MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA

Very comfortable and nice service hotel.

I stayed for two nights at Marco Polo Ortigas in February as a GHA Titanium member, primarily due to the hotel’s proximity to Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, where I had planned a round of golf with friends. For context, I am also a Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Titanium member, and I spend more than 200 nights per year in hotels. Unfortunately, my experience at Marco Polo Ortigas was disappointing in several respects. Upon arrival on February 24, I checked in at the 24th-floor lobby, where there was ongoing construction noise (sounding like an angle grinder or cutting machine). The check-in process itself was efficient. I opted to purchase Continental Club access for a daily surcharge of PHP 2,500, as this is not complimentary for GHA Titanium members. Prior to arrival, I had informed the hotel of my dietary restriction and requested gluten-free bread. Unfortunately, no gluten-free options were available in the lounge. During evening happy hour, my choices were limited to fruit and a simple salad. At afternoon tea, there were no suitable food options at all—only regular sandwiches, cakes, and cookies. Additionally, there was no cocktail list available in the evening. My room was located on the 39th floor. Upon exiting the elevator, there was a noticeable unpleasant odor (similar to sewage), and devices had been placed in the hallway to absorb the smell. The carpet outside the rooms on that floor was stained and had visible crumbs and dust. The room itself was clean, which I appreciated, but several issues stood out: The towels were of noticeably low quality and not what one would expect from a self-proclaimed 5-star hotel in Asia. The in-room dining button on the telephone did not work, requiring me to call the concierge to transfer my call. I am unsure whether this was isolated to Room 3901 or a broader issue. The lighting controls are confusing, with a master switch located only on one side of the bed. Overall, the lighting is quite dim, giving the room a somewhat cave-like atmosphere. A sign advertised “complimentary shoe shine,” but there were no instructions on how to avail of the service. Four small plastic water bottles (Marco Polo branded) were provided. Other 5-star hotels in Manila typically offer complimentary 1-liter glass bottles (such as Summit Mineral Water), which are superior in taste, presentation, and sustainability. Breakfast was fairly limited and unremarkable: standard fruit selection, a basic salad station, and limited spreads. I did not try the noodle bar. The juices were of low quality—the beetroot and ginger “energy boost” in particular tasted almost entirely like water. At checkout, I was asked whether I had any last-minute minibar consumption to declare. Ironically, the minibar in my room was completely unstocked, which made the question somewhat surprising. For comparison, other 5-star hotels in Manila often offer freshly squeezed juices made to order (carrot-ginger, etc.), fresh avocado, local guyabano juice, and other distinctive touches that elevate the experience beyond what one would expect at a 3- or 4-star property. In my view, Marco Polo Ortigas does not currently compete at the same level as other luxury hotels in Metro Manila such as Raffles, Grand Hyatt, or Shangri-La. Given that the pricing is comparable, it is difficult to justify a return stay. For future visits to Ortigas, I would likely consider the W instead. Alternatively, if simply needing a place to sleep, the Crowne Plaza nearby offers similar quality at a significantly lower price point.

First time in Marco Polo, and I had a really great time! The staff at breakfast were so kind and welcoming, they really accommodate to your needs. I also really enjoyed the fruits and the choices we had. The welcome staff at the entrance was really helpful too. The room was good and the size was bigger than I expected, we had a lot of space to move around which I really liked. Unfortunately, the pool was closed at the time we tried to go there earlier. Otherwise, was a really perfect experience!