Lobby Lounge At Makati Shangri-la, Manila

Came here for the afternoon tea jewelry box set. Checked online and was too excited to try everything they have. I invited my friends for an afternoon tea only to find out they don’t offer most entrees they have online. Disappointing. Thank goodness there was live music.

This lobby lounge is one of the chilliest places in a hotel I’ve been in. Carpeted floors and comfy couches are what to expect. Of course food and drinks offered are a little pricey but you go for the ambiance and not really the food or beverage. Though, of course it is given that something they serve should be actually worth what you’re paying for and so far we’ve ordered drinks that are really worth the price, even their basic tea is in a teapot that can stand a long time heat. Quality utensils and ceramics.

Makati Shangri-La has been my favorite hotel for some time now and their excellent service never fails.

Our room package includes a Filipino High Tea set so hubby and I really didn’t know what to expect. Honestly speaking, I was expecting a choice of tea then a choice of some pastries or scones. What we didn’t expect is that the Filipino High Tea set (P1,500 from the menu), was already good for sharing and had us so full, hubby was not able to eat the burger he ordered. The set includes a choice of 2 cups of coffee or a pot of tea (tea options have a separate menu and variety was very good, not TWG level in quantity but enough for you to be satisfied with the range of selections). We went with pure peppermint tea. They serve the set in a wooden box with layers separating the savory appetizers from the sweet desserts. Since the set is Filipino- themed, they have kinilaw na Tanigue, sisig in a fried wanton style, grilled liempo skewer, and a tart with something like a cheesy meat as filling. I may not have caught the exact names of the dishes included but we loved everything on the set, had to leave some of the sweets though but I particularly found the calamansi chocolate interesting and refreshing. Also, the set includes Bibingka which hubby and I agreed to be the best tasting Bibingka we’ve ever encountered. It was moist inside and seems to have a hint of cheese and it was perfectly cooked.

Going back to the burger my hubby ordered, it was super thick, might be around 3/4” thick. Comes with thick fries and coleslaw. For P820, I could say, it was worth it, it would definitely make your tummy happy.

Ambience in the Lobby Lounge is chill since there’s some musicians playing at the background. We started with some violins playing at their mezzanine then piano and strings near the lounge’s dining area.

We usually go to the lobby lounge for drinks so we were pleasantly surprised that they also serve meals. From appetizers, light meals to full on heavy meals like Kare Kare and such.

Still a very lovely place to spend an afternoon. One has to love the high ceilings and gold columns here. Chairs are very comfy. Expect hotel prices for the food. Service is still great.

Perhaps the only times that Ive been to the lobby Lounge of the shang is when I get intereviewed by expat executives. Though my incidental visits are the ones that I thoroughly enjoy. Nothing beats the ambiance of the lobby. You sip a cup of perfectly brewed coffee in the low key lounge as you bask in the sunlight reflected off the floor to high ceiling glass exposing the lush vegetation across it. Coupled with an exquisite slice of pastry, its hard to find a more elegant way of getting screened for a job.