Story & photos by Marianne Grace Sarmiento
A PRIME location with distinct landscape brought by its rich history and culture, and an everyday witness to the city of Manila’s vibrant economic activities is now home to one of the country’s upscale residential developments—the Admiral Baysuites.
Developed by Anchor Land Holdings Inc. (ALHI), one of the Philippines’s fastest-growing real-estate players, Admiral Baysuites is set to be a famous Manila landmark with its distinct all-classic white design and all-glass façade.
A property that sits along Roxas Boulevard corner Quirino Avenue, Admiral Baysuites is composed of a luxury boutique hotel and a residential condominium. The Admiral Boutique Hotel, which will open in 2016, will be the country’s first five-star ultra-luxurious boutique hotel and the first hotel in the Philippines to be included in the renowned MGallery Collection of upscale hotels in the world.
A rebirth of the Admiral Hotel—once a hub of the elite during pre-war Manila, which includes General Douglas McArthur, dignitaries and other royalties—ALHI President and Director Elizabeth Ventura shared that the reconceptualized European-inspired hotel aims to incorporate the Old Manila vibe with unparalleled elegance. It will be joining the list of Accor-operated buildings with historical value, with Accor known to be the world’s leading hotel operator that is present in 92 countries, 16 of which are in Asia Pacific.
Adjacent to the hotel is the two-wing Admiral Baysuites condominium. It is a 53-story residential project with a total of 827 units. Facing the bay is the west wing that gives its dwellers an unobstructed 180-degree view of the famous Manila Bay sunset.
It offers spacious suites (three to five bedrooms in flat or bilevel) that range from 230 to 1,500 square meters. It also has Premier and Director Suites, which come with a private pool. Meanwhile, the east wing houses the more practical one- and two-bedroom suites.
‘Club in a condo’
Catering to the upper class, Admiral Baysuites is armed with modern functions and aesthetics that will bring a new level of luxury and elegance never before seen in Manila. It spoils its unit owners with well-thought-out amenities for utmost convenience. Ventura shared that with Admiral Baysuites, one can enjoy what she calls a “club in a condo,” an access to an array of amenities that can only found in membership clubs. Occupying two whole floors, its amenities include a 25-meter lap pool and a children’s pool with a view of Manila’s skyline; sauna and shower room; children’s room with obstacle play, interaction and reading quarters; function hall that can seat 120 guests and can accommodate up to 400 persons; movie theater with 15-person seating capacity; two KTV rooms; two game rooms (mahjong/poker); music room; VIP lounge with brick walls that replicate the look of Intramuros; fitness room with a view of the Manila Yacht Club; and a billiard room.
With Admiral Baysuites, ALHI continues to build world-class high-end properties that will challenge the real-estate industry of our neighboring countries, like Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Ventura-Sison also expressed optimism to contribute to Manila’s beautification, which aims to lure back businesses in the city considered to be the first business district in the country.
Image credits: Marianne Grace Sarmiento