Hotel Celeste

The staff were consistently pleasant and willing to help with requests, and I’d consider coming back if the internet were more dependable. The Wi-Fi kept dropping out, sometimes vanishing from the available networks, and when it did connect it was too slow and unreliable for calls or video meetings. The rooms themselves are spacious and comfortable, with large beds, good air conditioning, plenty of outlets, and ample lighting from both fixtures and the big windows. Dark wood furniture gives them an old-fashioned feel. There are blackout curtains, a safe, robe, slippers, mini-fridge, coffee supplies, and two small bottles of drinking water. Snacks and candy cost extra but seemed reasonably priced. You can ask for an iron and ironing board. The TV supposedly has many channels, but the two remotes and lack of instructions made it frustrating to use. The bathrooms are roomy and nicely updated, and the shower keeps water contained. Basic toiletries are supplied, with more available if requested. The hot water was unpredictable, swinging between my preferred temperature and much hotter or cooler water. It wasn’t unbearable, but I noticed it. There’s only one body wash and shampoo product in the shower. Hotel Celeste makes a strong first impression. The small drop-off area leads straight to reception, with a steak restaurant on one side and the hotel’s own food service on the other. Advance registration made check-in easy. They require a 3000-peso security deposit even when the room is prepaid. I thought that was excessive, especially since it wasn’t disclosed when I booked through a third party. They do accept a credit card, but it may take a few days for your bank to clear the charge. It’s a small boutique hotel in Makati, Manila’s diplomatic and business center, with three floors of rooms. The view is mostly streets and office buildings. A large commercial area across the street to the north has shops and places to eat. Room service is offered, and breakfast can be ordered until 3pm through a QR menu and by phone. The room phone worked so poorly that they couldn’t understand me, so I had to go downstairs. The food was reasonably priced, good in flavor and quality, though the portions were small.