Thanks to invitations to several events, I had the opportunity to visit some of the newer hotels we have in the metro. I was thrilled to see these awesome additions to our accommodations industry.
Although belonging to different rating categories, they nevertheless further strengthen our tourism industry through the world-class standards of their facilities and services.
Grand Hyatt Manila
My former colleagues, a closely knit group from the old Hyatt Regency Manila, meet occasionally for dinner just to touch base. This time, we decided to hold it at this hotel’s The Cellar, which I find unique, simply because it is the only cellar I know that is two floors above ground level. However, the food quality and the service are beyond compare, especially because we had both the hotel’s Executive Chef Mark Hagan and Chef de Cuisine Mark Zaragoza whip up a superb dinner for us.
Located at Bonifacio Global City, the hotel brands itself as a “destination within a destination,” highlighting the many de luxe facilities it offers. Its “history” is also worth a mention. The building’s groundbreaking ceremony was held 10 years ago, but construction stopped due to weakening economic conditions worldwide. When the world’s financial atmosphere improved, construction resumed in 2017, and the hotel was inaugurated last year.
The Mini-Suites Eton Tower Makati
This hotel’s general manager, Carlo Gomez is an old friend I haven’t seen for many years. We both finally found the same breaks in our respective hectic schedules, so we decided to meet up for lunch. Located at the heart of Makati’s Central Business District, this is the only hotel with direct access to the business district’s elevated walkways, making it very easy for guests to move around without having to contend with the area’s heavy vehicular traffic.
The guest rooms are beautiful; functionally designed mini-suites that certainly make guests very comfortable. The ground floor restaurant, Dean and DeLuca serves as the hotel’s food and beverage outlet. However, its location puts it adjacent to side streets which offer a variety of dining venues mixed with an eclectic assortment of shops, bars, and pockets of refreshing greenery, making it perfect for yuppies to live, work, and play in.
Tryp by Wyndham Mall of Asia Manila
We had one Pacific Asia Travel Association Board of Trustees Meeting at this contemporary hotel which offers a stunning view of Manila Bay. Located in the bustling Mall of Asia complex, the hotel’s other big advantage is its being right next to One Esplanade, a massive and very popular conference, and events venue.
The food served to us in one of the private function rooms tasted like very good home cooking, we even asked for extra servings. I stayed at this hotel early last year and what I like the most are the rooms with a loft which my sons preferred to stay in, while I kept myself to the main room below, both rooms connected with a stairway.
The loft may also be accessed through its separate entrance located on the higher floor. Such convenient and functional design makes it conducive to a relaxing stay, especially with the awesome view of Manila Bay providing that much-needed antidote to stress.
Savoy Hotel Manila
As far as I’m concerned, this hotel in Newport City is full of surprises. The 2nd Sports Tourism Awards was held here and I was invited to give out some of the award trophies. Naturally, I took the time to do an ocular of its facilities and rooms.
First thing that surprised me: I didn’t even know the hotel is already open for business. According to area director of operations Rey Fabricante, they opened in June. The next thing that really surprised me is that the hotel has 684 rooms, making it among the biggest hotels in the metro, with suites that can be as big as 50 square meters. I didn’t realize the hotel is this big. But the most pleasant surprise is that it runs a 90 percent average occupancy, so when I heard this from the front office supervisor, all I could say was “Wow” because, these days, our hotels find it hard to reach this desirable average occupancy.
There is another feature unique to this hotel: Your Space, a lounge area right outside the guest rooms where checked-in guests may entertain visitors, or work on their laptops, or just relax and have a bite to eat or have some coffee. I find this very useful for people like me who don’t want to be cooped up in my hotel room all the time, as this design feature provides an opportunity to get to know other guests.
Citadines Bay City Manila
The PATA Board of Trustees had our Christmas lunch, which we decided to hold at this new hotel near Entertainment City, thanks to the arrangements earlier made by Ascott area sales director Edison Rosales who also oversees the sales activities of this hotel.
This 212-unit apartment-type hotel opened only in October last year, and already, they run almost full on weekends, with balikbayan traffic. They have studio and one-bedroom units which can be converted into connecting rooms, making way for two-bedroom units. Some units even have a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine and dryer, perfect for staycations on long weekends or holidays.
But I have to say that the food served at the All-Day Dining Restaurant is so good, you’ll lose all inhibitions and will likely ask for second servings. We enjoyed our meal so much, feasting on the appetizers that we almost did not have space for our main course and dessert. Another distinct feature of the hotel is its swimming pool, which is on the 5th floor and has a commanding view of the bay area.
YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls Emergency Services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What should I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence. Then the operator hears a gunshot. Back on the phone, the distraught guy says, “Ok, now what do I do next?”
