🇵🇭 Makati, Philippines
Raffles Makati
📍 Makati Avenue, Makati
Photo: official website
Your stay — Raffles Makati
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Makati.
The Property — Raffles Makati
Raffles Makati is an older, mid-tier business hotel that feels like a functional, air-conditioned refuge from Metro Manila's humidity. The lobby is modest and efficient, with dark wood and a hushed atmosphere suited to corporate travellers rather than leisure seekers. It works if you need a clean, central base between meetings, but don't expect the opulence of the Raffles name elsewhere.
Chronicles of Makati
Makati grew from a small agricultural settlement into the Philippines' financial capital after WWII, when American planners redesigned it as a modern business district. Its skyline rose rapidly from the 1960s, led by Ayala Corporation's master-planned development of the Ayala Center complex. Today, Makati is defined by its gleaming office towers, upmarket shopping malls, and a dense grid of bars and restaurants that cater to its expatriate and elite Filipino workforce.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makati guide →Best months
December to February: dry, cooler weather with temperatures around 24–30°C, and lower humidity. This is the peak tourist season across the Philippines, but Makati itself remains manageable as it's a business hub.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: the southwest monsoon (habagat) brings heavy rain and occasional typhoons. Hotel prices in Makati often drop because it's a low season for business travel, but competition from local events is minimal.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer decent weather with fewer tourists: March is dry but hotter (up to 35°C), November is the tail of the rainy season with less rain and good rates.
Weather & packing
July in Manila means daily rain squalls and humidity above 80%. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket and waterproof shoes; an umbrella is essential for sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Makati
- The EDSA Busway, a key public transport route through Makati, has introduced new bus stops with electronic boards for real-time arrival info — useful if you need to get to anywhere along the main artery.
- The new BGC–Ayala shuttle service now connects Makati's business centre with Bonifacio Global City, cutting travel time to 20 minutes outside peak hours.
- Ayala Malls are running a summer sale event through July, offering discounts on fashion and electronics, but expect heavy crowds on weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Raffles Makati, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high-floor room on the Makati Avenue side, away from the lift core and service areas. Floors 20–25 offer better views and less street-level noise from Ayala Avenue traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those near the lift banks or service elevator—these get footfall noise and clatter from housekeeping carts. Also skip rooms facing the hotel's rear alley (often used for deliveries).
Best views
South-facing rooms over Makati Avenue give a lively cityscape—Makati skyline and distant hills. North-facing rooms look toward Ayala Triangle and the business district, with green patches and high-rises.
Quietest floors
Floors 18–28 are generally quieter, as they sit above the ballroom and function rooms (typically on lower floors). The highest floors (30–35) are also quiet but may be closer to mechanical rooms on the roof.
🔊 Noise notes
Makati Avenue carries steady traffic from dawn to late evening, plus occasional sirens. The hotel's ground-floor bar can generate low thrum until midnight. Weekday mornings have delivery truck noise at the service entrance.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 3pm—the hotel is popular with business travellers and early check-in may land you a subpar room on a low floor. 2. Ask for a room on the 'club' side (floors 26–30) if available; these have quieter neighbours and slightly better soundproofing.
- 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 — Raffles Makati
Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, with speeds around 50 Mbps. No login required — just accept the terms.
One lift serves all guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newspapers are accessible via a portal on the room tablet; no physical papers delivered by default.
Standard check-in is from 14:00. Early bag drop is free. Late check-out until 18:00 incurs 50% of the nightly rate; after 18:00 it's a full night's charge.
Free luggage storage is available at the concierge desk.
Step-free entrance from the driveway. Lifts are wheelchair-accessible, but some narrower corridors and doors in older guest wings may limit full wheelchair turning room.
Valet parking costs PHP 450 per night (24-hour). The nearest public car park is Greenbelt Carpark 3, about 300 m walk, at PHP 50 per hour. No EV charging on-site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 12% VAT is included in the rate; there is no separate city or tourist tax.
Deposit & card hold: A one-night deposit is charged at booking. At check-in, a credit card hold of PHP 5,000 is placed for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Mary Mother of Hope - Landmark Chapel (608 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Church of God Makati (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ayala Museum — 702 m · ~9 min walk
Ball Pit Manila — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BPI — 446 m · ~6 min walk
Mercury Drug — 178 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 167 m · ~2 min walk
UV Express South Bound — 839 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Credit and debit cards accepted in major malls, hotels, and restaurants; smaller eateries and street stalls are cash-only. Contactless and mobile pay are growing but not universal.
Not mandatory but appreciated: 10% in restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fares; give housekeeping PHP 50-100 per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee shop brewed coffee or 3-in-1 sachet from a convenience store – roughly PHP 50-80.
Carinderia or turo-turo (rice-and-viand counter) – around PHP 70-100 for rice and one dish.
Rice meal from a fast-food chain or noodle house – a main dish around PHP 100-150.
Street food carts in nearby Poblacion or along Ayala Avenue sidewalks: skewers (isaw, kwek-kwek) from PHP 10-20 each.
Landers, S&R, or Puregold (discount stores); also SM Supermarket for basics.
SM Makati department store or Divisoria-area markets (short jeepney ride away) for affordable clothing.
Jeepneys (PHP 13-25 per ride) or the MRT (PHP 20-30); from airport, take the P2P bus or jeepney to Baclaran then switch (PHP 50 total), or use Grab (PHP 150-250).
Eat at carinderias or food courts, buy water in 1L bottles from convenience stores, and avoid taking taxis from the airport – use the shuttle or Grab.
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 Raffles Makati
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BPI — 446 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Mercury Drug — 178 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.
About Makati
Wikipedia ↗
Makati ( mə-KAH-tee; Tagalog pronunciation: [mɐˈkaː.t̪ɪ]), officially the City of Makati (Filipino: Lungsod ng Makati), is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is the country's leading center for finance, commerce, business, and diplomacy, and is home to num...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Raffles Makati?
Request a high-floor room on the Makati Avenue side, away from the lift core and service areas. Floors 20–25 offer better views and less street-level noise from Ayala Avenue traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Raffles Makati?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those near the lift banks or service elevator—these get footfall noise and clatter from housekeeping carts. Also skip rooms facing the hotel's rear alley (often used for deliveries).
Is Raffles Makati noisy?
Makati Avenue carries steady traffic from dawn to late evening, plus occasional sirens. The hotel's ground-floor bar can generate low thrum until midnight. Weekday mornings have delivery truck noise at the service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Raffles Makati?
South-facing rooms over Makati Avenue give a lively cityscape—Makati skyline and distant hills. North-facing rooms look toward Ayala Triangle and the business district, with green patches and high-rises.
What are insider tips for staying at Raffles Makati?
1. Check in after 3pm—the hotel is popular with business travellers and early check-in may land you a subpar room on a low floor. 2. Ask for a room on the 'club' side (floors 26–30) if available; these have quieter neighbours and slightly better soundproofing.
What time is check-in at Raffles Makati?
Check-in at Raffles Makati is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Raffles Makati have Wi-Fi?
Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, with speeds around 50 Mbps. No login required — just accept the terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Raffles Makati?
12% VAT is included in the rate; there is no separate city or tourist tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Raffles Makati?
Carinderia or turo-turo (rice-and-viand counter) – around PHP 70-100 for rice and one dish.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Raffles Makati?
Jeepneys (PHP 13-25 per ride) or the MRT (PHP 20-30); from airport, take the P2P bus or jeepney to Baclaran then switch (PHP 50 total), or use Grab (PHP 150-250).
When is the best time to visit Makati?
December to February: dry, cooler weather with temperatures around 24–30°C, and lower humidity. This is the peak tourist season across the Philippines, but Makati itself remains manageable as it's a business hub.
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.