CARLOS RECOMMENDS...
SO NICE... SO ... SO NICE...
I'm in love with the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Yes, I'll admit it. I am. But I have to say, it wasn't always so. Once upon a time, I hated every hotel in Manila. Truth be told, up until recently, when it came to recommending luxury accomodations in our ever loyal and noble city, I was at a total loss. All hotels near the heritage districts were either too boring, too gross, or too anonymous. There was no hotel that offered a luxury experience distinct to the City of Manila. The Manila Hotel had gone to hell, the Manila Hilton and Sheraton both left the country, the aesthetics of the Hyatt went totally 21st century anywhere-in-Asia, and all the hotels in Makati, were, well - in Makati, and not downtown. It seemed like Manila lost all it's thunder when it came to looking for any luxurious "Filipino" accomodations - until the Sofitel.
Originally built for the Westin group, The Philippine Plaza (top photo, upper left) was one of seven scandalously sumptuous hotels that Imelda Marcos commissioned for Asia's first IMF World Bank Meeting, hosted by Manila back in 1977. Built at a cost of U$20 million dollars, it was designed by Leandro Locsin, National Artist and architect of our national theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. And aside from being the regions first Westin Resort, The Philippine Plaza boasted of having Manila's largest hotel rooms (above), the country's most elaborate swimming pool, an indoor garden with fountain, and modernist public art done by another National Artist, the painter and sculptor, Arturo Luz - all set amidst 12 acres of landscaped greens fronting the Manila Bay.
The hotel was a casual mix of Philippine hospitality and cutting edge design, truly Manila's most chic hotel/resort (original lobby above). No wonder it became Imelda Marcos' favorite hotel. Apparently, the former first lady preferred their Imperial Suite over the Manila Hotel's MacArthur Suite. Unfortunately though, by 1996, in a ham-fisted effort to standardize their hotel image, The Westin Hotel management ripped out all the hardwood from the lobby, chopped down all the indoor Dapdap trees, removed the lobby fountains, capiz chandeliers, dumped the Arturo Luz sculptures in an empty lot, and replaced it all with a jarringly inappropriate faux Italian piazza, complete with fiberglass streetlamps and a cheezy central fountain. The Philippine Plaza had denied it's modernist lineage, tried to go classical, and lost it's edge.
And there The Philippine Plaza stood - right by the Manila Bay in all it's drab neo-Italianate blandness until 2005, when the Sofitel group took over operations. And now, thanks to a multi-million peso refurbishment and a touch of French flair, The Sofitel Philippine Plaza has dropped its' schizophrenic design scheme and returned to it's rightful place as the city's most stylish hotel (refurbished lobby restaurant Spiral, above).
And why do I like this place so much? Well, first of all. Their rooms are huge. Their corner suite, where I stayed for a weekend last month (note: on my own bill - so this is NOT a biased article) is bigger than most apartments in Manila at 100 square meters. And with a view like this outside your window (below), the room seems even bigger.
Secondly, the Sofitel believes in the necessity of minding the details. Things like having all items in the gift shop arranged by color, having a library full of art and fashion books/magazines in the lobby, and having different iPod music selections for your massage (Lounge, Nat King Cole, Nature, among others) show you that this is a hotel that tries to think out of the box .
But most of all, I really like the Sofitel because they respected the architectural heritage of the building. Done by my favorite Filipino architect, Leandro V. Locsin, the building is one among many historically relevant sites within Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex. It is the perfect jumping point for checking out other Locsin masterpieces like the Philippine International Convention Center (above), The Cultural Center of the Philippines (below), and Folk Arts Theatre.
And being the art freak that I am, The Philippine Plaza is also perfect for any culture vultures out there looking to make a kill. One is only walking distance from the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, The GSIS Museum, the Coconut Palace, and a few minutes drive to Intramuros, the National Museum, Quiapo, or art galleries like Galeria Duemila or Albert Avellana Arts in Pasay City. The Philippine Plaza is so embedded in Manila's art and cultural identity, it's like staying in a Spanish Parador, except that it isn't the Alhambra outside your window, but a compound of brutalist structures dedicated to a disco era Sun God named Ferdinand Marcos.
And due to the historic nature of the building, the Sofitel's refurbishment had to be both sensitive and sensible. So in keeping with the casual Philippine chic theme, the rooms are devoid of any neo Italianate/Renaissance/Baroque detailing and are quasi-minimalist. The furniture is lined in coconut shell inlay, the beds are flanked by capiz lamps (above), and their legendary swimming pool is lined in real Piedra China (raw granite) (below).
And since I truly believe in this hotel, I am pleased to say that I have collaborated with them to create a luxury package worthy of the area and it's history. So if you are so inclined, come experience Manila my way.
SO COOL...SO CARLOS...SO SUITE LUXURY...
Experience Manila's history in ultimate style with The Cool Carlos Cultural Weekend Package, A So Suite Luxury Promotion. For just half a million pesos (Php500,000), you and five of your friends can stay at the Philippine Plaza's Imperial Suite with it's three bedrooms, atrium, music room (above), and library-den (below). Of course, all three bedrooms come complete with balconies and spectacular views of the Manila Bay.
Aside from the accomodations, you and your friends shall also enjoy the following fabulousness:
Chauffeured BMW service from check-in to check-out.
An exclusive Imelda Tour or Intramuros Tour with yours truly*
Private helicopter ride to historic Corregidor Island, Taal Volcano or Mount Pinatubo.
Gourmet Picnic on the tours.
Sunset Cruise Champagne cocktails out on Manila Bay with a butler and DJ.
Aromatheraphy and Revitalizer massage at Le Spa.
Breakfast on the Spiral Deck.
Late check-out at 4pm.
*Depending on Availability
But of course, if you have a slightly smaller budget or don't know five people that you can call a friend, you can call the Sofitel and ask Ms. Christine Ibarreta-Urbanozo to tailor make A Cool Carlos Cultural Weekend Package just for you. May I recommend a corner suite with confirmed reservations for a Saturday afternoon Imelda tour capped by sunset cocktails? Make sure to catch their nightly traditional dance troupe perform poolside before getting even more tanked over at their 7 Pecados nightclub. And if you are still up to it the next day, catch a Sunday Intramuros Tour or have a Filipino Hilot Massage at the 24-hour Le Spa to complete this magnificent Manila moment.
Take my word for it. It's the only way to experience the city of Man.
So Cool. So Chic. So Sofitel.
So Call Christine now at:
(+63)2/5515555 - (+63)2/5515610
or email: dos@sofitelmanila.com
Sofitel Manila
CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300
Thank you equinox1, revcruz, and jagfromspain for the pictures.
Oh. And this offer only lasts until the end of December 2008. Au Revoir et Mabuhay, folks!
Originally built for the Westin group, The Philippine Plaza (top photo, upper left) was one of seven scandalously sumptuous hotels that Imelda Marcos commissioned for Asia's first IMF World Bank Meeting, hosted by Manila back in 1977. Built at a cost of U$20 million dollars, it was designed by Leandro Locsin, National Artist and architect of our national theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. And aside from being the regions first Westin Resort, The Philippine Plaza boasted of having Manila's largest hotel rooms (above), the country's most elaborate swimming pool, an indoor garden with fountain, and modernist public art done by another National Artist, the painter and sculptor, Arturo Luz - all set amidst 12 acres of landscaped greens fronting the Manila Bay.
The hotel was a casual mix of Philippine hospitality and cutting edge design, truly Manila's most chic hotel/resort (original lobby above). No wonder it became Imelda Marcos' favorite hotel. Apparently, the former first lady preferred their Imperial Suite over the Manila Hotel's MacArthur Suite. Unfortunately though, by 1996, in a ham-fisted effort to standardize their hotel image, The Westin Hotel management ripped out all the hardwood from the lobby, chopped down all the indoor Dapdap trees, removed the lobby fountains, capiz chandeliers, dumped the Arturo Luz sculptures in an empty lot, and replaced it all with a jarringly inappropriate faux Italian piazza, complete with fiberglass streetlamps and a cheezy central fountain. The Philippine Plaza had denied it's modernist lineage, tried to go classical, and lost it's edge.
And there The Philippine Plaza stood - right by the Manila Bay in all it's drab neo-Italianate blandness until 2005, when the Sofitel group took over operations. And now, thanks to a multi-million peso refurbishment and a touch of French flair, The Sofitel Philippine Plaza has dropped its' schizophrenic design scheme and returned to it's rightful place as the city's most stylish hotel (refurbished lobby restaurant Spiral, above).
And why do I like this place so much? Well, first of all. Their rooms are huge. Their corner suite, where I stayed for a weekend last month (note: on my own bill - so this is NOT a biased article) is bigger than most apartments in Manila at 100 square meters. And with a view like this outside your window (below), the room seems even bigger.
Secondly, the Sofitel believes in the necessity of minding the details. Things like having all items in the gift shop arranged by color, having a library full of art and fashion books/magazines in the lobby, and having different iPod music selections for your massage (Lounge, Nat King Cole, Nature, among others) show you that this is a hotel that tries to think out of the box .
But most of all, I really like the Sofitel because they respected the architectural heritage of the building. Done by my favorite Filipino architect, Leandro V. Locsin, the building is one among many historically relevant sites within Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex. It is the perfect jumping point for checking out other Locsin masterpieces like the Philippine International Convention Center (above), The Cultural Center of the Philippines (below), and Folk Arts Theatre.
And being the art freak that I am, The Philippine Plaza is also perfect for any culture vultures out there looking to make a kill. One is only walking distance from the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, The GSIS Museum, the Coconut Palace, and a few minutes drive to Intramuros, the National Museum, Quiapo, or art galleries like Galeria Duemila or Albert Avellana Arts in Pasay City. The Philippine Plaza is so embedded in Manila's art and cultural identity, it's like staying in a Spanish Parador, except that it isn't the Alhambra outside your window, but a compound of brutalist structures dedicated to a disco era Sun God named Ferdinand Marcos.
And due to the historic nature of the building, the Sofitel's refurbishment had to be both sensitive and sensible. So in keeping with the casual Philippine chic theme, the rooms are devoid of any neo Italianate/Renaissance/Baroque detailing and are quasi-minimalist. The furniture is lined in coconut shell inlay, the beds are flanked by capiz lamps (above), and their legendary swimming pool is lined in real Piedra China (raw granite) (below).
And since I truly believe in this hotel, I am pleased to say that I have collaborated with them to create a luxury package worthy of the area and it's history. So if you are so inclined, come experience Manila my way.
SO COOL...SO CARLOS...SO SUITE LUXURY...Experience Manila's history in ultimate style with The Cool Carlos Cultural Weekend Package, A So Suite Luxury Promotion. For just half a million pesos (Php500,000), you and five of your friends can stay at the Philippine Plaza's Imperial Suite with it's three bedrooms, atrium, music room (above), and library-den (below). Of course, all three bedrooms come complete with balconies and spectacular views of the Manila Bay.
Aside from the accomodations, you and your friends shall also enjoy the following fabulousness:Chauffeured BMW service from check-in to check-out.
An exclusive Imelda Tour or Intramuros Tour with yours truly*
Private helicopter ride to historic Corregidor Island, Taal Volcano or Mount Pinatubo.
Gourmet Picnic on the tours.
Sunset Cruise Champagne cocktails out on Manila Bay with a butler and DJ.
Aromatheraphy and Revitalizer massage at Le Spa.
Breakfast on the Spiral Deck.
Late check-out at 4pm.
*Depending on Availability
But of course, if you have a slightly smaller budget or don't know five people that you can call a friend, you can call the Sofitel and ask Ms. Christine Ibarreta-Urbanozo to tailor make A Cool Carlos Cultural Weekend Package just for you. May I recommend a corner suite with confirmed reservations for a Saturday afternoon Imelda tour capped by sunset cocktails? Make sure to catch their nightly traditional dance troupe perform poolside before getting even more tanked over at their 7 Pecados nightclub. And if you are still up to it the next day, catch a Sunday Intramuros Tour or have a Filipino Hilot Massage at the 24-hour Le Spa to complete this magnificent Manila moment.
Take my word for it. It's the only way to experience the city of Man.So Cool. So Chic. So Sofitel.
So Call Christine now at:
(+63)2/5515555 - (+63)2/5515610
or email: dos@sofitelmanila.com
Sofitel Manila
CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300
Thank you equinox1, revcruz, and jagfromspain for the pictures.
Oh. And this offer only lasts until the end of December 2008. Au Revoir et Mabuhay, folks!
Labels: carlos recommends
posted by carlosceldran @ 7:14 AM
18 Comments:
I stayed in the Philippine Plaza in 1999, when it was still owned by Westin. While I agree with you that it wasn't really a Filipino hotel, I wouldn't downplay the service or the accommodations.
The staff, the food, the rooms .. all first rate.
I'm glad to hear that Sofitel has moved in and given the place a Filipino feel. One of these days when I'm feeling like I have too much money (hah), I'll drop by and try again.
Great review ... with I could afford the P500,000 for the big package. Sounds amazing.
I love the food there. We used to go there when it was still Westin.
I stayed at the Westin Philippine Plaza in 2006. I liked it except for the front desk personnel. These are your typical Manila collegialas who found jobs in a 5-star hotel - so snooty as if they own the hotel. For them, customer service is only applied to Caucasians.
I hope the Sofitel will change that kind of hotel culture in Manila.
Was that a grand piano?
This is an encouraging and uplifting post - glad to read the Sofitel has respected the Plaza's heritage, both modernist and Filipino. Sofitel usually does a nice job with the poperties they take over - the US-owned chains are the pits!
I asked Tessie Luz last year about the sculpture some time back after seeing a doc on Arturo and I seem to remember her saying it is in a safe place.
hey would just like to plug (if it's ok):
UP CAST together with UP Babaylan, invites you to a special screening of the WORLD PREMIER of an independent Filipino PSYCO-DRAMA film, "LATAK" by Jowee Morrel at the UP Film Institute on AUGUST 21, 2008 at 7:00 in the evening.
SYNOPSIS
When a young director Andrew Locsin discovers the cruel betrayal of his lover and friends, his vice triggers a destructive entanglement of his dark past. An ordeal that was haunting his unconciousness and graphic memories surface. Thrown into a mix of spine-chilling hallucinations and paranoia he comes face to face with the mysterious ghost of a mother and a girl. With no one to trust, the demons in his nightmares appear in his fight for survival in a horrifying doomed reality. Extracted from tumultuous true to life events, the film will take you into the dark side of grim reality.
tickets @ 100
contact: huse @09166520990
link for more info: http://chador.multiply.com/journal/item/121/watch_the_WORLD_PRMIERE_of_LA
half a million pesoses!?!?!?
Ha. Yeah. I know. It sounds nuts, right? But hey. It's good for six folks and includes a yacht party and a helicopter ride. And bubbly.
But as I said. You can also just get a corner suite or superior room and come to my Imelda tour (which will be done on a regular basis on Saturday afternoons.) It costs way less. I'm telling you, sipping a sunset cocktail from the balcony of a Philippine Plaza suite after an Imelda tour can be a really funky time.
Hari. Yes. That is a grand piano in the Imperial Suite.
Taylor. Good to hear the sculpture finally found a place to go. I have a feeling it might be the ones in front of Greenbelt now. But I could be wrong.
Huse. Sure. Go ahead. But this is your LAST plug. No more after this.
nice post carlos.
what happened to the huge arturo luz from the orig lobby?
This comment has been removed by the author.
carlos
thaks po sa comment sa blog ko
jan pala ccp evry M.w.Th nag joging kami ng mga Friends ko lolz
Tapos napapadaan jan sa sofitel hehhe
I hope you can offer this Cultural package in May of 2009. I plan to be in PI for a 2-3 week stint. I'm bringing some members of the family who have not been home in 30years. Would be awesome to introduce them back to PI culture in ultimate style. Package or not, I look forward to spending a few nights at Hotel Sofitel.
Thank God for Sofitel -- they really do have a knack for turning architectural landmarks into v special hotels. I'm a faithful guest at the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi (the old wing!) and once stayed with my sister at their gorgeous Santa Clara in Cartagena, Colombia -- an old Spanish convent with stone walls two metres thick and several courtyards lined with pre-Columbian artefacts. Carlos, any chance you could convince them to take over one of the old houses in Intramuros or Malate and turn it into a real boutique hotel?? Maybe you could even live in it and run the place for them!!
Brownedgnat. Booking a room and getting reserved tickets to my tours will be available pretty much for a long time to come. the half million peso deal is only available till December.
Nomade. I still dream of the Sofitel taking over Manila Hotel. I'm sure they would do that dump justice. Can't believe Emilio Yap let the place go to hell the way it did.
Daphne. The orig sculpture was finally saved from the empty lot. I THINK it's the ones outside Max Brenner in Greenbelt now.
I think ha. They just look exactly the same. It could be a replica?
Anyone out there know what really happened to the dumped sculpture? And where is the huge mural that was on the back wall. It seems to be missing in action also.
Re: sculpture mystery
Carlos, I found an email from Tessie Luz from about a year and half ago - the sculpture is safe and with a private collector in Alabang. I need to get back in touch with her - she will be delighted that there is so much interest - the peice is kind of a landmark for Arturo. If you haven't seen it, the doc is very good as well!
"As for the Philippine Plaza sculpture, when this documentary was first made
that was the situation. Since then, a member of the board of the hotel (who
is currently the Chairman of the Board) noticed what had become of the
sculpture. He asked the hotel if he could buy it. He paid them P1,000,
just so it would be an official sale. He then reconstructed the whole thing
in his garden in Alabang. He is a building contractor. When it was done,
he gave a party to inaugurate it and we were invited. So, at least, there
is a happy ending to that. He did have to spend quite a bit of money for the
reconstruction and transfer."
Half million pesos.
Uuumhhh. Carlos, are going luxury galore?
Few days ago giving condoms on the streets and now pouring champagne in the suites.
Tho the new Sofitel is lovely, I miss the Westin of my childhood. Such funky rooms, very now, actually! :)
Something about one of those Luz sculptures, spec the one that has now been relocated at the driveway of Greenbelt 1--I believe I spotted it lounging quietly on a side street of the BSA Suites in 2004 :) Good thing it's back on public display.
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