A welcome note and card was waiting for me in the room
I was recently invited to spend a night at Acacia Hotel in Alabang. I hardly go to the South so I wasn’t aware about the hotel until I received the invite. I decided to go on a weekend to avoid the SLEX traffic but the drive there took me an hour because I kept on getting lost, no thanks to my Waze iOS app. Good thing my friend Eloisa was with me to serve as a navigator. When we finally found Acacia Hotel, we were happy that it’s so near Alabang commercial areas. Right beside it are food establishments and a few block away is Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall.
The Lobby
I was awestruck with the expansive lobby which features glass walls and richly upholstered chairs. There is a front lobby and a back lobby, both offering picturesque views of Alabang. Food is available in the area for those who don’t want buffet meals.
the glass walls of the lobby
the lovely chairs in the lobby
the massive wall sculpture in the lobby
There is also Wine Buffet and Beer Buffet at the Lobby everyday from 5 PM to 9 PM. For P495+ you may enjoy unlimited wine selections. Beer Buffet is P459+ you may enjoy ice-cold beer and pair it up with à la carte tapas.
the selections for the wine buffet
Reception Area
While checking in, guests are offered to partake light snacks and drinks free of charge. Checking in was a breeze for us and the receptionists were able to answer all our questions.
photo from the Acacia Hotel website because I forgot to take a photo of the front desk
Acaci
The Acaci is the main dining area where daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are served. The huge dining area is bright, airy and spacious enough for ample elbow room during the usually crowded breakfast buffet. Local and international cuisines are served every time. I was only able to try the breakfast buffet but the food selection was more than enough. There were Filipino, Asian, and Western food. They also have a good selection of imported cheeses. It was too bad I was suffering from a bad stomach from the oysters I ate at nearby Melo’s the night before.
Acaci
the breakfast crowd
a good choice of imported yoghurt were served for breakfast
Function Rooms
Acacia Hotel has many functions rooms to suit different purposes from small business or organization meetings, to full-blown weddings and parties. All of the function rooms offer the following equipment:
During our brief tour of the hotel we were shown some of the available function rooms which come in different sizes, according to the needs of the guests.
the hotel’s function rooms and its capacities
A small function room in a round table configuration
small function with U-shape configuration
Grand Ballroom set up for a party
several of this unique chandelier are all over the Grand Ballroom
Mezzanine
When we were there, a wedding was being set up at the mezzanine. It is outdoor and offers a good view of Alabang.
a good location for a wedding
From the third floor mezzanine, guests can see Alabang skyscrapers
The Pool
The hotel pool is also on the same floor as the mezzanine but there is still privacy for the swimmers because guest rooms and other rooms block the view from the mezzanine to the pool.
photo taken from the hotel’s website
There are two pools (children’s pool and a small lap pool) and 1 jacuzzi. It can get very windy in the pool area but it is still very relaxing. I loved the comfortable lounge chairs which look like wood but are actually plastic.
hotel guests enjoying the pool
the jacuzzi is located in a more secluded section
Eloisa and I swam at night to avoid the sun. I love the effect of the blue light in the pools.
the blue light makes it more enticing to swim
The Gym
The gym is right beside the mezzanine. I think it makes some private functions in the mezzanine awkward because of the strangers watching from the gym. The gym is packed with state-of-the-art LifeFitness equipment.
some of the machines
Our Room
We were given a Junior Suites room. Junior Suites are corner rooms which are bigger than the Deluxe Rooms. We stayed at room 912 and this room offered us a stunning view of Alabang. Guests immediately notice the welcome note when they enter the room. In my case, I was given a welcome card and personalized stationery with the hotel’s letterhead for personal use. Fresh fruits welcomed us as well and when we returned at night, yummy desserts greeted us back when we came back when we dined out.
what greeted me when I opened the door
the king size bed which they dubbed the Dream Bed
sofa, a small breakfast nook, and big picture windows
a desk for the traveling business…or blogger. The room has free WiFi
The colors used in the room are different shades of brown and other earthy colors in keeping up with the “acacia” theme. The room is big enough for two but it might be too crowded for 3 people. Acacia Hotel is still in the process of constructing larger rooms (Executive Suite, Bridal Suite, and Presidential Suite) which might be completed by next year. Construction was going on during our stay but the rooms have good soundproofing that considerably muffled the sound of nearby activities outside the room.
big American Standard tub
sink and toiletries
Pure Herbs toiletries smell really good
The bathroom is spacious with the bath tub separate from the glass-enclosed shower area. I would have preferred a bigger counter though. I love the toiletries this hotel uses. I’ve been to so many hotels where the scent of toiletries are masculine which made me resort to bringing my shampoo, conditioner and soap. Pure Herbs, the brand Acacia Hotel uses, is more unisex when it comes to scent.
My favorite thing in the room is the “dream bed.” Acacia uses orthopedic memory foam mattresses which follow the contour of the body and support the posture to reduce any pressure points while at rest. They also use luxurious sheets with 500 thread counts of soft cotton linen, duvet and pillows with goose down feathers. Guests have the option to choose from the pillow menu where one can choose from microgel, latex, and aromatherapy varieties. During my stay there, I honestly slept like a baby.
The Staff
Everyone who works in Acacia Hotel embody Filipino hospitality. Believe me when I say that they always serve with a smile. They even place their right hand over their heart to show sincerity. Eloisa and I believe this is the biggest asset of the hotel compared to others in the country.
Conclusion
I think it’s too bad for me that Acacia Hotel is very far from where I live in Pasig. I go on staycations every once in a while and I would love to have a staycation again at Acacia. I will really try to go back there and sleep again in one of their dream beds.
Acacia Hotel Manila
5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue,
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa 1781
Tel. Nos. 7202000 and 5885888
http://www.acaciahotelsmanila.com
