MANILA, Philippines - Along a busy one-way street sits a hotel that shines like a jewel amid the heavy cultural atmosphere of Malate in Manila. Entering the lobby you feel calm — a stark contrast to the bustling street scene just outside the glass doors. The interiors project an earthy warmth that is both classy and sublime as you are greeted by the hotel staff with a smile, “Welcome to the Armada Hotel Manila.”
The Armada Hotel Manila is the newest addition to the growing number of hospitality establishments in the district. What sets it apart is the relative peace you can get, far from the noise and dynamics of shopping malls and busy pedestrian fare. However, it is not far enough to remove you from the shopping, leisure and business equation. Many of these establishments are still pretty much nearby but far enough for you to enjoy a quiet place to relax and lounge around after a hard day’s work or touring.
Formerly known as Centara Hotel Manila, the Armada Hotel Manila is a bold step to redefine the hotel brand. Very much like the vast fleet of ships that the word represents, Armada wants to make a bold impact while introducing a management and service style that is uniquely its own.
Helping achieve its renewed goals is corporate general manager Sebastian Foonm, who has experience working in Singapore, Indonesia, Indo-china and North Asia. Fresh from previous assignments from various major cities in China, Foonm is a Singaporean and a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry and is a welcome addition to the Armada. Aside from the branding, he lets on about the direction the hotel will take in the next few months. “We are for local and overseas corporate and leisure travelers,” Foonm says. He is ably assisted by the hotel’s sales and marketing team led by director of sales and marketing Ninnette Soliman.
Foonm wants to expand and further improve upon the leisure and business interests of the hotel’s guests. With his years of experience, giving excellent service to vacationers and business people, Foonm brings with him the much needed knowledge in making Armada the impressive rookie to beat in the hospitality industry.
Armada has excellent facilities and amenities to cater to those who want to have a leisurely stay at the heart of the city. The 15-story hotel features large, well-appointed rooms filled with modern luxury amenities. Flat-screen TVs in every air-conditioned room are the norm, along with large queen- and king-sized beds. High-speed Internet access is perfect for those who need to catch up on their social circles or work-related projects. The elegant interiors are full of warmth, spacious and exude a relaxing ambiance that may encourage you to stay in for most of your visit.
Of course, that would be a shame since the outside has so much to offer. Walk the streets of Manila and discover exciting restaurants, art shops, and a major shopping mall with even more goodies on offer. In this historic area, many sites offering a glimpse of Manila’s colourful past beckon.
Back inside, the team at the Armada makes sure that your stay is well-worth it. Foonm says, “We have a spa and a fully equipped fitness center. We have a lounge at the rooftop, near the pool, and our function and meeting facilities are already a hit for small functions and business conferences.”
Armada has two luxury dining options that serve the best of all worlds. At the top floor with a glorious view of the cityscape, a brand-new restaurant serves a blend of authentic cuisine from Southeast Asia.
At the ground floor right beside the lobby area, a state-of-the-art restaurant is available to guests. Executive Chef Richard Dancel offers truly authentic Filipino food along with an international line-up of Western cuisine.
The Armada Hotel Manila is poised to have the local area sit up and take notice. And it has already accomplished this through its operations which have made the hotel a comfortable, clean, professional and warm place for guests to stay.
With the rebranding, the Armada is building up a team of trained personnel to enhance its operations and a management team to fulfill its objectives. The hotel benefits from young energy that has been renewed.
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Armada Hotel Manila is located at 2108 M.H. del Pilar St., Malate, Manila. For more information, call (632) 526-0888 or (632) 559-9890, fax at (632) 353-8838, e-mail at reservation@armadamanila.com or visit its website at www.armadahotelmanila.com. Photos by Fernan Nebres