I would have added a star had not Gateway removed Fully Booked from their store line-up; I would have added a star had there been a similar bookstore in the mall. #BookBulateProblems
Gateway Mall is smaller than your average mall, and is split down the middle. You need to cross from the Araneta side to the Aurora side either through the street, through the adjoining upper floors, or in my case, through a lot of trial and error.
Despite the relatively tight floor plan, it manages to retain a fairly breathable atmosphere, with a good number of decent stores. The fifth floor even houses a mini art gallery, plus an open-air topiary for you to relax in. When my budget is shot and I need to decompress away from home for a while, I get coffee from the nearby 7-11 and sit in the topiary until the guards start giving me funny looks as to why I'm sitting right under the camel-shaped shrub instead of the benches.
The cinemas and game arcade are at the 4th floor. Aside from the concessionaire, you'll also be able to get fruit smoothies from The Big Chill and coffee + pastries from CBTL near the theaters, so you won't have to switch floors if you end up getting a movie pass 10mins just before it airs. I personally find it extra convenient to have hot coffee and tea nearby to keep my tummy warm and my bladder full inside the cold theater.
Of course, if you're looking for heartier eats, the food court is just one floor below. This is convenient especially if you have extra time to kill between getting your movie ticket and airtime.
Most of the stores in Gateway Mall focus on fashion, beauty, and food. You won't run out of cafe choices here, and the center of the mall has a well-maintained outdoor garden where you can order food from the the nearby restaurants to eat al fresco. There's also a Rustan's department store and supermarket, plus fitness gear shops at the ground floor, Aurora side.
For a small mall, Gateway offers much for visitors to see. The only saving grace to it not having its own bookstore is the neighboring National Bookstore Superbranch, but that's already outside the establishment. read more