Tag Archives: hotel

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

Posted on June 3, 2011 by SF| 3 Comments

My mom would claim that my love affair with hotels began with the The Peninsula Manila Hotel. While she was pregnant with me then very shortly after I was born and all through my early years, getaways to this five star hotel was a regular weekend occurrence.

I remember being very young, my yaya keeping a watchful eye on me to ensure I didn’t get into any mischief as I childishly explored the marbled halls. I remember gazing at a fantastic ice sculpture of a swan in the middle of the buffet table. And I remember the Swiss / German / Italian chefs taking pity on my suffering parents, allowing them to have a romantic dinner in peace, while they took me on a culinary tour of the hotel kitchens for the umpteenth time!

Now I’m 27 and back for more. No more toddling around after the head chefs. More like partying it out in Makati with friends before crawling back to the lobby past midnight, being pleasantly surprised to find the orchestra still playing for guests. Couldn’t let the perfect end to the night slip away, so we grabbed a table in the lobby, had a few snacks, sobered up with an amazing cup of hot chocolate and listened to the live classical music play on until 4 am.

What can I say? This love affair just keeps on growing.

The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues,
Makati, Manila,
Philippines 1226

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Manila Pavillon Hotel

Posted on June 2, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

So my mom booked us into the Manila Pavillon Hotel accidentally, thinking she was booking us into -the- Manila Hotel. Different leagues really, but a chance for a random experience. Not a good one, but an experience nonetheless. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

After I just mention that the hotel room book was a re-used Holiday Inn Hotel Room book…now you know what you’ll be in for:

Restaurant looks modern, but the food is poor and buffet not well taken cared of. While having dinner I overheard another customer complain about flies around the sushi bar.

Looks pretty. Pity it tasted like cardboard. No substance. The results of the restaurant gave me the impression it was a a training ground for very inexperienced chefs.

View of Manila Hotel from Manila Pavillon Hotel. So near yet so far. Dear mom, please book me in the correct hotel next time. OKthnxloveyoubaibai!

Manila Pavillon Hotel More like Motel!
United Nations Avenue,
Corner Ma. Orosa Str.,
Ermita, Manila,
Luzon 1000, Philippines

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Holiday Inn Galleria

Posted on September 25, 2010 by SF| 4 Comments

As stated on the previous post, I enjoy hotel living. When I’m Manila I tend to stay at Holiday Inn Galleria.

You should know that I love my hotels and I’m a loyal customer. When the head chef remembers you running around the breakfast buffet at 10 yrs old and has enjoyed watching you grow up… and remembers your grandmother when she sat with you.

Say hi to Chef Bien for me if you see him :) He’s always there, usually frying up omelette, sunny side ups or treating people to Taho at the breakfast buffet.

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila
1 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City 1655
Philippines
+63 2 633 7111

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Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza, Manila

Posted on September 23, 2010 by SF| 2 Comments

Growing up travelling to different countries, I have grown to feel at home in hotels. And if you are a regular reader, you will know how much I enjoy restaurants. So, finding an excellent hotel restaurant is something I can’t not blog about.

Seven Corners at Crowne Plaza, Manila was very impressive. After dining in their relaxed, but elegant atmosphere in the early days of my holiday I had to return before I flew back to the UK.

Their dinner buffet was a huge selection of dining experiences: a pasta station, fresh seafood, pizza / bread bakery and wonderful smelling curries. I could barely get half-way through the dishes (I really tried!). Including the best rib eye roast I have had in a long time.

The service was friendly, but not overly much, which is a plus. Last thing I need is someone standing nervously by my elbow waiting to top up my water glass. It’s happened before in other restaurants in the Philippines and is…awkward.

The only downside was I wasn’t too impressed with the wine selection. Maybe I’m not looking at the right places, but -really- good wine is hard to come by in Manila. Of course given the opportunity I would like to taste more of what they have in store to be proven wrong. ;)

The Cost: Well, pricey compared to other Philippine restaurants, but very reasonable compared to European fine dining. The selection and the quality of the food has beat any buffet I have had in years.

Hoping to dine there again next year!

Seven Corners
Ortigas Avenue Corner Adb Avenue,
Quezon City, Philippines
+63 2 633 7222

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Posted in Dining Out, Philippines, Reviews, Travel

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