Makati Shangri-La, Manila

This hotel offers a luxurious urban escape, renowned for its grand and regal lobby and a location that places guests at the heart of Makati’s business and shopping district. Its signature feature is its impressive ambiance, often enhanced by live music, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Guests consistently praise the exceptional staff and service, the spacious and comfortable rooms, and the excellent location with direct access to major malls. The hotel is ideal for business travelers seeking efficiency and convenience, families appreciating the large rooms and recreational facilities, and couples looking for a relaxing stay with fine dining and entertainment. For sightseers and shoppers, its proximity to attractions is a significant advantage. To enhance your stay, consider exploring the diverse dining options, though some guests advise being mindful of potential service inconsistencies in certain restaurants.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts a range of impressive facilities, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. The swimming pool is frequently praised for its large size, design, and ability to catch the sun throughout the day, making it a popular spot for relaxation. However, some guests note that during busy times, particularly weekends, the pool area can become overcrowded, with a shortage of sunbeds and occasional issues with towel management. The gym and fitness center are consistently highlighted as top-notch, being well-equipped, spacious, and offering comprehensive facilities including a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and cold plunge. The Horizon Club lounge is generally appreciated for its attentive staff and offerings, though some guests find the evening cocktail spread to be somewhat limited. Wi-Fi is reported as excellent and reliable throughout the property.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be spacious, clean, and comfortable, with many commending the comfortable beds and high-quality linens that ensure a restful sleep. The bathrooms are often described as luxurious, featuring amazing showers with ample hot water. However, a recurring theme in reviews is that the rooms, despite being well-maintained, are noticeably dated, with some mentioning worn carpets, rusty bathroom fixtures, and an occasional musty smell or even mold from air vents. Minor inconveniences include loud toilet flushing, slippery bathroom slabs, and some older in-room amenities like old TVs with limited channels or non-working USB chargers. While some guests experience noise, overall room comfort is generally positive.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast buffet at Circles Event Café is a significant highlight for many guests, praised for its fantastic and wide array of choices, encompassing Asian, Western, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese cuisines. Many describe it as delicious and one of the best they have experienced. However, a notable number of guests found the breakfast to be overpriced and, at times, of poor quality, with bland food, watery fruit, or sour yogurt. Dining experiences in other hotel restaurants, particularly the Lobby Lounge, received mixed feedback, with some guests reporting very slow service and issues with staff attentiveness. The Shang Palace Chinese restaurant is frequently commended for its food quality and service, while some guests noted a limited dining experience due to certain restaurants being closed.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently lauded as one of its strongest assets, placing it right in the heart of Makati and offering a prestigious address. Guests appreciate its excellent proximity to major shopping malls like Greenbelt, Glorietta, and Landmark, as well as numerous restaurants and entertainment options, all within walking distance. This makes it highly convenient for both leisure and business travelers. While the hotel offers its own transport services, many guests advise against using them due to significantly higher costs compared to local alternatives. The area surrounding the hotel is generally considered safe and easily navigable, providing seamless access to various parts of the city and public transportation.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel receive overwhelming praise, consistently described as exceptional, friendly, helpful, and attentive. Guests frequently highlight the professionalism and willingness of the staff to go the extra mile, creating a welcoming and personalized experience. Specific mentions include helpful concierge, attentive housekeeping, and welcoming lobby staff who remember returning guests. The check-in process is often smooth and quick, though some guests reported lengthy delays and issues with staff locating reservations, particularly during busy periods or after the hotel's reopening. While overall service is highly regarded, a few instances of slow service in certain dining outlets suggest some inconsistencies in specific areas.

Additional Information
Many guests note that the hotel, despite a recent reopening, still appears older and somewhat dated in its decor and furnishings, with some areas showing wear and tear. This has led to mixed opinions on the effectiveness of recent renovations. A unique aspect mentioned is the hotel's signature scent in the lobby, which some find pleasant, while others describe an unpleasant or musty odor. Guests should be aware that a flat 10% service fee is included on purchases, though staff may still solicit additional tips. The hotel also features noticeable security measures, including vehicle searches at entry points. Some guests have reported issues with the rewards program, specifically concerning point allocation and status qualification, leading to frustration.