If you're thinking of spending the upcoming holidays on your couch just watching Netflix and eating all sorts of junk food, maybe consider taking it a step up and going to a hotel for a well-deserved staycation. Discovery Primea is a luxury hotel situated in Makati City — a place where business, leisure, and culture cross. Complete with some of the best restaurants in the metro and facilities that rival even the fanciest hotels, Discovery Primea is the place to be if you want good food, fantastic views of the city from an infinity pool, and a safe space to enjoy your vacation worry-free.
First time hearing about Discovery Primea? Well, here are just a few things you can do and enjoy, without even having to leave the hotel property.
Be transported to the Mediterranean at Restaurant Tapenade.
Go on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean continent by stepping foot and enjoying your meal at Discovery Primea's Restaurant Tapenade. The menu is chock-full of rich and bold flavors that are reminiscent of Spain summers, French breakfasts, or Italian scapes of the sea. The paellas are authentic, and the pizzas are baked in stone grills - all these and more are available a stone's throw away from your corporate office in Makati.
If you don't have the time to visit the hotel for great pizza, consider taking out a box instead. Discovery Primea offers delivery services through Tapenade On The Go - which means you never have to go without great Mediteranean food ever again.
Tip: Order the Croquetas De Pollo y Truffa (roast chicken, ham, and black truffle croquettes) as a starter - you won't regret it.
Lay back and enjoy the fare at the Gilarmi Lounge.
The hotel's lobby lounge moonlights as a gin and tonic bar. Famous for offering over 60 variations of gin from all around the world, the Gilarmi Lounge Gin Library has the classics as well as the more obscure gins you may have chanced upon traveling abroad.
The bartenders are knowledgeable and can recommend amazing concoctions, and the servers know all the best pub fare to avoid that hangover.
Tip: Don't skip the quarter-pound burgers from the Burger Library. They're the perfect pair (or third wheel?) to your gin and tonic.
Dine under the skies at Flame Al Fresco.
What did I say about Discovery Primea's seemingly-endless options for good? If you're itching for Asian cuisine, look no further than Discovery Primea's FLAME. Located 16 stories above the city, FLAME boasts modern Asian fare that's sweet and salty, sour and tangy, and most importantly - umami.
Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco is the mind behind this not-so-casual joint, and he's made it a point to stay true to some timeless favorites while playing around with more innovative and creative recipes. Flame Al Fresco is the outdoor extension of FLAME, where you can order basically the same food (+ get access to their grill menu) while staying outdoors.
Tip: Flame Al Fresco is the way to go if you want to enjoy your Asian grills while watching the sunset from the city.
Cap the night off at the 1824 Whisky and Cigar Bar.
Are you more of a whisky kind of person? If so, don't skip 1824 - the cigar and whisky bar named after the year the first license for single malt distilleries was granted. Cigar and scotch are an unbeatable pairing, and you can try out some of the best kinds here.
Tip: If you're not a fan of whisky, opt for their cognacs and other sips. The food, like anywhere else in the hotel, is superb.
Heal at the Terazi Spa.
Feel like you need a detox after that wild night at the 1824 cigar bar? Look no further than the in-house Terazi Spa for top-tier facilities and excellent service. Choose the signature massage if you're looking for something simple with certain oils for certain moods like Deep Healing and Romance, or go for a body scrub (Discovery Primea offers dead sea salt & lemon and black rice & coconut variants) if you're looking for a deep detox and body cleanse.
Tip: Get the fancy Hammam treatment, enjoy the traditional Turkish bath and full body exfoliation in a steam-heated room, and be transported to Istanbul.
Go shopping at the Lily.
Shops line Ayala Avenue where Discovery Primea is located, but for curated local fashion, furniture, and art pieces, Lily is the place to be. The sundry shop houses some of the finest local work by artisans and crafters which are perfect for gifts or home decor.
Tip: Shop at the Lily with a personal shopper if you want the best recommendations and deals.
Book a Primea Loft.
Located on the 14th and 15th floors of the hotel, the Primea lofts are long-stay living spaces that showcase an expansive dining area perfect for intimate meals or extensive spreads, a fully-functional kitchen (not a kitchenette!) equipped with a dishwasher, a multi-purpose living room with an office set-up, and two bedrooms on the second floor for guests and guests of guests. There's also a balcony area that opens up to some of the best views in Makati.
Tip: Book early - there are only 7 lofts in the whole hotel.
Swim the expanse of the infinity pool.
What hotel doesn't have a pool? Well, Discovery Primea takes it a step further and offers all guests a 20-meter heated infinity pool. Overlook the charming side of Makati City while doing your morning water workout.
Tip: Get your poolside drinks from Plunge, Discovery Primea's poolside bar and lounge.
Get your fitness on at 37 Degrees.
If you're the sort of person that loves working out even while on vacation (who are you?), then you wouldn't want to skip 37 Degrees. Discovery Primea's in-house fitness center is an ideal space thanks to state-of-the-art equipment from TechnoGym.
Tip: Book a reservation in advance to access the gym. This is so they can block off sanitation periods to clean the gym equipment.
Working over the holidays? Book a Safe Space.
Host simple meet-ups, intimate gatherings, or corporate events in any of the Safe Spaces in Discovery Primea. The global pandemic has ushered in a new wave of hypersafety, and Discovery Primea makes sure you're worry-free by partnering with cleaning brand Lysol and cleaning all working spaces to the highest standards.
Tip: Safe Spaces are also available in Discovery Suites Ortigas.