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| The high-ceiling hotel lobby |
M A K A T I C I T Y
S T A Y C A T I O N
As a truly served city, Makati is most exquisite at its central business district. Along its fringes though, one's intrepid meandering can render a few surprises. From quirky shops and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the first district sticks out for having Bangkal as a village where a relatively new hotel stands in all its whitewashed 7-storey glory against a plethora of industrial and residential colors. Called AurumOne Makati, the 1-year old mid-market hotel is starting to get rave reviews from most of its guests who stay on layover or have an important business to transact in the area that's bordered by Pasay City and the main thoroughfares of EDSA and South Super Highway.
An Unhurried Itinerary
Since I was on solo immersion of the area, my experience of the hotel was one of unhurried delight. Apart from a one-item itinerary after check-in to revisit a street in the same village where I used to work as Art Director for a publishing company, my first day entailed me to relax and just wing it. And that's exactly what I did. I simply crossed the street from the hotel lobby to personally chat with Bodega's owner, Aling Luring and checked out a few old items to purchase in time for a revisit (the shop is open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm). I also made a handful of delicious purchases at the hotel's resident convenient store, Family Mart.
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| Bodega, a thrift shop owned by Aling Luring (top right) |
Booked Suite
The best times I spent in Bangkal would have to be inside my booked corner aurumOne Suite where I lingered for a TV marathon of my favorite cable-based shows. The 29-square meter space looked attractively down-home, neither overwhelming nor underwhelming. The mood lighting fixtures enhanced the room just enough for a comfortable city stay. It might have been toxic outside with all the heavy vehicular traffic, but indoors the mood was entirely the opposite. Equally charming were all the basic air conditioned room amenities that I found to be useful such as the coffee-making facility, in-room safe, bottled water, mini-refrigerator, flat screen TV, table lamp, telephone, bathroom essentials and writing desk. The closet even has a couple of extra pillows.
Modern Contemporary Space
The room also seems to have a predilection for modern contemporary space that's reflected in the interior design of the high-ceiling lobby, the second floor staircase, and the rest of the hotel. Also remarkable are the sliding doors that separate the bathroom from the bedroom. The same design treatment can be seen at the shower space. I happened to have inspected one of its 11-appointed aurumOne Lofts where the aesthetic is consistent from the color palette to the choice of functional furniture.
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| The hotel at night |
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| The hotel lobby from the second floor |
Strong WiFi Access Seven Floors Up
WiFi access inside the room was strong at my booked room seven floors up. I practically enjoyed what most of its guests have been satisfied about regarding its Internet connection for online sessions on social media and checking portals of their out-of-town destinations.
Complimentary Buffet Breakfast
My stay was inclusive of a complimentary buffet breakfast at its rooftop function space called The Nook where a commonly residential and industrial view of Makati City welcomed me. The morning weather was pleasant and accompanied my plate of boneless milkfish, a couple of sunny side up eggs, a bowl of cereal and corn soup, brewed coffee, toast, and a glass of fruit drink. I held out on the banana for my early morning meal (6:00am to be exact) since I was still recovering from all the convenience store snacks I gorged on the night before.
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| Buffet Breakfast at The Nook |
AurumOne Makati is the type of hotel that I can return to for another staycation soon. Its fast emerging set of patrons share in this sentiment as the room rates are affordable. An aurumOne Deluxe room can only set a guest back a little more than P2,000 and its loft-type room is also a steal at less than P5,000.
There's actually an ongoing Suite Deal on the aurumOne Suite and Loft rooms that come with a "Twirl-All-You-Can Ice Cream" at Family Mart for two guests.
Whether it's a desirable staycation or a relaxing layover, staying at AurumOne Makati is one that's of great value for your hard-earned money.
AurumOne Makati
Official website of AurumOne Makati
Address: 1682 Evangelista cor Hen. Del Pilar Street, Bangkal, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1233
Phone: +63 2 737-3800
Fax: +63 2 737-3822
More Photos Below:
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| Hotel lobby details |
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| Nifty sliding door |
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| Closet space with two extra pillows |
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| The aurumOne Loft |
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| The aurumOne Loft details |
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| The aurumOne Suite bathroom |
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| Checking in at the hotel lobby |
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| The hotel lobby |
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| A room with a view |