Situated right smack at the center of the Ortigas Business District, Jinjiang Inn is a modest six-story property stripped of the imposing grandeur of a larger hotel, but it maintains a comfortable and laid-back sense that appeals to both business and leisure travelers. In the world of always-on-the-move travelers, accommodation providing a great bang for the buck is always a source of deep gratification.
Where to Stay in Ortigas: Jinjiang Inn
Judging by what Jinjiang Inn serves its guests, it achieves just that and then some. When I first entered my room—a standard room—I expected a smaller space with just enough room for my backpack and a corner to work on my laptop. I was surprised to find out that my room actually had ample space to move around. It measures twenty-four square meters and comes with a queen-sized bed, two side tables, a small refrigerator, a long work desk with a chair, a spacious sliding closet, a thirty-one-inch wall-mounted LED TV, a safety box, and an en suite toilet and bath.
With my window facing the busy San Miguel Avenue, I expected the noise to be heard inside my room, but it turned out that the sealed glass windows managed to mute all the street decibels. The light-colored theme of the room provides a brighter appearance, beautifully contrasting the gray and dark color tones of the hotel’s exterior.
A Brand of Hotel of Asia, Inc.
Jinjiang Inn is a chain of properties originating from its mother company, 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 properties in Iloilo and Metro Manila. Currently, the Makati, Boracay, and Ortigas hotels are the only three Jinjiang Inn properties in the country.
You can easily tell the hotel is well-managed despite it not being rated a five-star property. It came to me as a crossover between a budget and a leisure hotel—thanks to its affordable rates—paired with a myriad of round-the-clock services like valet parking, bellhop assistance, reception desk, security, room service, and even airport transfers.
Checking in was an absolute breeze, as I was only asked for an identification card and waited just a few minutes, even though I was checking in a bit early at around twelve-thirty in the afternoon. Because of this, I had more time to rest and prepare myself for the event I was about to attend that night—the Manila Beer Festival at Greenfield District.
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 dishes. 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, fresh juices, rice porridge, beef stew, and a few additional dishes that I surmise they interchange depending on the day.
Jinjiang Inn Rooms
The room where I stayed—the Business Room—totaling sixty-five rooms, is the most abundant unit in the property. The Business Twin room, measuring slightly larger at 28.65 square meters, fills in fifteen units. The Triple Room has ten rooms, while the one-bedroom Business Suite—measured at 45.10 square meters—spreads five rooms across the property.
Location and Other Amenities
While I stayed at Jinjiang Inn for a few nights to attend a beer event in the nearby Greenfield District, I also took the 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.
The Greenfield District, the foodie haven of the Kapitolyo neighborhood, SM Megamall, Shangri-La, Robinson’s Galleria, The Podium, Shaw MRT station, and various cafes and bars in between are all within a short walking distance from Jinjiang Inn.
Other amenities of the hotel include free Wi-Fi, a business center, a conference room, daily housekeeping, 24-hour security, luggage storage, laundry services, parking space, and airport transfers.
Jinjiang Okay!
For a three-star hotel, Jinjiang Inn manages to hold its own—and even comes out better—against its other hotel competitors in the hurried Ortigas Business District. The service was excellent, and the staff were friendly, but most of all, it delivers that atmosphere of settling into the very heart of the busy Ortigas area with a deep 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 rooms, a packed breakfast buffet, awesome location, security, cleanliness, and phenomenal value for money.
Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas
Facebook: Jinjiang Inn Ortigas
