By Margarita Medrano-Tupaz
ASIDE from being one of the most iconic structures in Makati’s Central Business District (CBD), the superlative combination of the creativity and the hospitality of the Thais and Filipinos is what set this hotel apart from every other one in the Metro.
The synergy of inspirations found in this serene tropical oasis, located in a bustling metropolis, makes up the unique luxurious experience that Dusit Thani Manila offers.
Growing up, I witnessed the building that is now Dusit Thani Manila gone through changes. However, the façade of the structure always remained the same and coming back to Manila after long stints abroad was always associated with the sight of this landmark, reminded me that I was home. It’s easy to overlook and bypass the hotel during the course of our daily commute, but when sitting in traffic or at a red light on Edsa or Pasay Road, I would often wonder what could be happening inside.
Dusit Thani Manila is proudly home to three new key individuals who embody fresh ideas stemming from different places and backgrounds. Director of Sales and Marketing Leilani Merilo is a Filipina who worked in five-star hotel chains in Thailand and Indonesia for over 10 years. She is the embodiment of the combination of Thai and Filipino cultures and, coincidentally, both are acclaimed for their warmth and hospitality. Dorothy Jane Espiritu, public relations and communications manager, is coming to the hotel industry from the airline and beauty tourism industries. She is armed with the knowledge and skills that cut across generations and demographics, spanning the different genres of hospitality. Last, but definitely not the least, General Manager Bruno Cristol believes that at the heart of every successful hotel operations is service—the kind that is sincere, professional and warm. “Service that is given to make a client smile determines how much attention we put into every detail—whether it’s a flower arrangement to brighten someone’s day, food that has been prepared and arranged well to please the eye and the appetite, or a sincere smile to help begin someone’s day on a bright note,” Cristol said.
“Dusit Thani Manila is doing major renovations within the property. The goal is to get each of the 538 rooms refurbished by 2017, and it will combine comfort and elegance with updated amenities,” Merilo said. The interiors reflect a modern-design scheme with stylized renditions of classical Thai art to provide a subtly elegant sense of decoration, color and aesthetics. The newly upgraded and renovated Club Lounge on the 17th floor has a perfect view of the Makati City landscape from all vantage points. There is a private dining room and a glass-enclosed library adjacent to the lounge. There is no other venue more conducive to reading and getting work done than here. Hands down the best Club Lounge in the city.
For all the local foodies, Dusit Thani Manila takes pride in its selection of food and beverage outlets that present a host of exciting flavors, ambiance and outstanding dining experience. Umu Japanese Restaurant welcomes lovers of Japanese food to a relaxing ambiance with the hush and stillness of first-rate Japanese restaurants. The exotic flavors of Thai cuisine come alive in one of Manila’s iconic restaurants, the magnificent Benjarong Thai Restaurant. This could easily be hailed as the best Thai restaurant in all of Metro Manila.
The Pantry
The Pantry has become associated as the flagship restaurant of Dusit Thani Manila, primarily because of its Crossover Brunch. Its departure from the traditional rouses a youthful spirit that’s eager to prove itself.
This all-day dining restaurant, sprung from the concept of farm-to-fork dining, The Pantry makes use of locally sourced fair trade goods and organic ingredients to craft culinary creations. The Crossover Brunch, happening on Sundays, is more than just your run-of-the-mill buffet. With multiawarded Chef Nicholas Issel at the helm, The Pantry has taken the metropolitan food scene by storm. The Pantry marked the beginning of the ambitious overhaul of the hotel.
With an emphasis on the regional tastes of Mediterranean, Spanish, Filipino and Asian cuisines, The Pantry is a delicious melting pot of flavors that are all but ordinary. The likes of House Smoked Salmon Flat Bread Pizza, Adobo of Soya & Vinegar Braised Pork Belly, Piri Piri Rotisserie Chicken, BBQ Lechon Cubano Sandwich and Hot Spanish Churros with Rich Silky Chocolate Sauce infuse the 280-seater restaurant with an assortment of inviting aromas. Situated at the center of The Pantry is a live lechon pit and carving station. The Pantry is home to nine global food stations, which include a seafood station, brick-oven Italian pizza, a Chinese bao bar, Indian Tandoor oven, beverage studio and a sinfully divine dessert section. A first of its kind, The Pantry also features the Grab & Go, a takeaway counter for people on the go.
“Our vision for The Pantry is to bring our guests to the forefront of fine dining. Dusit Thani Manila is uniting luxury and sustainability, and we are mixing it with a fun and lively atmosphere. We are definitely witnessing a culinary revolution,” Cristol said.
Devarana Spa
Devarana is Thai Sanskrit meaning “garden in heaven”. Inspired by this concept, the Devarana Spa, located the second floor of Dusit Thani Manila, excites the senses and makes guests feel truly special. Luxurious pampering and healing treatments are offered in this stress-relieving environment. The contemporary Thai interior design and décor invites guests to transcend the everyday world and provides the relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, in which they can enjoy premium spa treatments with traditional Thai service and hospitality.
This holiday season, the Figgy Pudding Scrub is sure to hit the spot. The unique and festive fusion moisturizes, rejuvenates and tones the skin, and is also loaded with antiaging benefits. Because figgy pudding raises festive spirits, Devarana Spa is offering this unique skin-care treatment that combines fresh fig pulp with the aromatic and seasonal scents of vanilla cinnamon and grapefruit. The heady aroma of fruit and spice that the scrub exudes is wonderfully calming and smells almost good enough to eat.
For an experience that’s truly rejuvenating, the Devarana Spa is worth the visit. In this haven, guests can indulge the senses with a host of treatments, such as traditional Thai massage, as well as other forms of therapeutic treatments to relax the mind, soothe the spirit and heal the body.
“Dusit Thani has so many exciting things happening within the next few years. We are expanding to BGC and Davao by 2017. There are a lot of new things to look forward to here in our flagship location. We are dead set on making Dusit Thani Manila a premier food and beverage destination,” Espiritu said.
For business or pleasure, or for the enjoyment of both, Dusit Thani Manila offers the amenities, the service and the experience for a luxurious stay that will be remembered for a long time.