By Margarita Medrano-Tupaz
TODAY’S intrepid traveler requires more than just a typical hotel with the usual bar and fitness center to entertain him during his stay. Holiday staycationers, especially, are more discerning because they are in search for a break from the every day, without having to “travel,” and are, therefore, looking for bigger and better amenities or experiences when they splurge on a getaway. Hotels these days are doing everything they can to deliver unique experiences that will make guests happy, keep them entertained and, hopefully, make worthwhile appearances on social media.
The hotel industry has evolved as much as the guests. The trend is changing and the hoteliers are inevitably upgrading their amenities, as well as their services. Some will succeed better than others. In my opinion, the hotels or hotel groups which succeed the most will be those that focus on creating truly memorable experiences, and such is the case with Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.
Nestled in the vibrant and growing commercial business district of Ortigas is the first purpose-built five-star Marco Polo Hotel in the country, offering its guests 316 spacious and well-designed rooms and suites, including two Continental Club floors that accord unrivaled privileges and benefits. Acclaimed as the most stunning hotel in the Ortigas district and one of the best among Marco Polo hotels in the world, it is exclusive for guests who desire a higher level of luxury, which is enhanced by its impressive new Continental Club lounge on the hotel’s 44th floor. The lounge transforms into a stylish venue for business and leisure travelers, and it is a place where they can indulge in the exclusive services from complimentary daily breakfast and afternoon tea to cocktails.
The first Marco Polo Hotel to open in the capital of the Philippines signals a whole new dimension in showcasing the renowned brand of Asian hospitality embodied in the pioneering spirit of Marco Polo. After two decades, a landmark transformation to the Ortigas skyline is finally uncovered with the opening of the brand-new Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. What sets this five-star hotel apart is its delivery of a taste of local culture, which may not be relevant for many businesses, but the takeaway here is that businesses with multiple international locations have the opportunity to differentiate by customizing the experience at each property while, at the same time, maintaining the brand’s fundamental values.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila embraces Asian warmth with a blend of Western comfort and topped with undeniable and distinct Filipino hospitality—ultimately providing a different level of guest experience. The hotel, a product of sophisticated design and a well-planned development, is the first sky hotel in the country. At the Marco Polo, luxury is all in the details, as expressed through the tasteful selection of art pieces, rich layered finish and unique textures, muted neutral tones, chic interiors and fine furniture that are interpreted in a timeless design concept to create a serene and intimate atmosphere. It is a unique concept that perfectly blends modernity and nobility through design. Certainly, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila will appeal to the new-age traveler, on business or leisure, who appreciates elegant design, avant-garde food and beverage offerings, sophisticated style, modern comforts and, essentially, the impeccable service accorded to them.
Flow Spa
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Flow Spa officially opened to the public about six months ago. It offers a variety of treatments from foot reflexology, whole-body massages and rejuvenating facials by the brand Algotherm, a marine-based line from France which utilizes seaweed extracts and other marine ingredients.
Flow Spa is at the heart of the hotel’s Flow Wellness and Recreation Center—which also includes a fitness center and an infinity pool. The interiors of the spa already bring a relaxing touch, as it is painted in soft neutral colors and accessorized with butterfly statement pieces around the area. The Flow Spa’s Flow Signature Massage is a fusion of Eastern and Western techniques using a special blend of essential oils. This stress-relief massage perfect for after-work hours also features Thai stretching and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi strokes.
The ultimate dining destinations
The Marco Polo Ortigas boasts of four signature dining outlets which have attracted legions of regulars. Café Pronto, on the ground floor, captures casual chic in its form and function. It is a beacon for coffee lovers, a haven where designer blends and aromatic coffees complement an array of savories and freshly baked confections. Specialty teas share the limelight at Café Pronto, where dining in or ordering to go will be a daily pleasure.
Cucina is the fashionable all-day dining restaurant on the 24th floor, which features live open show kitchens featuring specialties from the world’s culinary capitals. Experience bespoke buffets and an original à la carte menu in a stylish setting where attention to detail is supreme. Cucina offers a versatile dining experience complemented by a well-curated spread of international cuisine that are heavy on flavors made from superior ingredients. From the seafood station, Asian noodles and pasta, carving, cheeses and cold cuts and desserts, Cucina promises to be a one-stop-shop for all the finest flavors the diners’ palates are looking for. From the usual symphony of tastes, Cucina is consistently seen in bringing something new to the table with station highlights that change on a monthly or seasonal basis. The talented kitchen team, headed by Executive Chef Lluis Cantons Pesarrodona, never stops in its pursuit of what the market wants when it comes to culinary cravings.
Lung Hin, the contemporary Chinese restaurant, serves traditional and authentic Cantonese food and fresh seafood from the expert hands of its Hong Kong chefs. A restaurant wherein food is set to excite the senses, Lung Hin transports diners to Hong Kong through the fine art of Cantonese cuisine cooking with well-trained Chinese chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. Boasting a well-defined menu that goes across dim sum, carvery and seafood, Lung Hin has been designed to delight guests through its exemplary service, tasteful interiors and wonderful food creations.
The restaurant also features private dining areas with sleek interiors and expansive layout blends in perfect symmetry, with floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for business meetings or any personal affairs. The amazing dining view from the top floor promotes a rich and sophisticated dining experience, along with Lung Hin’s remarkable signature dishes. Executive Chef Cheng Yeung Kwan and Dim Sum Chef Ka Ming Pun create the superb culinary masterpieces Lung Hin has become known for. From the three-flavored prawns—which is an interesting combination of distinct flavors—salted egg, sakura sauce and blueberry up to the crowd favorite sautéed diced us beef cubes with duck liver—Lung Hin is truly a dining destination in itself.
Redefining the nightlife scene is Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge—on the 45th topmost level of Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas. Vu is poised to be a signature Ortigas attraction offering an unobstructed 180-degree view of Manila. Apart from the remarkable skyline scenery, Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge invites diners to indulge in its vast selection of cocktails, wines and other spirits, together with a well-curated lineup of dishes that is a good mix of Filipino, Spanish and other Mediterranean favorites. Along with its distinct interiors, the ambiance gets better as the night wears on through various bands and artists taking the stage to amuse the guests.
https://www.marcopolohotels.com.