Customized Machuca tiles spread across the floor while wrought iron railings flourish along the interior balconies overlooking the central atrium of the lobby. On hand-crafted wooden tables, metal sculptures sit, looking eternally at guests making their way to and fro. Entering Herald Suites Polaris, it was as if we were transported to a time past when arts and crafts were all the rage and things were a lot more elegant than the ascetic modern times that we were in.

HERALD SUITES POLARIS IN POBLACION, MAKATI

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when we headed out—first to binge on authentic Japanese cuisine at Hatsu Hana Tei in Makati, and second, for a staycation at the newest hotel this side of Poblacion, Herald Suites Polaris.

AURORA LOBBY CAFE AT THE GROUND FLOOR

I’ve been eyeing this hotel every time we pass it on the way to El Chupacabra or Senor Polo at Makati’s mini Khao San Road in Poblacion. Even from the outside, it looks very elegant—not garish elegant, but stylish elegant. And once we entered its lobby, I knew that the guys who did this hotel, did it right.

ART DECO GOODNESS AT THE LOBBY

LOOKING UP TO THE CENTRAL ATRIUM

STYLISH LOUNGE AREA

It was an Art Deco enthusiast’s wet dream. They didn’t spare anything, from the tiles, to the furniture, the sculptures, the decors, heck, even the typography, everything was done just right. It was superlatively decorated but still, you know they didn’t go overboard just because they can. Everything speaks of the 20’s, a time when craftsmanship was king.

ROOMS OPEN UP TOWARDS THE CENTRAL ATRIUM

VERY WARM AND FRIENDLY STAFF

But once you get over the opulence, this veneer of Art Deco design, there’s more to Herald Suites Polaris than meets the eye. The staff were, not only dressed very well, but were also very warm and welcoming.

OUR ROOM AT HERALD SUITES POLARIS

The hotel opened just last July, it was very new indeed, and we were booked on one of its fifty rooms that spread over six floors [CHECK DISCOUNTED RATES & AVAILABILITY]. They actually have only one room type, well, technically two—one with a single queen-size bed and another with two separate single bed. Both have the same floor space and the same amenities over a wood parquet floor; a work desk on the foyer, flatscreen cable television, a mini fridge, coffee and tea making facilities, electronic safe, and a small closet for clothes.

EVEN THE HEADBOARD’S DONE IN ART DECO STYLE

Its furniture, from the bed, the headboard, the side tables, even the light fixtures, reflect the Art Deco theme of the hotel. The walls are bare of paintings nor any decorations, but there is absolutely no need for it. The room’s design absolutely speaks for itself.

THE IN-HOUSE RESTAURANT, AURORA LOBBY CAFE

Herald Suites Polaris offers complimentary breakfast for guests. And after a night of alcohol and videoke on a nearby KTV, we woke up quite late for it. We were saved though by the hotel’s breakfast schedule, which runs from 5:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Perfect.

FISH AND CHIPS FOR STARTERS DURING OUR DINNER

AMAZING LAMB CHOPS, ONE OF THE BEST I’VE HAD

Their in-house restaurant, Aurora Lobby Café, is a study in gorgeousness. Located on the right side of the ground floor, it was where we had our dinner (and some drinks) the night before—amazing fish and chips, and lamb chops, by the way—and now, our breakfast.

COMPLIMENTARY BANGSILOG FOR BREAKFAST

Sadly, they don’t offer buffet breakfast, but their menu more than made up for it. We were given the option of having a Japanese breakfast—yes, you read that right—or Filipino comfort food, the usual silog dishes, but with a flair, as befitting the caliber of the hotel. If you don’t get your fill from it, you’re always welcome to their unlimited pastries and fruits.

 

Found an Art Deco gem at the center of Makati's Poblacion area! #LakadPilipinas #HeraldSuitesPolaris

A post shared by Christian L. Sangoyo (@lakadpilipinas) on Oct 15, 2017 at 12:11am PDT

 

Our stay at Herald Suites Polaris was very Back to the Futurish, it made us forget that we’re now on the year 2017, transporting us back to a time of elegance almost a hundred years back.

~ BIG THANKS TO HERALD SUITES FOR HOSTING OUR STAY. ALL VIEWS AND OPINIONS ARE MINE.

 

Herald Suites Polaris
Address: 45 Polaris Street, Bel-Air, Makati City, Metro Manila
Contact Number: +63 (2) 816-7994
Email: polaris@heraldsuites.com
Website | Facebook
GPS Coordinates Map: 14.544529, 121.016963

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