished there were more of though would be sockets.  We also had a hard time locating the light switches, it turned out to be hidden beneath the pile of pillows on the bed's headboard.

As they are an eco-friendly hotel, they serve water in a jar instead of the usual plastic bottled water. It's extra nice that they offer free refills.

The bathroom is spacious but I find it weird that their shower area feels like a portable shower. It is also interesting to note that the noise of the TV next door can be heard in the bathroom.

They also have a tub which is perfect for a deep soak.

The toiletries are forgettable and I wish the towels and bathrobes to be fluffier.

Location is good as it is in a quiet street almost in front of Estrels but is also near the main road if you wish to walk around and look for a place to eat.

The hotel has a small recreation room and a small rooftop pool.

Our stay also comes with a 15-minute foot massage which is much appreciated.  The spa is located on the 2nd floor but be prepared to pass through the hotel's actual office space on your way to the spa.

Overall, it's a nice hotel to stay in.  There are a few things that they can still work on but I wouldn't mind staying there again.

Cocoon Boutique Hotel

61 Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos 

Bgy Laging Handa, Quezon City 1103

632- 9212706 to 08 

www.thecocoonhotel.com