Despite being new, we already heard so much about I’M Hotel – it is the first 5-star hotel in the Poblacion district of Makati, and it houses the first and largest Onsen Spa facility in Manila and the entire country. With that fact alone, we were totally sold! We stayed one weekend at I’M Hotel to check it out ourselves, and guess what? Our whole experience was nothing short of impressive.
When we arrived at the hotel, we instantly caught sight of their acrylic-bottomed infinity pool that was so inviting, we wanted to teleport straight to the second floor to dip right in. At the front desk, check-in was a breeze and the staff made the extra effort to escort us all the way to our Classic Studio room. We loved our room so much, it made us feel as though the entire setup was made especially for us.
Indeed, I’M Hotel lives up to its promise of making guests feel just right at home while enjoying personalised, 5-star quality service. We recommend this hotel not just to staycationers like us, but to all kinds of travellers – business, family, couple or even solo travellers!
The Classic Studio was exactly what we had in mind for a much-needed relaxation after a stressful week at work. Although the most economically sized unit, we didn’t feel that we were short of space at all. In fact, the interior is well designed and arranged that we could still move around freely and comfortably. Also, the king sized bed is so huge and inviting that we couldn’t resist lying down on it immediately after entering our room.
As with all other rooms, it is equipped with the basic hotel amenities such as high-speed WiFi, Smart HDTV, safe, telephone, personal study, coffee and tea making facilities and complimentary minibar on the first night. But what we love the most is the elegant bathroom with a luxury German rainshower and bathroom amenities by Crabtree & Evelyn, which, by the way, are featured in ALL rooms regardless of category.
Oh, it’s worth mentioning that even with Classic Studio, we still enjoyed complimentary breakfast and free access to Club Lounge and I’M Onsen Spa because we booked directly with the hotel. Despite staying in the most basic room, we still felt like VIPs, and that’s a major plus for us!
Beds: 1 King; Size: 30sqm
The Indulgence room is slightly bigger than the Classic Studio but with the same king sized bed and basic hotel amenities. So if you want a little more space and convenience, pick Indulgence! Whether you’re up for business, leisure or both, this room is sure to make you productive while still being in relaxation mode.
Beds: 1 King; Size: 34sqm
The name basically sums up the overall experience you will have in a Prestige room. With two beds in a spacious room, you and your companion will certainly enjoy extra comfort and personal space. On top of the luxurious amenities like the rest of the rooms, here, you’ll have the option between a Grohe rainshower and a bathtub that is strategically facing the smart TV and the magnificent sights of the city to entertain you while having your personal time in the bathroom. We don’t know about you, but that is already beyond prestigious for us!
Beds: Twin; Size: 37sqm
May it be for business meetings, family getaways or solo staycations, the spacious Executive Prestige is guaranteed to give you the restful stay you so deserve. For this room category, you can choose between a king sized bed or two double beds. Either option, the beds are decked in the finest sheets to give you utmost comfort and relaxation. Unlike the Prestige room, the bathroom here comes with a Grohe rainshower AND a built-in bathtub. Now, you don’t have to choose because you can have both!
Beds: 1 King / 2 Double; Size: 40sqm
Start experiencing luxury living at your very own city home. This residential unit features a king sized bed, laundry facilities and a fully functional kitchen where you can cook and dine at your own pace. You can also choose to add a bit more privacy and personalization by adjusting the panel between the kitchen and living room – perfect for anyone who wants as much flexibility as possible in a day or month of stay.
Beds: 1 King; Size: 40 sqm
In this suite, the bedroom adjoins the kitchen, living room, laundry, and dining space to bring you more ease in accessing your needs. While abundant in amenities, the suite still manages to apply a modular design that encourages you to project your personality onto the space. Feel free to adjust the panel between the kitchen and living room for a more personalised stay!
Beds: 1 King; Size: 57 sqm
With enough room for four people, this suite, equipped with two king sized beds, can be your ultimate abode for a small group staycation, whether as couples, friends or a family. It comes with the best comfort, entertainment and modular design like the other suites but with more space and unblocked views of the Makati skyline.
Beds: 1 King per room; Size: 70 sqm
A whopping 82 sqm, the 2 Bedroom Executive Suite is I’M Hotel’s biggest offering and a one-stop place for business, entertainment and home living purposes. Accommodating up to four guests with one bedroom having a king sized bed and the other room with two single beds, this luxurious suite is basically where you would want to be especially for a longer term. The panoramic view of the city is something you will find hard to get used to as every angle is filled with magnificent sightings that you can’t get anywhere else. A fully stocked-kitchen further transcends functional use as you and your company can also have a fun culinary time with its high-end facilities.
Beds: 2 Single / 1 King; Size: 82 sqm
I’M Hotel provides guests with several dining options that match their palate. Craving for dim sum? Head straight to Empress Jade, a modern Chinese restaurant offering exquisite dim sum and fresh seafood dishes including their signature Crab Bee Hoon, a delectable pairing of sweet crab meat and noodles in umami flavour. They take pride in sourcing for the best suppliers and not using MSG or additives in their food. Looking for Western cuisine? Go to Bloom restaurant and enjoy an all-day buffet dining experience inside the Onsen Spa facility.
I’M Hotel also proves that dining is relaxation in itself through Hops & Brews and Mermaid pool bar, which not only provide good food and cocktails (we loved the Sailor Sling cocktail!), but also give you an intimate and music-filled evening. And, we’re excited to experience the Rooftop Bar that is opening real soon. We heard it will the new "IT" destination in the Philippines, with a massive jellyfish tank bathed in changing luminescent lights forming the centrepiece of the bar, and a 360-degree unobstructed view of Makati and beyond.
The highlight of I’M Hotel’s pampering facility comes in the form of the largest Onsen Spa in Manila and the whole Philippines! That’s right! Spanning over six storeys, I’M Onsen Spa features 69 beds where guests can choose from a variety of treatments. A carbonated bath mirrors the mineral composition of the hot springs in Japan, thus promising similar refreshing outcomes for you.
Jacuzzis, lounges, executive rooms and a restaurant are also found within the spa facility to give guests an all-in pampering experience. We tried their Signature Massage which we noticed involved a lot of techniques, and we ended up feeling more relaxed than we expected. We also recommend their Hot Stone Therapy and Chocolate Body Scrubs. For those wanting a longer stay, grab the Indulgence of Time package which includes Healing Stone Therapy, Foot Therapy and a Milk Bath. And the best part? Any package with a minimum duration of 60 minutes already includes a lunch or dinner buffet at Bloom restaurant! Wow, what an indulgence and a true value for money!
Relaxing by swimming is an experience that is also ideally meant to be exciting! The hotel’s iconic infinity pool surpassed our expectations with its acrylic bottom which gives guests a rare interactive experience of seeing the hotel’s ground level from above. We loved it even more for its incredible lounging area set on an elevated platform, designed for people longing for a different sunbathing experience altogether.
Located at the M1 Floor, I’M Hotel’s fitness centre has a remarkable spacious area complete with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment from Life Fitness, including a Spin Bike, Medicine Ball and Shoulder Press. Aside from a few flat screen televisions to keep you entertained, a great view of the city from here will get you more inspired while working out.
Recently opened in December 2016, I’M Hotel is still in its soft launch yet it has already gained tremendous love from the guests that have come to experience its unique services. The hotel’s name, in particular, depicts the property’s close attention to giving its guests the chance to be themselves by catering to their needs.
The owners wanted to stand out from other hotels, hence deciding on a name which is not only catchy and easy to remember, but also represents the things they stand for, that is, putting their guests first and giving them the chance to be the whoever they wish to be throughout their stay.
Besides being the largest urban spa in Manila and the whole Philippines, I’M Onsen Spa is also home to the FIRST authentic thermal bath in the country, simulating the iconic hot springs of Japan. We even got cups of herbal teas during our spa-cation here. Everything felt like we had a true Japanese spa experience, even though we’re in the Philippines!
Another iconic feature of I’M Hotel is their acrylic-bottomed infinity pool which takes guests to an elevated and sensorial experience. Because it is acrylic-bottomed, people can interact with the ground level when they swim and those who are about to enter the hotel can also see the pool when they look up.
With a commitment to providing guests a personalised, quality experience, I’M Hotel offers some exclusively customised amenities.
One is their complimentary shuttle service to the Greenbelt shopping district, Powerplant Mall, and Manila Ocean Park, making its already exceptional location even more convenient. The hotel also offers refreshments including a welcome drink, cookies, turndown chocolates, and complimentary mini bar. Finally, luxury enters even the most private of spaces in each of the rooms and suites with the use of high-class Crabtree & Evelyn bathroom amenities.
I’M Hotel is located at No. 7862 Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, just 7.5 km from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It is easily accessible from Century City, Rockwell and Makati Central Business District.
Commuters can conveniently access the hotel because of its proximity to Buendia / Gil Puyat Avenue. From MRT Buendia, you can take a jeepney beside KFC and McDonald’s, a few minutes walk from the station that’s heading to LRT Buendia along Taft Avenue. Alternatively, you can take a jeepney from LRT Buendia near 7-Eleven and Jollibee going to the opposite direction. In either route, just tell the driver to drop you off at Makati Avenue then walk until you reach the intersection at Kalayaan Avenue. For more convenience, we suggest that you take a taxi or book an Uber or Grab.
Thanks to its convenient location, close to Makati’s business and shopping areas, I’M Hotel gives guests a chance to explore the outdoors to complement their stay in the city.
Luxury shoppers, in particular, can go on an all-day shopping galore at the country’s top luxury malls such as Greenbelt, Glorietta and The Landmark which are less than 1km away from the property.
For more of a chill and artsy atmosphere, guests can stroll around Makati’s bohemian district, also known as Poblacion, to help satisfy their creative cravings. The hotel’s location also offers easy access to some of the city’s leisure parks, including Urdaneta Park and Ayala Triangle Gardens, for a bit of outdoor relaxation.
