It was two in the morning and the lobby was completely deserted. Time, indeed, flies when you’re having fun. Just a couple of hours ago, we were at the highest rooftop bar in the city, enjoying cold drinks and swapping travel stories on one corner of Seda Vertis North’s open-aired roof deck. And now, I’m totally woozy and needing a bit of a breather before going back to my room—it was already way, way past midnight. Not really the best time to be going home, especially when you’re on a staycation with your mom.

AFTERNOON VIEW OF QUEZON CITY FROM SEDA VERTIS NORTH

Seda Vertis North is one of the newest hotels that have sprouted in Quezon City. While most of the luxury accommodations in the city are located on the Timog part of town, this one’s situated somewhere easier to access, right beside the Trinoma Mall where the MRT North Station is. It can’t get any easier than that.

THE NEWEST HOTEL IN THE SEDA FAMILY RISES IN QUEZON CITY

I’ve previously stayed at Seda Nuvali in Laguna, so I have some expectations when I tagged my mom along for a weekend stay at Seda Vertis North. I was expecting superb food, tastefully done interiors, a more than adequate room, perhaps a few laps on the pool, and even a relaxing time at the spa. Alright, I was expecting a lot.

 

   THE DECOR

THE LOBBY MAC STATION IS A HIT WITH THE KIDS

The moment we entered their lobby, I knew I need not have worry. Its simple earth tones and clean lines serve as a backdrop for something more important—art. Seda prides itself with supporting Filipino artists by decorating each of its nooks and crannies with paintings and sculptures done by locals.

SCULPTURAL FURNITURE AND ACTUAL SCULPTURES AT SEDA’S LOBBY

At the reception desk, a huge black and white mural by Jaime Zobel de Ayala acts as a backdrop. And on the floor sits playful furniture by Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma. A family of giraffe metal sculpture by Ann Pamintuan stands on one corner, sweeping even the most blasé of Instagram users into whipping out their phone and taking a snap.

ARTWORK INSIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

And this echoes throughout the twenty four floors of the hotel. From the elevator hall, where a painting hangs, the hallways going to the rooms, and of course, all 438 guestrooms themselves. On each one hang black and white geometrical abstracts, a perfect complement to the signature Seda minimalist colors.

 

   THE ROOM

SEDA’S STAFF ACTUALLY GREET YOU IN FILIPINO, VERY REFRESHING

OUR HOME FOR THE WEEKEND

We were billeted on a Club Room. It has a comfy queen-sized bed, a mini living area with a very sculptural sofa, a glass table where you can have your morning coffee or your laptop (if you feel like working), a mini-bar, closet space, and a flatscreen cable television. It doesn’t have a balcony but it does have a view of the pool area below.

TOILET AND BATH

The en suite toilet and bath is spacious as well, with a generous countertop and a uniquely placed faucet—it’s on the right side of the lavatory—which in my opinion works quite well. I would’ve given it a perfect ten if they have a bidet.

 

   DINING EXPERIENCE

MISTO ALL DAY DINING AT THE GROUND FLOOR

I’M LOVING ITS AMBIENCE

After a moment’s rest, we went down to Misto, Seda’s in-house restaurant, for a lunch buffet. Misto has a seating capacity of 250 and it was packed! New as it is, I guess it’s a testament to its popularity with buffet lovers—it is open even for non-hotel guests as well.

DINING AREAS ON THE LEFT, FOOD ON THE RIGHT

SHRIMP, ANYONE?

STEAK AREA

THEIR DELECTABLE PORK BELLY IS MARINATED FOR 24 HOURS

I love Misto’s clear delineation of space—diners on the left, food on the right. It starts off on the far end with steaks and Filipino favorites, then to International cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, the drinks station—yes, they have alcohol—and finally, the dessert corner.

LINGUINE BOLOGNESE FROM THE CREATE YOUR OWN PASTA SECTION

I also love the fact that guests can order customized meals as part of the buffet experience. Besides the usual noodle nook, they have a sisig station where you can choose the ingredients yourself, a pasta and pizza area, and a grilling station. Just tell them how you want it, and they’ll bring it to your table when ready.

TURNING JAPANESE?

Misto is an all day buffet restaurant open every single day of the week and we dined here non-stop during breakfast—which is complimentary for hotel guests—lunch, and dinner. Everything’s really good but if you have to stuff your tummies full, I’d say, make it count.

GREEN TEA + CHOCOLATE IS LOVE

The best dishes are their kare-kare with bagoong, crispy pata, pork belly, sisig, pork lechon, sweet spicy crablets, linguine Bolognese, and lemon shrimp. For desserts, drown yourselves on their chocolate and green tea ice cream—they’re heavenly.

SEDA’S VERSION OF THE EXECUTIVE LOUNGE, THE CLUB LOUNGE

BREAKFAST AT THE CLUB LOUNGE

Since we were booked on a Club Room, we have exclusive access to Seda’s Club Lounge at the 23rd floor. Here, they offer snacks, short eats, and cocktails on specific times of the day. We even had breakfast here, well, sort of. While the food here is swankier and the environment is much more tranquil, we still prefered the rowdiness and the variations of a buffet feast. So, after a plate, we transferred down to Misto, lol.

HOW ABOUT HAVING LUNCH INSIDE THE KITCHEN ITSELF?

And as if that’s not enough, we were treated to a very unique meal right where the culinary action is—the kitchen. Aptly dubbed as the Chef’s Table, a long table set with an eight-course meal was laid just for us. We could see how each of our meal was being prepared as we enjoyed each set. From the tuna tartare entrée, the braised beef short plate main course, and to the chocolate ala bomba dessert—everything was absolutely delicious.

SALMON RECETE FLORENTINE WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE

THE MAIN COURSE BEING PREPARED ON THE WORK TABLE RIGHT BESIDE OURS

And this one-of-a-kind dining option isn’t just for us. A multi-course banquet at the Chef’s Table can be pre-booked by anyone for a minimum of twelve guests.

 

   CHILL TIME

POOLSIDE BAR AT THE THIRD FLOOR

My plan on eating just the right amount to lose a bit of weight wasn’t really going well. To burn all those calories, we headed to the swimming pool at the third floor. They actually have a gym, but I didn’t have the proper shoes with me, so swimming it was.

SEDA VERTIS NORTH POOL AREA

We stowed our bags on one of the larger-than-life Vito Selma lounge chairs and went straight for the water. It was quite temperate, so while I did my laps, my mom relaxed on one of the half-submerged water divans at the edge of the pool.

GOING FOR A MASSAGE AT THEIR SPA

At the back of the pool is an open area which guests use for morning yoga and Zumba sessions. My mom wanted to attend but woke up too late. Inside, past the elevator lobby, is Seda’s Spa. I really like its flowing minimalist interior, but more than that, I loved their one-hour combined Shiatsu and Swedish massage better. I tried my best not to fall asleep during the session, but I was off to dreamland a fourth of the way.

STRAIGHT UP ROOFDECK BAR

PICK YOUR POISON, THEY ALSO HAVE BEER

THEY HAVE A LOVELY DJ PLAYING THAT NIGHT

HALF OF THE FLOOR SPACE IS DEDICATED FOR AL FRESCO SEATS

Evening finds us at the Straight Up Roofdeck Bar. Located twenty four floors away from the ground, this is highest bar you can drink on in the whole of QC. They have an indoor bar and they have an al fresco one. We were quite lucky it wasn’t raining at the time, so we headed outside.

A VIEW OF QUEZON CITY FROM OUR SEAT

With an evening panorama of Quezon City, we whiled the night away on beers and cocktails—they don’t serve Red Horse, unfortunately—but they do have Pale Pilsens and chicharon, but this one, lathered with chocolates! Well, it’s still chicharon and that Pal Pilsen’s tito enough for me. Three cheers for a sweet staycation!

~ SEDA VERTIS NORTH HOSTED OUR WEEKEND STAY. VIEWS & OPINIONS, ALL MINE.

 

Seda Vertis North
Address: Astra corner Lux Drives, Vertis North,
    Quezon City, Metro Manila
Contact Number: +63 (2) 739-8888
Email: vertis@sedahotels.com
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GPS Coordinates: 14.650432, 121.035607