All The Small Things: 5 Cool Spots in Makati That Show Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Go big or go home? The Mini Suites, a couple of lifestyle stores, and two specialty shops in Makati City will show you that show good things can also come in small packages:

1. PURVEYR POST

Post is the lifestyle store of Purveyr—a multi-dimensional media brand that aims to positively influence perspective of life through digital, print, events, service, and retail mediums. The regular pedestrian may not be wowed by its unassuming space in Bangkal, Makati, but fans of outsider art and street culture will be impressed by what it offers. In addition to local street wear, there’s also exhibitions, occasional live performances, and barbering sessions. Post has also recently opened a second location in Poblacion to further promote their cause.



Address: 5650 Don Pedro St., Brgy. Poblacion / 1403 Apolinario St., Brgy. Bangkal.

Website: http://purveyr.com

2. PLAKA PLANET

Vinyl records and vintage turntables are back. Plaka Planet, the best and most budget-friendly place to get your audio fix is hidden inside an archery range. Bobby, the owner, is very cool and will even let you test any pressing even if you’re not planning to buy anything.



Address: Kodanda Archery Range, Makati Central Square

Website: www.facebook.com/pg/PlakaPlanetMakati

3. GUITAR PUSHER

It just might be a single condo unit in a quiet high-rise in the city, but for musicians and guitar geeks, Guitar Pusher might as well be called ‘Guitar Heaven’.



Address: 124 H. V. Dela Costa, Bel-Air

Website: http://www.guitarpusher.com

4. SLICK BARBERS CO.

From its humble beginnings of just a couple of monobloc chairs and mirrors on the first level of co-founder Christian “Indio” Bendañas house, SBCo is now a full pledged barber shop and lifestyle brand with a cult following. Their specialty? Clean fades and buzzes a.k.a ‘gentleman’s cut,” which not many barbers in the country can pull off.



Address: 3919 Yague St. cor South Avenue

Website: www.facebook.com/slickbarbersco

5. THE MINI SUITES ETON TOWER MAKATI

The Mini Suites puts you in the center of all the sights and sounds of the city as you enjoy first-class accommodations all with full amenities and indulgent beds & pillows, you are sure to find that perfect mix of modern practicality, convenience, and touches of luxury to suit your needs. One of the best hotels in Makati, these suites will end your search for where to stay in Makati City.



Address: 128 Dela Rosa Street, Ayala South

Website: www.theminisuites.com

Makati Palace Hotel Adds Online Direct-Booking Engine for Convenient Reservations

Makati, PHILIPPINES – Makati Palace Hotel in Makati City, Philippines has fully upgraded its website to provide travelers with an easier way of reserving rooms online. Aside from the quick and easy-to-follow booking engine that provides instant confirmation, the website features a mobile-adaptive interface that allows travelers to book rooms from their tablet or any smart mobile device.

By visiting the website at http://www.makatipalacehotel.com.ph/ and clicking the “Check availability and prices” button, guests can easily view accommodation details and book their preferred room. Reserving direct on the website gives all such advantages:

• Real-time information – The rooms available on the booking engine are displayed in real time. The rates provided are also inclusive of taxes and charges already. Further, a currency selector using the latest exchange rates is available for the reference of guests.
• User-friendly interface – The system is designed to make the process simpler and quicker for visitors. The details and buttons are vividly designed for maximum efficiency. For a faster date selection, use the virtual calendar that is integrated in the platform.
• Access to the best hotel deals in Makati City – Get the best deals and special offers by viewing all the running promotions on the website. Discounts, added perks, and high value treats are also available on this direct booking channel. Currently, all guests who book on the website can check-in as early as 10 am, subject to room availability.
• Secure transactions – All transactions are secured by Trustwave and DigiCert.
• No prepayment required – Complete the reservation process and get instant confirmation. Grab the Best Available Rates and pay the fees upon check-in at the hotel. In addition, cancellation and modifications are free-of-charge within a given period.

Makati Palace Hotel is a premium city accommodation where business and leisure trips become more pleasurable. Here, they can count on the following premium features:

• Chic guestrooms are designed with soothing earth tones, calming lights, and carpeted floors. The accommodations come in various configurations, from 30 sqm to 130 sqm of floor space. All rooms have Internet connection, a cable TV, mini-bar, and private toilet with hot and cold shower.
• Two coffee shops and a KTV bar. Caesar’s Coffee Shop offers fine dining featuring an international cuisine and is open from 6 am to 11 pm, while Deli Fresh Pastries and Gourmet Coffee serves various kinds of freshly baked breads, pastries, and cakes, with gourmet coffee. The Club NYX KTV Bar is open from 6 pm to 3 am.
• Business and leisure facilities, such as a function room, business center, spa, swimming pool, and parking.
• A central location that is only a 30-minute drive from the airport and only a few minutes’ walk from malls, entertainment centers, business offices, and transport terminals.

To know more about this Makati accommodation, interested parties may log on http://www.makatipalacehotel.com.ph/.

Makati Palace Hotel
5011 P. Burgos corner Caceres Street
Makati City, Metro Manila 1200
Philippines

Phone Number: (632) 899 – 0344

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About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking. To know more about us, visit https://plus.google.com/105986890039071165998/.

5 Must-Visit Cultural Landmarks in Makati City, Philippines

Aside from the wealth and glamor of Makati, this city also boasts an affluent heritage as it is home to several cultural and historical landmarks. Read on and discover 5 remarkable places that might capture your interest. Makati City is known as the Philippines' economic center where prime business firms, first-class malls, and upscale hotels, like the Makati Diamond Residences, thrive. Being one of the busiest districts in the metro, it acquired the name "Wall Street of the Philippines”. But aside from the wealth and glamor of this city, Makati also boasts an affluent heritage as it is home to several cultural and historical landmarks. Read on and discover 5 remarkable places that might capture your interest. 1. Santuario de Guadalupe Considered as the oldest historic landmark in the city, this iconic church in Guadalupe Viejo was transformed into an art and history museum. It houses an impressive collection of Mexican baroque artworks and carved images of New Mexico patron saints. Jose de Alzibar's “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, which is regarded as the largest oil painting of the Spanish Southwest, is one of the treasured masterpieces of this museum. 2. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church This 400-year-old church is known for its intricate design that is reminiscent of late Spanish Renaissance and early Baroque architectures. The main entrance of the edifice has the typical rose window and simple Doric columns. But as you step inside this glorious structure, you'll notice that its interior shows Romanesque embellishments. Because of this superb aesthetics, the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church has become a favorite wedding venue in the metro. 3. Museo ng Makati Located at J. P. Rizal St. in Poblacion, just a short drive from Diamond Residences Makati, this museum was actually the original town hall of the city. It was completely restored in 1992 as the repository of Makati's heritage and culture. This community museum houses anthropological artifacts, which include fossil remains of per-historic animals and earthenwares. One who's interested about the yesteryear of the city will appreciate the collection of rare photographs and murals displayed in this museum. 4. The Philippine Army Museum This landmark comprehensively tells the story of the Philippine Army from 1898 up to the present. It exhibits various episodes of the army's evolution, photographs of revolutionary heroes, and a collection of AFP medals and weaponry. The museum's special feature, which entices a lot of visitors, is a tunnel with several arteries leading to different exits. 5. Ayala Museum Regarded as a valuable private institution of art and culture, this museum showcases Philippine fine arts and iconography. It displays 60 handcrafted dioramas that chronicle the rich tapestry of the nation's history and a collection of water crafts' miniatures to show the development of Philippine maritime trade and economy. The Ayala Museum is one of the most accessible place of interests in the city for it is close to Makati Diamond Residences and other hotels in Makati.

4 Reasons Why It’s Great to Stay at City Garden Hotel Makati

When looking for accommodation in Metro Manila, you have to consider if it offers you what you need. And City Garden Hotel Makati is a great place to stay at because it provides various aspects of comfort and convenience, from its practical amenities and strategic location. Need some convincing on why you should book at this Makati hotel for your next stay? Here are 4 great reasons on why it should be your accommodation of choice in the Philippine metro:

1. Accessibility to numerous places of interest
City Garden Hotel Makati stands at the corner of Makati and Kalayaan Avenues of Makati City, within the Central Business District. From here, the international and domestic airports are a 20-minute drive, and the city’s shopping malls and restaurants are just 5 minutes away. Makati Golf Club Driving Range and Manila Golf and Country Club are also a short drive away. Other attractions that are easily accessible from this hotel in Makati are the Makati Stock Exchange Center, Ayala Museum, Guadalupe Ruins, and Rockwell Center. Indeed, its strategic location makes it an ideal temporary abode for both business and leisure travelers.

2. Well-appointed and spacious rooms
The 160 rooms of this Makati hotel are the perfect places from which to start and end your day. Accommodations are categorized into 6 types: Executive Twin, Executive Superior Twin, Executive Deluxe Twin, Executive Queen, Deluxe Queen, and Executive Deluxe Queen. While having different bed configurations, all room types commonly have a cable TV, mini-bar, coffee and tea maker, refrigerator, and IDD phone. There is Wi-Fi Internet access in each accommodation. The private bath has a tub with hot and cold shower. To ensure security at all times, rooms have electronic door locks and a safe.

3. A host of facilities and services that guarantee all-around convenience
Two restaurants can be found on-site. The Le Jardin Restaurant offers a menu of delectable Asian and international dishes, while the Roof Deck Restaurant lets you feast on grilled specialties and refreshing beverages with the breathtaking views of the metropolis as your backdrop.

City Garden Makati also has an outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and fitness room. It also has the Jamuah Spa, where you can enjoy different body treatments. The business center provides a travel desk, tours and transportation services, airline ticket re-confirmation, and other secretarial services. For events, the hotel has 4 function rooms equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. And to ensure that you experience ease throughout your stay, City Garden Makati provides valet parking, currency exchange, 24-hour room service, and facilities for disabled guests.

4. Exclusive rewards for its loyal patrons
Make the most of your stay by signing up for Citylife Rewards, the hotel’s customer loyalty program. By checking in at City Garden Hotel Makati or its sister hotels, you earn points that can be used to redeem anything sold in City Garden Hotels. What’s more, being a member of Citylife Rewards gives you access to private sales, discounts, and freebies that are not offered to regular guests.

Convinced now? Then book your room at City Garden Hotel Makati today and discover why this is a great place to stay at when in the Philippines.

Enjoy Easier and Faster Bookings on the Website of Joya Lofts and Towers in Makati

Makati City, Philippines — Booking at Joya Lofts and Towers is now made easier and faster for guests who want to afford all the comforts of a Makati lifestyle. The hotel's website, which has been recently integrated with a reservation engine powered by DirectWithHotels, allows online guests to enjoy the following benefits:

• First, booking directly through the reservation engine guarantees instant confirmation.
• Second, the system secures the privacy and integrity of all online transactions through AsiaPay, DigiCert, and Trustwave.
• Third, guests who use the booking engine are able to enjoy a fast, smooth, and intuitive reservation process. The system can be bookmarked and printed, and it features customizable currency for easier reference.
• Finally, guests who book online have the opportunity to use exclusive promos and cancel or modify their reservations without charge up to a certain day before their check-in date.

How to Book Online
Reserving a convenient holiday at the heart of the bustling Makati City only takes a few clicks and a few minutes. Visit the website of Joya Lofts and Towers and click the Check Availability and Prices tab on the right side of the page. The booking system will guide the guests in choosing the accommodation and dates that best fit their holiday plans. To finalize the booking, guests will be asked to pay a reservation guarantee. Once the amount has been provided, they will get a confirmation email assuring them that their Makati accommodation has been booked under their name.

About Joya Lofts and Towers
Much like the Santana Row in San Francisco that inspired the hotel's design, Joya Lofts and Towers offers utmost convenience and easy access to Makati City's best features. The hotel is connected to Power Plant Mall and is surrounded by restaurants, theaters, and shops. Aside from its advantageous location, the rooms offered by the hotel all have a living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, cable TV, broadband and Wi-Fi Internet access, as well as provisions for in-room laundry. These and more make this Makati hotel an excellent choice for travelers who put top priority to comfort and style.

Find out more about the Makati hotel by visiting the website of Joya Lofts and Towers.

Joya Lofts and Towers
28 Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center,
Makati City, Metro Manila, 1200,
Philippines

Phone Number: +63-02-7980497

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking. To know more about what we do and offer, log on www.directwithhotels.com.

5 Restaurants Serving a Hearty Breakfast for Travelers in Makati, Philippines

Booked a hotel in Makati City, Philippines but chose the room-only option? Don't fret — here's a list of restaurants around the city that serve often-talked-about hearty breakfasts and lunches to boost your day.

1. Apartment 1B

Serving breakfast from 7 am until 3 pm, Apartment 1B lets you taste gourmet comfort food from the old-fashioned oatmeal to create-your-own omelet. Starters that include soup, salad, and quiche, plus a wide choice of sandwiches, are also available.

Address: G/F One Layafette Square, Leviste corner Sedeno St, Salcedo Village

2. H & E Heaven & Eggs

This rock star-themed restaurant located at the main entrance of the Glorietta 4 Mall has an affordable breakfast buffet priced at PHP 299 per person. Those coming in late can still have their favorite morning meal, since the restaurant has all-day breakfast options. Don't forget to try the Lovin' Lucban Longganiza or Strawberry and Banana Cheesecake Stacks.

Address: Glorietta 4, Ground Level, Ayala Center

3. Chef Laudico's Bfast

Right in the middle of the beautiful Ayala Triangle Gardens is Chef Laudico's Bfast. Best to try the “Silog” meals. These are basically the popular Filipino breakfast sets composed of fried rice, fried egg, and a choice of beef, chicken, or pork. But here, they have the gourmet version: go for the Angus Tocino or Angus Tapsilog if you want to taste the specialty. Sugar-free Belgian waffles and Belgian chocolate champorado are also served here.

Address: Shop 3 Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Avenue

4. Rodic's Diner

Despite Rodic's simple set-up of plastic chairs and tables, it has become one of the popular dining places in Makati City. It became famous for its sweet and tender sliced beef topped on a hot rice with egg. This treat only costs PHP 75. Folks on a tight budget can enjoy the flavorful treat for a half-order at PHP 45. Now that's a delicious and affordable breakfast to try.

Address: Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village

5. Mr. Jones

Expect a sophisticated selection of breakfast food at Mr. Jones. This American-style diner boasts specialty US Beef Ribcap Tapa and Garlic Overload. It's a plate of US Ribcap Beef strips placed on top of fried rice. There's also the Challah French Toast, which is a serving of thickly sliced bread stuffed with Nutella and raspberry. The prices of breakfast offers here are around PHP 300.

Address: G/L Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center

To catch breakfast just in time at these restaurants, choose a hotel in Makati City around the Ayala Triangle for the easiest commute even with the infamous Manila traffic.

Celebrating Christmas in Makati's Central Business District

From transient holiday revelers at One Greenbelt Hotel to the permanent residents of Makati City, you can expect everyone to exude the spirit of celebration this holiday season. The city, known as The Financial Capital of the Philippines, makes sure that everyone is reminded of the season and takes part in the celebrations. At this time of the year, the city shifts its visitors' attention from the high-rise buildings to the festive sights and sounds in the street and the parks. Anyone can join the fun by heading to the Central Business District and taking a casual stroll. You'll have an easy time going around and seeing the decorations since the district has a nice pedestrian system in effect.

Here are some sure signs that the city is counting down the days until Christmas:

1. Ayala Avenue, a major road in the city and one of the busiest in the metro, is usually decked with lights. White was the theme last 2012 and most of the decorations took the form of snowflakes, geometric trees, and pillars. After sunset, people would take their turns taking pictures bathing in the soft glow of the lights.

2. Flanked by Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue is Ayala Triangle, another destination for holiday tourists. Every December, this lush patch of land transforms into a garden of lights, thanks to the bulbs and decors which hang from the trees and bushes within the vicinity. Every 6 to 9 in the evening, the Christmas Light Show captivates viewers in the area with a display of colorful LED bulbs flickering and dancing to the tune of Christmas carols.

3. To fill the eyes and satisfy the palate, you can head to the different hotels in Makati to see how they've decorated their halls and lounges for the season. Some of the city's 5-star accommodations even hold competitions and partner with academic institutions to put up specially designed Christmas trees in their lobbies.

4. Speaking of Christmas trees, you can head to Glorietta 4 Park to take pictures of the Giant Christmas Tree. Located right at the heart of the shopping district, you can also indulge in good food and high-quality items after taking your souvenir photo.

After a day of walking around and taking in the sights, you can get a good night's sleep at any of the hotels in the area, such as One Greenbelt Hotel Makati.