Travel may be a leisurely activity for most normal urbanites but for many who work in the corporate realm travel is part of the daily grind with delayed flights and non-stop meetings always on the agenda on every trip.

For business travellers going to Manila however, relief is definitely in sight at the Fairmont Makati. Located just a stone throw away from EDSA and just a short drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the five-star Fairmont Makati is a business traveller’s oasis of calm and relaxation and I was able to experience this again in a business trip to Manila last month.

It was a few years back when I first set foot on the then-new Fairmont Makati. Even now, the lobby with its elegant chandelier, sculptures and artwork never fail to inspire and welcome guests.

The hotel features 280 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites which offer state-of-the art technology including wired and wireless high speed internet access and a media connectivity panel to connect your smartphone or laptop to the 46” LED TV, luxurious marble bathrooms with a walk-in rain shower and deep soaker tub, capsule coffee and tea making facilities, LeLabo luxury bath and shower amenities, and ultra comfortable Stearns & Foster luxury beds (which made me fall in love with the Fairmont during my first stay).

What makes the Fairmont ideal for business travellers is its Fairmont Gold, the hotel’s exclusive lifestyle hotel experience which gives travellers access to the private Fairmont Gold floor and reception desk. Here, check-in is quick and effortless and every need is anticipated.

At the Fairmont Gold Lounge, one can start their day with a complimentary and healthy continental breakfast. There is also free-flowing coffee and drinks for those who need to get their presentations done in a comfortable lounge environment. And after a day of meetings, happy hour is definitely in order at the Gold Lounge’s honor bar with complimentary wine, cocktails and canapés served in a tranquil atmosphere of relaxing comfort.

Made for meetings

Located in Makati’s prestigious commercial business district The Fairmont Makati is close to many or Manila’s corporate offices making business meetings easy to reach. With the hotel’s seven restaurants and lounges such as Cafe Macaron: A deli and retail area with a tantalizing and appealing selection of food and beverage items; Spectrum: Fairmont’s all day dining restaurant offering an array of cuisine from across the globe; and the Fairmont Lounge: A place for the fine art of tea drinking; why not bring the meeting to the Fairmont instead?

After meeting bliss

After a barrage of meetings, one can easily get some retail therapy at the malls which surround Fairmont Makati. But for those who want to relax and re-energize then a visit to the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa, one of the Makati’s most luxurious retreats, is a sure way to get pampered and is a much-needed after work treat. There is also a modern fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool for travellers who need to keep in tip-top shape.

Business travel may sometimes seem like a chore but Fairmont Makati offers a balance or work, play and relaxation that makes working out-of-town a more pleasurable experience.