The city at your doorstep at One Greenbelt

MANILA, Philippines - For today’s budget-conscious traveler, a good place to stay is just one part of the equation. What’s really important is the ease in accessing the many destinations you need to reach when you’re in a new place. Are you after shopping, entertainment and dining in restaurants? How about quickly reaching a business venue or meeting? Staying at a no-frills hotel that suits your budget and is in close proximity to all that the city has to offer is possible at One Greenbelt Hotel.

Located along Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road) in Makati City, One Greenbelt Hotel is a couple of minutes walk from the major malls of Ayala Center. Directly on the parallel street is Greenbelt Mall, and further on are the Glorietta Mall and SM Makati with hundreds of retail establishments, upscale restaurants, entertainment options and museums — the best that the Makati Central Business District has to offer. Of course, the many businesses and companies that make up the district are near the hotel, making it very convenient to take a short walk or drive to any company along the area of Legaspi Village or Ayala Avenue.

Dino Chua, president of One Greenbelt, took one look at the property back in 2012 and immediately saw the potential of such a lucrative location. “When we go to other countries like Singapore or Hong Kong, we like to stay at small hotels which are near to everything,” he says. “So, when I saw this place, it’s like all the places we like to go to in those countries. It’s near the establishments. So I said to myself there’s a lot of potential waiting here.”

One Greenbelt is a boutique hotel with a modern design and mindset, aspiring to provide high-quality service with a no-frills approach. Room classes include superior, deluxe, and suites that cater to individual or group travelers. For businesspeople, a fully equipped meeting room for up to 15 guests is available. At the lobby, Solace Wine and Dine provides guests with an adequate selection of Filipino and international dishes. Nearby, many convenience stores, restaurants, and shops are easily accessible for whatever one needs.

This is Chua’s second hotel business venture, with the first being the El Palacio Hotel Resort and Spa in Noveleta, Cavite which he established in 2008. Inspired by the government’s “WOW Philippines” tourism campaign then, Chua set up the resort as a way to give people a chance to visit the province, which is now just 30 minutes away from Manila, thanks to the newly constructed Cavitex.

With One Greenbelt, Chua took that inspiration to cater to the businessperson-on-a-budget market. He says, “We focus on the business traveler because nowadays, businessmen are wiser. Why spend P10,000 to P12,000 a night when you can stay with us at our discounted room rates from P3,600 to P4,000? We offer a lower rate but give the same service and quality as bigger hotels.”

Chua’s other present ventures in the name of tourism include a small community mall at the gateway to Cavite, the first stop tourists will see as they enter the province. His original hotel venture, El Palacio will serve to teach a new generation of future hoteliers. “We are building an HRM school beside El Palacio, in partnership with TESDA,” he shares. “Students who need on-the-job-training can do so at our actual hotel.”

With six months under its belt, One Greenbelt has found success in providing the perfect hub for people wanting to experience everything Makati City has to offer. And it’s looking like the hotel is just starting something big. “We are looking for other potential hotel sites in Makati because I can see the potential in small Makati hotels,” enthuses Chua. “I want to build our own business hotel chain. We want to create our brand and to be known for the business hotel chain.” At One Greenbelt Hotel, expect a good place with the city at your doorstep.

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One Greenbelt Hotel is located at 914 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. Discounts of up to 50 percent off the published rates are given for advanced reservations. Special rates are available for business travelers who frequent Manila. For more information call (+632) 550-1111, fax at (+632) 550-2628 or e-mail at reservations@onegreenbelt.com. Visit its website for online bookings and more at http://www.onegreenbelt.com. Photos by Fernan Nebres