Prime Discovery
By Michael Karlo Lim
“WELCOME HOME,” the mini chocolate alphabet blocks spelled out on the welcome amenity plate. Along the busy Ayala Avenue in the Makati Central Business District and into a sleepier back road of Apartment Ridge, you’d find Discovery Primea. Our packed travel itineraries most often keep us out and about but walking into our spacious and luxurious Business Suite immediately had us clearing multiple items off our schedule.
Already one of the biggest room cuts in Manila that I know of, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows open up the space further. Outside, the city’s major shopping and business hubs all within a stone’s throw from the property.
The built-ins reserve enough space for extended stays and include an in-room safe for valuables. While full laundry services are available, there are appropriations for ironing in-room as well. The refreshment center features what is now a hotel requisite Nespresso machine on top of the coffee and tea facility and a well-stocked mini-bar.
The bathroom is a retreat in itself with a rain shower and a full tub. Pruning is a definite possibility as you can enjoy Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channels on the 19-inch LED TV while soaking just as you could on the 46-inch LED TV in the bedroom. To match all the marble and polished wood trim: premium Cavalli-brand bath amenities.
Business and pleasure are bedfellows here with the complimentary use of the smartphone, high-speed Internet access for multiple devices and PressReader access. At night, Discovery Primea’s proprietary hypoallergenic goose feather mattress guarantees that one sinks into a good night and spoils even more with a pillow menu.
A smattering of restaurants fill the malls nearby, but dining in isn’t all a bad idea with the hotel’s in-house brands being recognized culinary destinations themselves. Leading the lineup is Flame, “casual fine dining” serving modern Asian as executed by executive chef Luis Chikiamco. Right outside it and quite literally on, Edge, a garden lounge overlooking the Makati Skyline, where one can enjoy the classics or any one of its creatively crafted cocktails and contemporary mixology. There’s also the all-day restaurant Tapenade, with freshly baked pizzas (Salumi is meaty love!) and a gourmet salad bar. The inclusive breakfast is served here and they put out a mean continental buffet featuring freshly baked breads and pastries, cheeses and homemade antipasti, pickles and preserves.
The Gilarmi Lounge makes a case for daytime drinking with its Gin Library which has over 60 different gins from around the world on rotation, making the inarguably best-curated gin list in Makati. Its Happy Hour starting at four in the afternoon makes it a misnomer for the plural. We left the lounge past eight. The 1824 Whisky and Cigar Bar, Plunge Pool Bar and the Wine Rack Discovery still wait to be discovered but we put those on hold for our return.
I indulged in all the above knowing I’d make up for all those at 37 Degrees, its spacious and swanky 24-hour fitness center outfitted with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Outside, a 20-meter heated infinity pool to do laps in. There’s also Terazi Spa on the same floor to soothe tired muscles or for serious pampering.
I asked a hotelier what their feather-shaped lapel pins symbolized. “A feather is light and can take flight, reaching great heights with a balance of warmth, sincerity and heartfelt hospitality — our vision and aspiration for Primea.”
We left with the feeling of genuine welcome with service that’s all heart. It was indeed a prime discovery and we’re already wanting to go back to discover much more.
Discovery Primea is located at 6749 Ayala Ave., Makati City. For more info, please visit www.discoveryprimea.com.
