Benjamin C.
Yelp
I have had the pleasure of staying in a number of hotels in Metro Manila. From five stars to budget inns, I've run the whole gamut. I've seen my share of good and bad hotels, and for the most part I've seen it all. Or so I thought.
I've always wanted to try The Henry Hotel out when they first opened their doors in Metro Manila, and I finally had the chance to do so last weekend. I am a sucker for adaptive reuse, and The Henry Hotel looked amazing as soon as I pulled over. I am not a fan of the location (Pasay, guys. PASAY), but where else would you find the cluster of old houses needed to pull the concept off in the first place? Besides, as soon as you enter the gate, you are immediately transported to a more genteel and surreal place that is both modern and vintage.
The room. Oh my God, the room was incredible. Sure, I've seen more opulent rooms, and I've stayed in bigger places, but there was something about the double-windowed room's aesthetic that just grabs at you, stuns you. Pwede naman pala 'to dito sa Manila, I thought to myself. It was beautiful, well-appointed, and every single element was thought of. From the furniture (Courtesy of A-11), to the recycled wastebaskets, to the wonderful bathroom items, to the french press (THEY HAVE A GODDAMN FRENCH PRESS IN THE ROOM!!!), the room was stunning.
The Henry Hotel is located in a compound of old mansions, and while the hotel dominates the space, it is not the first tenant in the compound. The compound is also the home of the brilliant A-11 furniture shop, the Avellana Gallery (Which was sadly closed when I dropped by), and Jojie Lloren's atalier (I even saw Jojie himself inside his place, but I was too bashful to approach him). Exploring the compound alone will occupy your afternoon and it will be time well spent.
Possibly the greatest achievement of The Henry is that it showed us that, if you build it (and build it well), people will come. Pasay City outside of the MOA complex is not exactly on my hotlist, but not only did The Henry Hotel make a compelling case, it also showcased Pasay City establishments worth checking out. In a way, The Henry Hotel is becoming an agent for change in Pasay City. Can it be done? Who knows, but with The Henry Hotel in tow, I have reason to be optimistic.