As soon as I knew that the event I was going to attend to is going to be held in Novotel Hotel in Quezon City, I was super excited! I have read rave reviews about it online and I’m also familiar that in one of the suites of this hotel is where Ms. Universe Pia Wurtzbach stayed like a queen.
For a quick fact check: The Novotel Manila Araneta Center is the first Novotel in the Philippines. It is under the chain of Accor Hotels that is known internationally. This family-friendly hotel officially opened last March 2016.
Novotel Entrance
Novotel Lobby
Anyways, the event I’m talking about is The Blogapalooza 2016, the biggest business to blogger event in the Philippines. And as a blogger, here’s an obligatory review where I list key points I observe about the hotel.
The Negros Bloggers Delegates at the Blogapalooza 2016 Event
Novotel Lobby
Location
Perfectly located in the bustling city of Cubao, just beside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, it is accessible to shops and restaurants in just a few minutes walk. It is also a block away from SM Cubao which is a relief in case I need to buy something or for emergencies.
The View from my Hotel Room
Stay
My roommates and I were welcomed with fruits and a personal note in our room. At first glance, the room has modern fixtures and spacious enough for the three of us. It has a couch, a desk, a TV set, and a bar or a ‘thirst station’ as I like to call it, complete with bottled water, coffee, tea and fridge. There’s also a closet with bathrobes, slippers, and a safe.
As for the bathroom, it is see-through, but with automated blinds that easily rolls up or down for your privacy, your choice. It doesn’t have a bath tub but it has both rainfall shower head and a telephone shower head. It also has decent bath toiletries and a hair dryer.
Special shout-out to the impressive electrical outlet with all the different kinds of ports and plugs for all my gadget needs. I can easily charge on both sides of the bed, below the desk and even at the thirst station.
Food
I took note that non-hotel guests can dine here for a buffet breakfast for Php888 per pax because the food here is great and I’d absolutely come back for more. They have a wide array of delicious Filipino and foreign dishes, it makes me feel like I’m on a food tour. I also tried their juice bar that completely refreshed my morning for the day.
Wifi
Internet access is a blogger’s train to our readers, that’s why I highly appreciate Novotel’s fast wifi access everywhere in the hotel. I can still connect to it even if I’m already 20 meters away. No wonder Blogapalooza chose this hotel as the venue for our event.
Staff & Service
The service was great everywhere and hotel managers are also visible checking if everything is taken care of. The staffs always offer their kind assistance, but I think there are many of them who are interns undergoing training and gaining work experience in the hotel who can’t give immediate answer to the guest’s needs. I understand business needs to figure out ways to cut down expenses but I just hope they won’t sacrifice professionalism over money.
Rate & Pricing
For an overnight stay, hotel rate starts at about Php4,500 depending on the season. But I’d still love to come back here for a staycation because this place I can say is a home for a night, or two if my budget allows me to. ☺
I also learned that you can bring up to two kids, 15 years old and below, for free in the hotel and even at the buffet breakfast. Now that’s a family-friendly hotel!
Other Amenities
My brief hotel stay in Novotel also guaranteed me the use of their pool, gym and spa. Sadly, I wasn’t able to enjoy them all due to the limited schedule but for sure, I can come back anytime.
They also have a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, restaurants and cafes, kid’s center, garden and a free parking space (one car per room).
Overall, Novotel did not disappoint. This is the perfect hotel for both staycation and business in the metro.