Archive for the ‘Guest Comments’ Category

There’s a lot of new energy going around Salcedo Village in Makati lately. Apart from the lively open-air market on Saturdays, it seems like there’s a new restaurant or cafe opening every month. Salcedo is already home to some of the city’s best restaurants like Apartment 1B and Elbert’s Steakroom and we have our eyes on two new ones that promise to reinforce the business enclave’s reputation for good food : Masseto and Le Cuisine Francaise. With an exciting restaurant scene, vibrant weekend market and upscale high-rise residences, the only thing missing in the cool equation is a boutique hotel. But, not anymore.

The new Picasso Boutique Residential Apartments on Leviste Street completes the make-over of Salcedo from the quiet residential and business district it was in the 80′s and 90′s to the hip and energetic district that it’s become today. The Picasso is what you might call an Art Hotel in the tradition of the quirky designer hotels popular in Europe. Zoning laws in this part of Makati do not allow hotels to operate in the Village, so, strictly speaking, the Picasso is marketed as fully-serviced apartments, but it’s really just the same thing as both long-staying and overnight guests are equally welcome.

Taking the cue from the famous artist the property is named after, art and creativity play a central role in the building’s design and concept. Although there isn’t a single Picasso print or painting in the property, there’s lots of colorful pieces by local artists on the walls and hallways of the building. Most striking is the mural painted on the balconies of the Picasso. All suites get the Pablo Picasso treatment with splashes of color that liven up the otherwise minimalist designs of the rooms. And if the suites come across as too bare, the designers say its on purpose. They wanted to recreate the artist’s canvass with blank frames for the guest to fill with his or her imagination. It works for those who enjoy the minimalist aesthetic but it may come across as rather cold and empty for those used to the cluttered comforts of a real home environment.

The Picasso offers apartments in studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and loft configurations. All come with basic cooking appliances, refrigerators, wi-fi and flat-screen TV’s. Not all the floors are done so inquire in advance for availability.

On the ground floor, Picasso management partnered with the chefs behind Cebu’s popular Gustavian restaurant. Despite the name, the Boheme Brasserie is not really French, but there are touches of Picasso’s adopted nation that give the restaurant soem Gallic charm. Like the Gustavian, the meals are hearty, tasty and good value. Just two months old, the Brasserie is already a favorite with the Salcedo Village lunch crowd.

The Picasso also features a day spa, art gallery and salon. It’s too early to tell if the boutique property will live up to the reputation of its namesake artist but so far it can claim to be a truly original take on the often staid experience of other serviced residences.

http://executive-class.blogspot.com/2010/02/art-hotel-rises-in-salcedo-village.html

“This is a great place to stay. Continue what you are doing. Staff is friendly as always smiles.”

From
Suresh Venkanna.

“Chad, just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your wonderful staff at the Picasso. The service, attention and attitude of everyone in the hotel is top flight, I truly enjoyed my stay. I also wanted to thank you for arranging the car and driver. Ryan was terrific, knowledgeable and very professional.The room is unique, comfortable and very, very “homey”. Makes staying away from all the creature comforts of home a bit more tolerable. I am looking forward to my return to the Philippines and to the Picasso. Thanks again, be well and please thank the staff.

Regards,
Joe Raia “