Manila is a huge city and I recommend to read my “where to stay in Manila” post and decide carefully where to be! If Fort Bonifacio is the area you picked (congratulations, my favorite), then you have a growing number of hotels to choose from. But if you are traveling as a family, a serviced apartment might be a better option – more space for the price of a hotel room! The Luxe Residences is one of those properties – check out my “snapshot” review what to expect!
Location: The Luxe is in a great spot, just 1 block from Bonifacio High Street – the heart of Bonifacio Global City with lots of restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. A supermarket, movie theatre and numerous restaurants are within a 5 minute walk! It’s about 20-60 minutes from Manila’s NAIA airport, depending on the terminal and traffic. Fortunately, you’ll be able to reach many of the places-to-be in Fort Bonifacio by foot, so it’s a great base. For more transportation tips, check out How to get around Manila!
Room: The Luxe has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, offering space for even a large family. I looked at 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. You enter the 1-bedroom through a short hallway into the living room with an open kitchen. The living room as a sitting area with a big sofa and a small dining table. The kitchen has a big fridge, microwave and cooktop and plenty of storage! There is even a clothes washer, if you are planning for a longer visit! The bedroom is separate with a queen bed. The furniture throughout is modern and held in light-wood tones. It’s pretty basic furniture, similar to what you’d expect at a mid-scale hotel, but certainly better than you could expect from the average airbnb rental in Manila! The bathroom is equally modern and held in dark grey tiles, with a shower-over-bathtub.
At 55sqm (600 sft), you get a lot more space than in a hotel room, although each of the rooms is small. You can request an extra bed to be placed in the bedroom. It will work best for a couple or in a pinch a family of up to four.
If you prefer a little more space, you can step up to the 2-bedroom apartment. The design and layout is very similar, but you get a second bedroom and bathroom, making it a great fit for a family of 3-4 people. The second bedroom is also outfitted with a queen bed.
Amenities: The Luxe has a large outdoor pool, with loungers as well as bistro style tables to relax! Next to the pool is a small gym with cardio and weight equipment for a workout. The pool area and gym were both empty during my weekend inspection, so you should be able to find space easily. All the equipment is new and in good condition.
Conclusion: Overall, the Luxe is a great option for a family stay. It’s a very convenient location in Fort Bonifacio and having separate bedrooms as well as a full kitchen gives you plenty of space and makes a stay a little easier. While it is designed for longer term leases, it is also available for short term stays. You can book via agoda.com. If it doesn’t show availability, try contacting the hotel directly. At a rate of PHP5,000 for a 1-bedroom and PHP10,000 for a 2-bedroom (with discounts for rentals by week/month), it’s good value for Fort Bonifacio!
Just a reminder, my “snapshot” are based on a site inspection, not a personal stay at the property! You can find additional information, contacts and photos here! The website photos are an accurate reflection of the property!