Last April, Neil and I decided to visit Manila together. He had to attend a conference while I was to meet high school friends, old acquaintances, and my family because it was my father’s 57th birthday. Jewel suggested that we stay in Antel Spa Residences so all of us could catch up, chill out over coffee and get some pool time. I trust Jewel’s recommendations and saw some pictures of the room on her Instagram feed. Plus, the room rate (which didn’t include AirBNB’s cleaning fee) was budget-friendly (below P2000/night). That’s the short version of what got us in this condotel, now here goes the review of our studio room in Antel Spa Residences.
IN BRIEF
If you’re looking for an AirBNB in Makati with a pool or two, then consider staying in Antel SPA Residences whether you want to book via AirBNB or directly through the unit owner. This 4-star condotel has two swimming pools, the Sky Infinity Pool and Resort Spa Pool with Kiddie Pool. As the name of the property suggests, guests can get easy access to wellness, health, and fitness facilities within and around Antel Spa Residences. The Pros: two pools (one on the rooftop!), clean room with a balcony, and great location (close to shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.). The Cons: the check-in was inefficient, breakfast was not offered and there was no free water (as in most AirBNB properties).
Address
Antel SPA Residences, General Luna Corner Makati Avenue, Makati, 1210 Manila, Philippines
Location
Antel SPA Residences is a 5-minute walk from SM Marketplace and A Venue Mall and only 10 minutes away from Century City Mall. It is also just 16 to 30 minutes away by car from The Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
Rate
We got the room for less than P2000/night because we had a direct contact with the unit owner. If you’re planning to stay for two nights or longer, you can negotiate a better deal by reaching out to the owner directly.
Check-in
The condotel had a high-ceiling lobby as well as a waiting area with sofa beds and ample seats. The receptionists were neither welcoming nor efficient when we asked for our room key. We had to wait for what felt like 20 minutes to get our keys. We arrived at around 11pm after a late dinner with Em, a close friend from college. I guess they’d be a bit more responsive if you check in on an early afternoon.
The Room
Since we booked a studio unit, we expected a queen-size bed, a TV, a bathroom, and a balcony with a view of the surrounding buildings. But there was more! The room had a kitchen sink, a fridge, a dining table with chairs and a pull-out mattress under our bed, which I thought was pretty cool, don’t you think? It’s perfect when you invited some friends over and they decided to stick around or sleep over on a whim.
The Bathroom
Clean towels, toilet, sink, walls, and floors greeted me as I inspected the bathroom so I was pleased. I found cold and hot running water so the bathroom felt complete. The water heater above the shower head bothered me a bit, just because I was not used to seeing one of these whenever we stay in hotels.
Amenities
We never really got to use either of the swimming pools. Neil and I were too tired that as soon as we got to our room, we didn’t want to go anywhere else. Plus, he wasn’t really a fan of pools. I like pools but I want them with lots of slides and waves.
Pools are also awesome to look at from a high-floored room. From our balcony, you can find this beautiful view. To us, it was enough.
Overall Impression
It was my first time to book a property listed on AirBNB because I like to stay in a room with breakfast, room service, and a formal reception. Don’t you? Yet these minor inconveniences could be easily ignored at Antel Spa Residences. There’s a 24-7 store within the building itself, in case hunger pangs strike at odd hours, and various cafes and restaurants are within walking distance.
With that said, we might stay again at this place. But next time, we’ll make sure that the rooftop pool is not under maintenance. It was off limits during our entire stay so save yourself from disappointment and ask your host if it’s open during your stay.