A.Venue Hotel Suites: At the center of it all

MANILA, Philippines - As the city becomes more congested and the usual places start getting old, it’s always nice to hear from newcomers. They always bring with them an inherent, palpable energy that is always welcome, and the excitement they convey is something that people can’t wait to see and feel. One such newcomer brings these and more. And with a name like A.Venue Hotel Suites, one can expect a truly different and delightful leisure experience.

One can say that the name says it all — and then some. Just a year old, the A.Venue Hotel Suites is the brand new place for rest, relaxation and partying. As a true alternative to the hotels one is used to in the Makati area, A.Venue is located at the far end of Makati Avenue from Ayala and is easily accessible by private and public transport. Sitting pretty within the Antel Lifestyle City, the hotel is also a stone’s throw away from an event hall that can accommodate a thousand people as well as a shopping mall that also bears its name.

A.Venue Hotel Suites, in itself, is a sight to behold with its classy and modern architecture that hints at all the wonders inside. What’s more, construction is ongoing for another tower nearby — the Antel Spa Hotel Suites — soon to be the next big thing in wellness and relaxation in the city.

“What I like about A.Venue is it gives you a feeling that it is stylish and modern. When you come inside, you feel warm and at home,” says Ethel Bondoc, A.Venue Hotel Suites manager. A certified veteran of the hospitality industry, Ethel has seen it all and heard it all. But she continues to be excited by her work, especially when she came onboard in May this year to help out in the hotel’s operations. “I realized when I became a part of this, knowing what we can and cannot do is very important.”

A.Venue isn’t the type of hotel that would compete with the grand dames of the industry. Far from it, competition isn’t its goal. Ethel elaborates, “We’re saying, we can be the best of who we are.”

Already, A.Venue seems to have reached that point. An easy alternative for people who want to experience something new and different, the hotel offers the best of what it is when it comes to accommodations and facilities. Ethel says, “We put a very high premium on details while making sure that guests feel at home.”

It all starts at the lobby, where the amiable staffers make sure you are checked in quickly and seamlessly. There is a choice between one and two-bedroom suites. The suites’ contemporary Asian design and minimalist décor present certain warmth as you gaze across a texture of soft earth hues. Whichever you go with, each tastefully furnished suite is fully air-conditioned with a flat-screen cable TV, DVD player, coffee and tea-making facilities, microwave oven, mini-bar, private baths, in-room safety deposit boxes, IDD-NDD phones, Internet access and newspaper delivered daily. Rounding out the package is a complimentary breakfast for two or four guests, depending on the room, plus free use of the gym and pool facilities.

Children can make a splash at the kiddie pool. What’s more, A.Venue is the only hotel in the Makati area that has an infinity pool. This decidedly unique facility ties in neatly with its wellness thrust, with the upcoming Antel Spa Hotel Suites boasting floors dedicated to a spa and wellness center.

Slated to open in January 2010, Antel Spa Hotel Suites will fulfill the promise that the hotel made when it first started — a place that fuses excitement and serenity, having the best of both worlds in a nice little urban niche.

Ethel and her team are tasked to handle management duties for both A.Venue and the Antel Spa Hotel Suites. The double duty may be daunting, but she is unfazed. “Antel Spa Hotel Suites will continue our tradition of excellence and service and will put a very high premium on wellness and indulgence,” enthuses Ethel. “We’ll be using state-of-the-art equipment and introducing tried-and-tested techniques for relaxation.”

A.Venue offers great dining choices as well as facilities that cater to large and important events. Have a filling meal at the Granvia Café, which exudes the same class and warmth present in the hotel. If you’re planning something bigger, events are just a cinch with A.Venue’s banquet halls. The Via Veneto can fit close to 200 people in a cocktail setup, while Via Toscana and the Rafaelo can accommodate 20 to 40 people. For a medium-sized gathering, the Via Condotti can take in 50 to 80 people in varying setups and configurations.

Being in the Makati area means you have a competitive and prime location. But A.Venue Hotel Suites goes a step further by providing a little bit of value to the mix. Ethel says, “Our prices are very, very reasonable considering the location and considering the hotel is very new.”

The hotel was also able to address one of Makati City’s perennial problems: parking. “It is not a problem here. We have 200 parking slots outside and basement parking,” Ethel says.

Even with the amazing facilities and great ambience, the success of the hotel still boils down to that human factor. Driving the success are the people who make it work. Even now, Ethel personally signs each and every guest’s welcome letter and makes it a point to know everyone upon check-in. She says, “It’s really all about delivering consistent superior service and developing service-oriented people, focusing on people — their skills, their competence and getting to know them. I really believe in people, they are the ones who will make a difference. For me, a building is just another building — a hotel is just another hotel. What will make it different? The warmth, the experience that guests will say about staying here.”

A.Venue Hotel Suites, after just a year in operation, has significantly captured a chunk of the local market. That’s not a surprise considering you get five-star service and luxury without having to pay five-star rates. Having a great hotel experience goes a long way in this particular industry, and you can’t go wrong with the alternative venue right smack at the center of it all.

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A. Venue Hotel Suites is located at the Antel Lifestyle City, 7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City and is managed by Genesis Hotels & Resorts Corp. For inquiries or reservations, call (+632) 403-0888 or (+632) 403-0865, log on to www.avenuehotelsuites.com or www.genesishotels.com or e-mail at inquiry@avenuehotelsuites.com.