Manila Staycation Paradise: Unwind at SM North Grass Residences Condotel!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the jungle that is Manila Staycation Paradise at SM North Grass Residences! And let me tell you, it’s a jungle of… well, mostly good things. But hey, no place is perfect, right? I'll be honest, the whole "condotel" thing had me a little apprehensive. But hey, for research purposes (and a desperate need for a weekend escape from my own four walls), I dove in.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Okay, let's be real, accessibility is a big deal. And Manila, well, let's just say it's still figuring things out. Grass Residences? Better than some, worse than others. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, but I didn't personally test them. Best bet? Call and ask specific questions before you book. It’s the only way. Getting there is a breeze, though! It’s right beside SM North, so public transport is a cinch, and even taxis/Grab (that's like Uber, for those from beyond the archipelago) should have no problem dropping you off. Free parking on-site is a huge plus, especially when battling Manila traffic.
Internet: Blessed Be the Wi-Fi Gods!
Okay, people, LISTEN UP. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! Praise the broadband gods! The signal was actually decent, which is a miracle in some parts of the city. Also, they have a Lan connection in the room too. Double the speed, double the fun. (Or, you know, double the work, if you're me and trying to pretend to work during your staycation.) Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep! Didn't always catch the signal in the lobby, but it’s there. And in this day and age? It's a freaking necessity.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe(r) Than Usual
This is one thing that really impressed me. They're clearly taking COVID seriously. Tons of hand sanitizer everywhere (I swear, I practically bathed in the stuff), staff trained in safety protocols, and daily disinfection in common areas. They are also using Anti-viral cleaning products! My room? Spotless. And I mean, properly spotless. I didn’t find any questionable hairs or anything. The staff was always masked up and friendly, too. Room sanitization opt-out is available, so you can choose to skip the daily cleaning if desired. Big thumbs up for making me feel safe, which is half the battle, right? The room had a smoke detector and security feature.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Maybe)
Okay, so, the on-site options are… a bit limited. There are restaurants, like most Hotels, with Asian cuisine but I would have wanted more options there. They have a coffee shop, though. I did manage to score an a la carte breakfast, that was a buffet as it was, but the food was ok. They have a Poolside bar and a snack bar. I did appreciate the bottle of water. Plenty of options. If you're a foodie, you might want to venture out. The good news? Since you're right next to SM North, you have endless dining choices at your doorstep. And you can order from there and request room service.
Things to Do (Besides Actually Relaxing!): Let's Get Moving… Or Not
The pool. Oh, the pool. This is where it gets interesting. Pool with a view? Technically, yes. Gorgeous sky? Well, it's Manila, so you're taking your chances. The pool itself was clean and well-maintained and I enjoyed it. I did see some kids playing, families enjoying each other’s’ company. There’s a fitness center (gym/fitness) if you're the active type (I, sadly, am not). They have a spa/sauna, but I didn't try it, so I can't vouch for the quality.
For those seeking relaxation, they have plenty of offers: body scrub, body wrap, foot bath, massage. Also, steamroom.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Luxuries
This is where Grass Residences shines. 24-hour front desk! That's a lifesaver, especially when you arrive at weird hours (like I do, thanks to my chronic inability to manage time). They have a concierge, dry cleaning, laundry service! Seriously. They have a convenience store on-site, which is brilliant for late-night snack cravings (or forgotten essentials, like, you know, toothpaste). Car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site] gives you the liberty to move around any time you wish. Elevator, so you won’t struggle with the stairs. Food delivery! And the staff was polite, courteous.
For the Kids (If you're into that whole "family" thing)
They have facilities for disabled guests. Babysitting service is available.
Now, for the big question: Is it worth it?
Yes. With a few caveats. It’s not the Ritz. It's not perfect. But for the price, location, and the (very important!) cleanliness, it's a solid choice for a Manila staycation. It's a good choice if you want to be near the shopping, eating, and entertainment of SM North. It’s a decent place to escape the chaos and recharge.
The Imperfections:
- The View: Don't expect breathtaking views of the ocean. You're in the city, surrounded by buildings.
- Food Variety: The on-site dining could be improved.
- Overall Vibe: It's a condotel, so it's not quite the same personality as a traditional hotel.
- Room Service: While available, it’s not as convenient as a full-service hotel.
My Quirky Observations (And Emotional Reactions):
- Okay, I might have spent an embarrassing amount of time in the fluffy bathrobe. Don't judge me!
- I actually slept through a whole night! Amazing! (And a bit worrying, because I usually wake up a hundred times.)
- The hand sanitizer smelled… oddly satisfying?
- I forgot my phone charger. Thank God for the convenience store!
The "Manila Staycation Paradise: Unwind at SM North Grass Residences Condotel!" Offer:
Tired of the Manila Madness? Escape with Our "Weekend Recovery Package!"
Here's what you get:
- Two nights of blissful escape in a sanitized and sparkling clean room with free Wi-Fi (because, let's be real, your social media addiction demands it).
- A complimentary welcome drink – because you deserve it.
- A breakfast voucher for two – fuel up for a day of (optional) pool lounging & (mandatory) relaxing.
- 24/7 Access to our fitness center and pool – burn off some energy, or just pretend to!
- Late check-out until 2 PM – because Sunday scaries are a real thing.
- And for the adventurous among you - one FREE massage on select weekends, to really unwind!
Why book now?
- Because you deserve it.
- Because the city is crazy right now… you deserve to escape.
- Because we have limited availability, and this offer won't last!
Click "Book Now" and reclaim your sanity.
(P.S. We have no idea if it’s actually paradise, but we promise it’s a darn good start!)
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Agriturismo in Sorrento Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Staycation Saga at the SM North Grass Residences. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-organized itinerary. This is the real deal – the slightly chaotic, snack-fueled, emotionally-charged journey of a tired human trying to escape reality for a weekend. Let's get this show on the road… or, you know, to the… Condotel.
Friday: Arrival, Anticipation, and Questionable Room Service Decisions
2:00 PM: Arrival & Check-in… or, The Great Elevator Gamble. Alright, so first impressions? The lobby looks impressive. But the elevators? Oh, the elevators. It was a mini-adventure in itself just getting to the room. You know, that moment where you're crammed between a couple of sweaty gym bros and a lady with an entire shopping cart full of groceries? Fun times. Finally made it – room’s… okay. Not exactly what the pictures promised, but hey, at least the aircon works.
2:30 PM: The Room Reconnaissance & Emotional Breakdown (Kidding!…Mostly.) First order of business? Unpack. Okay, okay, maybe a little unpacking. Mostly, it’s a strategic scatter of essential items. Phone charger? Check. Emergency snacks? Double check. And oh my god, did I bring enough pajamas? You know, those comfy, absolutely unflattering ones that are the cornerstone of any good staycation. And the view! It's… urban. Very urban. Let's just say the sprawling concrete jungle isn’t quite the idyllic vista I’d envisioned. Momentary pang of disappointment. But deep breaths. We’re here to relax. Deep breaths. Maybe I will have a nap.
3:00 PM: Room Service Roulette (and a Culinary Disaster in the Making) So, room service. This is where things got… interesting. My stomach was already rumbling the kind of hunger that makes you consider eating the mini-bar chocolate. I opted for the "Clubhouse sandwich." (Classic choice, right? Wrong.) Big mistake. Huge. This sandwich wasn't a clubhouse; it was a sad, soggy collection of poorly-assembled ingredients. Lesson learned: stick to the instant noodles.
4:00PM - 7:00 PM: Poolside Chill & Existential Dread (or the Joy of Inaction) The pool. Alright, the pool was… decent. A welcome change from the drabness of the room, I felt a small surge of optimism. The water was cool, the sun was kind of shining. Except that's when I realized I'd forgotten my sunglasses. That's when the quiet dread started to seep in. But, the sun, the sun, it's better, so I ignored it. I mean, what else was I supposed to do? The silence was almost deafening, but in a good way. A small boy nearby was splashing in the shallow end. I've never felt such a strong, non-judgemental kinship with a stranger. I almost considered adopting this kid. For the most part, it was peaceful. I finished reading half a chapters from a book that I've been meaning to read for the last three months.
7:00 PM: Dinner Dilemma & Netflix Numbness Ah, the dinner question. Do I want to leave the comfort of my room to eat? Or do I want to… not? The siren song of Netflix won out. It was a tough decision. Pizza, ramen or nothing at all? the choice was a simple one. Ramen it is.
Saturday: The Glorious Day of… Doing Pretty Much Nothing
9:00 AM: The Sleep-In Symphony & Breakfast Bliss (or the Art of Snoozing) Glorious. Slept. In. I mean, seriously, that's what staycations are for, right? Woke up feeling vaguely human and proceeded to spend a glorious hour wrapped in a cocoon of blankets. Breakfast was nothing special, instant coffee and a pack of biscuits. But you know what? I didn't have to make it myself. Small victories. My soul was restored.
10:00 AM: Gym Fiasco; My body is a temple, unfortunately, it's a temple that worships pizza. I felt a sudden urge to be… healthy? So, I went to the gym. I lasted exactly 20 minutes. No judgement. The treadmill was boring, the weights were heavy, and the "motivational" posters felt actively mocking.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Shopping Mall Excursion (or the Madness of Retail Therapy) SM North EDSA. Yup, I went there. Not in the spirit of relaxation, but because I convinced myself I needed… something. I didn't. Walked around for a while, got overwhelmed, spent an hour at an overpriced coffee shop, and left with nothing but a slight headache and a vague sense of existential ennui.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Great Nap & the Art of Procrastination Another epic nap. The best kind. The kind where you wake up and don't know what day it is. The kind where the weight of the world seems to briefly lift. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing a lot more… nothing. Reading, scrolling, staring at the ceiling. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
6:00 PM: The Dinner Debate: A Re-Run, or a New Adventure? Back to the same dilemma. Do I brave the outside world for dinner, or do I dive into the comfort of instant noodles? The latter won out. The cycle continues.
8:00 PM: Movie Night & the Comfort of Mediocrity Watched a terrible movie. Perfect. In the dark, snacks in hand, nothing matters.
Sunday: The Day of Regret (…Mostly Kidding)
9:00 AM: The Last Breakfast & the Farewell Feast of Indulgence Realized the staycation was ending. Suddenly felt an urgent need to squeeze every last ounce of relaxation out of the experience. Another round of instant coffee and biscuits. I went back to bed.
10:00 AM: Packing & Reluctant Return to Reality The packing ritual: a mix of denial, procrastination, and the inevitable realization that your suitcase is never quite big enough. The hardest part is throwing away the trash, which serves as the sole evidence of the past 2 days of pure joy.
12:00 PM: Check-Out & The Bitter Sweet Goodbye Goodbye, condotel. Goodbye, routine. Goodbye, the temporary freedom of doing absolutely nothing.
1:00 PM: Back to the Real World… (and the Aftermath of Rest) Leaving the condotel and the aircon was a rude awaking. Was it a perfect staycation? No. Did I achieve peak relaxation? Debatable. But did I recharge? Absolutely. And sometimes, that’s all that matters. I'd do it again and again.
Manila Staycation Paradise: Unwind at SM North Grass Residences Condotel – Let's Get Real!
Okay, spill it: Is this place *actually* as good as the Instagram photos make it seem?
Alright, let's be brutally honest here. The Instagram photos…they’re *aspirational*. The reality is, well, a mixed bag. I went in with HIGH hopes, fueled by carefully curated shots of infinity pools and perfectly-styled rooms. And, yeah, the pool *is* nice. At least, when you can find a lounge chair that isn't already claimed by a towel strategically placed at 7 AM. It's crowded. Like, "Where's Waldo? But inside an apartment building pool" crowded. But the water is clean-ish, the sun does hit just right… So, not *exactly* as advertised, but still… pretty decent for a quick dip. The room itself? Well, my first one had a slight plumbing issue. Let's just say I spent a good hour trying to *un-flood* the bathroom. The staff was apologetic and moved me, thankfully!
I'm a food obsessed person, what are my dining options?
Alright, food, the REAL reason we’re all here, right? Okay, so you got a few options. You can cook because you've got a kitchenette–which is AMAZING for those midnight snack cravings. Just be prepared to actually *cook*. Supplies aren't always fully stocked, so, grocery run alert! SM North itself is right there so you got EVERYTHING. Seriously, everything. Literally 2 minutes away from the doorstep so you've got a treasure trove of restaurants. From fast food to fancy-ish restaurants. If you're feeling adventurous, grab a Grab (the app) and treat yourself to something new. You should also bring some snacks since I am ALWAYS hungry!
What's the deal with checking in and checking out? Any horror stories to share?
Check-in… could be smoother. My first time, the line was longer than the queue for a Taylor Swift concert (and trust me, I know queues!). They were clearly understaffed. And then, the key card didn't work. Twice. I basically stood there, sweating and grumpy, while they figured it out. It was a *vibe*, let me tell you. Checkout was, thankfully, simpler. But the whole experience made me vow to arrive *early* next time. They *are* trying (I think!), and the staff is generally pleasant, but, yeah, have some patience. Pack some snacks in your bag.
Is it "kid-friendly"? I have a small army (aka, 2 toddlers).
Oof, toddlers... a whole different beast. Honestly? It's a *maybe*. The pool is great, but you'll need to keep a *close* eye on them – it's deep in some areas. There's a playground, but it’s small, which is both a pro and a con (less running around for them, easier to keep track!). The rooms themselves can be a little… cramped with even just one toddler and a stroller. And the noise! Manila is *loud*. Traffic, construction… it’s a constant hum. You'll need earplugs. For the kids *and* yourself. Consider this seriously. Maybe an off-peak time? Or a room upgrade if you really want the space. Think carefully, mama/papa!
What's the Wi-Fi situation like? Because, you know, *work*.
The Wi-Fi… varies. Sometimes it's fast enough to zoom (I’ve had some epic Zoom calls from there), sometimes it's… *meh*. Expect to be tethering to your phone at some point, which can be a real bummer. I'd say, if you *absolutely* need reliable internet for work, maybe get a hotspot. Or, pray. Lots and lots of praying. And maybe a backup plan involving a coffee shop. Because the wifi's inconsistency can give you a headache for serious and intense work!
The pool. Let's talk pool. Is it worth the hype?
Okay, the pool. Alright, look: It IS the main selling point. The main draw. It’s gorgeous, I’ll give it that. Especially when the sun hits just right. But the *crowds*. Oh, the crowds! I went once, thinking, “Ah, a weekday, it will be chill.” Wrong. DEAD wrong. It was like sardines. Like, more people than actual pool *space*. I spent more time bumping into people than swimming. The water was decent - clean-ish, but you have to be prepared to share with like, hundreds of other people. And the lounge chairs? Forget about it unless you’re an early bird. Or, you know, willing to employ towel-on-chair guerilla tactics. Seriously, it’s a war zone. So, beautiful pool. But be prepared for battle. And maybe bring your own inflatable flamingo.
I'm worried about noise! Is it a quiet haven, or more like a lively city apartment?
Manila never sleeps. Seriously. Even inside the seemingly-isolated walls of the condo, the city's constant hum will seep through. There's traffic, construction. And sometimes, your neighbors will have a party. It's the city experience. So, if you're hoping for absolute silence, you might want to pack those earplugs - or reconsider. It isn't exactly the isolated retreat you see on the glossy brochures.
The Room...is it functional? Comfortable? Pretty much the same as the photos?
Okay, the room itself. Well, it's functional. Got a bed, a bathroom, usually a little kitchenette. Sometimes the aircon is blasting like a hurricane, sometimes it's a gentle breeze. It's always a gamble. Comfort? Depends on your definition of "comfortable". The beds are usually…fine. Pillows are sometimes tragically flat, and that duvet cover smells a little like it hasn't been washed since, well, birth. The photos? Ah, the photos. They're playing with angles, people. Let's just say the actual room size might be a little… smaller… than your Instagram feed would lead you to believe. It's perfectly adequate, though. Honestly, it is. Just temper your expectations. You're there to escape Manila, not to live in a palace. Right?
Uptown Lodging
