Spot Stays: This Poblacion Hotel Is a Stone's Throw Away From Your Favorite Food Haunts

Coro Hotel
8436 Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
Rates start at P4,120

At a Glance
Rooms: Extremely elegant and quite comfortable
Food and drink: Mostly Asian and Filipino food done very well
Staff: Goes above and beyond—with sincerity
Why you should stay: It’s strategically located relative to dining and entertainment spots in the hip-and-happening Poblacion

(SPOT.ph) There are several places to stay in Makati City, ranging from cool hostels to luxurious hotels. And a lot of them are located right in Poblacion, where food haunts and entertainment hotspots are aplenty. If you’re looking to stay in this neighborhood for a weekend, check out the posh but very welcoming, Coro Hotel. This vibe starts with the spacious driveway that ushers you just a few steps from the hotel lobby with its high ceilings and huge glass windows. The hospitality staff are very accommodating and live up to their title. The mid-sized hotel feels cozy and homey, especially when you explore the spacious rooms and the truly comfortable beds. Right behind it, there are dozens of spaces in a puzzle-themed parking area for medium-sized sedans.

"We are a destination for all modern travelers from all walks of life," says General Manager Noel Valenzuela. "We want guests to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. We make adjustments based on our guests’ needs for a bespoke service so they can have a great time." 

Also read: The New Poblacion Dining Spots to Put on Your Must-Visit List

If you’re looking for a Poblacion hotel to serve as a base for exploring the watering holes and party places in the area, here’s what you need to know:

Coro Hotel, owned and operated by Britehouse Corp., opened its doors to the public in the middle of 2019.

The hotel’s lobby beckons you to come and sit a while at the well-lit high-backed seats or meander over for some cake and coffee at the cafe. Do you need to keep some children entertained? They’ll can check out the adjacent Kids’ Play Corner.

"The overall design aesthetic is meant to be like a choir (coro in Spanish), wherein everything comes together in harmony to create a truly unique experience for each guest," Valenzuela explains.

Guests have six accommodation options: Superior Legato (P4,120), Superior Deluxe Andante (P4,500), Deluxe Adagio (P5,000), Jr. Suite Allegro (P7,300), Presto Suite (P12,000), and Aria Suite (P15,000). Both the suites have private balcony pools overlooking the Roof Deck Pool and great vantage points for sunset. 

All rooms have a minimalist design aesthetic. They feature high-quality hardware like satellite TVs and clock radio. Each has a queen- or king-sized bed with five huge pillows, making it very comfortable to climb into and under the covers. A consistent motif is schools of fish made of metal and suspended on the walls. There are towels and bathrobes enough for four occupants in each room. Toiletries are in big dispensers as they do away with small plastic packaging. The suites have both showers and bathtubs. 

All suites have a lounge area, dining area, and kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee maker, and stove with pots and utensils. So, really, you can’t be faulted for opting to stay in and cook or reheat your food—or even order in-room dining. 

Check out their long-term stay deals that will get you discounts on per-night rates. And depending on whether you’re spending the weekend alone or with someone, they have special package rates available. 

What to Do at This Poblacion Hotel

Most of Coro Hotel’s amenities are on the 17th floor. The roof deck pool is surrounded by common spaces, which are perfect for lounging throughout the day. You can watch the city below slowly wake up in the early morning, laze between laps, enjoy the sight of the changing hues at sunset, enjoy swimming in the evening before having a nightcap. 

The adjacent Coda Wet Bar gives the entire roof deck a beachside vibe—with a cool playlist accompanying your sundowner. 

The Sonata Spa is cocooned in Zen-like bliss with beds separated by dividers and some reclining chairs for your chosen treatment: wet or dry massage or a foot spa. Spa rates start at P1,500. Book the Coro Signature Massage, which uses a combination of treatments plus the application of virgin coconut oil and banana leaves. 

Before or after a night of binging, you can ease your guilty conscience by taking some cardio or lifting weights at the Keep Fit Gym on the 19th floor. It’s open all day, all you have to do is call ahead. 

And did we mention that the hotel has pet-friendly accommodation, too? 

Where to Eat at Coro Hotel

The Mezzo Food Hall, where a complimentary buffet breakfast is served, is on the mezzanine floor. Enjoy your choice of cappuccino, Americano, or hot chocolate from a self-service (and easily navigable) machine. There’s a cook station where you can ask for eggs any way you like, as well as pancakes and waffles fresh from the griddle. Of course, the perfect accompaniment to all of those (at least for meat eaters) their perfectly-cooked bacon. There’s also a selection of seasonal fresh fruit and cereals with milk.

During the rest of the day, you must order the Sisig, Sinigang na Bagnet, and Kare-Kare—all good for sharing for up to three people. 

Near the hotel, there are various watering holes and restaurants, notably, leveled-up street food as well as amazing Korean, Chinese, and Thai food. 

Where to Shop 

For late-night or early morning snack cravings, there are several convenience stores in the area open 24/7. 

Coro Hotel is at 8436 Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City. Rates start at P4,120. For more information, visit Coro Hotel’s website.