In Manila: Your staycation choices in Westside City

The sun rising over skyscraper city is the view from the window of rooms facing East while the West wing rooms capture the view of the Manila Bay and the famed sunset as its backdrop. Which of nature’s wonders would you want to witness?

Two towers stand abreast south of Manila—Kingsford Hotel and Grand Westside Hotel, sister hotels from the Megaworld family. Which hotel would you like to stay in to watch nature’s wonders?

Choices.

Designed with similar aesthetics of modern contemporary architecture and interiors, Kingsford Hotel rises alongside Grand Westside Hotel in the same address, at the Westside City within the vibrant Entertainment City, where the bustling entertainment complexes, conventions venues and exciting shopping malls make up the neighborhood. It’s a destination today, and the district is growing. The location, within close proximity to the international airports, makes both hotels attractive to both business and leisure travelers either for a quick trip or a long vacation.

Is it ideal for a staycation? Certainly. The rooms are designed for it—comfortable and appointed with amenities any type of travel may need. Staycation is me-time, to unwind and recharge, stay in, be lazy and do nothing, turn off work mode and read a book or watch tv all day, stay indoors, swim, dine. At least, that's what I would do—and it does wonders for me. However, if malling and retail therapy, theater, bar hopping, dance and party, or aligning 7s on a machine relaxes you, then go for it. We define our own meaning of self love. Whatever it is that will suit your fancy, Kingsford and Grand Westside will be the right address for either. However, the two hotels have something up its sleeve to entice staycationers to stay indoors. 

It’s tempting to step out to shop and party, but the 529-rooms Kingsford Hotel can keep you engaged indoors with its facilities—a pool that catches the sunrise, a fitness center, steam room and sauna, and in-room massage service. If those are not enough to keep you busy, perhaps the food will. Executive Chef Chubby Timban and his team will take you in a unique culinary adventure fit for royalty. The cuisine? It’s East meets West, reimagined dishes, culturally-rich, which will please both the eyes and the palate. The Halal selections are not to be missed. It’s a trip to a favorite spice-rich destination. The menu also lists a selection of Filipino dishes that has earned the thumbs up from diners. Perhaps you will do the same. Aaah, there’s this divine dessert that will tempt both the sweet-toothed and not—the Deconstructed Mango Cheesecake is laid out like a work of art. Too beautiful to eat, but who are we kidding? It will be gone in seconds. But if the neighbors beckon, then Kingsford can shuttle you to your destination.

Right next door is the newly inaugurated Grand Westside hotel, the youngest of the Megaworld brood but the largest with 1,530 rooms. It features several suite categories including the presidential suites, with a more sophisticated look in subdued tones than Kingsford. The higher room category gains access to the Executive Lounge (aka Club Floor, to others), where extra amenities are extended. 

A bigger hotel means more offerings. Grand Westside has a variety of dining outlets, including Café by Westside, an all-day dining restaurant serving a wide range of cuisines, and the soon-to-open specialty restaurant, LaMeza, which will highlight a new take on Filipino fare. For drinks, have one (or several) at Zabana at the lobby or by the poolside bar, where you can catch the Manila Bay sunset. It’s on this same level where the fitness center is, if you care to shed off a few calories, the sauna, where you can relax and detoxify, and the massage rooms, the most indulging element of a staycation.

Exciting additions to Grand Westside offerings will be rolled out soon. Connected to the hotel via a bridgeway is the Westside Resort, a sprawling entertainment complex that will feature performing arts theaters, the largest of which will be The Grand Opera House. Yes, there will be more dining options in this edifice.

So on your next business trip or staycation in Manila, decide which hotel you would like to stay at, which room you wish to catch the sun in action, and what cuisine entices you. Is it Kingsford or Grand Westside? You choose.