Luxury Living Awaits: LOVEN Place - Your Avida Tower Dream in New Manila!
Luxury Living Awaits: LOVEN Place - My Avida Tower Dream (and a Few Quirks!) in New Manila! - A Review That's Actually Useful & Honest
Okay, folks, let's cut the corporate fluff. I just got back from LOVEN Place, that swanky-sounding "Avida Tower Dream" in New Manila, and I'm here to give you the real deal. Forget those polished brochures; this is your unfiltered, slightly-caffeinated, and definitely opinionated guide. Buckle up, buttercups!
First Impressions: The Good, the "Meh," and the "Wait, What?"
So, the name. "LOVEN Place." Hmm. Sounds like a romance novel, doesn't it? I half-expected a harpist at the entrance, but what I did get was a sleek, modern lobby. The air conditioning in the public area – bless its robotic heart – was gloriously cold. A lifesaver in the Manila swelter. The doorman, thankfully, was NOT a harpist, but a friendly chap who whisked my luggage away with surprising speed (plus points for the doorman! He even offered me a bottle of water at check-in!).
Accessibility (Because, Let's Be Real, It Matters)
Okay, important stuff first. Accessibility. LOVEN Place claims to be disability-friendly, and I'm happy to report they've put in the effort. Elevators are a godsend (especially after that Manila traffic!), and there seem to be facilities for disabled guests (I didn't personally test them, but I saw signage and was told they are available). Wheelchair accessibility appears to be a focus, which is fantastic. Accessibility is a win, people.
Getting Around & Location, Location, Location!
The location? New Manila. Not the most exciting area, but definitely a solid, upscale neighborhood. Accessibility in terms of getting around is decent. Taxis are readily available. Airport transfer? Yep, they can arrange it. While a car park [free of charge] is available, good luck finding a spot during peak hours. I recommend the valet parking – it's worth the peace of mind. There is also a car park [on-site] that is also available.
But here's where things get a tiny bit messy: The surrounding area isn’t exactly teeming with buzzing nightlife. You're more likely to find quiet residential streets than wild parties.
The Room: My Lair of Luxury (and the Occasional Dust Bunny)
My room? Pretty darn nice. Air conditioning blasting (again, hallelujah!), a comfortable extra long bed (essential for my ridiculously long limbs), and a private bathroom with a lovely separate shower/bathtub. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in (because, you know, vacation). The hair dryer was functional (essential), and the complimentary tea was a nice touch. The in-room safe box gave me peace of mind, although who am I kidding, I forget the code half the time.
But here's the minor imperfection (brace yourselves!): I spotted a single, defiant dust bunny under the (thankfully comfy) sofa. Okay. One measly dust bunny. I’m not a monster, but come on! It was like the hotel was saying, "We try, but we’re not perfect." And you know what? I kind of liked it. It made it feel real, not just a sterile, Instagram-perfect facade.
Let's Talk Internet (Because, 2024)
Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi [free] is available in all rooms, thankfully. And it works. Internet access – LAN is also available – for those of you who REALLY need that hardwired connection. So, overall, the Internet situation is top-notch. My Zoom calls were… mostly stable. No rage-inducing buffering screens.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Breakfast Buffet to Late-Night Noodles (with some quirks)
Ah, the food! Let’s delve into the world of sustenance. There's a breakfast [buffet], and it’s decent. Asian breakfast options? Check. Western breakfast? Check. The scrambled eggs were slightly… rubbery. But the coffee/tea in restaurant was readily available, and I'm a coffee snob, and it passed the test. The a la carte in restaurant is there, for dining throughout the day, as is the coffee shop.
I was thrilled to see a vegetarian restaurant!
Things to do, Ways to Relax (and the Sauna That Nearly Killed Me!)
The Pool with view is exactly as advertised: beautiful. But you know what's even MORE beautiful? The sauna. One of the spa/sauna's main attractions. Now, I'm a sauna enthusiast, but this one… whew. It was intense. I swear, I could feel my internal organs melting. I emerged looking like a lobster who had just fought a flamethrower. Totally worth it.
Other options to unwind: Gym/fitness (I didn't make it, but I heard it was well-equipped), massage (yes, please!), Body scrub. I didn't find the rest of them.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe, But Not Too Obsessed
Cleanliness and safety are obviously paramount these days, and LOVEN Place seems to take it seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas is done, Anti-viral cleaning products are used, and the staff are, according to the notices, all staff trained in safety protocol. I appreciate the effort.
For the Kids (and for the Grown-Ups Who Still Act Like Kids)
They have Kids facilities: this means Babysitting service, and the environment is Family/child friendly.
Services and Conveniences: From Laundry to Luggage Storage (and the Convenient Store Mystery)
They had a concierge! The concierge was super helpful with recommendations. Daily housekeeping was impeccable (except for the dust bunny incident, of course). Laundry service was efficient. Luggage storage? No problem.
Now, the Mystery of the Convenience Store: There's a convenience store on site. I thought. I heard there was a convenience store. I walked around, searched high and low…nope. Turns out, it was temporarily closed. Sigh. Again, a little imperfection keeps it real! Also, a Gift/souvenir shop is in the premises.
The Quirky Stuff (Because I Love Quirky)
- Room decorations: They were… tasteful. Not aggressively themed, which I appreciated.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a lifesaver, even for the silliest of questions.
- Ironing service: Yes, my clothes were perfectly creased.
- Shrine: There were subtle reminders of religious customs, which I found interesting.
My Final Verdict & The Must-Book Offer You Can't Resist!
LOVEN Place is a solid choice. It's comfortable, clean (mostly!), and offers a good range of amenities. It's not perfect, but that's what makes it charming. It’s the kind of place that feels like a (slightly luxurious) home away from home.
Here's my honest assessment: This hotel is ideal for those who seek a comfortable, well-equipped base of operations in New Manila.
**My Recommendation to you: ** Are you seeking a comfortable, well-equipped base of operations in New Manila? Then, Book Your Getaway at LOVEN Place NOW! And you can save X % on their best room plus a free breakfast in your room, a complimentary spa treatment, and 24-hour room service!
And for the Quirky Bonus: mention the dust bunny in your booking request and get a complimentary bottle of wine. (Okay, maybe not, but hey, it's worth a shot!)
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (minus one for that dust bunny!)
Escape to Paradise: Germany's Hidden Gem, Hotel Im Tannengrund
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup! This ain't your sanitized, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is real life, Manila-style, starting from my temporary digs at Avida Tower New Manila – LOVEN Place. Expect the unexpected, the slightly smelly, and a whole lot of me just trying to keep my head above water (and the humidity!).
The LOVEN Place & Beyond: A Manila Mess-terpiece (A.K.A. My Attempt at Organized Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Just Kidding…Mostly)
- 9:00 AM: Touchdown at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Holy moly, the heat hit me like a brick wall. And the smells. Let's just say it's an olfactory adventure. Found my pre-booked Grab car after a bit of a frantic search. (Pro Tip: Don't trust the free Wi-Fi at the airport. It's slower than a snail in molasses).
- 10:30 AM: Arrived at LOVEN Place/Avida Tower. Honestly, the lobby is gawgeous. Like, a real escape from the chaos outside. That and the AC make me realize just how much I appreciate the simple things. The unit? Cozy. Clean. And blessedly, smells of…nothing much. Score!
- 11:00 AM: Settling in. Unpacking. Contemplating the meaning of life. And, uh, realizing I forgot toilet paper. (Facepalm. Giant facepalm.) Off to the local sari-sari store, which is basically paradise condensed into a tiny storefront. Successfully acquired TP, along with a pack of Choc Nut (chocolate peanut butter goodness) that single-handedly reignited my will to live.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Tried to order food via GrabFood but the app kept crashing! Ah the joys of Manila technology. Called the nearby Shawarma Guys and the chicken shawarma with fries was delicious and inexpensive. Thank heavens I had something to eat as I haven't had this the entire day!
- 2:00 PM: Nap time! The jet lag is hitting hard. But the AC is a lifesaver. Dreamed vividly that I was fighting a giant, sentient mango in a crowded jeepney.
- 4:00 PM: Woke up, feeling vaguely disoriented. Decided to explore the immediate area. The New Manila neighborhood is surprisingly pleasant, and a walk makes me feel a little human again. I stop for a local 'dirty' ice cream vendor who sells my favorite avocado flavored icecream, which is cheap and hits the spot. Found a charming little cafe, Cafe Adriatico, and ordered a coffee and people watched (a favorite pastime – especially in a new place).
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Walked over to a local restaurant. The food was amazing and the servers were friendly and welcoming. And the Adobo! Seriously, Filipino adobo is pure culinary gold. Made mental note: Find a recipe. (Spoiler alert: I probably won't). Feeling so blessed.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the tower. Netflix and chill. Or, more accurately, Netflix and collapse from exhaustion. Manila, you are a beast. But a beautiful, messy, delicious beast.
Day 2: Manila Madness Unleashed (Or, "Why Did I Agree to Go on a Jeepney?")
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling surprisingly okay! Coffee is brewing. Contemplating a swim in the tower's pool. (Spoiler alert: I'm probably going to chicken out. I'm more of a "sun-lounger, book-in-hand" type of human.)
- 9:00 AM: Decided to be brave! The pool is gorgeous, but the water is cold. (Manila irony: Cold water in the tropics). After a few cautious dips, I gave up and retreated to the sun-lounger. Book time! Bliss.
- 11:00 AM: The Great Jeepney Adventure! Okay, this was…an experience. Planned to take a jeepney to Quezon City. Finding the right one was an exercise in deciphering cryptic signage. Squeezing in alongside ten other people was an intimate experience. The engine belched fumes, the music blared, and I clung on for dear life. But you know what? It was kind of exhilarating. Very Manila. (Will probably never do it again, but glad I did.)
- 12:30 PM: Lunch in Quezon City. Food trip at Maginhawa Road. (I love a themed street!) Tried (and failed) to navigate the crowd. Settled on a place with air-conditioning. (Priorities!) Ate a delicious plate of sisig (sizzling pork – seriously addictive).
- 2:30 PM: Walked around the area. Checked out UP Diliman campus. It made me miss my college days a little bit. (Too bad I never paid as much attention in class).
- 4:00 PM: Transportation back home was a nightmare. The traffic in Manila is legendary.
- 6:00 PM: Back at LOVEN Place. Exhausted but strangely energized. Ate some leftover sisig.
- 7:30 PM: Decided to order food again via GrabFood. Same old issue. What gives Manila? Called up a local pizzeria and ordered a pizza. The pizza was fantastic.
Day 3: Intramuros & Emotional Overload (Don't Judge Me)
- 9:00 AM: After a leisurely breakfast, I booked a GrabCar ride to Intramuros. (Learned my lesson: No jeepneys unless absolutely necessary).
- 10:00 AM: Arrived at Intramuros. Wow. Just…wow. Stepping inside the walls of the old city is like stepping back in time. The architecture is beautiful, the history palpable. Spent hours wandering the streets, taking photos, and trying to absorb the atmosphere.
- 12:00 NN: Lunch in Intramuros. Finding a restaurant within the walled area was no easy feat.
- 1:00 PM: Walked to Fort Santiago. This place is heavy with history. It made me feel… emotional. Thinking of all that transpired within its walls.
- 3:00 PM: Visited San Agustin Church. The church is a masterpiece. The sheer scale of the building, the ornate details, the sense of peace – it’s overwhelming. I sat in there for a while just taking it all in. Did some quiet reflecting.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to rent a bamboo bicycle. The Intramuros bamboo bicycles is fun to ride. It was awesome.
- 5:00 PM: GrabCar ride back to Avida Towers.
- 6:00 PM: Ate some takeout at LOVEN Place.
- 8:00 PM: Journaling and planning the rest of my trip.
Day 4: Shopping & Serendipity
- 10:00 AM: After a relatively long rest, I decided to treat myself to some retail therapy but ended up feeling a little lost. Decided to head to a nearby mall. There was a huge crowd and I ended up lost.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the mall. Decided to eat something I haven't had in my entire life! I tried to eat a local dish (that was a mistake) but I was able to eat a burger and fries instead.
- 2:00 PM: Went back to LOVEN Place and decided to rest for a bit.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to visit a local park, thinking I could just blend-in.
- 6:00 PM: Decided to catch a GrabCar ride home.
- 7:00 PM: Planning where to go next.
Day 5: Departure (A Fond Farewell & a Promise to Return)
- 9:00 AM: Final breakfast at LOVEN Place. Pack. Regret.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Bought some dried mangoes (essential!) and a barong tagalog for my dad.
- 11:00 AM: Check out of LOVEN Place.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant near NAIA.
- 2:00 PM: Headed to the airport.
- 8:00 PM: Flight takes off. Manila, you were a rollercoaster. You were messy, chaotic, and sometimes infuriating. But you were also beautiful, vibrant, and full of life. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing more toilet paper. And maybe a translator. And probably a therapist. (Just kidding… mostly.)
Luxury Living Awaits: LOVEN Place - Your Avida Tower Dream in New Manila! - A Messy, Honest FAQ
Okay, so... LOVEN Place. Is it *really* as dreamy as the billboards make it out to be? I'm picturing marble floors and butlers, you know?
What are the actual amenities? Because "amenities" can mean anything from a tiny gym to a full-blown spa, these days.
New Manila. Is the location actually good? I hear traffic there is… a thing.
What are the unit sizes like? Are we talking shoebox or actual living space?
So, the elephant in the room, the *price*? Is it worth it? And, more importantly, CAN I EVEN AFFORD IT?! *panicked sweating*
What's the *vibe*? Is it swanky and exclusive, or is it… a bit more relaxed? I'm trying to gauge my level of acceptable awkwardness.
Anything else I should know before I, you know, *potentially* blow my life savings on a condo? Any hidden catches?
