Linden Suite Linden
September 15, 2001 | 12:00am
Like everyone else, they were closely following the historic events that were unfolding in the country early this year. The military had just announced its support of the popular will, expressed by an overwhelming crowd gathered at the EDSA shrine that Friday afternoon in January.
"I just happened to look out my third floor window," relates Justin R. Phillips, general manager of The Linden Suites which is located at San Miguel Avenue at the Ortigas Center, not far from where all the action was taking place, "and I saw this motorcade coming down San Miguel Ave. That was as much warning as we had and next thing we knew, the vice president and her group were here. Suddenly, we found ourselves catering to at least a hundred in the function rooms which were instantly transformed into a high-level operations center. It just went on all night. Then, at about 7 a.m., she retired to her room. Then, she was back down by about 9 a.m. She couldn’t have had much sleep. By mid-day, she was being sworn in."
But even as she was leaving for her historic inauguration at the EDSA shrine, the future and now President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, found the time to pause and personally thank the staff of The Linden Suites. "She was very thoughtful, very gracious," Justine remarks. Afterwards, she sent gifts and recognition to the staff who went without sleep and attended to her needs all through that long and busy night.
"She complimented the restaurant shift managers who were among those who never went home during her stay, particularly Quennie Dimalanta of the Monsoon, the restaurant and bar operated by Cravings at The Linden Suites," Anna Pajaron, PR/sales coordinator, relates. They must have prepared and served countless sandwiches and coffee for their unexpected guests all through that sleepless night. "The other managers who likewise stayed on and made all things possible for GMA’s group to have a safe and comfortable stay were Claire Magno, executive secretary to the GM, and Col. Emmanuel Chavez, chief of security,"Anna adds.
Why the Linden Suites? "We think privacy and security were important considerations in their choice of The Linden Suites. The building has numerous built-in security advantages," Justin explains. "Registered guests get exclusive access to the particular floor where their room is located through a personalized card-key system. Their elevator key also doubles as their room key. Also, there are separate elevators for the floors where the office suites are located. We have a closed-circuit camera system as well as a highly trained and well-motivated security force."
Up until then, The Linden Suites, which first opened its doors to the public with a well-attended soft launch in February 2000, had maintained a low profile which, Justin admits, worked in their favor during the unexpected turn of events in January 2001.
"Everything just fell into place," says Justin who, at 34, could very well be the youngest GM in town. He started working at the early age of 19, after finishing his schooling in a private secondary school in Melbourne, Australia where he was born.
With both his parents in the medical profession, he found his first job in a bank. But it did not take too long for this Scorpio to realize that he was better suited in a more exciting environment. Soft-spoken and very personable, he is still a very eligible bachelor. "I move a lot," he says, as if to explain. The middle of three children, his younger brother, Guy, is married to a Filipina.
Justin assumed his post as GM of the locally-owned The Linden Suites – with chairman and president Carlos G. Dominguez, and managed by the Hong Kong-based hotel chain Swiss-Belhotel International – in November 2000. Before that, he worked for other chains and was responsible for the pre-opening of four hotels, three in New Zealand and one in Indonesia. He has not had time for a long vacation since, although he spent a week in Australia and a couple of rainy days in Boracay with friends in July this year. He has also been to Banawe. He’d like to see more of the country which is now his temporary home.
Justin works with an all-Filipino staff which he says is terrific. "They are a pleasure to work with," he says. Filipinos have a natural talent for service and hospitality.
The Linden Suites currently enjoys a high occupancy rate of 75 percent. "Over the last three months, we have had the highest occupancy percentage in the Ortigas area," Justin reports. But even with the easy name-recall and familiarity which they now enjoy, "we still offer the same high, yet very discreet, level of security and service to our guests."
"We are a first-class serviced residence and office suites complex," Anna expounds. "We offer a comfortable and safe environment for short or long term residency as well as a strategic office address, all in one location."
The serviced residence features include one and two bedroom suites, all of which have facsimile machines and modem ports with Internet access as well as home entertainment system with multi-channel cable TV . Of the 128 rooms in the 28-story building, 100 have kitchenettes with granite countertops, which makes it more suitable than hotels particularly for medium to long-term stays of from two weeks to six months. Part of the service is grocery shopping by the staff upon request by the guest. The Linden Suites is close to three of the largest shopping malls in Metro Manila.
The smallest rooms are about 40 sq. ms. as compared to standard deluxe hotel rooms which would be around 30 sq. ms. There are eight rooms to a floor, each with a unique configuration so no two rooms in the same floor are alike. The interiors are mostly done in pastels and gray with touches of wood, or timber, as Justin would put it, that give it a very homey atmosphere. The bathrooms, with their deep bathtubs, were designed to pamper tired bodies aching to relax at the end of a busy day.
The penthouse suite has three bedrooms, a balcony overlooking Manila’s dramatic skyline, spacious dining area with eight-person seating capacity, dishwasher, laundry room with washing machine and dryer, and a separate maid’s quarters. On the 28th floor or roof deck is the Sky Lounge, "the highest function room in Manila," Justin says. It’s ideal for small parties of about 50 guests, cocktails or product launches. One time, a wine-tasting event was held here. It is one of the favorite spots for the parties which are given as a treat for the long-staying guests once a month. "We’ve had barbecues here," Justin relates, "and we’d get the cool night breeze. The guests just love it."
On the ninth floor is the Fitness Center featuring a fully equipped gym, sauna and massage facilities, health bar, Jacuzzi and an indoor swimming pool that’s sure to draw a "wow" from a first-time visitor. "It is the first successful pool concept with temperature-controlled, salinated water," says Leo Blaquera, interior design consultant of The Linden Suites, in joint venture with Steven J. Leach Jr. and Associates. "The concept is a Roman-inspired spa." There are five to seven types of mood lights all around the pool which can be adjusted from daylight to sundown, that enhance the murals with depictions of Roman columns and a cloud effect on the low ceiling. Water gently cascades on one wall with lighted glass tiles similar to those found in authentic Roman spas. "The effect is very calming," Anna observes. "It’s a good place for family bonding or just relaxing."
The architect and lead design consultant of The Linden Suites is DP Architects, Philippines. "The Linden Suites is basically a business hotel," Leo explains, "so the blending of design is based on what is functional and corporate and at the same time homey.
"Comfort is matched with flair. We adopted a ‘Manhattan look,’ Manhattan being the center of business while it also has residential areas. Our design is functional, sleek and elegant."
The office suites are located on the fifth to the eighth floor. It has a separate entrance, elevators and reception area with office listing. There are full provisions for telephone connections and central air-conditioning with individual thermostat controls. Each office floor has a total of 450 square meters open space which allows the tenants to outfit the premises to meet their own particular requirements in design and space allocations. Fully serviced offices are available upon request as well as design services for new tenants. There is also the option for housekeeping and maintenance services.
"In addition, our state-of-the-art Business Center is fully equipped to handle all your business needs," Anna interjects, "with work stations, serviced offices and meeting and conference rooms." The board room which became GMA’s temporary "war room" is located on the fourth floor. It has since been re-named the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo board room in honor of the distinguished personage who spent the night here, on her way to her appointment with destiny.
"We are ideally located for the discerning business traveler, visiting CEOs or country managers, as well as companies looking for a new address for their offices," Justin remarks. "With the clients’ needs in mind, The Linden Suites offers no-hassle, practical and flexible lease agreement."
The Linden Suites is located within the emerging Ortigas Business District and is near the Philippine Stock Exchange building, the Asian Development Bank building, the San Miguel Corporation building, and the University of Asia and Pacific, as well as key business institutions, banks, theaters, art galleries and museums. It is a 45-minute drive to the international and domestic airports.
For more info, call (632) 638-78-78 or check their website at www.lindensuites.com or www.swiss-belhotel.com.
"I just happened to look out my third floor window," relates Justin R. Phillips, general manager of The Linden Suites which is located at San Miguel Avenue at the Ortigas Center, not far from where all the action was taking place, "and I saw this motorcade coming down San Miguel Ave. That was as much warning as we had and next thing we knew, the vice president and her group were here. Suddenly, we found ourselves catering to at least a hundred in the function rooms which were instantly transformed into a high-level operations center. It just went on all night. Then, at about 7 a.m., she retired to her room. Then, she was back down by about 9 a.m. She couldn’t have had much sleep. By mid-day, she was being sworn in."
But even as she was leaving for her historic inauguration at the EDSA shrine, the future and now President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, found the time to pause and personally thank the staff of The Linden Suites. "She was very thoughtful, very gracious," Justine remarks. Afterwards, she sent gifts and recognition to the staff who went without sleep and attended to her needs all through that long and busy night.
"She complimented the restaurant shift managers who were among those who never went home during her stay, particularly Quennie Dimalanta of the Monsoon, the restaurant and bar operated by Cravings at The Linden Suites," Anna Pajaron, PR/sales coordinator, relates. They must have prepared and served countless sandwiches and coffee for their unexpected guests all through that sleepless night. "The other managers who likewise stayed on and made all things possible for GMA’s group to have a safe and comfortable stay were Claire Magno, executive secretary to the GM, and Col. Emmanuel Chavez, chief of security,"Anna adds.
Why the Linden Suites? "We think privacy and security were important considerations in their choice of The Linden Suites. The building has numerous built-in security advantages," Justin explains. "Registered guests get exclusive access to the particular floor where their room is located through a personalized card-key system. Their elevator key also doubles as their room key. Also, there are separate elevators for the floors where the office suites are located. We have a closed-circuit camera system as well as a highly trained and well-motivated security force."
Up until then, The Linden Suites, which first opened its doors to the public with a well-attended soft launch in February 2000, had maintained a low profile which, Justin admits, worked in their favor during the unexpected turn of events in January 2001.
"Everything just fell into place," says Justin who, at 34, could very well be the youngest GM in town. He started working at the early age of 19, after finishing his schooling in a private secondary school in Melbourne, Australia where he was born.
With both his parents in the medical profession, he found his first job in a bank. But it did not take too long for this Scorpio to realize that he was better suited in a more exciting environment. Soft-spoken and very personable, he is still a very eligible bachelor. "I move a lot," he says, as if to explain. The middle of three children, his younger brother, Guy, is married to a Filipina.
Justin assumed his post as GM of the locally-owned The Linden Suites – with chairman and president Carlos G. Dominguez, and managed by the Hong Kong-based hotel chain Swiss-Belhotel International – in November 2000. Before that, he worked for other chains and was responsible for the pre-opening of four hotels, three in New Zealand and one in Indonesia. He has not had time for a long vacation since, although he spent a week in Australia and a couple of rainy days in Boracay with friends in July this year. He has also been to Banawe. He’d like to see more of the country which is now his temporary home.
Justin works with an all-Filipino staff which he says is terrific. "They are a pleasure to work with," he says. Filipinos have a natural talent for service and hospitality.
The Linden Suites currently enjoys a high occupancy rate of 75 percent. "Over the last three months, we have had the highest occupancy percentage in the Ortigas area," Justin reports. But even with the easy name-recall and familiarity which they now enjoy, "we still offer the same high, yet very discreet, level of security and service to our guests."
"We are a first-class serviced residence and office suites complex," Anna expounds. "We offer a comfortable and safe environment for short or long term residency as well as a strategic office address, all in one location."
The serviced residence features include one and two bedroom suites, all of which have facsimile machines and modem ports with Internet access as well as home entertainment system with multi-channel cable TV . Of the 128 rooms in the 28-story building, 100 have kitchenettes with granite countertops, which makes it more suitable than hotels particularly for medium to long-term stays of from two weeks to six months. Part of the service is grocery shopping by the staff upon request by the guest. The Linden Suites is close to three of the largest shopping malls in Metro Manila.
The smallest rooms are about 40 sq. ms. as compared to standard deluxe hotel rooms which would be around 30 sq. ms. There are eight rooms to a floor, each with a unique configuration so no two rooms in the same floor are alike. The interiors are mostly done in pastels and gray with touches of wood, or timber, as Justin would put it, that give it a very homey atmosphere. The bathrooms, with their deep bathtubs, were designed to pamper tired bodies aching to relax at the end of a busy day.
The penthouse suite has three bedrooms, a balcony overlooking Manila’s dramatic skyline, spacious dining area with eight-person seating capacity, dishwasher, laundry room with washing machine and dryer, and a separate maid’s quarters. On the 28th floor or roof deck is the Sky Lounge, "the highest function room in Manila," Justin says. It’s ideal for small parties of about 50 guests, cocktails or product launches. One time, a wine-tasting event was held here. It is one of the favorite spots for the parties which are given as a treat for the long-staying guests once a month. "We’ve had barbecues here," Justin relates, "and we’d get the cool night breeze. The guests just love it."
On the ninth floor is the Fitness Center featuring a fully equipped gym, sauna and massage facilities, health bar, Jacuzzi and an indoor swimming pool that’s sure to draw a "wow" from a first-time visitor. "It is the first successful pool concept with temperature-controlled, salinated water," says Leo Blaquera, interior design consultant of The Linden Suites, in joint venture with Steven J. Leach Jr. and Associates. "The concept is a Roman-inspired spa." There are five to seven types of mood lights all around the pool which can be adjusted from daylight to sundown, that enhance the murals with depictions of Roman columns and a cloud effect on the low ceiling. Water gently cascades on one wall with lighted glass tiles similar to those found in authentic Roman spas. "The effect is very calming," Anna observes. "It’s a good place for family bonding or just relaxing."
The architect and lead design consultant of The Linden Suites is DP Architects, Philippines. "The Linden Suites is basically a business hotel," Leo explains, "so the blending of design is based on what is functional and corporate and at the same time homey.
"Comfort is matched with flair. We adopted a ‘Manhattan look,’ Manhattan being the center of business while it also has residential areas. Our design is functional, sleek and elegant."
The office suites are located on the fifth to the eighth floor. It has a separate entrance, elevators and reception area with office listing. There are full provisions for telephone connections and central air-conditioning with individual thermostat controls. Each office floor has a total of 450 square meters open space which allows the tenants to outfit the premises to meet their own particular requirements in design and space allocations. Fully serviced offices are available upon request as well as design services for new tenants. There is also the option for housekeeping and maintenance services.
"In addition, our state-of-the-art Business Center is fully equipped to handle all your business needs," Anna interjects, "with work stations, serviced offices and meeting and conference rooms." The board room which became GMA’s temporary "war room" is located on the fourth floor. It has since been re-named the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo board room in honor of the distinguished personage who spent the night here, on her way to her appointment with destiny.
"We are ideally located for the discerning business traveler, visiting CEOs or country managers, as well as companies looking for a new address for their offices," Justin remarks. "With the clients’ needs in mind, The Linden Suites offers no-hassle, practical and flexible lease agreement."
The Linden Suites is located within the emerging Ortigas Business District and is near the Philippine Stock Exchange building, the Asian Development Bank building, the San Miguel Corporation building, and the University of Asia and Pacific, as well as key business institutions, banks, theaters, art galleries and museums. It is a 45-minute drive to the international and domestic airports.
For more info, call (632) 638-78-78 or check their website at www.lindensuites.com or www.swiss-belhotel.com.
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