By Margarita Medrano-Tupaz
CONVENIENTLY located within walking distance of the headquarters of top corporations and multinational companies, and a stone’s throw away from Manila’s cosmopolitan scene, Discovery Primea—the newest brand of a homegrown Filipino hospitality group—is now the “it” property in Makati’s famous Apartment Ridge.
Towering along Ayala Avenue in the pulsating Makati Central Business District (CBD), Discovery Primea, with its 141 rooms and suites, is the perfect accommodation for extended-staying business travelers (whether alone or with their families), tourists on vacation, as well as locals going on a staycation. Discerning guests will delight in the luxury of space that the elegant rooms provide, complete with modern amenities and state-of-the-art facilities. The aesthetics of Discovery Primea can be described as both current and timeless—taking the best of classic designs and making it complement modern technology. Comfort, functionality and style exude all over the interiors—from the lobby to the rooms and suites, to the dining outlets.
The idea of staycations is not new, but a staycation in the heart of a downtown neighborhood is a little off the normal track. Makati CBD is home to millions of employees during a weekday, and a lot of readers are probably on that same bandwagon. Apart from the daily grind and the traffic, what do the nonresidents of Makati really know about this neighborhood? A staycation in Discovery Primea will first and foremost provide guests, both locals and tourists, an actual experience rather than just a cityscape. You can walk to museums and theaters, meander through night and weekend markets, engage in the glamorous night life, indulge in shopping, and enjoy the food that Manila’s most famous and recognized restaurants have to offer.
The first impression when entering a room or suite is the decorator-magazine decÓr. The atmosphere is comfortable, quiet and airy. I would personally describe it as very “shabby chic.” The elegant rooms at Discovery Primea are complete with modern luxuries (on top of other amenities)—a Nespresso machine, Internet protocol television, an LED TV by the bathtub and complimentary PressReader, which gives guests access to newspapers and magazines worldwide. The suites have fully equipped kitchens, a pillow menu (with over a dozen varieties of pillows) and, for those traveling with babies, strollers, car seats and other baby gear are also available. It is so easy to forget the “it’s just a place to sleep” adage for hotel rooms because Primea offers so much more than just accommodations.
For an invigorating treat, Discovery Primea’s heated infinity pool provides the perfect respite. And for the health and wellness enthusiasts, the hotel’s 37 Degrees Gym offers state-of-the-art Technogym facilities. At the Terazi Spa, guests are given a memorable experience through an authentic Turkish bath. It is the only spa in the Metro with a hammam, a bath distinguished by a focus on water, as distinct from ambient steam.
The highlight of any stay in Discovery Primea is its exquisite dining options. Tapenade is the property’s flagship restaurant. Named after a Mediterranean condiment made with pureed olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil, Tapenade has menu offerings that feature the bold and rich flavors of Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Turkey and Morocco that are perfectly captured and embodied in the dishes they serve. From the dining ambiance, which boasts of 17th-century Chinoiserie influence, a wall-to-wall mural reminiscent of a Mediterranean garden, high ceilings, glass doors and windows covered by simple and elegant drapery, one cannot help but get drawn to the wide-open space that is warm, inviting and ethereal.
The superstar of Restaurant Tapenade is the enclave called The Salad Room, which is the single, most palatial and extravagant salad experience in the entire country. True to its Mediterranean influence, this salad room certainly provides health benefits without sacrificing the flavors. Here, you will pleasantly find locally sourced and newly harvested produce, homemade breads, freshly shucked oysters, a charcuterie, terrines, pasta salads, rillettes and delicious salad dressings. And, best of all, access to the salad room is “eat-all-you-can.”
The swanky Gilarmi Lounge is a suitable setting for friends and business associates who want to unwind or have drinks. A pianist serenades the guests in the evenings. In addition to Tapenade and the Gilarmi Lounge, three other dining outlets are soon to open at Primea: a cigar bar and single-malt whiskey bar named 1824; a garden lounge featuring molecular mixology with a young, energetic and hip vibe named Edge; and, last but not least, Flame—a full-service restaurant that will offer contemporary continental cuisine.
The Discovery Leisure Co. is known for excellence in providing attentive and personalized service. Discovery Primea prides itself with their motto, “Service that’s all heart,” and rightfully so. One thing I noticed and was very impressed by was the unique greeting given to guests by their staff—they say hello, while placing their hand on their chest to express warmth and sincerity. The employees’ top priority is their guests and this transcends to everything they do—from a simple greeting all the way up to going beyond what is expected of them. With the addition of Primea to Discovery Leisure Co.’s prestigious portfolio of illustrious properties, they have truly outdone themselves.
Discovery Primea is on 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.