Manila Bayview Masterpiece: 20th-Floor Balcony & Bedroom Await!
Manila Bayview Masterpiece: 20th-Floor Balcony & Bedroom Await! - My Honest, Rambling Review (Brace Yourselves!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of the Manila Bayview "Masterpiece" that's less "polished travel brochure" and more "your slightly tipsy aunt after a REALLY eventful vacation." Let's dive in, shall we? Because honestly, a bit of chaos is exactly what this place needs, and what my review is about to become…
(SEO & Metadata - Let's Get this Out of the Way First Before the Madness Begins!)
- Keywords: Manila, Bayview, Hotel, Balcony, 20th Floor, Philippines, Review, Spa, Swimming Pool, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Dining, Cleanliness, Safety, Room Amenities, Value, Travel, Accommodation, Manila Hotels, Hotels in Philippines, Ocean view, City view, [Add more relevant keywords specific to the hotels offerings]
(Accessibility)
Right, so, accessibility. It's a mixed bag. They say they have "Facilities for disabled guests." Great! But, I'm not a mobility-impaired person, so I can’t truly vouch for how well-executed it is, just what the website says. There’s an elevator, which is a MUST in a skyscraper, so that's a plus. I’d recommend calling ahead to get the real lowdown from someone who actually needs it though.
(On-site accessible restaurants / lounges)
There weren't any, that I noticed anyway. I'm not a stickler on this one, but again, worth confirming if you need it.
(Wheelchair accessible)
See above - potentially.
(Internet Access - Oh Sweet Jesus, WiFi…)
Okay, let's talk INTERNET. Crucial. And… thankfully, there's Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! And Wi-Fi in public areas too. But the BIG question is: how reliable is it? Because, let's be real, a hotel boasting “free Wi-fi” is like a relationship promising “no drama.” Sounds amazing… until it's a total train wreck. I spent a good chunk of one afternoon pacing my room, the Wi-Fi sputtering worse than my ex's excuses. Seriously, I would have paid extra for a LAN cable! The internet services were not really up there.
(Things to Do & Ways to Relax - The Spa, the Pool, and a Near-Death Experience with a Towel…)
Alright, this is where things get interesting. They've got it all: Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Sounds good, right? Well, mostly.
The Pool with a View is stunning. Truly. Overlooking the Manila Bay at sunset? Beautiful. However… and there's ALWAYS a "however," isn't there? The pool’s slightly crowded at peak times, and the sun loungers? They’re the Hunger Games of hotel amenities. I'm talking a battle royale for a towel/spot. I witnessed some serious turf wars, all over a slice of concrete. I nearly got into one incident after someone dared to move my towel! I was ready to launch myself into the pool after my own coveted spot was taken.
The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom? Ah, the promised land. I indulged in a massage. It was… fine. Not mind-blowing, but decent. But the sauna… the sauna… Let's just say I may have briefly considered building a new life in that sauna. It was hot. Very, very hot. Almost too hot. I emerged looking like a boiled lobster, and I swear I left a layer of skin behind. Worth it, though! And the foot bath was nice after… It sort of brings you back to reality.
(Cleanliness & Safety - The Holy Grail of Travel Right Now)
Look, let’s be honest, in the current climate, cleanliness and safety are paramount. The hotel claims to be on it with Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. They are VERY, VERY serious. It felt secure. The constant spraying and cleaning felt a little intense, but hey, I'd prefer that to, you know, not being safe. Doctor/nurse on call, nice to know if anything goes wrong, and I did see a First aid kit so there's that!
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Buffet, a Booze, and a Blunder..)
The food situation? Well, it’s complex. They have A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Wow, that's a mouthful.
The breakfast buffet? A mixed bag. The pastries were tempting, the coffee was… passable. But the chaos of a buffet? It can be a bit much. People elbowing their way to the bacon, the constant clatter of plates… I'm convinced I saw someone wear a scrambled egg on their shirt. Speaking of breakfast, I took advantage of the Breakfast in room service, and it was a delight!
The Poolside bar was great for an afternoon cocktail. The "Happy Hour" was, well, only slightly less expensive.
The Asian and Western cuisine: I was never blown away by the food. But was it good enough? Yes.
One night, I ordered Room service [24-hour]. It was quick! And the burger? It was good.
(Services and Conveniences - The Good, the Bad, and the “Did They Really Need That?”)
Okay, where do we begin? Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. Woof.
The elevator, a must. Daily housekeeping, appreciated. Concierge, helpful-ish. Cash withdrawal, thank goodness.
I enjoyed the Terrace very much. The Facilities for disabled guests could be improved upon.
The "Did They Really Need That?" award goes to the "Shrine." I mean, okay, it was there. But a shrine felt… odd.
(For the Kids - Bless Their Little Hearts)
They catered for kids! Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. I witnessed happy children in the pool.
(Access - Entry/Exit… and Cameras!)
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, CCTV in common areas, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms. All of this? Fine. The cameras made me feel safe. There were all sorts of security measures…
(Getting Around - Wheels on Wheels)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. Convenient! I used the Airport transfer, good!
(Available in All Rooms - The Nitty Gritty)
This is where we get down to the REAL stuff. **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety
Manila's HOTTEST 2D Studio: One Palm Tree Villas Paradise Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your pristine "Lonely Planet" itinerary. This is a fever dream itinerary for a stay at the Bayview Park Hotel in that area of Manila, 20th floor, you know the one. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival & Sensory Overload (aka Welcome to the Chaos)
- 1 PM: Land at NAIA. Oh, sweet Jesus. Even with pre-booked airport transfer (that's a HUGE win, believe me), getting out of that airport feels like escaping a particularly aggressive squid. Expect delays. Expect sweaty selfies. Expect the existential dread that only Manila traffic can truly deliver. My soul might be left battling a tricycle for space.
- 2:30 PM (ish): Check into the Bayview Park Hotel. 20th floor, balcony, and a bedroom. Pray to whatever deity you believe in that the AC works. Seriously. That's the first thing I'm checking. Balcony? Golden to have one, for a smoke, I guess… or contemplation. The hotel is a bit aging but with a history. Maybe a ghost or two. I like that.
- 3:30 PM: Unpack. Or, you know, haphazardly toss stuff onto a bed that may or may not have visible stains. Who am I kidding, I'm dropping stuff everywhere. Mental note: locate emergency snacks. Chocolate is a necessity.
- 4:00 PM: The Balcony Debrief. Breathe in the city! The chaos, the sea, the… smells. It's a symphony of urban life. Definitely some questionable fumes but hey, that's Manila. The view… okay, kinda beautiful, in a gritty, "it's seen some things" sort of way. Observe the daily life, the clothes, the street food… Oh, what's not to stare at the street?
- 5:00 PM: Explore the immediate surroundings. Malate? Okay, let's do this. Armed with a mental map of the most obvious things to check out.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Something "local," I'm thinking. I'll probably order way too much, and then feel a pang of regret (mostly when my stomach complains). Probably street food, like isawan. Or maybe I'll be brave. Or more likely, order a burger and fries.
- 7:30 PM: Promenade. Stroll along the bay. The sunsets can be EPIC. Or, you know, obscured by pollution, but hey, either way, it's a story.
- 8:30 PM: Drinks (and people-watching) at somewhere that looks a little bit… "interesting." I like the place where the lights are a bit dim, the chatter runs so high that it will be hard to think. This is what I am looking for.
- 9:30 PM: Back to the room. Shower off the day (and the city). Maybe a quick review of photos, and journal.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Or, more realistically, stare at the ceiling for an hour, wrestling with the overwhelming sensory input.
- 11:00 PM: Pass Out.
Day 2: Intramuros & Questionable Life Choices
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Hopefully something edible at the hotel. Probably coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Needed!
- 10:00 AM: To Intramuros or Not To Intramuros - this is the question. Should be. But it's hot, okay? Very hot. But the history, the old streets… Okay, let's grit our teeth and brave the heat.
- 10:30 AM: Intramuros, Attempt 1. Take a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). Touristy? Yes. Kitsch? Absolutely. Worth it? Possibly. Maybe. Depends on the driver's chat. Expect haggling. Expect a dust storm.
- 11:30 AM: Fort Santiago. Walk the walls. Breathe in the history. Feel the weight of centuries. Contemplate the nature of empires. And take a thousand photos.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Intramuros. Oh, the food. The choices. The possibility of food poisoning. But, let's be optimistic!
- 2:00 PM: Intramuros, Attempt 2. Continue exploring. Take pictures. Feel the sweat running down your back.
- 3:00 PM: Escape Intramuros. That heat! The crowds! I'm wilting. Head back to the hotel. I need air conditioning and to question my life choices.
- 4:00 PM: Nap. Possibly the most important activity of the day. Recover. Refuel. Recharge.
- 5:00 PM: The Balcony Again. Watching the day wind down. More contemplation. More people-watching.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Feeling adventurous? Or still recovering? Maybe something low-key. Or another burger and fries. Who am I kidding?
- 8:00 PM: This! I really want to experience a karaoke night. Okay, I'm nervous! But I'm also excited.
- 9:00 PM: Karaoke night at… a place. The joy- the agony!
- 10:00 PM: Back to the room. Exhausted, exhilarated, probably with a sore throat from shouting a terrible rendition of anything.
- 11:00 PM: Sleep. Or collapse.
Day 3: The Last Day. Or, Just Surviving.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. And more coffee.
- 10:00 AM: One last stroll near the hotel. Maybe a souvenir hunt. Maybe a massage. Gotta treat myself!
- 11:00 AM: Pack. This is the worst part. But something has to be done.
- 12:00 PM: Last lunch. Probably something quick and easy.
- 1:00 PM: Check-out. And hope the hotel bill isn't too horrifying.
- 2:00 PM: Airport Transfer. Pray to reach safely.
- 3:00 PM: Departure. Goodbye, Manila. You were…an experience.
Important Notes:
- Traffic: It's a beast. Add extra time for everything.
- Heat: Hydrate. Wear sunscreen. Embrace the sweat.
- Food: Be adventurous, but be careful.
- Negotiate: Everything is negotiable.
- Don't be afraid to wander: Get lost. It's part of the fun (and the chaos).
- Most of all: Enjoy it. Embrace the mess. And remember the stories. Because that's what you'll take away.
Manila Bayview Masterpiece: 20th-Floor Balcony & Bedroom Await! - FAQs (aka, The Truth… Mostly)
Okay, so what *exactly* makes this a "Masterpiece"? Because marketing is… well, you know.
Alright, alright, let's cut the BS. "Masterpiece" might be a *tad* hyperbolic. Look, the view from the 20th-floor balcony? Stunning. Truly. Especially during sunset. Remember that one time, I was there, nursing a San Miguel Light (okay, maybe two), and this *massive* storm rolled in. The sky went from fiery orange to this bruised purple, and lightning was cracking over the bay… it was terrifying and breathtaking at the same time. That, my friends, is the Masterpiece. The rest? Well... it's a good apartment. A very good apartment. But let's not pretend it's Monet's Water Lilies.
Is the view *really* worth the price? Because Manila traffic… ugh.
Ah, the million-dollar question (or whatever the price actually is). Look, I'll be honest. Getting there can be a nightmare. You'll encounter more traffic than you can shake a stick at. I swear, I arrived late for a viewing once and was almost late for my own death. The view, though… man. It's a mental escape. You're up there, above the chaos, watching the city breathe. Is it worth the price of admission? That depends on your tolerance for gridlock and your appreciation for a good sunset. Personally, yeah, I'd probably say yes. But pack a book, download some podcasts, and bring snacks – you'll need them.
Tell me about the balcony. Is it big enough to, you know, *live* on? (Asking for a friend… who might be me.)
The balcony is a *good* size. I wouldn't call it a *living* area, but you could definitely spend a lot of time there. I once saw a guy on the balcony next door having a full-blown, four-course meal. I'm talking linen napkins, the works. He looked like he was having the time of his life while I was on my second pack of instant noodles. So, yeah, you could *technically* live on it. You could definitely set up a nice little reading nook, a small table for coffee (and maybe a cheeky beer), and some plants to make you feel less… alone. And let's be real, the lack of mosquito is a huge plus. Just remember to secure those plants during typhoon season. Trust me on that one.
Bedroom A: What's the vibe? Is it a place I can actually, like, *sleep* in?
Bedroom A… Okay, let's talk Bedroom A. The vibe is… comfortable. It’s not cavernous, which is a major plus (I hate cavernous bedrooms, they feel lonely). It's bright enough. I'm a total light-sensitive person, so I checked for light. The space is conducive to sleep, but the *real* question is… will you *actually* sleep? See, I have this problem. Every new apartment is a siren song of excitement, and until I get used to the place, I'm wide awake for days, pacing, taking in the view, and wondering if I should order pizza at 3 AM. Bedroom A has all the right ingredients for sleep, but your mileage may vary depending on your personal sleep demons. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Parking situation? Because Manila. Traffic. Need I say more?
Parking… oh, parking. It's… present. Let's put it that way. Finding a parking space is like winning the lottery – you might, but the odds aren’t great. The building has parking, but it's not allocated to every unit. So, be prepared to shuffle, scout around, and maybe even become best friends with the security guard. Or, you know, just embrace public transport, like I've been forced to do. Honestly, not a bad thing, avoids the headaches but I still want a parking spot though.
What about the neighbors? Are they the kind that blast karaoke at 3 AM? This is crucial information.
Ah, the neighbors. The silent architects of your peace or your absolute sanity. I’m not psychic and can’t predict future noise. There are good neighbors and bad neighbors everywhere. You’re playing the lottery once you sign a contract. So, bring earplugs, just in case. I'm still traumatized by a past encounter. If you luck out with quiet neighbors, you're golden. If not… well, you'll learn the words to every single OPM karaoke song. The good news is, if you *become* the karaoke-blasting neighbor… well, that’s your choice. Just don't hold *me* responsible. I have my own demons to deal with.
Okay, let's get real: What’s the biggest downside?
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. Here's the truth: The biggest downside is the *potential* for disappointment. You get this amazing view, this fantastic balcony, a decent bedroom… and then reality hits. You're still in Manila. You still have bills to pay, traffic to fight, and the existential dread of being a human being. The apartment is a great escape, but it's not a magical portal to a perfect life. It's a nice place to retreat to *after* you've fought the good fight out there. So manage your expectations. Fall in love with the view, not the illusion. And maybe stock up on those San Miguel Lights. Just remember to pace yourself.
Final Verdict? Should I do it?
Should you do it? That’s the question, isn't it? Look. If you value a truly stunning view and you don't mind navigating the chaos of Manila to enjoy it, then yes. Absolutely, maybe, probably. Just go into it with eyes wide open, know the pros and cons, be prepared for the occasional frustration, but also ready to be absolutely blown away by that sunset. You might miss your chance. Just don't pin all your hopes, dreams and happiness on a view. Think of it less as a solution to your problems and more as a sweet space to find peace in the middle of our city.
