Metro Manila is a hodgepodge of many different cities and municipalities lumped together to form one gigantic metropolitan area. This makes for an exciting contrast of area to visit, but this vastness makes it a little bit daunting for some urban explorers, myself included.
Conceived in the 1990’s and masterplanned as a true global city, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is one of the few places in Metro Manila I really do not mind staying at for business or for leisure.
My top choice when it comes to accommodations in the area is Seda BGC. The flagship property of the award winning Seda Hotel chain, Seda BGC introduces guests to the concept of an Urban Lifestyle Hotel, where seamless customer service, exceptional value, and exciting destination weave a remarkable accommodation experience.
Seda’s 179 spacious and well-appointed rooms are fitted with the latest technologies for urban travellers such as USB charging points, fast and free WiFi, tonnes of electrical outlets, as well as a 40-inch LED HDTV matched to a media dock.
The BGC experience
One reason why I love staying at BGC is its pedestrian friendliness which encourages people to walk with its wide sidewalks and parks. Its main shopping area, the High Street, is where one can shop, dine, people watch, or jog about in the early morning or late evening.
Although the Seda BGC has its own 24-hour gym and a pool, I found that jogging around Bonifacio Global City was an experience in itself. The sidewalks as well as the design of the city really encourage the fitness lifestyle. It also helps that the area is relatively crime-free, making it safe for joggers.
Dining around BGC can be an overwhelming affair with many new, as well as old, dining experiences just around the corner.
One new establishment that is literally making waves in Manila’s dining scene is Manny Osmeña’s Ibiza Beach Club which is a super-sized version of the original Ibiza Beach Club in Cebu. Here, one can dine until they are more than full thanks to Ibiza’s 15-course Balearic-inspired buffet. As just as the original restaurant, there is nightly entertainment, making dinners a memorable and fun experience.
Looking for some familiar Filipino fare? Check out Kabisera and their fresh and creative interpretations of classic Filipino comfort food.
Weekend action
For those who want more action, you can check out Seda BGC’s Straight-up Bar, voted for four years-in-a-row as one of the bars in the Philippines, Straight-up sits on the top floor of Seda BGC. Here one can let their hair down and have their fill of great music, drinks (I suggest ordering their Midori Sour) as well as various tapas and pica-pica.
The restless set can check out Megaworld’s Uptown Parade and the Palace complex where many of Metro Manila’s top bars and dance clubs are located. Check out Valkyrie for some big room clubbing or maybe drop by Revel for a more intimate space.
And the best part of partying at BGC is that afterwards, my comfortable bed at Seda Hotel BGC is just a crawling distance away.
For more information or bookings, you can check out Seda BGC’s website at http://www.sedahotels.com.
