TASTE OF MANILA: MICROTEL INN AND SUITES - MALL OF ASIA 2011

MICROTEL MALL OF ASIA MANILA is the most conveniently located hotel in the Roxas Boulevard area, especially if the venue of our Convention is at the SMX.

Our Convention is usually held at the SMX Convention Center in the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex.

What is the SM Mall of Asia? 

For people in Manila, everyone knows about the SM (ShoeMart) and the SM Mall of Asia.

For those from the provinces, we wish to go to the MOA.

But a friend from the US asked me what SM MOA and SMX means so here goes.

from Wikipedia: 

SM Mall of Asia (MOA) is a shopping mall owned and developed by SM Prime Holdings, the largest mall developer and owner in the Philippines. SM Mall of Asia is the 2nd largest mall in the Philippines after SM City North EDSA, 3rd largest shopping mall in Asia and the 4th^[1] (Ref. Forbes' World's 10 Largest Shopping Malls) largest shopping mall in the world. It has a land area of 42 hectares and has a gross floor area of an approximate 390,193 m² (4.2 million square feet)^[2] and 407,101 m² of total area. The mall is located in Bay City, Pasay City, Philippines near the SM Central Business Park, the Manila Bay and the southern end of EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). The mall attracts a daily average foot traffic of about 200,000 people.

from MOA website: http://smmallofasia.com/moa/?p=1097

ABOUT MOA
More than just a Mall, the SM Mall Of Asia is a tourist destination that has raised the standard of shopping, leisure and entertainment in the Philippines.

THE BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST
Almost four hectares of floor area. 8,000 parking slots. 5,000 square meters allotted for public utility vehicles. 100 slots for tourist buses. Almost one kilometer in length, and a perimeter of almost 2 kilometers. Close to 2 million bags of cement used to build it and 44,000 gallons of paint consumed. It also has 1.9 million floor tiles installed in it. One wonders if this scale of development was for an airport terminal, a seaport, or an industrial complex.

Interestingly, however, these facts speak about the Philippines’ largest and world’s third largest mall, the 407,000 square-meter SM Mall of Asia.

What is SMX Convention Center?

The Philippines' largest privately-run exhibition and convention facility, the SMX Convention Center is an ideal venue for international exhibitions, large-scale local trade events, major medical and other industry conventions and corporate and social functions. The building, located in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, is one of the best flagship establishments of the Philippine MICE industry. 

SMX is positioned to be the top-of-mind venue for any type of event, offering its clients exceptional space and extraordinary service in an excellent location. We want to be known as the best place for all important events in the Philippines and in the Asia-Pacific Region, leading in terms of amenities, space, capacities, and service.

The 46,647-square meter building boasts of 21,000 square meters of flexible leasable space. The SMX Convention Center offers four Halls, five Function Rooms and twelve Meeting Rooms.

So, I really decided to be booked in Microtel Inn, which is just within the MOA (Mall of Asia) Complex.

My other choice was G Hotel, which seems to have more facilities within the room and better breakfast, but accessibility is still my number one reason for the choice.

As I mentioned, I am apprehensive about Manila taxi drivers.

Here is the description of Microtel Inn from their website:

Microtel Mall of Asia - Manila
Pasay City, Philippines

Microtel Mall of Asia – Manila is all about quality that endures. The newest in a chain of world-class economy hotels in the Philippines, our hotel is located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), making it easier for you to reach the capital’s prime destinations in no time. Further value for your money is also found in the confines of our rooms and suites. Affordable yet fresh and urban in design, each one is sure to reward you with pure comfort. And since our hotel is right inside the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) complex, scores of restaurants, apparel stores, and cinemas are all accessible. Convenience has never reached such great heights.

I'd like to share some photos with you on Microtel.

We took these pictures while we were walking to the SMX Convention Center.

At night, this is how the Microtel lnn looks. This was while we were watching the Fireworks show in the seaside and also while we were going to the MOA.

This is our room which is a double room. 

The room is spacious with a large bed and with a desk where we can do some laptop work.

As I remember, the wi-fi was only in the lobby and there was internet access by LAN in the room.

I think it was free but you have to ask that again from Microtel, if it is free or for a fee.

TV is already LCD type!

The room was about 25 square meters size, but was comfortable in size and in fact felt spacious for its size.

You must remember this is an Inn as in the name Microtel Inn and Suites!

So there is no refrigerator in the room, which is a bit inconvenient. So just by cold drinks at SM MOA.

Here are their amenities: from Microtel site

What we offer

	Clean, comfortable hotel rooms with interior hallways and electronic keycard entry for added safety
	Chiropractic-approved mattresses
	Color TV with cable channels
	Multi-function telephone system with IDD and NDD
	Internet-ready data port
	Radio Clock
	Built-in desk and furniture
	Window seating for relaxation
	Full size bathrooms with hot and cold water

We had our breakfast at Millie's.

just outside the elevator

Breakfast was a typical Filipino breakfast like chorizo, egg, ham, pork and beans and the like. I would consider this their breakfast relatively simple because the line was just short. 

Still filling and good but basic.

Of course, there was a choice of breads and fruits.

I have no pictures because I didn't think of blogging then (February 2011).


Price range per day is variable.

For example for November 2011, the price for single and double rooms range from P4,300.00 to P4,800.00.

For December 2011, price range is P4,800.00 to P5,300.00, which may be the peak season.

But, they give 11% discount if booked 11 weeks in advance like ranging from P3,000.00 to P3,500.00 in February 2012.

The accessibility to SM Mall of Asia is its best come on. 

SM MOA was open until 11 p.m. at the time we were there, so it was really worth it to stay in Microtel.




To top it all, it was the season of the Pyrotechnic Competition last February 2011.

I didn't need to worry if I could watch it because we were there already.

I didn't need to worry how to go home.




Here are some pictures of the Pyrotechnic displays from the seaside, which is really close to Microtel.

One can also watch the Pyrotechnic Competition from the Microtel Roofdeck for about a P600.00+ meal, but we decided to stay closer to the seaside, where there were also many restaurants lined up.

I would still choose Microtel Mall of Asia Manila if our convention site is at the SMX!

CONTACT NUMBERS:

Microtel Mall of Asia - Manila
Coral Way Ave. corner Seaside Boulevard
SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1308
Philippines

Phone Number: (63.2) 403-3333
Fax Number: (63.2) 659-4226
Mobile: (63.917) 5905914

Email: mallofasia@microtel.ph
Website: www.microtel-manila.com