The Acqua Residences

The loud air conditioning was my one complaint. It worked, but it was very noisy. Everything else was a good end to my solo trip in the Philippines. I found the hotel while searching for quality places near BGC, and it was easy to book and find. There were guards at the main entrance and, I think, two checkpoints before reaching it. Check-in was on the 21st floor, where the staff were welcoming. The short-haired woman at the desk, who I think may have been a manager, was especially warm and personable. She brought a great positive vibe, and I hope her staff learn from her. My deluxe suite was clean, had great views, and I slept well. The bathroom was tidy too. Breakfast was on the 6th floor, and those staff were excellent. The food and drinks were good, though the menu was a little limited, and room service was good as well. I checked out today, so this is a fresh review. I’d definitely recommend the place.

I’ve stayed at Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua twice on work trips, and both visits were very positive. The room is spacious and comfortable for a solo traveler, and the Wi-Fi works reliably for work. I really appreciated the attentive, thoughtful teams in the restaurant, at the front desk, and in housekeeping. During my recent visit, a restaurant staff member remembered my daily preferences from last year and arranged them again without being asked, which was a lovely surprise. I also accidentally left a personal belonging in the room after checkout. Once I was back in Malaysia, I contacted the hotel by phone and email. They quickly coordinated with housekeeping, found my item, and kept me updated. They were responsive and supportive in arranging a courier to return it. I found the team trustworthy and attentive, and they clearly care about guest service.

The room was one of the best parts of our stay at Novotel Acqua Manila on Valentine’s Day. It was nice, clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and the staff were friendly and approachable. Still, the hotel seemed understaffed, with too many guests for staff to handle requests promptly. The reception was small and crowded, and didn’t feel like a premium four-star experience. We also had to wait around five minutes or longer for one of just two elevators, especially at busy times. Breakfast was a letdown too. The selection lacked variety compared with Novotel Manila Araneta City. Parking caused the biggest problem. We drove to dinner in Rockwell and got back around midnight, but there were no spaces left. Staff arranged a motorcycle ride for my husband to the off-site parking area, but it was raining heavily and he got wet anyway. He had to go back for the car the next morning. Nobody could help me with our bags because all three staff members were busy, and there was no complimentary service or other consideration for the hassle. That was especially disappointing on a special occasion. The kind staff and good room couldn’t make up for the parking trouble, elevator waits, cramped reception, understaffing, and limited breakfast. We expected a smoother and more memorable four-star Valentine’s Day stay.

The staff were welcoming, attentive, and consistently helpful, and the room and hotel facilities stayed spotless and well maintained. The room was spacious and comfortable, a nice place to relax after a long day, and the facilities added to our enjoyable stay. The hotel is conveniently located near Power Plant Mall for dining, shopping, and entertainment. We got a discounted rate, which made the value especially good for the accommodation and service. Breakfast had a decent, satisfying selection, though some dishes seemed a little overcooked from being kept warm. Overall, we had a pleasant, comfortable visit and would consider staying again.