Some things new at Sofitel

MANILA, Philippines - Through the years, Sofitel Philippine Plaza has continued to attract guests from all over. Now, some might ask why, despite not being located in a central business district, Sofitel has remained in people’s priority lists. The answer could not be any simpler: it evolves.

Indeed, changing times mean changing needs. Hotel guests look for things that excite them, that give them reasons to go back and enjoy the experience all over again. Sofitel’s ever-changing but always-constant excitement and offerings are the stuff visitors dream and daydream of.

For example, tired souls who probably stay late at work have Le Spa to turn to. Now a 24-hour facility, Sofitel’s in-house spa is beefing up the number of its therapists on duty so that more clients can be accommodated. Indeed, on the day of our visit, Le Spa was already fully booked in the next couple of days.

Special packages can be availed of at Le Spa, where birthdays, bridal showers or company get-togethers can take place.

“What is happening at Sofitel is that we are offering new things that suit their needs and tastes,” says Rose Libongco, Sofitel’s director of sales and marketing. “For example, by way of food and beverage, people realize that at Spiral, where we serve over 300 dishes, they don’t have to forego their health-conscious diets because we have a lot of vegetables and fresh salads.”

Libongco says that Spiral has added a station where aside from the griller, there is also the steamer so people can have low-sodium, no-fat food. “We are one of the few buffets that really offer a selection of sugar-free desserts. We put that under the title Cuisine Vitale for low-salt, low-sugar, low-fat dishes,” she adds. “Spiral is truly a crowd-drawer.”

Along the food and beverage section, Sofitel continues with its signature rituals such as the Wine Flight, as well as the Cheese and Bread Rituals. For the former, people can choose from a selection of, say, white wines in three varieties. They can taste-test wine and choose which one of the three they like best. The same applies to the Cheese and Bread Rituals.

Libongco explains that the rituals have been made so that guests can experiment, explore, and inquire about their offerings. She remarks, “These rituals make the best accompaniments for enjoying good company with friends or associates.”

Speaking of rituals, Sofitel is already preparing for what is already shaping up to be a busy last-quarter season. Says Libongco, “We are having activities for all ages. For the young ones this November, there is the Scary Story-Telling Contest, the Best Halloween Costume, Trick or Treat, among many Halloween features. For the young-at-heart, the 7 Pecados is going to be a spectacular scene for bands and surprises.”

As for Christmas, she promises something special. Since Sofitel sees more of its balikbayan friends, the hotel gets all dressed up so they will feel the nostalgia of coming home to the Philippines for Christmas.

Events are also being held at Sofitel left and right, and Libongco credits their team for helping organizers oversee their affairs. She shares that the hotel works closely with the Department of Tourism.

She says, “If we have to produce entertainment for them to show the best of the Philippines, we do that. We work with a team of events suppliers so that anytime a government agency or company would say, ‘We need a dinner for our guests and we want entertainers, décor, production people to take care of it,’ we are ready to do that.”

Quality control is strictly met, with Sofitel’s senior managers always on call to ensure that an event will be successful. “They are our point persons. It is our way of showing that management visibility is something we take seriously. We act like the event is ours.”

Already, Sofitel Philippine Plaza is looking forward to a thrilling 2010. Libongco says, “We always like to think up exciting activities. We give our clients the chance to experience the good life. Our credo is ‘Life is magnifique!’ We always keep that in mind.”

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Sofitel Philippine Plaza is located inside the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila. For more information, visit the Sofitel Philippine Plaza website at www.sofitel.com/asia or call 551-5555.