The local economy surrounding Clark, Pampanga has seen rapid growth in recent years. Coinciding with this development is the emergence of Clark as a prime tourism and business destination. The old, stinging red-light district reputation of Metro Clark has all but been relegated to a nostalgic single strip known as Walking Street. While it remains an interesting place to check out—thanks to an assortment of Asian food gems and fascinating entertainment bars lined up on both sides—a surrounding renaissance of heritage structures, quaint cafes, local craft breweries, adventure theme parks, and a thriving commercial district all make Metro Clark a fascinating area to explore and do business in.
6 Reasons to Stay in Best Western Hotel in Clark
When one does business and mixes in some sightseeing on the side, selecting great accommodation becomes an essential part of the trip. The great thing about Metro Clark is that it is now dotted with numerous fancy hotels ranging from two to five stars. Fortunately, I was invited to stay for a couple of nights at the newly opened Best Western Metro Clark.
Shredding biases aside—despite my stay being a sponsored one—I have come up with six main reasons why Best Western Hotel suits the needs of both business travelers and recreational tourists alike.
Design: Contemporary Appeal
Upon entering the spacious and brightly lit lobby, I immediately noticed the amount of attention given to the interior design planning of Best Western Metro Clark. From the round-shaped tables and chairs to the swirling patterns of rugs meshing beautifully with the high ceiling and circular chandeliers, the dark-colored lines of the curtains, and the marbled walls—all create an appealing, sophisticated theme.
As the staff led me to my room, we passed by an expansive and minimalist hallway with glass and mirrored walls creating an illusion of additional space. My room was a Deluxe Room with a queen-sized bed, a forty-two-inch LED TV, and a capacious thirty-five-square-meter floor plan, featuring a cozy, fresh design. The room’s color schemes consisted of light tints and a hint of gray, combining to form a refreshing palette.
I was also shown the Executive Suite, a fancier room with a king-size bed and slightly bigger at a little more than forty square meters in size.
Afterward, the marketing manager of Best Western, Miss Ruth, showed me the Presidential Suite. The room reminded me of my accommodation at the Lebua State Tower in Bangkok when I attended the 2017 World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit. Best Western’s Presidential Suite features one bedroom and a living area complete with a stylish sofa, a long work desk, a dining table for four, dual forty-two-inch LED TVs, and a kitchenette with a large refrigerator, microwave, and kettle. The large bathroom also features a bathtub.
Food: Taste Bud-Approved
Metro Pampanga is a known foodie haven, and travelers who come here often go on a food-tripping tour of the surrounding restaurants serving local cuisine and a combination of Asian and European dishes. When you stay at Best Western Metro, you get an early head-start satisfying your taste buds thanks to the in-house restaurants: Namari Japanese Bistro, Cactus Jack Smokehouse, and Spencer’s Fusion.
Located on the ground floor of Best Western Metro Clark, Namari Japanese Bistro serves a seven-course Teppanyaki Omakase buffet (where you can re-order any of the course dishes) cooked, plated, and served on an Izakaya-inspired Japanese bar. Namari serves Teppanyaki Omakase for eight hundred eighty-eight, one thousand eighty-eight, or one thousand two hundred ninety-nine pesos per person.
We feasted on the one-thousand-eighty-eight-peso Omakase, with a menu consisting of miso soup, namari salad, sushi, chicken teriyaki, spicy squid, beef salpicao, miso salmon, ebi tempura, and the dessert of the day.
Cactus Jack Smokehouse serves a blend of American and Mexican cuisine comprising some of the all-time favorite beef cuts: tenderloin, rib-eye, and porterhouse Angus steaks. Other choices include Cajun salmon, black tiger prawns, blue crabs, beef brisket, chicken barbecue, pulled pork, baby back ribs, river prawns, clams, and mussels.
They also serve a collection of side dishes, pares beef, and beer-buddy meals like surf-and-turf, ceviche, tuna kama, and the catch of the day. Cap off your feast by ordering a drink from their impressive cocktail concoctions and beer lineup.
Having stayed in many hotels as a travel writer, I've developed a high standard when it comes to a hotel's buffet breakfast service.
Best Western Metro's Spencer's Fusion didn't disappoint, from its vibrant interior to the breakfast spread itself. Like most hotels, breakfast is available from six to ten in the morning and serves a wide selection of American, Continental, and Asian dishes. If you're a health buff, there's also a cereal, bread, and fruit section, as well as the customary egg station.
Facilities: Catering to Every Need
Best Western Metro Clark provides all the essentials perfect for all kinds of travelers. Whether for business or for pleasure, you can readily enjoy the hotel's many facilities.
They have a function room on the fourth floor which can seat up to three hundred sixty guests, and a stylish conference room that can fit thirty guests. For gym enthusiasts, the Fitness Center located on the fifth floor should give you a good one- or two-hour workout session.
The outdoor pool is located on the fourth floor's open space, adjacent to the outdoor bar. A smaller pool for kids sits beside the main swimming pool.
Value, Service, and Location
Room rates: Great value for money. All eighty-eight rooms of Best Western Metro Clark meet five-star hotel standards, and since it is strategically located, the room rate starting at a promotional value of three thousand five hundred pesos definitely brings great value for money.
Service: Excellent and well-trained staff. Their team of well-trained staff was very hospitable and showed an accurate attention to detail regarding their guests' every need. When I was first shown to my room and found the brand-new air conditioning unit wasn't properly working yet, I requested a room transfer, and after a few minutes, they moved me to another room. The staff who attended to my concern were very apologetic and assured me that my new room wouldn’t give me any problems.
Afterward, I met another staff member at the elevator, and he asked me if the air conditioning unit in my new room was working properly and if I had any other concerns. This shows that the concerns of the guests are properly attended to and effectively communicated among the staff.
Location: In the center of everything. Situated in the Balibago district of Metro Clark, Best Western Hotel is near many local attractions. It is a mere five-hundred-meter walk from Walking Street, and less than a kilometer away from Angeles City's Heritage District. The hotel is also a short distance away from many known local restaurants and malls like SM Angeles City. For craft beer drinkers, Pinatubo Craft Brewery is just a short ride away. Everything you will ever need, either as a business traveler or a tourist on a holiday, is within a short distance of Best Western Metro Clark.
Clark International Airport is just around thirty minutes away.
Best Western Metro Clark
Phone: +63 45 409-9999
Email: info@bestwesternmetroclark.com
Website: www.bestwesternmetroclark.com
Booking: Book your stay via Agoda
