Staycation Series: Conrad Manila, The Newest Luxury Hotel by the Bay

It's been 3 years (yes, three!!!) since I last made a post here. So much has happened since then. The little boss got bigger and started school, I finally found the the time (and guts) to start a little travel business, AND we now have a baby girl! Well, not bad for three years, eh?

Anyway, since it's been so long, I figured my next blog post should be about something really new and fresh. So, I'm starting my Staycation Series with a review of the newest kid on the luxury hotel block, Conrad Manila.

Last June 15, 2016, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, one of the luxury hotel brands of Hilton Worldwide, made its debut in the Philippines with the opening of Conrad Manila. Owned by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation and managed by the Hilton group, this new hotel's design had the hubby eyeing it since last year, as it looks like a ship about to go out into the harbour, what with it's very strategic location by bay inside the SM Mall of Asia Complex. Quite eye-catching to be sure, and looks expensive to boot. So when I got an email offering discounted rates for BDO credit cards, BDO Rewards and SM Advantage members, with the dates of stay coinciding with my scheduled training, I wasted no time telling the hubby, who of course said yes without so much as a blink. Well, he had to watch the little bosses (there are two now, see) all by himself while I'm out, so might as well do it in style, right? Tee-hee!

Booking a room was a breeze. I made all the arrangements through email, and the reservation agent who handled my booking was extremely responsive and helpful, as I had quite a number of requests since we're checking in with young children.

We opted not to avail of the free valet parking at the drop off lobby and just proceeded to the hotel's basement parking. Luckily, a couple of slots were vacant right in front of the entrance to the elevators. We went straight to their main lobby where we  were greeted by the hotel's hostess immediately upon stepping out. An attendant quickly took our single luggage and waited for us while we checked in. We got there earlier than the usual check in time, but the room was ready, so a few minutes was all it took to check us in.

The little ones, of course, explored the elegant lobby trying to find something to amuse them.

I failed to take photos of the lobby as I was in a hurry, but here's what I got from the web. The view here is lovely during sunset.

Forgot to check what this decor was in front of the elevators and hallway going to the ballrooms.

The hallway between ballrooms (where we passed when going to and from the pool)

We got their Deluxe Bayview room on the 5th floor. For a standard room, this one can compete with suite and premier rooms of other 5-star hotels. Impressive!

The king sized bed 

The sofa by the window is a nice spot to enjoy the sunset or jus spend some time reading.

The mini bar and Nespresso coffee machine are enclosed in this cabinet

The mini bar and Nespresso pixie machine

Not your usual complimentary coffee and tea.

Love the bathroom lay-out with separate stalls for shower and toilet. And the sliding door that closes off the whole area ensures that the kids are safe, too!

Another photo of the bathroom showing the sliding door, photo from Conrad Manila's official Facebook page.

The bathroom has three shower options: telephone shower, body jet and rainshower (which I was unable to include in this photo)

We requested for a baby crib, and within 5 minutes, one was brought up to our room. The housekeeping personnel who took my call asked me if a baby boy or baby girl will be using the crib, and when they brought it up, I understood why.

The brand new pink crib for the little girl which Kuya tried to check how comfy it was.

After checking in, I had to go out for a few hours for my training, so hubby had the kids amused by letting them draw and watch TV. I must say, they seemed pretty pleased with their current digs.

Our little bossings busy scribbling down their "schedules', haha!

Of course, a staycation for the little bossings will never be complete without splashing around in the pool, so as soon as I got back it was off to the pool we went. Conrad Manila's pool seemed to be climate-controlled just like Nobu's, hence no worries of the kids getting a chill.

Conrad Manila's infinity pool. If you don't fancy having a swim, the bar area is the perfect place to chill while watching the sunset. Photo from Conrad Manila's official Facebook page.

Yep, the little bossings sure enjoyed their pool time. :)

It was difficult getting them to leave, but were eventually lured with promises of going back the next morning and the fireworks display later.

Just before the fireworks started, there was a knock on our door. Carey the Carabao, Conrad Manila's official stuffed animal, has come to keep our little girl company for the night. Kuya wanted one, too, but room service has left, and he was good-natured enough to let it pass.

Carey the Carabao strikes a pose by the picture window!

View of the SM Mall of Asia weekend fireworks display from our room.

Kuya enjoying the fireworks display.

After the fireworks, we went down to S Maison to grab some dinner. However, the choices were quite limited since most of the stalls hasn't opened yet. Those that were open had a list of waiting customers, so we decided to walk across to the Mall of Asia and have dinner there. Going back, our Kuya spied the Starbucks Reserve at the corner of S Maison and just had to get a couple of his favourite cookie straws.

Starbucks Reserve at S Maison just below Conrad Manila

The next morning, the little bosses enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast before heading out to the pool again (more on the breakfast buffet at Brasserie on 3 in my next post).

Carey the Carabao joined us for breakfast!

Pancakes with Nutella and honey for our Kuya.

Snatched a bit more of pool time before checking out.

Then it was time to go.

Check out time!

As with check in, check out was also fast and hassle-free. An attendant was again on hand to carry our bag and bring it to the car.

It was indeed a very enjoyable stay at Conrad Manila. So much so that as we were pulling out of the parking area, out little boy was already asking when we can go back. When mommy starts earning from her work anak, haha!

However, there were quite a number of things that we noticed during our stay.

1. Since Conrad Manila is very new, the smell of paint is quite strong at the lobby. We stayed in the middle of July, a month after they opened. Hopefully, the smell is gone by now.

2. The absence of a bidet in the toilet is surprising. And it seems a lot of guests were asking about it, too.

3. There seemed to be a problem with the airconditioning system, as it automatically reverts to 28 degrees no matter how many times we adjust it. 28 degress is fine when the weather outside is cool. But when it's 33-35 degrees outside and your room has wide windows that let in all the light and heat, it can get a little uncomfortable.

4. Other luxury and 5-star hotels have welcome amenities like fruit platter, drinks, and good night cookies. Not with Conrad Hotel. I was informed this was not practiced by the Conrad hotel group. Hmmm... It would have been a very nice touch. Though they do have Carey the Carabao to tuck the little ones to sleep.

5. Our room had a very nice view which the kids enjoyed. What they did not like was the long walk from the elevator to our room. Exterior-wise, the building design is quite stunning. However, there was a price to pay in terms of the floor plan/lay-out, as we had to walk the whole length of the north building to get to our room facing the bay and the SM Mall of Asia. There was an another set of elevators nearer our room, but using them meant crossing the hotel's ballrooms when going to the pool or main lobby. Fortunately, there were no events that day, so we didn't encounter a lot of people going to and from the pool.

Still, these can be improved upon (except for the elevators and lay-out, of course). Overall, Conrad Manila is probably one of the best hotels we've stayed, and we can't wait to be back. That is, if I get another good deal.