The lobby of the Hotel Celeste in Makati City. Intricately twisted steelworks compliment artist Gina Bocar's striking murals. (photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

If you feel like loafing in lavish, dramatically ornate rooms like a whimsical heroine in a Jane Austen novel, then the vivacious interiors of Hotel Celeste may just be the milieu for you. Located amidst towering buildings and commercial establishments in Makati City, Hotel Celeste is a relatively new boutique hotel that seeks to combine quaint comfort with edgy eccentricity.

Style, distinction, warmth, and intimacy are the primary differences between boutique hotels and branded hotels. It attracts a niche of guests looking for special and differentiated accommodations that fulfill their individual needs.

From its intricately- twisted steel doors, to its conspicuously-costumed “chamberlains,” the Hotel Celeste’s extravagant, old world charms are obviously not for the uptight and dreary. Each of its 25 deluxe rooms is uniquely-decked with quirky pieces and upholstery. While the five individually themed suites –wittingly named after French Queens: Marie Antoinette, Eleanor, Catherine, Blanche, and Isabela – are boldly designed with bright colors and interesting frills and fixtures.  So opulent are these suites, they’re bound to trigger a revolution.

“We thought of naming the rooms after the five most influential French Queens because the interiors are very elegant, French Bourgeoisie inspired, but with a modern twist. So we researched about the Queens and tried to incorporate their personalities with the overall look and feel of the five suites,” explained Tricia Sarabia, Hotel Celeste marketing officer.

Inside each suite, a variety of textures and warms hues are abreast with mismatched furnishings, accentuated by signature pieces set against hand-painted walls by artist Gina Bocar. Every detail from the dim lighting, to the glint of ornate mirrors evokes a sensuous mood without sacrificing the comfortable homey feel of a hotel.

According to Sarabia, the idea of putting up a designer hotel came from her mom and hotel owner, Cely Sarabia, who was in awe of the extravagant designer rooms of boutique hotels in Singapore and Europe.

“My mom worked closely worked with interior designer Andrew Galutera. He did a great job translating my mom’s ideas, putting them into drawings, and making the hotel come to life,” says she.

However, therein lies some quirks of the hotel; some suites are bigger than the others as the four-storey building is crescent-shaped. The other suites are overwhelmingly colorful and feminine. After all, this place happens to be the brainchild of a very creative woman. And if the location of the hotel doesn’t offer a scenic view, then make the rooms the main attraction.

“We are planning to make a brochure for each room so the guests can freely choose the suite they want to stay in. Also, with our limited space, we only have the suites to show of. We also make up for it with our personalized service. As for the structured, solid, and linear distractions surrounding the hotel, we try to balance it with warm textures and colors,” Sarabia points out.

Certainly. this is the hotel that puts a new meaning to the term, “a room with a view.”

Hotel Celeste is located at 02 San Lorenzo Drive Corner A. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City. For more information visit www.hotelceleste.ph