TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila

Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila offers a plethora of facilities, including one of the largest gyms you’ll find at a hotel

BACKGROUND

Opened in 2016, ShangriLa at the Fort, Manila is the newest of three Shangri-La properties in Manila. The 576 guestrooms are joined to serviced apartments and Horizon Homes residences.

WHERE IS IT?

Located in the emerging Bonifacio Global City (BGC) district, east of Makati. Next door is the new Philippine Stock Exchange.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Modern, while retaining Shangri-La’s signature classic style. The property offers a plethora of facilities, including one of the largest gyms you’ll find at a hotel.

ROOMS

Starting at 45 sqm, rooms at the Shangri-La are very comfortable, with a minimalist design and neutral colour scheme of cream, gold and light brown. Floor-to-ceiling windows add plenty of light.

There’s a wealth of hidden storage spaces, and the safe is conveniently located on a high shelf. The king-size bed is thoroughly comfortable, and comes with a pillow menu.

The desk is comfortable to work at, though I would have preferred a chair with armrests. There are sockets located by the desk – two power and two USB – plus a Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker, which was easy to switch on and connect to my smartphone. Sockets are also conveniently available by the bedside table, along with simple light controls.

A separate rainfall shower and a bath come with L’Occitane amenities.

LOUNGE

Located on the 40th floor, the Horizon Club Lounge offers a buffet breakfast, along with cocktails in the evening. On my visit there was plenty of space, with sofa or armchair seating as well as dining tables and chairs. An outdoor balcony offers an outstanding panoramic of the city – smoking is not permitted.

FOOD AND DRINK

Peruvian eatery Samba offers great, fresh dishes and fun tiki-inspired cocktails, while Canton Road has delicious dim sum in a classy setting and Raging Bull Burgers is a trendy, casual spot to grab a beer and a burger.

The standout eatery is Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar. The bar has a variety of superb cocktails – expect smoking bottles and drinks served in miniature wooden barrels. The steakhouse is truly special. Customers choose from a selection of ornate knives, before delicious chunks of steak are served on wooden boards with a medley of sauces. All-day dining restaurant High Street Café and afternoon tea spot High Street Lounge complete the offerings.

MEETINGS

The hotel offers one of the largest pillarless ballrooms in the BGC area, at 1,800 sqm with a ten-metre ceiling and pre-function foyer. Corporate groups can also make use of Bonifacio Hall, a 780 sqm space with its own pre-function area, along with 19 other multifunction spaces.

LEISURE

The Kerry Sports Manila gymnasium is by far the hotel’s pièce de resistance. Forget a small room with a few token weight machines – this church of iron is a house of worship for all things fitness, covering a massive 8,000 sqm across two expansive floors. Along with more than 90 pieces of fitness equipment (including a newly added obstacle course section), the facility has two indoor squash courts, two outdoor tennis courts, a 25-metre outdoor lap pool and hot tub, plus an NBA-grade indoor basketball court. Separate studios for yoga, spin and other classes are available – and there’s a café offering protein shakes, sandwiches, salads and coffee. Membership is available to non-guests as well, meaning the gym can get rather crowded.

For parents travelling with children, the 1,000 sqm Adventure Zone comes complete with numerous slides (I asked – adults are not permitted to go down them).

VERDICT

Located within a growing business district, yet outside the main hustle and bustle of Manila, Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila is a tranquil place to stay, with standout leisure and F&B options. Craig Bright