What's new at Dusit Thani Hotel-Manila

Recently, we were media guests of the Dusit in Manila through Cebu Pacific. The young and dynamic hotel GM Prateek Kumar, who met us upon our late night arrival at the hotel towards 10pm, is focused on “creating Heaven on Earth” at the Dusit. For one, we were requested to stay for one more night on our stopover from Kota Kinabalu to Cebu, to indulge in a slice of Heaven at their much-touted Devarana Spa. The name means “Garden in Heaven” from ancient Thai writings dating back to the ancient Sukhotai Dynasty (about 1324 AD).

Even in the van from the airport to the hotel, we were given cold herb-infused towels to refresh us with subtle fragrance, after our trip. Music was soothing Thai traditional instrumentals. Our room was spacious with distinctive bathroom amenities. But one of the most important aspects of staying at Dusit Thani Manila is its very convenient location – at the heart of the shopping district of Makati City.

Breakfast at the Basix the next morning showed us how busy the hotel was – we had ours at the lobby area where they cordoned off the entrance to the coffee shop to accommodate overflowing patrons. Since we were lucky to be there within their Songkran (Thai New Year) Festival celebration, we listened to the tinkling of the kim (palace/temple traditional lute) as played by Thailand’s top rated royal performer, the regal and lovely Khun Wan. We also marveled at the main pillars in the foyer – all covered with real gold leaf, just like the temples in Thailand. How’s that for elegant authenticity?

We went around the hotel to check on their various outlets. One institution is the Japanese resto, as the hotel used to be run by Hotel Nikko. Well, Dusit’s Director of Food & Beverage Gilbert Uy is seeing to it that the former Benkay – now known as Umu – is a much better venue for a Japanese repast. They have private rooms that open into a typical serene Japanese garden. The ambiance is definitely Japan!

Our lunch at the Dusit’s signature resto – Benjarong (Royal Thai Cuisine) – was a royal feast indeed. Every dish, I was told by GM Kumar, is personally prepared by the resto’s resident lady chef Phacharaporn Noinak, upon order. Chef Noinak reports to her kitchen 365 days, no absence! Hence, the dishes are as tasty as in Thailand, as their Thai patrons vouch.

I hurried through the dessert in our Thai culinary haven of a lunch as I was due for my massage in Devarana Spa. I chose the signature massage (90 mins) at P3,800++ AND well worth every cent! It is a combination of Thai, Ayurveda and Shiatsu techniques, with Swedish and Aromatherapy added into the package. I drifted in and out of dreamland and the music was so lovely, I bought a CD set home for my grandchildren’s bedtime music. (P2,500 for a set of 3 CDs)

Just before we left, charming PR Manager Danelle Ruth Palang appraised us on the hotel’s all-time best seller: the Sunday Family Crossover Brunch. All the hotel’s food outlets will put out their dishes in a sumptuous array on the second floor landing from 11:30am – 3pm with free flowing sparkling wine, Japanese green tea, pandan juice and red iced tea. Because of its success, patrons will now have to be based at a specific resto, then go to the other outlets for their dishes of choice. All that for a very reasonable P1,450nett for adults and P775nett for children 6-12 years old. Isn’t that a steal? Cebuanos will just love this deal!

Now I know where to eat on a Sunday (brunch) in Manila next time am there. And where to stay that is most convenient. How about you? Don’t say I haven’t informed you!

Travel safely and enjoy your trip!