Comfort and luxury at the Marriott Hotel Manila

CEBU, Philippines - Certain flights bound for Manila arrive rather late at night which makes connecting to its final destination impossible. When this happens travelers have no recourse but to spend an overnight in the city.

Such was the case when we arrived from Kuala Lumpur recently. Arrangements were then made for us to be billeted at the new Marriott Hotel which is conveniently located at Newport City Complex, opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. 

Weary from the journey, we succumbed to our luxurious bedroom fitted with crisp, white beddings.

The following day over a sumptuous lunch at Marriott Café, we met our host, the personable General Manager Richard Saul. With understandable enthusiasm, he talked about the property’s many amenities and shared specific and accurate sense of what discerning guests can expect.  Indraneel Benadikar, Director of Marketing could not have agreed more.

Michelle Garcia, good at her job as Marketing Communications Manager graciously toured us around the hotel’s premises.

Marriott Manila has 323 guest rooms and 19 suites and are equipped with in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed internet, air conditioning, 40” full high definition LCDs with IPTV and the new remote jack pack plug-and-play system. The marble bathroom area is also huge and feature luxurious toiletries.

Guests can also enjoy services like 24-hour room service, newspapers in the lobby or in the room by request, safety deposit boxes, daily housekeeping and other essentials.  The different types of rooms and suites are individually furnished, offering a comfortable and truly relaxing stay with a  wonderful view of the adjacent Villamor Golf course.

The focal point of the hotel is the Lounge. It combines life, work and leisure seamlessly. Its unique zones and seating transforms the area from a place of transit to the place to be, to relax and enjoy.

For exceptional dining options, the hotel proudly presents its restaurant outlets. Each dining place offers excellent meals and beverage and classy ambiance to complete the extraordinary experience.

Breakfast and lunch is normally served at the bright, bold and all-day dining restaurant Marriott Café that captivates food lovers with its engaging open theater kitchens. One can indulge from the vast sumptuous buffet of local and international favorites or order from the equally irresistible a la carte menu.

At Cru Steakhouse, steaks are hand-cut, hand seasoned and carefully prepared. Salads are freshly made and desserts are simply delicious. The centerpiece in this modern restaurant is the flaming grill producing perfectly cooked steaks.

Velocity Bar is the country’s first and only five-star sports and entertainment bar. The modern interior design perfectly reflects a chic and hip lifestyle. The bar’s multiple large LCD screens provide  great viewing pleasure and its top-of-the-line audio system takes the quality of sound and music a notch higher.

This integrated sports and entertainment bar provides the excitement and camaraderie of sports viewing in a high energy environment with great quality food and beverage. Guests can take their pick on how to better enjoy the game, in the cozy bar area where modern tables and couches are perfect for dining while watching, or in the theater set-up area where they can watch the game just like in a cinema.

The business center offers secretarial services and facilities as well as email and Wi-fi broadband internet access .It is equipped with PC and Apple iMac workstations.

 The health club has a full range of fitness services catering to the needs of busy business executives. Separate ladies and men’s facilities include sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi. Adjacent is the outdoor swimming pool that has a view of imposing Makati Skyline.  

Along the hotels varied  amenities is the full service Quan Spa. Upon entering you will feel an enveloping sense of calm. The massage treatments serve to restore balance and reduce tension build up. Must-try is the  Filipino famous service , hilot, considered as one of the best-loved, locally inspired  treatments and pampering where virgin coconut oil is applied to the body.

The Marriott Hotel Manila is a fine addition to the JW Marriott hotels and Resorts collection of authentic signature hotels. Like its sister in Cebu, this one is suitable for businessmen, young and the young at heart, couples and families with an affordable option packed with value where one can be carefree, casual and happy. (THE FREEMAN)