MANILA -- When planning events, choosing the venue is a crucial part of the process. And these days, there are so many options to choose from that it has become so arduous to pick the perfect setting. There are several considerations like location, service, and value for money.

Events places tend to be located in secluded suburban areas and you have to take care of most of the logistics. Restaurants, on the other hand, may have the food covered but not the full service. Hotels, while they may offer all-in-one services, tend to be too expensive. But let's qualify that, not all hotels are the same.

AG New World Manila Bay Hotel in Malate is different from the pack. It promises unrivaled service in one of the country's perfect locations at a price that is reasonable for a five-star hotel.

Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider this luxury hotel in the Philippine capital your venue for your next event.

1. LOCATION

AG New World Manila Bay Hotel is located at the heart of Malate, one of Manila's business and social hubs. It's a few steps away from a mall and the bustling and lively streets of Malate. Its strategic location near Manila Bay also makes it an irresistible spot for guests who prefer a view of the bay's world-famous sunset.

“The location is a plus because we're near Manila Bay giving guests a great view of the sea. Our specialty suites, like our bridal suite, has an unparalleled view of Manila Bay. So for photo shoots, it's great to be in this location if you want to capture the sunrise or sunset,” Lopez said.

The hotel is also just a few minutes’ drive away from conference venues like the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and SMX Convention Center. But probably one of its bestselling points is its proximity to Manila's historical and beautiful churches like Malate Church and the churches of Intramuros, namely Manila Cathedral and San Agustin. This is the reason why couples pick the hotel for their wedding.

2. VENUE OPTIONS

The hotel has a total of seven venues clients can choose from, whatever the event may be. There’s The Ballroom that can accommodate a maximum of 500 guests, while another venue is the Le Salon, a medium-sized function space for intimate gatherings.

It has several smaller meeting rooms and function rooms as well. The meeting rooms that can accommodate 10 to 15 people are perfect choice for corporate meetings and events. It offers meeting packages that start at P2,000 per person, which includes two snacks, lunch, and flowing coffee and tea for the whole day.

The hotel likewise offers its poolside area for special events. The pool area, which can accommodate 100 to 120 guests, are usually booked for wedding ceremonies and cocktail events.

3. PERSONALIZED SERVICE

When it comes to service, AG New World Manila Bay Hotel brings hospitality to the next level. It doesn't just do generic events but rather have professionals help customize events for clients.

For weddings, the hotel offers different themes and designs with specific styling. It works with professionals who can turn a bride's idea to a beautiful and extravagant event. Wedding packages start at P390,000 for 150 guests that covers a stay at the bridal suite and a bridal car service.

One of its partner suppliers is one of Manila's top event stylists, Teddy Manuel. The stylist has exclusive designs only available for the hotel's wedding packages that include flower arrangements.

The hotel has several cake suppliers, too, that it recommends to clients, especially for wedding events. Furthermore, the hotel’s in-house pastry chef can also customize and make celebration cakes.

The hotel also offers a Ting Hun service for its Chinese clientele. This traditional engagement party can be customized with food options, from lauriat style to modern, prepared by Executive Chinese chef Raymond Yeung.

4. FOOD

The hotel's food and beverage service is one of the hotel’s pride. Market Café is a favorite buffet dining spot of many, while The Fireplace and Li Li are award-winning restaurants lauded by food critics and writers. The hotel’s Executive Chef James Williams specializes in Western cuisine, while Executive Chinese Chef Raymond Yeung specializes in authentic Cantonese cuisine. These talented chefs work on the banquet menu.

At AG New World Manila Bay Hotel, the restaurant approach is brought to the function rooms: always with a “wow” factor, always with a personalized touch. The menus are curated to match the event concept and the courses are consistently authentic and fresh. The hotel is a favorite wedding venue for Chinese couples primarily because of the unfailingly delicious lauriat. For those in the know, Chef Yeung has set a culinary standard for Chinese wedding receptions.

5. VALUE FOR MONEY

A wedding doesn't come cheap especially services coming from hotels. Considering that AG New World Manila Bay Hotel is a luxury five-star hotel, its packages are considerably reasonable.

“We actually fall in the middle, we're not the most expensive and we're also not the cheapest, in terms of pricing,” Lopez said.

Wedding packages range from P390,000 to P570,000, which include a wide range of services. AG New World Manila Bay Hotel can host the most simple and intimate gatherings, to high-end and upscale events.

“We get an average of 4.5 out of 5 points from clients we have serviced. That is something we can be proud of. What clients can experience here is engaging style of service that is elegantly efficient,” Lopez shared.