A different side of Makati

Tall gleaming skyscrapers, manicured gardens, curated high-fashion and international branded stores, this is what our normal perception of what Makati is. Rarely do we venture outside Makati’s central business and tourist district due to us being afraid of the unfamiliar or unknown.
 Last weekend, I went on a trip to Manila on an invitation by AirAsia, the newest airline to service the Davao-Manila route. The flight was quick and efficient, landing at the old Manila Domestic Terminal which was just a short drive to Makati Avenue where my hotel, the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel is located. To be honest, I rarely get to stay outside of the Makati CBD so what I remember from the area was from many years past where the A Venue Mall stands and the red light district along Burgos Street is.
 Upon arrival, I quickly noticed how lively the area around A Venue Mall has gown more lively. There was a night market selling a variety of affordable clothing as well as food stuff at the open parking area of the mall. Around the mall are many other trendy and unique gastropubs, bars and restaurants that add their own unique mark to Makati and its nightlife.
 “The area around the hotel and Makati Avenue has developed into a vibrant zone of Makati City,” says Best Western Plus Antel Hotel’s PR and Marketing Manager Jeoffrey Solas “there are many new bars and unique restaurants in the Poblacion area that are now making waves in Metro Manila’s dining scene.”
 The area has also seen a resurgence of life thanks to the opening of the Century City Mall, an upscale development that is also the home of many new restaurants, bars (such as the famous Gramercy 71 which gives guests an unparalleled view of Metro Manila) as well as upscale stores and boutiques.
 Although the vibe and energy of the area was intoxicating, it was also reassuring that I had the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel to call home during my stay. A complex of three hotel towers, the Best Westren Antel Hotel offers rooms that are comfortable and homy, the spa-like environment of the lobby was always a welcome sight after every excursion. It also helped that the hotel has two pools, the largest pools in the area, where one can take a dip, chill-out and relax the day away.
 To book a room at the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel, you can visit their website at www.antelhotel.com.
 Tickets for Manila or Cebu from Davao or to many onward destinations throughout Asia on AirAisa can be booked through www.airasia.com.
 Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.