7 Serviced Apartments in Manila for a Roomy Staycation
If you want to book accommodations that offer a “home away from home” experience, head to a serviced apartment. It's like a hotel room but it provides the flexibility of doing housekeeping on your own, which is especially ideal for longer stays or bigger groups.
Both hotels and serviced apartments offer accommodations that can be booked an overnight stay or several days. However, serviced residences offer extras such as kitchens equipped with stovetops and microwaves, a living room and dinette, and, in some cases, a laundry area with a washer and dryer.
Aside from homey in-room facilities, they also usually offer hotel-like amenities like pools and gyms and even business centers for those on prolonged business trips. Because they offer more facilities, they have bigger floor areas than a hotel room, too, so you have more space for gathering in the dining area for a meal or lounging in the living room with family or friends.
Here, a selection of serviced residences at convenient locations for your next city staycation with friends or family.
MORE: Best Hotel Suites for Families
1| Seda Residences Makati
The brand-new 293-room Seda Residences Makati is at the northern end of Ayala Avenue, right beside the Makati Medical Center. As such, it is walking distance to the array of offices, embassies, restaurants, weekend markets, and cultural offerings of Salcedo and Legaspi Villages. The property is just beside the (also new) Ayala North Exchange mall, as well.
All of its units come with fully furnished kitchenettes, dining facilities, HDTV, and access to laundry facilities. Guests have a choice of 31 to 43 sqm studios, 50 to 57 sqm one-bedroom units, or 93 to 108 sqm two-bedrooms units. The free breakfast of the all-day dining Misto offers many choices, while sunset is a special time at the Straight Up roof deck bar on the 35th floor. For family staycations, there’s a pool, a kiddie play area, a game room for older kids, and a fitness center.
Ayala Avenue corner Amorsolo and Salcedo Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati; (+632) 7756-9288; sedahotels.com
2| Ascott Makati Luxury Serviced Apartments
Ascott Makati has accommodation choices that range from studios to three-bedroom suites, which offer ample room for a group of six. The large suite comes with a king-size bed in the master’s bedroom and a queen-size bed and two single beds in the second and third bedrooms, respectively. A Jacuzzi is also found in the master’s bath.
Each room has a home theater system, a well-equipped kitchen (you can request for a rice cooker), a workstation, and a laundry area with a washing machine and dryer. It has a pool, fitness center, conference rooms, and in-house spa, and offers complimentary breakfast at Myron’s Restaurant.
Glorietta 4 Ayala Center, Makati; (+632) 729-9888; the-ascott.com
3| Astoria Plaza Pasig
The Astoria Plaza in Pasig and in Greenbelt have larger-than-usual rooms that offer as much as 130 sqm of living space. All rooms are equipped with dining and living areas, as well as a fully functional kitchen that allows guests to cook their own meals.
Amenities include a spa, fitness gym, swimming pool, multiple function rooms, and an in-house spa. The complimentary breakfast buffet is something to look forward to because it offers a Filipino-themed spread that includes Astoria’s famous bibingka. If it’s an authentic Japanese dining experience you are craving, its fine dining restaurant Minami Saki is located on the ground floor.
3/F Astoria Plaza, 15 J.M. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig; (+63) 926-639-8289; astoriaplaza.com
4| The Sphere
The Sphere is a decidedly modern-themed accommodation with industrial-chic studios, one-bedroom suites, and adjoining suites, all of which range from 25 to 88 sqm. The two-bedroom suites connect a studio and a one-bedroom suite. Each comes with its own fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms interconnected by a large living and dining area in an arrangement that is perfect for groups or families.
136 Valero, Makati; (02) 8635-7288; thespheremanila.com
MORE: 8 Best Presidential Suites
5| Siglo Suites at Azure Urban Resort Residences
There is only one man-made beach residential resort in the country and it is in Bicutan, Paranaque. Those who want to experience this white sand destination along with the wave pool at Azure Urban Resort Residences can book a room through Siglo Suites. The rooms, which are styled like condos, are fully furnished with kitchens and living room areas and, of course, beds.
The kitchen comes in handy, especially for breakfast, when the nearby mall is still closed. Two tips: Book the penthouse suites for a stunning view of the property, especially during sunrise. When checking out, call the Siglo Suites office instead of lining up downstairs with the rest of the guests.
SLEX, W Service Road, Parañaque; (+63) 918-900-3138; siglosuites.com
6| Makati Diamond Residences
All 410 guestrooms at the Makati Diamond Residences are kitted out with upscale furniture, a fully equipped kitchenette with convection stoves, and a living room with a 55-inch LED television. Larger units also include washer and dryers, walk-in closets, dishwashers, and a dedicated office area.
It has a Business Center with private meeting areas and, for those not working, there’s a range of health and wellness amenities, including a 24-hour gym with daily TRX classes, an indoor lap pool, and a spa. What makes it unique is its Dining Card, which allows guests to enjoy complimentary breakfast at partner establishments outside its restaurant outlets, Alfred and Baked.
118 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati; (02) 8878-9699; makatidiamond.com
7| Aruga by Rockwell
If you want to experience living within laid-back Rockwell, you can book a room at Aruga, which offers a 33 sqm studio deluxe room, a 66-sqm one-bedroom suite, or a 107-sqm two-bedroom suite. Your reservation includes breakfast at the chic Aruga Café and use of facilities such as the outdoor pool, fitness center, and business center (with Mac desktops). An in-room massage can be booked at the front desk.
Waterfront Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati; (02) 8818-0000; aruga.com.ph
