Greenleaf opens in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines - It’s more fun in GenSan. This rhyme comes with good reason as General Santos City recently welcomed the arrival of Greenleaf Hotel to its growing list of attractions. Poised to be known hereabouts as the first five-star hotel in GenSan, Greenleaf Hotel promises to make that holiday as luxurious and comfortable as possible.

World-class is written all over the hotel as well as its other features. There are 111 rooms and suites, each a picture of hotel elegance and home comfort. Rooms come with high-definition LCD flat-screen televisions, bathrooms with thermal rainfall showerheads and telephone handshowers, workstations with pneumatic cabinets, and free Wi-Fi. The latter is just as free everywhere else in the hotel. Executive rooms come with a garden or veranda, the latter a good choice for smokers since Greenleaf is entirely non-smoking.

While the suites boast of parlors and separate bedrooms, all rooms have orthopedic beds, the better to send one and all to restful dreamland. The hotel uses 300 thread count linens, softer and of higher quality, so even laying in bed is luxurious. Instead of comforters, Greenleaf uses duvets, which is more supple and flat.

“What we offer guests is a relaxed atmosphere, nothing stifling and intimidating,” says Greenleaf general manager Liza Arbis. “We work toward creating a memorable experience for our guests.”

Surely, Arbis is referring to more than just room experience for there is, indeed, a whole world to discover within Greenleaf Hotel. As soon as one enters the hotel premises, the wide photogenic lobby catches the eye. The interiors, masterminded by architect Pauline Yasay, reflect, and justify, the Greenleaf name. The ceiling design resembles leaf veins, while the rest of the interiors reflect things plant-related.

“I wanted the design to make guests feel happy and light. That is why the hotel is well-lit, and uses a lot of whites, the better to make the furniture stand out. Practically everything here is customized for Greenleaf, some made in the Philippines, others imported from China,” Yasay shares. “The point is not to make the hotel look busy with ornaments. Less is more.”

Arbis relates that a hotel of Greenleaf’s stature is something that has excited people  in the region, not just in the city. “We have a lot to offer in terms of food and beverage, accommodations, and facilities.”

Greenleaf’s Mint Café serves up a satisfying menu of Filipino, Asian, and Western dishes. Notable is its breakfast buffet, with a selection of tummy-fillers that promise to get one’s day going. Of course, come for lunch and dinner, and discover the still-unheralded culinary gems this side of the city. For authentic Cantonese dishes, head straight to the cozy Tea Leaf and say hello to the shy chefs from Canton, China.

For the hedonistically inclined, Zanzibar is the bar of choice. Stocked with premium wines, beer, and liquor, the club has local bands playing all types of music on a given night. For a little more quiet time, the Lobby Lounge will do just fine with its dainty cakes and pastries, and coffee concoctions. There is a pianist playing classical and contemporary tunes from 6 to 9 p.m. to keep one (or more) company.

Arbis states that, this early, it is the business crowd that finds Greenleaf to their liking. The hotel has function rooms, ideal for small meetings and socials, good for 60 to 70 people. The crown jewel, so to speak, is the Pandan Grand Ballroom, a massive 450-seater that boasts of state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities such as the biggest built-in LED screens on the island. The grand ballroom can be divided further into two for various events.

She quips that there is more to Greenleaf that just the “green” in its name. “We have some green, environment-friendly initiatives in the hotel. We are proud to say that we are both friendly to man and nature. Truth is, our energy-saving programs are things we take seriously.”

Over 90 percent of the hotel lights are LED, while the hotel’s need for hot water is satisfied by their solar panels. To reduce ozone-depleting contaminants, Greenleaf uses low-VOC paints for its interiors.

“We have our own wastewater treatment and Save Mother Earth cards in all our guestrooms,” she continues. “It lets guests decide whether they want their daily towel and linen changed.”

Elsewhere in Greenleaf is the fabulous Lavandin Spa. The soothing atmosphere of the spa itself is a plus, more so its various massage and spa treatments. The spa houses a Jacuzzi and sauna, definitely a one-stop shop for relaxation if ever there is one. For guests who are too exhausted to lift their feet, Lavandin’s therapists also do room service. Lavandin is a highly recommended spot in GenSan.

Greenleaf Hotel’s other facilities are the business center, the swimming pool, the sundry shop, covered parking spaces, 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. It is situated within the main business district, right across SM GenSan, and steps away from hospitals, commercial establishments, and business centers. It is 20 minutes away from the airport, and provides a jump-off point to the region’s tourist attractions. Arbis is right when she says that they are practically the gateway of Mindanao.

The hotel is managed by Asian Grand Legacy Hotels. Its president Miguel Cerqueda is particularly proud and excited that this establishment has finally opened in GenSan. “We consider Greenleaf Hotel a top property. With its world-class service and amenities, Greenleaf Hotel will take the city to even greater heights.”

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Greenleaf Hotel is located at San Miguel St. corner J. Catolico St., General Santos City. For more information, call (083) 552-1111 or (083) 302-1111, fax at (083) 552-8822, e-mail at info@greenleafhotelgensan.com or visit its website at www.greenleafhotelgensan.com. Photos by Fernan Nebres