Hotel Intercontinental Manila has been a well known landmark in the area of Makati, most especially in Ayala. The towering hotel standing mighty proud amidst the busy Makati City has been there for 46 years. It has hosted thousands of parties, seminars, conferences and housed thousands of guests, both foreign and local. Families have gathered here to celebrate and to do nothing at all - just plain relaxation and unwinding. It's restaurants and bars have been witnesses to countless parties, gatherings, good times and happy hours.
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| Reception area of Hotel InterContinental Manila |
As we bid 2015 goodbye, we also bid InterCon Manila goodbye. As 2016 dawns, the doors of this hotel will forever close. Heard that the whole building will be taken down to give way to developments that will fuel more jobs and advancement in the area.
As our final goodbye to this iconic landmark and hotel, we paid InterCon Manila a last visit.
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| InterCon Manila Lobby and their proud Christmas Tree |
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| Christmas all over the hotel lobby! |
The hotel is still well maintained with a grand lobby that's so spacious. A shimmering Christmas Tree will welcome you as you enter.
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| More of the lobby of InterCon Manila |
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| More of the lobby of InterCon Manila |
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| More of the lobby of InterCon Manila |
The lobby furnishings and interiors were simple but suits the old charm of the hotel. They're nothing but classy.
Their staff were amazingly friendly and accommodating, always wearing a beautiful smile. They were well dressed and ready to impress.
Three days and two nights stay, on a weekend of December, we took advantage of their promo. For 4600++ on the first night and 50% off on the second night, it was quite a steal! The package included free breakfast buffet for both days.
We got a twin sharing room with a flat screen TV, a mini ref and ultra fast internet. Excuse the personal stuff already owning the room. Took this shot on our second day, right after house keeping fixed our room. It's just so impossible to take decent shots when you got two hyper little girls in tow.
Shot of the beds from the other side of the room, facing towards the room door. It was a delight to see a head board made with woven "suliya" which reminded me so much of old beds back in the province. Also, those bed skirts - who else uses them now a days? They's just so old school but I guess in a really good and elegant way!
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| The window to the outside world - letting all the natural light in! |
The room that we got had a sophisticated charm, elegant and simple, with ample furnishings and minimal interiors. It was great in an old school way! No minimalist design or those industrial or modern look that we see in most hotels now a days. It had those heavy double drapes as curtains, big lamps and soft carpet. It had wooden frames to adorn the huge glass window which also doubled to hide the curtain rods.
Other inclusions were the complimentary bottles of water, coffee and tea.
The closet had the usual safety vault, robes, slippers, laundry bags and some hangers. Loved that it was spacious too.
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| The bathroom and all the details |
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| The bathroom and all the details |
The bathroom was tiled with marble and had a tub to boot. Even though the bathroom had wood installments here and there, they were able to keep them in really good condition. They also had the usual hot and cold water selection, hair dyer, intercom and a vanity mirror. There's no rain shower here, which I fancy, but I guess that's okay.
And then of course the complimentary toiletries that we love to take home..harharhar! This bath soap smelled really good.
Then the set of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and lotion.
More bathroom essentials - dental kit and even shaving kit!
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| The pool area at night! |
We also took advantage of their swimming pool which was still in pretty much good condition. The pool side area was stunning at night. Old trees adorned the sides with lush greenery and hanging lights. It was so relaxing there that it was as if we were not in the heart of the busy business district. It was amazing what the lush greenery can do!
The pool area was never without a life guard and some other staff roaming to check if guests were doing fine and to offer warm beach towels.
The pool area was equally nice at day time. There were two swimming pools. The adult pool that has varying depth. From 3 feet to 9 feet, take your side!
The kiddie pool, on the other hand, was the shallowest I've seen in my life. I would say that it's a "baby" pool because it's just about ankle deep. Only down side of both pools was the lack of water warming system, which is quite essential for me.
Since the package included breakfast buffet in the iconic Jeepney Cafe, we were up early on both mornings to avoid the rush. It was actually a great idea to grab some breakfast at around 7AM because the line wasn't long yet! Yes, there was a waiting line at around 9-10AM and it was a long line with people getting really irate, maybe because of hunger! Good thing the manager was quick to make decisions. He utilized the other dining areas in the hotel to accommodate their guests!
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| The Jeepney Cafe at the InterCon |
I wouldn't really elaborate about the buffet here since I'll make a separate entry for that but I would say that it was a satisfying one. They've got a lot to choose from. Pastries, waffles, pancakes, cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, a variety of milk, yogurt, sushi and maki, soup, congee, viands of all sorts, BACON, etc, etc. I stuffed myself with so much on both mornings that I still had enough food in my tummy at lunch time.
Overall, it was a pleasant stay. Aside from the "getting to the stinky stage" hallway carpets, everything was well maintained. It's sad to think that this iconic hotel will be taken down by the end of this year! I can't imagine the Glorietta Complex without it. But then again there are really those times where good things must come to an end to pave the way for greater things.
So long InterCon Manila! You will be missed.
P.S.
You still have the chance to experience InterContinental Hotel Manila for the last time! See details HERE.
5 out of 5 Stars for InterContinental Hotel Manila!
--- InterContinental Hotel Manila: No.1 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
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