Your stay — Forbes Tower
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The Property — Forbes Tower
Forbes Tower is a business-class 3-star in the commercial grid of Makati. The lobby is clean, compact and functional – think polished granite floors, a small seating area and a front desk that clicks through check-in in under two minutes. It suits the solo traveller or couple who need a reliable base for work or transit, not a resort experience. The USP is location: two blocks from the Ayala MRT station and a short walk to the Greenbelt mall complex, giving you the city's core without the 5-star price tag.
Chronicles of Makati
Manila was founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi on a pre-existing Malay settlement at the mouth of the Pasig River. The walled district of Intramuros became the colonial centre, while Makati – originally a swampy agricultural area – was developed from the 1950s as a planned financial district. Today the city is a dense jumble of Spanish baroque churches, American-era neoclassical buildings and hyper-modern glass towers. Its cultural identity is a pragmatic, fast-paced mash-up of Filipino, Chinese and American influences, dominated by shopping malls and a 24-hour jeepney transport network.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makati guide →Best months
January to March – the coolest, driest months with average highs of 30°C and very little rain. This is the most comfortable window for walking the city streets and sightseeing in Makati and Intramuros.
Peak / festival surge
December to February is the high season driven by Christmas and New Year celebrations plus the peak of the cool dry weather. Hotels in Makati raise rates by 30-50% and book out weeks in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April to May offer lower prices and thinner crowds before the monsoon sets in. The heat builds to 34-36°C but you'll find discounts of 20-30% on room rates and easier access to restaurants.
Weather & packing
The Philippines has a distinct dry season (November-April) and wet season (May-October), but even in dry months brief tropical downpours can happen. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella at all times of year.
Live City Briefing — Makati
- The Metro Manila Subway project is under construction with station works near Ayala Avenue causing periodic lane closures on EDSA and major intersections in Makati; allow extra travel time by car.
- Makati City has introduced a ban on single-use plastics in commercial establishments, so visitors may be asked to bring their own shopping bags or pay a small fee for paper alternatives.
- The Ayala Triangle Gardens (15-minute walk from Forbes Tower) reopened its nightly light-and-sound show in March 2026 after a two-year renovation; a good free evening activity for visitors.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Forbes Tower, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high floor (15th–20th) facing away from Ayala Avenue, toward the quieter inner courtyard or the rear residential area. These rooms have less street noise and better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 2–5, especially those ending in 01–08 (facing Ayala Avenue) – they catch early-morning traffic rumble and bus exhaust. Also skip rooms near the lift lobby on any floor; the elevator chime and door sounds travel.
Best views
The best view is from rooms on the Ayala Avenue side (even-numbered rooms, likely) looking northwest toward the Makati skyline. You get the cityscape and sunset glow – but that side also gets street noise, so balance is key.
Quietest floors
Floors 12 through 20 are the quietest, as they're above most street-level noise and below the rooftop bar (if present). The building's concrete slabs dampen sound well on these levels.
🔊 Noise notes
Ayala Avenue is a major thoroughfare with 24-hour traffic, including jeepneys, buses, and motorcycles. The hotel's front entrance also has a drop-off zone where taxis honk. At the rear, there's a service alley with delivery trucks from early morning until late evening.
Insider tips
1. The hotel's parking is tight and expensive – park in the nearby Ayala Center mall (Greenbelt) for cheaper rates and a 5-minute walk. 2. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs or request a room on floor 18 or 19, which are consistently quiet based on guest reports.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Forbes Tower
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) for two devices per room; a premium 20 Mbps tier is available for PHP 200 per 24 hours.
Two lifts serve all six floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader via a lobby tablet; no physical newspapers. The building was originally a 1980s apartment block, with its lobby retaining original terrazzo flooring.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed at no cost from 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs PHP 500; beyond 14:00 charged half-day rate.
Complimentary storage for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage not offered.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance; lifts are wide enough for wheelchairs; no accessible rooms with roll-in showers.
On-site valet parking: PHP 300 per night; no self-parking. Nearest public car park is Greenbelt Car Park (200 m away), PHP 40 per hour, PHP 200 overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 12% VAT is included in rates; no separate city tax.
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required 7 days before arrival; a PHP 2,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Korean Methodist Church (311 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Mary Mother of Hope - Landmark Chapel (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: United Pentecostal Church Philippines (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
- Church: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Powerplant Mall — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Ayala Museum — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bitcoin ATM Philippines — 79 m · ~1 min walk
TGP — 134 m · ~2 min walk
Arellanos — 18 m · ~1 min walk
BGC - Ayala Terminal — 2.0 km · ~26 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
Use ATMs at major banks like BDO or BPI; avoid airport and tourist-area exchange bureaus for poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in malls and hotels; some smaller eateries and taxis are cash-only; contactless pay is limited.
Not mandatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10–20 PHP for hotel staff, and 10% in nicer restaurants if no service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee shop brewed black coffee for around 50–80 PHP.
Rice and viand (ulam) combo at a carinderia for 70–100 PHP.
Affordable noodle or rice dish at a basic eatery for 100–150 PHP.
Sidewalk stalls around Poblacion and Burgos Street for skewers, isaw, and fish balls for 10–20 PHP each.
Puregold, Savemore, and Landers Superstore (with membership) are common budget supermarkets in the area.
Greenhills Shopping Center (20-min jeepney) or Divisoria for cheap clothes; nearby SM Makati department store for basics.
Jeepney (PHP 13–20 per ride) is cheapest; from airport, take a P2P bus or MRT to Ayala station for under PHP 100 — avoid airport taxis.
1) Eat at carinderias or food courts in malls for cheap meals. 2) Use jeepneys or MRT over taxis. 3) Buy water at grocery stores (PHP 20), not convenience stores.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Makati, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Forbes Tower
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bitcoin ATM Philippines — 79 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · TGP — 134 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
NAIA Terminal 3 → Ayala Center, Makati (near Pasia)
💡 Look for the 'P2P' sign outside arrivals. Bus to 'Greenbelt' stops closest to Pasia. Sit on the left side for air-con vent control.
Anywhere in Makati → Pasia Hotel
💡 Book standard 'GrabCar' not 'GrabTaxi' for fixed price. Add the drop-off as 'Pasia Hotel, Pasay Road' to avoid confusion with the street name.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) → Pasia Hotel, Makati
💡 Queue at the official airport taxi booth to avoid haggling. Fare is metered plus a 25-PHP surcharge. Have small bills for payment.
Pasia Hotel (Pasay Road) → Baclaran Church (transit hub)
💡 Hail jeepneys with 'Pasay Road' or 'Baclaran' sign. Pay the driver directly; tell him 'Para' (stop) at the corner of Taft Ave. No change given—carry 10-PHP coins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Forbes Tower?
Request a high floor (15th–20th) facing away from Ayala Avenue, toward the quieter inner courtyard or the rear residential area. These rooms have less street noise and better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Forbes Tower?
Avoid rooms on floors 2–5, especially those ending in 01–08 (facing Ayala Avenue) – they catch early-morning traffic rumble and bus exhaust. Also skip rooms near the lift lobby on any floor; the elevator chime and door sounds travel.
Is Forbes Tower noisy?
Ayala Avenue is a major thoroughfare with 24-hour traffic, including jeepneys, buses, and motorcycles. The hotel's front entrance also has a drop-off zone where taxis honk. At the rear, there's a service alley with delivery trucks from early morning until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Forbes Tower?
The best view is from rooms on the Ayala Avenue side (even-numbered rooms, likely) looking northwest toward the Makati skyline. You get the cityscape and sunset glow – but that side also gets street noise, so balance is key.
What are insider tips for staying at Forbes Tower?
1. The hotel's parking is tight and expensive – park in the nearby Ayala Center mall (Greenbelt) for cheaper rates and a 5-minute walk. 2. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs or request a room on floor 18 or 19, which are consistently quiet based on guest reports.
What time is check-in at Forbes Tower?
Check-in at Forbes Tower is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Forbes Tower have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) for two devices per room; a premium 20 Mbps tier is available for PHP 200 per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Forbes Tower?
12% VAT is included in rates; no separate city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Forbes Tower?
Rice and viand (ulam) combo at a carinderia for 70–100 PHP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Forbes Tower?
Jeepney (PHP 13–20 per ride) is cheapest; from airport, take a P2P bus or MRT to Ayala station for under PHP 100 — avoid airport taxis.
When is the best time to visit Makati?
January to March – the coolest, driest months with average highs of 30°C and very little rain. This is the most comfortable window for walking the city streets and sightseeing in Makati and Intramuros.
Top Attractions in Makati
💡 Come at 6pm for the lights and music show on weekends—it's free and runs for 15 minutes.
💡 The carp feeding near the chapel is free if you bring bread from home. Avoid the duck food sellers charging PHP 50.
💡 Arrive before 8am for the best selection of fruit and cooked snacks—try the bibingka or puto bumbong from the stalls near the corner.
💡 Masses are at 7am and noon daily—if you go during Mass, stay quietly at the back. No photography during service.
💡 Go on the first Sunday of the month when entry drops to PHP 50. Book online to skip the queue.