The Good Life at ‘Vivere’

We’ve always looked upon the city as a concrete-and-steel wilderness of sorts infested by somber and steely men in corporate suits. We’ve always thrown in adjectives such as "dreary," "dead" and "dull" when describing the city. We’ve always considered the city as the antithesis of ease. So, it is hard to believe that there is a well-spring of elegance and opulence right in the heart of the gray stonescapes of the city. Well, doubt no more and ditch all your misgivings.

Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites in Alabang is the first five-star, 30-story high, full-service apartment-hotel located inside the hub of southern Manila’s business district. The establishment is ensconced inside the Filinvest Corporate City and right across Festival Super Mall; just a stone’s throw away are places such as the Madrigal Business Park, as well as the Laguna and Cavite Technological Parks. Another plus factor is the fact that the hotel is just a few minutes’ drive – barring traffic – to and from the Manila domestic and international airports.

But the insistent question that surfaces from the blue is, what about the amenities?

This is the place where businessman-types and their families can partake of the good life. Aside from the chance to stay in luxurious rooms (some of which offer a resplendent view of the fabled Manila Bay sunset), guests can sample delectable dishes prepared for people with discriminating taste at the Vivere Brasserie. They can also take a dip in the Infinity Pool, as well as relax, after a hard day’s work, and take a nightcap or two at the Richville Skylounge, which offers a breathtaking view of the bay.

Health-conscious ones won’t have to miss a day at the gym since Vivere maintains a fitness center, ideal for trimming down those abs and toning those muscles. Not only that, there is also a sauna and spa designed to reinvigorate all those tired and stressed-out participants of the corporate rat race. A sundry shop assures each guest that his or her little necessities will be taken care of.

For those who prefer to mix a little business with pleasure, Vivere has a business center for executives who want to keep abreast of their corporate concerns via fiber optic telecommunications, Internet, computer workstations, fax, business periodicals, etc.

Elvie Berin, general manager of Vivere, makes sure that staffers of the hotel deliver – because clients expect nothing less than the highest standards of service.

(Berin has worked for nearly two decades in the hotel industry, starting in 1982 as a trainee at Manila Hilton. She has also worked for several distinguished hotels like the Manila Pavilion, the Shangri-La EDSA Plaza Hotel and Heritage Hotel.)

In nutshell, it’s safe to say that Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites is one of those rare hotels that offer the elegance of living and unsurpassable comforts within the confines of the city.