Apart from revisiting your favorite museum or cafe, there’s always something new to try in Antipolo.
Perhaps this is the reason why the vibrant district is top of mind for Filipinos wanting a quick escape from Metro Manila. Just a one or two-hour drive from the metro, Antipolo is frequented by tourists as it is home to several cultural gems.
Let’s say you’re hungry for art and inspiration. Then head to the Pinto Art Museum which has a vast collection of modern and contemporary art in an indoor and outdoor setting. Speaking of the great outdoors, Antipolo offers the Mount Purro Nature Reserve and PACEM Eco Park for those who want to unplug and unwind in lush greeneries.
Antipolo is also known for its homey and romantic coffee shops that offer an overlooking view of Metro Manila. Among coffeeholics’ favorites are the Café Agusta, Burrow Café, The Crescent Moon Café, and Café Lupe for the overall delicious experience one would get from each visit.
Above all, there is the Antipolo Cathedral which turned the town into the country’s “Pilgrimage City.” Also known as the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Shrine, the cathedral draws millions of people to the metropolitan area yearly, especially during its “Alay Lakad” pilgrimage every Holy Week. The church was elevated by the Vatican to the status of international shrine in January—a first for the country and Southeast Asia.
There’s just so much to explore in Antipolo, especially with new attractions opening up from time to time. That is why people who live in Rizal, like me, don’t run out of places to dine in or enjoy nearby.
For all those coming from the metro, there can be no better way to make the most of your Antipolo-tripping than staying at a hotel close to your tour stops. Why bother cutting your trip short or travelling back and forth especially with the heavy traffic along Ortigas Avenue, right?
For that, there’s the new Monaco Hotel which promises guests an experience of affordable luxury and convenience. Located at the Monaco Strip along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Taytay, Monaco Hotel offers posh and cozy rooms plus first-rate services from its staff to help you relax during your weekend (or weekday) adventures.
It first opened its doors in February this year and held its grand launch on July 19, which was attended by The Post. During the event, Grand Monaco Land, Inc. president Reynaldo Carpio gave a rundown of all there is and all that is to come at his hotel. This includes the hotel’s European architecture and interior design inspired by the civil engineer’s trips to Europe.
“During my many travels, I was fascinated with European architecture, especially its hotels, which boasted style and sophistication. I wanted to bring that similar experience to the Philippines through Monaco Hotel,” Carpio said.
European-inspired from the inside out
Carpio brought his vision to life, from the Monaco Hotel’s façade and reception to the dining hall and guest rooms. The five-story building’s exterior features a neoclassical design, which emerged in the 18th century mainly in France and Italy.
Similar to many European hotels that have this look, Monaco Hotel is a flat-faced building that uses a fusion of classic and modern styles on its façade. At the center is a glass curtain wall supported by tall Roman columns on each side. The same pillars are placed between columns of windows that come in simple geometric forms.
Off-white was used as its main color and a bit of brown to add flair to the monochromatic structure. The overall look is simple, clean, and classy in true neoclassical fashion.
As part of the Monaco Hotel’s launch, The Post and other media outlets were also invited to a three-day-two-night stay at the inn to experience its five-star level of service. I, for one, was welcomed by its lovely staff with friendly greetings and a kiwi lemon smoothie as a complimentary drink upon arrival at the lobby.
Local and international dishes at the hotel’s Grimaldi Restobar
Monaco Hotel’s reception hall is pretty straightforward—it only has the front desk on the left side and a spacious lounge beside it to accommodate guests. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide visitors with a view of Ortigas Avenue Extension. Still, it was designed to give lodgers a taste of Europe’s hotels with its choice of furnishings.
The area is characterized by simplicity and sophistication. Similar to its exterior, the hotel’s reception area is predominantly off-white with wood tones—a staple in European-style interior design. It combines traditional and modern décor in neutral tones to create a warm, comforting atmosphere for guests. Adding elegance is its red marble floor which provides a good contrast to its white walls and ceiling.
Comfort for less
Monaco Hotel offered us one of its Deluxe suites located on the building’s fourth floor. And true enough, the room is a representation of affordable luxury with its elegant interiors and high-quality furniture.
We got to enjoy a good night’s sleep on its queen-size bed which has a 12-inch mattress that offers an extra layer of comfort. The use of these ultra-thick mattresses is inspired by European hotels that provide guests with a comfortable stay using top-notch beds and linens.
Adding flair and functionality to the room are the two full-length mirrors on the left and right sides of the bed. This, apart from the ultra-comfy queen-size bed, is one of our favorite features of the room as it provides convenience for quick touch-ups between activities during our vacation.
Similar to the hotel’s reception area, our room has a high ceiling and large windows for a sense of open space. In addition, the windows kept our room bright with natural light during the day while the room’s light fixtures on the wall, around the ceiling, and even under the bed, liven up the space during the night.
For those who have to do a bit of work, a desk and a Queen Anne-style chair are placed by the large windows to give a view of the city while working or enjoying a meal. The room evokes a cozy vibe as it uses warm and light tones for its furniture. Expect the same relaxed and posh atmosphere even in its bathroom which is decorated with gray marble tiles complemented by amenities in black or white.
Monaco Hotel offers Deluxe rooms in two types: one with a single queen-size bed and another with twin beds. Both are priced P3,588 a night. Apart from these, the hotel has Standard rooms with a queen-size bed but a smaller floor area for P2,888 per night. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi and 40-inch flat-screen smart TV. You can also avail of the breakfast buffet at the hotel’s Grimaldi Bar for an additional fee of P1,000.
Leisure and convenience
The building is in a prime location that puts you at the center of it all. During our stay, we found out that it only takes you 10 minutes to drive or commute from the hotel to Pinto Art Museum. Located inside the Grand Heights Subdivision, the interactive art compound is frequented by tourists for its ingenious combination of art and nature.
Beyond its open-air galleries that are often used as backdrops on social media, Pinto provides tourists with a full creative experience one can only get in Antipolo. The museum has a vast collection of artworks that aim to open the public’s eye to the grim secrets of Philippine society.
Monaco Hotel is also a stone’s throw away from Taytay Tiangge. Famous with bargain-hunting shoppers from all over the country who get their clothing haul for the lowest prices, it’s located on Don Hilario Cruz Avenue in Taytay, which is also known as the Garments Capital of the Philippines.
While there surely are a lot of must-see places near Monaco Hotel, guests who would rather relax without going outside can do so in other areas of the property. On the fifth floor is the Grimaldi Resto Bar where you can cozy up and indulge in the hotel’s savory food and drinks.
The restaurant has a distinct look characterized by a contemporary style with traditional European elements. It gives guests a warm welcome with its illuminated bar jazzed up with the restobar’s signage. Brown Chesterfield sofas, which was popular in England during the 1700s, add a touch of luxury to the store’s foyer.
Its large windows are decorated with burgundy draping curtains that provide a good contrast to the neutral-toned Parsons dining chairs and dark wooden tables. Bricks are used to add a rustic and modern touch to the room.
Grimaldi Restobar offers Filipino and international dishes, including crispy pata and liempo, as well as nachos, pasta and sandwiches, and more. The most notable ones are the Pork Binagoonan and Truffle Cream Pasta which are both more flavorful than most of its kind. What’s even better is that we got to enjoy all these sumptuous dishes while listening to live music.
Apart from this, Monaco Hotel has a roof deck where we got to enjoy an overlooking view of Taytay and its nearby cities. The area doubles as an events place for those wanting to hold a party for up to 100 people. Other than that, the hotel has three function rooms on the second floor that can accommodate 60 to 80 pax.
The hotel’s ground floor, dubbed the “Monaco Strip,” houses convenience stores, coffee shops, and more catering to hotel guests and outsiders alike. We dined at Coffeeteria, a hole-in-the-wall café offering a selection of hot and cold beverages, as well as meals for any time of the day.
It has a clean and minimalist interior plus some photo op spots for your next café-hopping post on Instagram. Among its best-sellers are the Sea Salt Latte, Spanish Latte, and the one we tried, which is White Chocolate Mocha. This drink will delight those with a sweet tooth because of its rich, sweet, and vanilla-like flavor.
For the dishes, the café recommends its Truffle Cream Pasta, Shrimp Aligue Pasta, and Beef Tapa.
After discovering the hotel’s amenities and its nearby tourist attractions, there’s no better way to freshen up and recharge than dipping in a pool. Monaco Hotel is soon opening its own to provide guests with relaxation and recreation in addition to all its offerings. It is set to be fully operational this August.
To book a stay at the hotel, visit the hotel’s website or dial 0953 736 1420. You can also reach out on Facebook or send them an email.
