
Your Home by the Bay
Experience a weekend getaway of stunning bay views with the newly-opened Citadines Bay City Manila
The Welcome
I have always regarded my staycations at Ascott Limited properties as some of my best hotel experiences, which is why I was eager to see what Citadines Bay City Manila had to offer. I was fortunate enough to stay at the property at a time when it just opened.
I must say, the type of welcome I experienced here was something I never encountered before. The vibe is at its most colorful, and the staff at their liveliest—it was truly like nothing I have ever seen in the past with other hotels. The check-in process took no time at all, and I was immediately escorted to my room.
The Scene
Guests of Citadines Bay City Manila do not need to worry about accessibility. Situated right at the heart of the Bay area, the serviced residence is near business hubs in Pasay and Manila, as well as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
It is also just a short distance away from shopping malls like W Mall (literally just beside the hotel) and the SM Mall of Asia, as well as other leisure facilities like Dream Play and the Mall of Asia Arena. Best of all, if you want to discover more of Manila, the property is just a quick drive away from Intramuros, the National Museum, and Luneta Park. There are a lot of buses and jeepneys around Citadines Bay City Manila as well, so even commuters will find it easy to go around from the residence.
The Room
I stayed in the One-Bedroom Premier Serviced Apartment, which spans 49.9 square meters. Just like with the other Ascott properties I stayed at before, this room impressed me with its spacious separate living and dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a cozy queen-sized bed. The residence may be near various leisure areas, but their rooms are so laidback, they will make you want to stay in all day.
What I Love Best
Citadines Bay City Manila’s vision is to connect its guests to the rich culture of Manila, and the rest of the country, and this is apparent in some areas of the property. For instance, you will see a model of a tricycle and a jeepney parked outside the hotel. The design in some of the lobby lounges are rattan-inspired as well.
But what I truly loved best? The breakfast buffet! The ingredients of many of the dishes in their spread are locally sourced—such as their green tea, the mangoes (which are from Guimaras), and some fruits. They also have a taho (silken tofu pudding) station, and the taho that’s served there is not like any other hotels’ taho, which are usually prepared and served in cups. In Citadines Bay City Manila, the taho was in actual stainless steel containers—just like the ones carried by the magtatahos (taho street vendors). It was as if I was taken straight back to my childhood. It truly impressed me.
The Service
I only had a brief encounter with the staff of Citadines Bay City Manila, but I would say that the staff tried their best to address my concerns, no matter how small. The reception staff helped me in any way that they could throughout my stay, the waiters made sure my drinking glass was refilled with water at all times, and every one of them greeted me with full smiles whenever they pass by me in hallways, elevators, and the lobby. Those little things are enough for me to conclude that their service is promising.
At Check-out
Just like with check-in, check-out was fast and hassle-free. Everything was already arranged to make sure I left stress-free.
The Verdict
Citadines Bay City Manila may be new to the game, but its promising amenities, spacious rooms, and dedicated staff will surely revolutionize the hospitality industry in the Bay area.
Citadines Bay City Manila is located at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, corner Coral Way, Bay City, Pasay City. For bookings and more information, phone (+63 2) 550 3200, like them on (FB) at Citadines Bay City Manila, follow them on (IG) @CitadinesBayCity, email <enquiry.manila@the-ascott.com>, or visit