Standing tall at 34 storeys, I’M Hotel is the latest luxury property to grace Makati City’s ever-changing skyline. It is located at the corner of Makati and Kalayaan avenues, in the happening district of Barangay Poblacion where all these hip bars and restos are rising too.
From the busy street, you can’t miss I’M Hotel’s huge lit sign at the lobby which is unique and eye-catching.
I was recently invited to try this hotel which has 434 guest rooms of five-star quality, with an in-house Onsen Spa at 3,800 square meters that’s touted to be the biggest in the country. Am listing down five factors which should put it on the map of the discerning tourist or business traveller.
1. THE ROOM
We were booked in a One-Bedroom Executive Suite and at 57 sq.m., it was definitely ultra-spacious by city standards. In fact, this is already the size of the average family apartment in Manila!
The I’M Hotel 1BR Executive Suite (priced at approximately P7,600++ per night in the hotel website) has its own kitchen with microwave, refrigerator, writing desk, living room, laundry and dining space. It’s fully furnished with two TVs, and the only thing you have to worry about is how to relax really 🙂
The balcony with two chairs is a nice, thoughtful touch. Good for those who smoke or even just for those who would like to relish the view from below or converse on a moonlit night.
The highlight, of course, was the king-sized memory foam bed with pillows you can choose from and 500-thread count sheets. Super comfy!
I also loved how the glass windows illuminated the beautiful Makati skyline.
The bathroom was something to revel in. The surfaces were made of classy marble with an ample-sized tub and nice-smelling Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries.
Aside from the 1 BR Executive Suite, I’M Hotel also has the following room categories: Classic Studio (30 sq.m.), Indulgence (34 sq.m.), Prestige (37 sq.m.), Executive Prestige King (40 sq.m.) Executive Prestige Twin (40 sq.m.) Premier Suite (40 sq.m.), 2BR Junior Suite (70 sq.m.) and 2 BR Executive Suite (82 sq.m.) Best guaranteed room rates may be searched directly at booking.imhotel.com
2. THE ONSEN SPA
With six floors allocated for its spa, I’M Hotel is serious in positioning itself as the only hotel in its class with an Onsen or Japanese thermal bath technology that replicates the mineral composition of hot springs in Japan.
For only P1,500, guests can have 60 minutes of full body massage plus a filling lunch or dinner buffet at the hotel’s Bloom restaurant. The price also includes usage of the facilities like the sauna and jacuzzi.
I availed of a most relaxing massage at the spa which is staffed with professionally trained people. There are 69 beds in all and there are also couple rooms as well as areas fit for small gatherings. Your group can even have a karaoke session in one of the VIP rooms.
3. THE POOL AREA
The poolside area of I’M hotel has one of the most photogenic spots in the metro right now with its acryclic-bottomed, elongated infinity pool and attractive bird cage design for its lounge areas.
Adjacent to the pool area is the Mermaid Bar where one can hang out and enjoy “globally-inspired nibbles and tipples.” The eye catching art on the wall was done by noted Poblacion artist Dee Jay Pa’este.
4. THE FOOD
From breakfast to dinner, we liked what we tasted at I’M Hotel’s dining facilities. In fact, I highly recommend eating at Empress Jade restaurant which is fairly new, value for money and has one of the best kept-secret Chinese specialties in Manila. It was here that I finally got to try the multi-colored Xiao long bar platter (P320) and also there’s yummy salted egg chips served free to diners…yay.
I’M Hotel’s all-day dining outlet is Bloom Restaurant serving international fare. We only ordered a la carte dishes because the buffet area wasn’t yet fully operational in January but so far, so good.
5. THE LOCATION
From the room, I’M Hotel has this encompassing view of the Manila skyline with a mixed bag of mundane buildings, houses and skyscrapers. But I honestly love the hotel location because it’s in an “interesting” area of Makati – one where bohemian meets artsy and urbane and a little bit of the sleaziness of the red light district nearby. As I said in the beginning of this post, Barangay Poblacion is a hip and happening district. The plethora of multi-cultural bars, restaurants and shopping places that have sprung up here in recent years is worth taking a look.
I’M HOTEL MAKATI
Makati Ave. corner Kalayaan Avenue
Makati City Philippines 1210
Tel. No. 755 7888
www.imhotel.com
Follow them on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter @imhotelph
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