Hotel and Inn Review: Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Date of Stay: September 21 to 22, 2024

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *********

Rooms: *********

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

Staff Performance: **********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: *********

Other Amenities: *********

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

 

Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila

I recently had the pleasure of staying overnight, with my son Jandy, at Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila and, I must say, it was an unforgettable experience.  From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the hotel staff’s warmth and hospitality which was nothing short of exceptional, going above and beyond to make us feel welcome as a valued guest and ensure that every aspect of our stay was perfect.  The attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction really stood out.

 

The exterior finish inspired by the ripples of the ocean

A collaboration between Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited (LPHM) and SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), this 11-storey hybrid hotel and serviced residences caters to professionals and regular guests, under SM’s luxury hotel brands.  The first Lanson Place in the country, it is also the tenth hotel property of SMHCC (established in April 2008, it also manages the SMX Convention Center and Trade Halls) which includes Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Radisson Blu Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod and Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA). 

The beautifully landscaped courtyard

Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited, founded in 1995, is a subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties, a premium developer of quality residential, commercial, industrial and serviced apartments.  It operates properties in Hong Kong (Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Two MacDonnell Road, Lanson Place Waterfront Suites), Kuala Lumpur (Lanson Place Bukit Ceylon), Shanghai (Lanson Place Parkside), Shenzhen (Yiju Apartment) and Singapore (Lanson Place Winsland), and soon to open in Melbourne, Australia (Lanson Place Parliament Gardens).

Pergola at the courtyard where you can have bespoke coffee breaks, short pocket meetings or small receptions

 

Now almost a year in operation (it opened last October 2, 2023), this U-shaped hotel is centered around a beautifully landscaped courtyard which is used for bespoke coffee breaks and short pocket meetings and small receptions when necessary.  The hotel’s design is inspired by the ripples of the ocean, from the exterior finish, down to the ceiling of the second floor and all the way to the carpet of the Saffron Grand Ballroom. It had 247 guest rooms and 142 serviced apartments, including two-bedroom suites with floor-to-ceiling windows which allow sweeping views of the city skyline and Manila Bay.  

One-Bedroom Junior Suite (551)

We stayed in an immaculate, peaceful and spacious, 49 sq. m. One-Bedroom Junior Suite (551) that allowed us to be truly at home. Stylishly furnished in soothing earth tones, it had a separate bedroom and living room, each with a 50-inch flat screen interactive TV (iPTV) with 65 international and local cable TV channels and 16 radio channels for entertainment. 

 

Living Room

The cozy and clean bedding and super soft pillows of our king-size bed (one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on) and modern and thoughtful amenities such as an electronic key lock system; voice mail, IDD/NDD telephone lines; airconditioning with individually controlled thermostats; a well-stocked minibar; blackout drapes/curtains; closet, bathrobes, ; in-room safe; pillow menu; luggage rack (making unpacking and repacking a breeze), and iron & ironing board, provided a welcoming retreat, ensuring a restful night’s sleep throughout our stay.  

The personal Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary coffee capsules and complimentary tea set-up

The personal Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary coffee capsules and complimentary tea set-up, was a nice touch. Wide windows invited Manila Bay views and infused the room with the warmth of natural light. 

 

The bathroom with glass shower enclosure and His and Her lavatory

The reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi internet connection (10 mbps) made staying connected (to catch up on emails) or working remotely a breeze, ensuring uninterrupted productivity, clear video calls and lag-free file sharing.

 

The Powder Room with electronic bidet

Our private ensuite bathroom had a His and Her lavatory, vanity mirror, hair dryer and hot and cold rainshower head.   The Kohler water closet, at the separate powder room (with another lavatory), had an electronic bidet with a heated toilet seat with various temperature settings and an easy-to-use control and preset. Both bathroom and powder room are furnished with luxurious APPELLES Green collection (Davidson Plum Hand & Body Wash, Rosella Conditioner and Rosella Shampoo) bathroom amenities infused with natural ingredients and delightful scents.

 

Lanson Suite

The other hotel room types are the 25 sq. m. (269 sq. ft.) Superior Room and Deluxe Room, furnished with King/Twin beds, the 58 sq. m. One-Bedroom Grand Suite and the 68 sq. m. One-Bedroom Lanson Suite, both having King-size beds and separate living rooms.

 

A bathtub with a view

We also tried out some of Lanson Place Mall of Asia’s dining options which range from comfort foods, to international cuisine and local favorites for a long, lazy lunch with friends or dinner with the family, to grab-and-go treats and delicious pastries for an easy meal on the go, that are as varied and vibrant as the Pasay restaurants outside their doors.

 

Madeleine High Tea

Upon checking in, we had merienda, with Ms. Rosary Ysmael (Lanson Place Marketing Consultant), at the peaceful and beautiful, albeit hidden (turn right upon entering the main lobby) Madeleine High Tea, on the ground floor of the Ballroom lobby.  

High Tea Set Menu

It is just the place to be with friends, from Friday to Sunday (2 to 5 PM), as you savor its serene atmosphere.  A lady tea sommelier explained to us the basics of tea, the different kinds and the food pairings to try.

 

Artisanal teas from Nature's Apothecary

There are three sweet and savory high tea sets offering six premium artisanal teas from Agusan del Norte’s Nature’s  Apothecary (Forest Pearl Green Tea, Oasis Green Tea, Golden Monkey Black Tea, Merry Berry Fruit Tea, Hello Sunshine Fruit Tea and Peach Oolong Tea), innovative pastries, and cakes that blend traditional and contemporary high tea flavors – Traditional (Php1,750), Contemporary (Php1,950) and Signature (Php2,150). 

 

One of three High Tea Sets

We sampled the first two, featuring traditional scones, clotted cream, madeleines, macarons, tiny sandwiches and delicious snacks, perfectly matched with Jandy and Rosary’s choice of tea (I had a Cappucino).

 

Saffron Grand Ballroom

On an exclusively dedicated floor above it is the pillarless (for flexible configurations to suit specific needs), well-designed and contemporary, 676 sq. m. Saffron Grand Ballroom.  An ideal event place to hold glamorous weddings, conventions and corporate events, it has a dedicated lobby, expansive pre-function area for c0cktail reception (with a dedicated bar), dedicated bridal dressing/holding room, full-service audio-visual system, dedicated drop-off and pick-up foyer and can be set up theater style (370 pax), banquet style (300 pax), U-shaped style (240 pax), classroom style (192 pax) and conference style (180 pax). 

 

The Leeroy New artwork hanging from the ceiling

Above the ballroom lobby and Madeleine’s High Tea is the huge, wind wave-like ceiling, an art project designed by contemporary Filipino fine artist Leeroy New.  A stunning mass of undulating blues, it was inspired by the bioluminescent waves and dancing nudibranches.

 

BLK 12 Cafe-Bar

Come nighttime, we visited the more casual, comfortable and trendy BLK12 Café/Bar, at the ground floor (City Wing) welcome lobby.  During daylight hours, you can visit for a snack or a delectable pastry paired with a perfectly brewed coffee or a handcrafted beverage, and, come nighttime, for the chilled-out wine bar experience in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Confit Garlic and Spinach Dip, Crisps

Gambas Al Ajillo

Caramel Flan

Spanish Churros

Here, we tried out the Confit Garlic and Spinach Dip (Php380), followed by Gambas Al Ajillo (Php680) and Lemongrass Chicken Skewers (Php340) and ended with a dessert of Spanish Churros (Php380) and Caramel Flan (Php300).   Truly filling and delicious.

 

Jandy and the author at the Fitness Gym

Fitness Gym

After dinner, we burned our calories, with the assistance of trainer Jason Abesamis, at the 198 sq. m. (22 x 9 m.), 24-hour Fitness Gym at the 11^th floor. It has a suite of state-of-the-art Life Fitness gym equipment such as 3 treadmills, 2 upright indoor cycling exercise bikes, a free weight stack exercise machine, a multi-functional machine gym and a seated leg press plus 20 dumbbells (2.5 to 25 lbs.), 5 medicine balls, 2 slam balls and 5 kettle bells. 

Yoga Room

Beside the fitness gym is the 52.5 sq. m. (7.5 x 7 m.) dedicated Yoga Room for those who prefer a more mindful workout.

 

Kids Corner

At the same floor is the Kids’ Corner which offers a lively, safe and fun space equipped with a wide range of indoor activities and games for children aged 3 to 10 years old, where they can watch movies, discover a new favorite video game to play or challenge a new friend to a board game. 

Residents' Lounge

Also at the 11th floor (Bay Wing) is the Resident’s Lounge, a place for easy hangouts and delicious morning meals, which is open only to long-stay guests.

 

Cyan Modern Kitchen

Bar Area

The next day, we had a buffet breakfast at Cyan Modern Kitchen, the third floor (Bay Wing) all-day dining restaurant.  Its contemporary design, with floor-to-ceiling windows, creates a flexible space for both leisure and corporate settings. 

Al Fresco Dining Area

The restaurant’s main dining hall, as well as its al fresco dining area facing Macapagal Avenue, offers front-row seats to the magnificent sunset Manila Bay is known for. A private room offers a stunning view of the MOA Eye and, on a clear day, Mount Samat in Bataan.

 

Breakfast Buffet

A selection of delectable dishes

Bread, Croissants and Scones

The breakfast spread was varied, filling and delicious, with pancakes, waffles, French toast, egg station (sunny side up, scrambled, hard boiled, etc.), cereals, pastries (croissants, Spanish bread, blueberry Danish, banana walnut cake, raisin bonnet, doughnuts, etc.), tater tots, bacon, farmer’s ham, an assortment of dishes (shokshouka, lamb con carne, beef adobo, chicken curry, sautéed bottle gourd, fish sarciado, beef with fried eggplant, etc.), chicken sausages, dulong, plus coffee, tea and fresh juices (watermelon, pink sweet guava, orange). 

 

Cereals

and more.....

Their lunch buffet rate is Php2,500 net per person, Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon to 2:30 PM, while their pre-dinner cocktail buffet rate is Php2,500 net per person, Fridays to Saturdays, 5:30 to 8:30 PM.  They offer 20% discount to SMAC card holders. For reservations, call +63 917 812 8061 or email fb.lpmn@lansonplace.com.

Focus Co-Working Space

Also at the third floor is the 288 sq. m., 48-pax Focus.  This 24-hour Manila co-working space explores the concept of “work from everywhere.” These flexible workspaces are popular, especially among firms implanting hybrid work arrangements and those seeking short-term leases.  A dynamic hub for entrepreneurs and creatives alike, it features high-speed W—Fi connectivity, exclusive meeting pods, tables with plentiful sockets, comfortable seating, spacious tables and a tranquil ambiance.  

Bytes

To keep you energized throughout the day, there’s Bytes, Lanson’s grab and go station alongside our co-working space at the third floor, where you can indulge in guilt-free snack or sandwich options to keep by your side as you ramp up your productivity.

  

Executive Boardroom

Meeting_Room

This is complemented by seven natural light-filled meeting spaces – the 12-pax Thyme, Vanilla and Lavender Meeting Rooms; the 16-pax Sage; and the 20-pax Tarragon, Rosemary and Basil Meeting Rooms.  The last three have individual courtyard access.  All are equipped with cutting-edge amenities and technologies to host intimate meetings and presentations or as comfortable breakout areas.

 

Infinity Pool

After breakfast, we decided to take a dip at the 11^th floor, 25 m. (82 ft.) x 6 m. (20 ft.), 1.2 (4 ft.) deep, elevated Infinity Pool (open 6 AM to 9 PM) where, from the edge, you look out over Manila Bay. Beside it is a 3 m. (10 ft.) x 9 m. (30 ft.), 0.60 m. (2 ft.) deep Children’s Pool.  

Edge Pool Bar

Adjacent to the pools is Edge Pool Bar. Exclusively reserved for residents and in-house guests, it is a perfect venue to cap off a productive day.  

Bar Area

With its unobstructed view of the bay, here you can sip specially-concocted signature cocktails and savor a selection of comforting dishes while enjoying the captivating sunsets and cool breeze.   

 

Lunchtime crowd at Cyan Modern Kitchen

Prior to checking out, we had lunch again at Cyan Modern Kitchen. This time, we tried out a buffet of modern, chef-curated interpretations of traditional international favorites made with fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.  

Crabs and shrimp

Chona Masala, Seafood Moilee, Lamb Keema Mattar

The delicious fare included Chona Masala, Seafood Moilee, Lamb Keema Mattar, Vegetable Samosa, Papadam, Chicken Tikka, Truffle Smash Potato, Sauteed French Beans, Shepherd Pie, Conchillo, Eggplant Parmigiana, Sweet Chili Fish, Nasi Goreng, Chicken Florentina plus decadent desserts such as Tres Leches Halo-Halo, Tiramisu, Leche Flan, Cheesecake, etc.

 

Tres Leches Halo Halo

My dessert plate.....

The hotel also has a 24-hour Front Desk, 21-pax elevators and offers daily housekeeping, luggage storage, concierge, laundry service, room service (limited hours), car rental, airport transfer (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge). The hotel’s strategic and unbeatable location was also the highlight of our stay as Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila is a short walk to the SM Mall of Asia Complex (470 m. away), One Esplanade (520 m. away), entertainment spaces such as the Mall of Asia Arena (1.7 kms. away); the flagship SMX Convention Center (730 m. away); restaurants; office buildings and a transportation hub that can take you to and from any part of Metro Manila.  It is also the perfect location to watch the Pyromusical Competition in SM MOA.

 

24-Hour Front Desk

It is also located 4.19 kms. from Robinsons Place Manila, 4.61 kms. from Manila Ocean Park, 4.98 kms. from Rizal Park, 5.43 kms. from the National Museum, 5.63 kms. from Fort Santiago, 5.65 kms. from San Agustin Church, 5.97 kms. from the Manila Cathedral and 6.71 kms. from Quiapo Church.

 

Service Residence

I cannot recommend this hotel enough and we look forward to returning in the future.  Even if you don’t stay there, you should still check out Cyan Modern Kitchen’s scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet offerings.  Our thanks to the entire staff for making our refreshing staycation, which struck a balance between comfort and functionality, truly memorable. 

 

The author and Jandy at Cyan Modern Kitchen

Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila: Block 12, Palm Coast Ave., corner Seaside Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex, Brgy. 76, Zone 10, CBP-1A, Pasay City, 1300 Metro Manila. Tel: + 632 7777 0000.  Email: reservations.lpmn@lansonplace.com and sales.lpmn@lansonplace.com.  Website: www.lansonplace.com.