Hotel and Inn Review: Dusit Thani Manila (Makati City)

Date of Stay: December 31, 2013-January 1, 2014

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: ********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: ********

Dusit Thani Manila

View MRT Station, EDSA and SM from hotel room

Dusit Thani Manila, right in the heart of Makati's financial district, is surrounded by malls (SM Dept. Store is right across), restaurants, bars and boutiques.  

Its location, aside from its affordability, is the hotel's most outstanding feature, it being along EDSA, one of Metro Manila's major thoroughfares, which abounds with buses, taxicabs and what have you. The hotel is also located about 200 meters from the Ayala MRT station.

The hotel lobby

Formerly the Manila Garden Hotel and, later, the Japan Airlines (JAL)-owned Nikko Hotel Manila, it was acquired by the Dusit group (one of over 22 properties owned in Thailand and overseas) in 1995 and was renamed Dusit Hotel Nikko. On April 2008, it was renamed Dusit Thani Manila.  

The hotel underwent an extensive US$20 million renovation which included  a state-of-the-art monochromatic beige-colored repainting of its facade. In 2011, it won 15 prestigious trophies (including "Hotel of the Year") from the Singapore-based Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA).

As one approaches the hotel's driveway, what first comes into sight is its Patrick Blanc-inspired vertical garden, with its 5-piece, 8-meter high green wall.  While bringing an aesthetic beauty to the surroundings of the hotel, it also has a significant impact on environment and atmosphere as it specifically lowers the temperature at the driveway, especially when the afternoon sun rays hit the entrance. Its water feature also helps cool the air that passes through the open spaces between walls. In recognition of these efforts, the hotel received a 2012 Silver certification by Earth Check, a globally renowned organization that grades environmental standards.

De luxe room

The hotel's spacious, impressive and tastefully decorated lobby has columns which are covered in real, elegant gold leaf, just like temples in Thailand.  

The hotel has 538 rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as LCD flat screen TVs with satellite channels, a work desk, minibar, mini fridge; in-room safe; coffee and tea making facility, air conditioning and free (and surprisingly fast) wi-fi. 

Our ensuite bath had a bathtub.  They even offered, free of charge, a Disney-inspired baby cot for Kyle. Some of the other rooms benefit from Executive Club lounge access which offers complimentary drinks and snacks.

Breakfast at Basix Coffee Shop

Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant

Basix, the hotel's ground floor, 24-hour coffee shop offers a breakfast buffet of delectable international options.  It included cold cuts, ham, bacon, cheese, bread, pancakes, fruits, etc..  

Dusit Thani also has 3 international restaurants. The Western Tosca Restaurant, awarded "Most Exquisite Dining Experience" in 2011, offers Italian cuisine. The second level Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant, awarded "Most Authentic Asian Cuisine Restaurant" in 2012 by HAPA, serves authentic Thai dishes.

UMU Japanese Sake Bar & Restaurant, awarded the  "Most Cosmopolitan Bar and Restaurant" in 2011 by HAPA, serves Japanese food and its private rooms offer views over the hotel’s highly-maintained and beautifully manicured  Japanese Garden and koi pond. 

The Japanese Garden and Koi Pond

The hotel also has  meeting and banquet facilities; an outdoor swimming pool; spa (Devarana - awarded "Signature Spa Experience" in 2011 by HAPA); business center; VIP room facilities; flower shop; 24-hour front desk; barber shop; beauty parlor;  24-hour medical clinic; souvenir/gift shop; and wellness center (DFit).

They offer express check-in/check-out; luggage storage, 24-hour room service; airport shuttle; laundry; dry cleaning; ironing service, currency exchange; shoe shine, car rental; tours; safety deposit box, massage and fax/photocopying service.

Dusit Thani Manila: Ayala Center, Makati City.  Tel: (632) 238-8888. Fax: (632) 238-8800. E-mail: dtmn@dusit.com.  Website: www.dusit.com