Situated right smack at
the center of Ortigas Business District—Jinjiang
Inn—is a modest six-story property stripped of the imposing grandeur of a
bigger hotel, but maintains a comfortable and laid-back sense that appeals to
both business and leisure travelers. In the world of always-on-the-move
travelers, an accommodation providing great bang for the buck is always a
source of gratification.
Judging at what Jinjiang
Inn serve its guests, it achieve just that and then some. When I first entered
my room—a standard room—I expected a smaller room with just enough space for my
backpack and a corner to work on my laptop. I was surprised to find out that my
room actually has ample space to go around. It measures 24 square meters and
comes with a Queen-sized bed, two side tables, a small refrigerator, long work
desk with a chair, spacious sliding closet, a 31-inch wall mounted LED TV, a
safety box, and an en suite toilet and bath.
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| My room |
With my window facing the
busy San Miguel Avenue, I projected the noise to be heard inside my room but it
turned out that the sealed glass window manages to mute all the street decibels.
The light-colored theme of the room gives a brighter appearance contrasting the
gray and dark color tone of the hotel’s exterior.
A
Brand of Hotel of Asia, Inc
Jinjiang Inn is a chain of
properties originated from its mother company the Jin Jiang Hotels—a state-owned
hotel chain in China. Its presence here in the Philippines was made possible by
Hotels of Asia, Inc—a locally owned hotel brand that owns hotels in Iloilo and
Metro Manila. Currently, the Makati, Boracay and Ortigas hotels are the only three Jinjiang Inn properties in the country.
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| The room's mirrors adds an appearance of additional space |
You can tell the hotel is
well-managed despite it not being rated a 5-star hotel. It comes to me as a
cross-over of a budget and leisure hotel—thanks to its affordable rates—and a
myriad of round the clock services like valet parking, bell-hop assistance,
reception desk, security, room service and even airport transfer.
Checking-in was a breeze
as I was only asked for an identification card and waited only a few minutes
even if was checking in a bit early at around 12:30 in the afternoon. Because
of this, I had more time to rest and prepare myself for the event I am about to
attend that night—the Manila Beer Festival at Greenfields.
Breakfast at Horizon Cafe
One of the main things I
look forward to when staying in hotels—no matter how big or small—is the
breakfast buffet. The morning food at the hotel’s in-house restaurant: Horizon Cafe (formerly Five
Spice Asian Bistro), is composed of a variety of comfort breakfast food.
There’s the usual egg station and a spread offering selections of bacon,
sausages, stir fried vegetables, fruits, fried noodles, dimsum, cereals, pastries,
soups, brewed coffee and fresh juices, rice porridge, beef stew and a few
additional dishes which I surmise they interchange depending on the day.
Jinjiang
Inn Rooms
The room where I stayed—the
Business Room—totaling 65 rooms, is the most in the property. The Business Twin
room measuring a slightly bigger 28.65 square meters fills in 15 units, and
the Triple Room at 10 rooms while the one-bedroom Business Suite—measured at
45.10 square meters—spreads 5 rooms across the property.
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| The Business Suite |
Location
and other Amenities
While I stayed at Jinjiang
Inn for a few nights to attend a beer event in nearby Greenfield District, I also
took time to meet a few friends who work around the area. Each time, I only
walked to my destination as the location of Jinjiang Inn is strategically
positioned in the middle of everything in Ortigas.
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| Conference Room |
Greenfield District, the
foodie haven of Kapitolyo neighborhood, SM Megamall, Shangri-La, Robinson’s Galleria,
Podium, Shaw MRT station and various cafes and bars in between are all within
short walking distance away from Jinjiang Inn.
Other amenities of the
hotel includes: free Wi-Fi, business center, conference room, daily
housekeeping, 24-hour security, luggage storage, laundry service, parking space
and airport transfer.
Jinjiang
OKAY!
For a 3-star hotel,
Jinjiang Inn manages to hold its own—and even comes out better—against its
other hotel competitions in the hurried Ortigas Business District. The service
was good and the staff were friendly but most of all, it delivers that atmosphere
of settling at the very heart of the busy Ortigas area, with a sense of comfort
and security.
Jinjiang Inn definitely
ticked off all the things I look for in a hotel (except a swimming pool and a
gym): good service, responsive staff, cozy and spacious room, a packed
breakfast buffet, awesome location, security, cleanliness and value for money.
San Miguel Avenue cor. Lourdes Drive
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
1605, Philippines
