The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences
by the TopOfHotel team
The Picasso is the most striking art-led boutique residence in Makati — and remarkable value for the look.
The Picasso is the most striking art-led boutique residence in Makati — and remarkable value for the look.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Picasso uses art as its whole identity, and it shows the moment you walk in — the lobby, the hallways and the guest rooms are hung with pieces by Filipino and international artists. Rooms read modern with artwork on the walls and a kitchenette built in, microwave and fridge included, like a proper serviced residence. The Studio and 1-Bedroom layouts run wider than a standard hotel room, and reviewers keep flagging the cleanliness and the styling for making the place feel special rather than generic.
Food and amenities
This is a small boutique residence, so the headline amenity is the kitchenette in every room — handy for a long stay or a family who'd rather not eat out three times a day. Around the hotel you've got cafes and good restaurants within walking distance, and on weekends the Salcedo Market sets up nearby for cheap, excellent food. The big practical perk is the free shuttle to Greenbelt and Glorietta, which hands you Makati's two main malls without a fare.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits in Salcedo Village, a quieter and more residential pocket than central Makati, 1.2 km from Ayala MRT. That distance is the one trade-off — it's not a walk-to-the-station stay — but the free shuttle runs in set rounds to Greenbelt and Glorietta, and a Grab covers anything else fast. In exchange for being a little removed, you get a calmer street, walkable cafes and the weekend market on your doorstep.
Things to know before booking
You're 1.2 km from Ayala MRT, so plan around the shuttle timetable or budget for short rides to the station and malls. Salcedo Village is quieter than the Ayala shopping core, which is a plus if you want calm and a minus if you want nightlife at the door. And it's a boutique residence, not a full-service hotel — the value is in the design, the kitchenette and the price, not a pool, big gym or 24-hour facilities like the nearby 5-star towers.
Our take
For the look, the kitchen and the rate, The Picasso is one of the best-value stays in Makati. It scores 8.8/10 on Booking.com and 8.7/10 on Agoda from about $71 a night, gives you a room with real character and a kitchenette, and throws in a free mall shuttle to soften the 1.2 km gap to the MRT. Best for design-minded travellers and families who'd take a distinctive, well-priced residence over a cookie-cutter 5-star.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The art design is the real draw — the lobby, hallways and rooms are all hung with pieces by Filipino and international artists, so the place actually feels like somewhere, not a chain box.
- At 8.8/10 on Booking.com and 8.7/10 on Agoda, it scores high for the 4-star tier and consistently beats pricier neighbours on guest sentiment.
- Rooms include a serviced-residence kitchenette with a microwave and fridge, which makes a multi-night or family stay far easier than a standard hotel room.
- Studio and 1-Bedroom layouts run wider than the typical Makati hotel room, and reviewers single out the cleanliness and the decor for feeling genuinely special.
- The free shuttle to Greenbelt and Glorietta closes most of the distance gap, dropping you right at Makati's main malls without paying for a ride.
- At 1.2 km from Ayala MRT, this isn't a walk-to-the-train stay — you'll depend on the shuttle schedule or a Grab to reach the station and the malls.
- Salcedo Village is calmer and more residential than the Ayala shopping core, so if you want bars and big malls at your doorstep this sits a notch removed.
- It's a small boutique residence rather than a full-service hotel, so don't expect the pool, gym and round-the-clock facilities of the nearby 5-star towers.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Check the free shuttle timetable at the front desk on arrival — it runs in set rounds to Greenbelt and Glorietta, so plan outings around it rather than waiting on demand.
- Come on a Saturday and walk to Salcedo Market, the weekend food market a short stroll away, for one of the best cheap-eat mornings in Makati.
- Book a Studio or 1-Bedroom and use the kitchenette — stock the fridge from a nearby grocery and you'll save real money over several nights versus eating out every meal.