Lian Rodriguez
Citadines Millennium Ortigas Hotel Review
(Manila, Philippines) A staycation in Citadines Millennium Ortigas (hotel info) became a food trip pretty fast, and we’re not complaining.
The apart’hotel is a sleek and compact looking building, and has a distinct moderne aesthetic to it, with its monochromatic themed facade of white and light grey. The building is seen right away when driving from Ortigas Avenue, another steel and concrete monolith in the bustling metropolis.
From Ortigas Avenue, you either go to Sapphire Road at the back of the building to access the parking or if you prefer, you can saunter right in to the main lobby – accessible from Ortigas Ave.
The lobby is warm and welcoming, with an overall interior aesthetic of light grey, brown, with occasional splashes of yellow and white. The check-in process was quick and painless. Afterward, we were helped into our room by the staff.
The accommodations
We got the 1-Bedroom Executive room. It was spacious and tastefully decorated. From the foyer, we were greeted with a personalized welcome painting, placed on a wooden easel (an upright support used for displaying artwork).
The room is spacious, with a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen, with space enough even for a laundry machine. And of course, there’s the bedroom. The room has a bathroom with two access points; one from the kitchen area, and one from the bedroom. A great feature, for those planning to have guests as well.
The living room has a sofa and a lounge chair. On the coffee table fronting the huge flatscreen TV, we found veggies, fruits, and other healthy goodies.
The kitchen and dining area is sleek and modern and has all the amenities one can ask for: a fridge, an electric stovetop, a microwave, a dish rack, and a coffee pot. Dishwashing liquid is even included. There’s even laundry detergent for the washing machine.
The kitchen counter is also the dining table, with chairs good for four people. A dining set is available for use, complete with wine glasses, table mats, plates, the works. The aforementioned veggies on the coffee table at the living room can be used to make healthy salad, thanks to the chopping board and knives found in the kitchen counter.
In the bedroom, you’ll find another flatscreen TV, perfect for an all-day TV staycation. A writing table is also provided. On the table, you’ll find a sketchpad and a set of Faber-Castell colored pencils.
The bed itself is ultra-comfy; the kind of mattress that will just smother you until you fall asleep. Before we snooze down, there’s lunch first at Relish, now a popular dining spot in Ortigas
Foodtrip in Citadine Ortigas
Back in the lobby, the staff remembered our names, and even the room number where we resided (we forgot our cellphone and had to go back, but then realized we also forgot our room number), without even looking at their computer. Talk about an attentive staff.
We went to Relish Luxe Café using the doorway from the lobby, although guests can access the restaurant from its main entrance, which also faces Ortigas Avenue. The restaurant has all the hallmarks of a posh place, muted gray colors, paired with mirrors and paintings of pop icons like Audrey Hepburn, etc.
The food was scrumptious. For starters, we had the Gourmet Pesto Cheese Spread and Amazing Artichoke Dip. For soup, we tried the Mushroom Bisque. For salad, try their Relish Chef Salad, which is made with salad greens, eggs, apple, cheese balls with nuts, chicken, and honey dijon dressing.
But particularly choice is their version of Caesar Salad – romaine lettuce, croutons, bacon bits, parmesan cheese and their own version of caesar salad dressing. Their Caesar salad is uniquely served in bite sized portions; all the ingredients bunched up in the big romaine lettuce leaves. We counted six portions per order of the dish.
For mains, try their Gambas, which is savory and swimming in buttery goodness. However, we recommend everyone order the Relish Roasted Chicken. The chicken is good for 2-3 persons, since half a chicken is served in the dish. The meat falls right off the bones. The roasted chicken is marinated in garlic cloves, oregano, and lots of lemon. It’s zesty, savory, and oh so good. A definite must-try when visiting Relish.
Sojourn
After lunch, we returned to our room with a take-out bag in our hands; we couldn’t finish the dishes we ordered.
The view from the prodigiously sized windows in the living room and bedroom afford you a beautiful view of Ortigas Avenue; the Meralco Building to the right, and the posh houses of Corinthian Gardens to the left.
The greenery in the exclusive village is extensive, and gives guests a relaxing vista in a sea of concrete structure; a unique view, to be sure.
Before dinner, we availed a relaxing massage from the hotel/apartel’s in-house massage service, Paradasia Spa. Afterwards, we made good use of the ample dining area in the room, and snacked on the take-out goodies from Relish.
In no time at all, it was dinner, and dinner meant a trip downstairs to the equally famed restaurant in Citadine Millenium Ortigas – Aburi. Aburi means “torched” in Japanese, and the resto is famed for its Aburi sushi, and other Japanese themed creations. Try their Kylie Jenner Roll, which is a seafood dynamite with an aburi calamari tempura topping. Their Oyakudon and Pork Katsudon is also good. The Philadelphia Roll is also particularly choice. The dish is made with slices of salmon, cream cheese, guacamole, and bonito flakes.
After the filling dinner, we then proceeded back to our luxurious suite in Citadine Millenium Ortigas. We relaxed, watched TV, and made good use of their speedy wi-fi (read: we watched Netflix). We went to sleep with full bellies and great memories. We can’t wait to come back.
Citadines Millennium Ortigas
Book Online via Agoda
Address: 11 Ortigas Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Phone: (02) 814 6888
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