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If Pablo Picasso were to design a living space, I would imagine the rooms to be divided in cubes with walls and furnishings playing on the palettes from his art during the heydays of Cubism. But even past his years, a new Boutique Serviced Residences, the first in the country, paid homage to the art and lifestyle of the famous painter naming the establishment, Picasso. Found at the heart of Makati Central Business district, I get to experience a night of luxury at one of its cube.

The Building
Reborn from the old Blanco Center building just last November 2009, the structure now sports a clean white finish with colorful cubism art on balcony walls seen from Leviste Street. The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences now has 136-rooms, brimming with unique personalities. Each floors sports varying hues and artworks.

The Rooms
Rooms come in different themes. I stayed at the 88sqm Barcelona Suite at the 4th floor. The very spacious room is white only accented by choice colors of purple and caramel dividers, Deep Blue framed walls and Red walled Kitchenette. The interior is definitely refined with tasteful choice of minimal furnishings.

It has what most serviced Residences have, like Cable TV, centralized Aircon, Internet LAN, Kitchenette and bathroom. The bathroom, with tub and shower, was so big I could fit another bed inside. The finger-tap-activated lights and alarm clock with iPod Dock station (and USB or a 35mm jack) with speakers are certainly a nice touch. No need to bring out my own speakers. The TV could be nearer to the bed though but that’s just me.

Facilities
As expected, Picasso has facilities like their free 24hour Wifi Lounge at the second floor, right above their restaurant Brasserie Boheme. I also saw that they have a Spa and a Salon. I noticed they also have a gym but I didn’t bring any workout clothes so I skipped past it.

Location
I used to work near the area and I think it is one of the Boutique’s strong suites. Most offices are walking distance and there are a large number of food choices at the streets nearby. It’s also a few steps from Salcedo Park. I made sure I stay there on a Friday Night to check out the market the next day.

The Salcedo Saturday Market
In the running for five years now, the Salcedo Saturday market started with nearby residences selling fresh produce and homemade goodies. Now it has variety of food from different parts of the country and the globe as well as organic goods and crafts. I was delighted to see some Imugan products on sale there, now I don’t have to go to Nueva Vizcaya if I run out of Imugan Chili. Of course I helped myself with a few good like the budbud-kabog from Dumaguete, a serving of Shawarma and ending with a refreshing Frozen Yogurt. Oh I also gave time to check out some of the performances there.

Impressions
Price of the rooms is premium starting at US$ 200 on the cheapest and US$ 320 on the high-end Suites. But you do get what you pay for; tasteful large rooms, top-end facilities and most of all – good location. It’s perfect for business people looking for a strategic place to stay in Makati. Also for families looking for leisure stay in the city or a newly-wed couple for large private rooms with artistic ambiance. It’s European art and lifestyle in a cube.

Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences
119 L.P. Leviste St, Salcedo Village
Makati City, Philippines 1220
tel +632.828.4774
email reservations@picassomakati.com
url www.picassomakati.com