Welcome to Serendipity Suites

MANILA, Philippines - You often find things you never expect like greeting a familiar face in the crowd or running into your loved one just as you turn. Life is full of these happy encounters, the kind you never knew would occur — or need — until the moment arrives. It is inexplicable, intangible. There’s no purpose to it happening, it just does. Such is the nature of serendipity — the kind you may find in your stay at Discovery Suites.

Located at the beating pulse of Ortigas Center in Pasig City, Discovery Suites is the area’s premier serviced residence offering luxury amenities for travelers and long-staying guests. Surrounded by shopping malls, business process outsourcing centers, entertainment destinations and a financial district, everything in Ortigas revolves around the hotel. Guests can expect a satisfying stay especially with the recently unveiled Serendipity Suites.

Limited to just four floors of the high-rise structure for now, the Serendipity Suites are meant for guests who expect an enhanced level of hospitality. It’s the kind of thing you can expect from a five-star hotel but with an atmosphere of privacy that you can get from your own home or apartment. The collection features junior and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites.

Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco brings his culinary expertise at Restaurant 5 at the fifth floor of Discovery Suites.

Just like a fully functioning home, each of the suite-category rooms (from one- to three-bedroom) has its own kitchen with an oven and refrigerator, dining table and a reception area, making it perfect to welcome guests for small gatherings. The suites also feature a 32-inch flat-screen TV, iPod docks, and a personal stereo component system.

Returning guests will be pleasantly surprised with the Serendipity Suites whose interiors feature a contemporary design and a color scheme grounded on earth tones and natural light. Singapore-based Miaja Design Group was the interior design consultant while Filipino designers added a number of practical elements for a more local aesthetic. What you have is a suite that energizes the spirit while giving off a sense of lightness and well-being.

Then there are the highlights that “veteran” guests of the hotel have known for years: soft, billowy beds, and a special selection of pillows (goose feather, foam, cotton or hypo-allergenic) from the hotel’s roving Pillow Concierge.

Serendipity treat

Guests looking forward to booking a Serendipity Suite are in for a treat. Extra benefits are accorded such as express check-in and check-out assistance by Discovery’s guest relations associates; complimentary one-hour use of the boardroom; a personalized training session at the hotel’s gym, the Balance Lifestyle Fitness Center; preferred rates at Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay and Discovery Shores in Boracay; a courtesy 10-minute neck and shoulder massage in your suite; a P500 discount voucher at the hotel’s exclusive Terra Wellness Spa; complimentary broadband Internet; and access to the Serendipity Lounge.

The Serendipity Suites only serve to enhance the reputation of a hotel already known for its remarkable service to guests. “I have been working for Discovery for seven years now and I still hear stories from our guests that blow me away,” says David Pardo de Ayala, Discovery Suites’ resident manager. “I don’t know how our staff does it.”

Indoor swimming pool

As the hotel’s former corporate chef for over six years, Pardo de Ayala has yet to let go of his culinary persona. Still fondly called “Chef” by his entire staff, he re-interprets the concepts he has learned into his new position, firmly believing that something such as the food component is very important in the overall hotel experience.

“It determines to such a degree the perception our clients have of us and the memories they bring with them when they check out,” he says.

It is no wonder then how the principles of hospitality as interpreted in the kitchen or F&B department are mirrored in the suites. “Generosity, hospitality — we try to make guests feel they are really at home. You’re not just ‘Room 1916,’” he says. “We get to know you, know your likes and dislikes.”

Pardo de Ayala mentions one of the hotel staffers who was particularly thoughtful. “He remembers what one lady guest likes for breakfast, how she likes her coffee, to the point that by the time the lady arrives to have breakfast, it’s customized to the way she likes it. That’s what makes a huge difference in creating a certain emotional attachment with our hotel,” he says.

When a guest has certain expectations from a hotel, this apparently is not enough for Pardo de Ayala who knows that only true inspiration can make a hotel rise above the rest. “When the staff go beyond (their work parameters) in a genuine effort to try to know you better, to serve you better, make you happier, make you feel at home, that stands out,” he says.

International flavors at Restaurant 5

Every guest fortunate enough to stay at Discovery Suites will have a couple of fine dining choices at the hotel.

Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco brings his culinary expertise at Restaurant 5 at the fifth floor. With a knack for international cuisine, he brings to the table different theme buffets that change daily. Expect to see popular favorites from across Asia and Europe and a few surprises to keep diners coming back for more.

Terra Wellness Spa

The multi-national lineup includes savory dishes from China, Italy, Japan, Spain, Thailand and Korea every Monday to Thursday. From Friday to Saturday, Filipino favorites dominate Chikiamco’s menu, and on Sundays, mixed grilled items invade the buffet.

On the 22nd floor is the award-winning 22 Prime, featuring some of the best specialty steaks this side of the city. Also on the same floor is the Serendipity Lounge where guests can have light snacks and refreshments with a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

Experience is everything

Pardo de Ayala is quick to credit the Filipino’s well-known aptitude for making other people as comfortable as possible, showing an encouraging sense of pride for the hotel staff. “I feel it’s a very Filipino trait in terms of hospitality because it’s very sincere,” he says. “At the Discovery hotels, our brand of hospitality is very ‘Filipino.’ It’s service that’s all heart.”

There are other hotels, but guests are drawn to Discovery Suites for that one thing that is intangible. “You can say there are bigger, flashier, swankier hotels out there but none will take care of you and connect with you to the degree we achieve here,” he asserts. “I can guarantee you that.”

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Discovery Suites is located at 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For more information, call (632) 719-8888, (632) 914-9888 or (632) 310-7788 or fax at (632) 719-6789 for reservations and (632) 719-6928 for sales. E-mail at rsvn@discovery.com.ph or visit its website at www.discoverysuites.com.