树林阿鲁加酒店(Aruga at The Grove)

It’s a self-contained serviced apartment with the luxurious amenities of a 5-star hotel, great for a weekend staycation. Definitely worth trying, though it’s in the middle of nowhere despite being in the city, so don’t expect to walk anywhere outside the compound.

The two-bedroom suite worked well for my birthday overnight with a small group. It had a living room, kitchen, dining area, two bathrooms, and laundry with both a washer and dryer. Kitchen utensils and cookware were ready to use, and the whole unit was sleek and clean. We also got food vouchers for three people, redeemable at selected The Grove restaurants during their hours. The Grove has Rustan's, Starbucks, and restaurants, so the essentials are on site. The location is accessible, between Quezon City and Makati. Aruga is a residential condominium converted into serviced apartments. Check-in was easy, the lobby is beside the restaurants, and a golf cart takes you to the tower entrance. Amenities are on the Upper Ground, including a resort-like pool. The basketball court and gym are in the adjacent tower. The service was commendable and felt like good value. Aruga at the grove is a nice option for a family staycation or a small group party.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the complex, including Starbucks and a grocery store. The staff were extremely pleasant. It’s a great getaway, and very central for getting to lots of malls.

The staff were friendly and the accommodations were great, but there was a lot of construction while I was there. Since I worked overnight, the daytime noise made it hard to sleep. At least it didn’t continue all night.