If you are craving for Choucroute
de la Mer, or in a constant lookout for exciting art exhibits, look no further
than Poblacion, Makati. There’s a nice and quaint boutique hotel and restaurant
by the name “Element” that offers a haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the
city life, délicieux French food, and artworks that are bold and beautiful.
As a frequent food explorer of Poblacion, I have come to discover one of its hidden gems – the Element, which has been in operation since 2016. It is owned and run by Franco-English and Filipino hoteliers, and usually serves as the Manila nest of foreign travellers on business or leisure, particularly those who would like to explore the countryside and the many picture-perfect islands and virgin beaches of the Philippines. It is also a lovely city staycation place, nestled in the heart of the vibrant central Makati business district.
The architecture of the 5-storey hotel has a hint of brutalist, minimalist.
The reception and waiting area is small but intimate. And their receptionist Ate Rose is very helpful and caring to guests.
I noticed plants in pots are everywhere. Thus, Element may be considered one of the most oxygen friendly hotels in the city.
A giftshop corner showcases some native jewelries, handcrafted gemstone bracelets, cards, Barik Supremo lambanog and Bambino Bambike. The creativeness and ingenuity of Filipinos is quite impressive.
The hotel was also transformed into a mini gallery when it hosted the “Je Ne Veux Être Empereur” Art Exhibit of César Caballero, a Manila-based Spanish artist. His paintings, present in every floor from ground to penthouse, are beyond ordinary and almost celestial. Notably, he puts a twist on traditional portraits of women by adding multiple eyes. In the field of art, he’s a non-conformist, who embodies the saying that only dead fish go with the flow.
I hope the hotel make the artworks of César a permanent exhibit.
The hotel only has 14 rooms, each has been custom designed using both the beauty of raw materials and elegance of modern design.
The most coveted room is the Boheme Penthouse Spa Suite with balcony. It’s a spacious room divided into a living room and bedroom with a huge bathroom with tub.
The king-size bed has a soft mattress. The flat-screen TV can be rotated 360 degrees so conveniently one could watch it from the sofa or the bed, which I find very cool. The mini fridge is fully stocked with all kinds of drinks. There’s a bookshelf but only handy and useful for the French-speaking, since all books are in French.
It’s the little, wonderful touches and good attention to detail that makes the hotel a standout from among the commercial spaces in the area.
Staying overnight comes with a complimentary breakfast from the in house restaurant and bar named Bohem Bistro Boulangerie. The restaurant also offers healthy, artisan and signature French-Mediterranean cuisine dishes with exciting vegan and pescatarian options. The Choucroute de la Mer which is an exquisite plate of maya-maya fillet, prawns and mussels served with a housemade sauerkraut is my favorite main dish. The bread is freshly baked. And the desserts simply delectable.
Element is a nice addition to the bustling food, hospitality and art scene in Poblacion.
It’s not among the
towering skyscrapers in Makati, but its rooms with balcony offers a decent view
of the 24/7 busy and pulsating city. Truly an unexpected paradise within the
city jungle.
Element
Boutique Hotel
#4950
Guerrero St.
Brgy.
Poblacion, Makati City
Tel. No.: 805-1360,
0917-5057500
