Not everyone of us can afford to live in Metro Manila’s most exclusive residential communities. But luckily, Aruga at The Grove, a venture by well-regarded developer Rockwell Land, gives its guests a taste of the high life coupled with excellent hospitality. We stayed there a couple of nights, and we were impressed. It’s a perfect staycation spot in Metro Manila worth checking out.
LOCATION
As reflected in its name, Aruga at The Grove is located within The Grove by Rockwell, an upmarket residential enclave along the major thoroughfare C-5. Just across is the shopping complex Tiendesitas, as well as SM Center Pasig. Although Ortigas is only minutes away and Quezon City a little farther, there’s really not much within the area itself, but The Grove by Rockwell, as far as posh communities go, has a lot to offer its residents as well as the guests of Aruga. There are restaurants serving various cuisines, pubs, a supermarket, a Starbucks, a bank, a barber shop, a salon, and a convenience store, among others.
Public transportation is honestly tricky in the area, but taxis and Uber cars are readily available most times of day and night.
STYLE/CHARACTER
Though in the Philippines we may qualify Aruga at The Grove as a hotel, what it really offers are serviced apartments in a few floors of a condominium building. Aruga does have a small yet elegant 24-hour reception area at the Retail Row of The Grove, and from there, guests and their luggage are taken by golf cart to the building in a minute.
Aruga is again within a residential building; that said, guests may come across residents in the common areas once in a while, if at all. Save for the security staff, we barely saw anyone in the quiet lobby the entire time we were there.
ROOMS
Our two-bedroom suite is the largest room type offered. We were impressed how homely it felt and how elegantly it was styled—earth colors dominate, and the furnishings are modern and undoubtedly high-end. It’s spacious enough to get us moving around freely, and there was ample daylight passing through its large windows.
There were two bedrooms, with the master bedroom, of course, being more spacious than the guest bedroom. Both had a comfortable bed, an LED TV, and a desk, and both had corresponding bathrooms that are immaculate and stocked with bath amenities.
The common area is divided into a nice living room with an comfortable couches and lounge chairs, as well as a large LED TV; a well-equipped kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator; and an elegant dining area where a complimentary basket of goodies was waiting for us. Right beside the kitchen is the laundry room with a washer and dryer, as well as, curiously, a spare bathroom.
FACILITIES
Aruga allows its guests to use the facilities of The Grove Rockwell. The complex has the Amenity Deck, which consists of a 733-square meter swimming pool, a 500-meter kiddie pool, gazebos, and a great lawn. Over at the Podium, there are state-of-the-art gym equipment, a jogging path, tennis and basketball courts, and a wide lap pool.
FOOD AND DRINK
Aruga does not have its own restaurant, but it gives its guests breakfast vouchers that may be redeemed at two restaurants at the Retail Row, namely Pi Breakfast & Pies and The Gardens. Both offer a range of tasty Filipino and Western breakfast sets.
SERVICE
Compared to a hotel, Aruga offers fewer services, though it should be emphasized that it offers daily housekeeping. Its staff—from the reception to the building’s security—are warm and friendly, making our stay even better.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Aruga at The Grove’s rates are very reasonable when compared to hotels and other serviced apartments in Metro Manila.
ARUGA AT THE GROVE
E. Rodriquez Jr. Avenue, Barangay Ugong, C5, Pasig City, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 818 0000
Email: reservations@aruga.com.ph
Website: arugaatthegrove.com
Social Media: Facebook
