Stay inspired at Conrad Manila
There are places in the world with names that evoke memories. They become our home away from home — and we don’t get tired of visiting or staying in there, every opportunity we get.
The Conrad hotels have become one of my favorite chains ever since I can remember. This hotel brand tugs at the heart as it has witnessed many a celebratory moment in my life. For example, the Conrad Hong Kong will always be tops on my list every time I visit the former Crown Colony because it evokes beautiful memories that my family and I made during the New Year’s Eves that we spent there. My late parents, Ting and Mila Dayrit, would reassure my siblings Jaqui, Michelle, Mark, Yvonne and me of their love for us come New Year’s Eve as we celebrated in our family suite. When they passed away 20 days apart from each other in 1997, it took us quite a while to return to the Conrad Hong Kong. But because it is truly a home to us, we take the time again to stay in its comforting and loving embrace from time to time if only to remind us that, more than anything else, it is love that sustains our family. The Conrad, especially so after we became orphans, has witnessed the all-for-one-one-for-all kind of relationship we have forged among us.
The Conrad hotels in Bali, Singapore and the Maldives are repositories of the many fun and introspective memories my best friend Bum Tenorio Jr. and I shared. The hotel’s spacious and airy lobby in Bali, its well-appointed suite in Singapore, and its underwater restaurant in the Maldives are favorite spots that we visit in our hearts and minds every now and then. Truly, the Conrad has made lasting memories in us, memories that have made us grateful in life.
All the heartwarming recollections of Conrad hotels came rushing to me when I got an invitation to the launch of Conrad Manila recently. I attended the formal opening of the hotel, a stone’s throw away from the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and it was like attending again to the many beautiful moments of my childhood, of my life.
The ribbon-cutting was presided by Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation Inc., and her mother Felicidad Sy, board member of SM Foundation, and brother Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., and Peggy Angeles, SVP of SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation Inc., together with Conrad Manila GM Harald Feurstein and Hilton Worldwide’s president for Asia Pacific Martin Rinck.
It felt like another door of opportunity to celebrate with my family opened again. Amid the morning applause from guests for the Sy family for this ambitious and monumental venture, I felt a certain kind of calm. I thought of my parents and how happy they would be to enter the premises of Conrad Manila and stay in its comforting home. As we were whisked to tour the property, I found myself sending photos and messages to our family group through Viber. My fingers were typing away the messages of how glad I was that there is a Conrad in Manila now; my heart was throbbing in excitement to report to my siblings. I am a Conrad baby and, at that moment, I couldn’t hide it.
The brand in Manila is truly an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. I had the opportunity to spend the night here and sample the facilities and amenities it has to offer. From the window of my suite, I could see the expansive Manila Bay that served as the sentinel of the huge swimming pool of Conrad Hotel. It resembled the pool of a luxury liner. By the way, the hotel looks like a cruise ship, its shape a tell-tale sign that premium experience is about to be had here.
I took a stroll around the pool and watched the sunset that was truly so charming and gorgeous. The famed sunset of Manila Bay is one of the best treats of the hotel. And with nature as your company, how can your stay at Conrad Manila not be a glorious experience?
The bed in my room later on proved to be my best friend for the night as I lay there with all the comforts of a five-star luxury property. Kudos to SM Properties and Hilton for bringing Conrad Manila to our shores. The hotel philosophy, which is to “Stay inspired,” refers to the curated experiences the property has to offer. From its 24-hour fitness center to the pool and the hotels’ beautiful spa with all the treatments you can imagine and its delicious restaurants and refreshing bars — one is spoilt big-time. All these and more await the guests at the hotel’s 346 guest rooms equipped with “intelligent technology.”
As I was leisurely toured around the hotel by Conrad’s charming PR consultant Zenny Iglesias and marketing communication manager Mica Corderio, I noticed the inspiring artworks that complement the spaces in the hotel. In the main lobby, for example, is the humongous art installation by Leeroy New that depicts enormous blooms strewn together and “suspended” in mid-air. The artwork is modern and complements the “nowness” of Conrad Manila and at the same time sets the mood of the hotel guests to give in to their flights of fancy.
According to Nes Jardin, former CCP president and now SM consultant, when it comes to art, the hotel has 635 works of outstanding contemporary Filipino artists. Nes told me that each of the rooms features distinct pieces while other signature pieces are displayed in the three dining establishments and other public areas. Conrad Manila’s art collection is a panorama of contemporary paintings, sculptures, decorative art and 3D art. The collection includes elements that highlight the unique traditional arts and crafts of the Philippines while representing these in current modes and fashion.
Elizabeth Sy, said to be the most art-leaning in the Sy family, was beaming with delight on the day of the opening. If the radiance that her smile carried that day was any indication of the future of Conrad in Manila, its success in the field is not far behind.
Harald Feurstein, general manager of Conrad Manila, is also a great supporter of the arts. In his new role, Harald oversees the opening of Conrad Manila and will be responsible for the growth of the hotel as the first Conrad in the country.
Peter Webster, Hilton’s worldwide regional general manager for Singapore and Indonesia and the Philippines, said, “I am certain that the hotel will be a significant addition to Manila’s dynamic cityscape.” He added, “This ship is ready to sail away!”
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly intersect. A global luxury brand existing in five continents, Conrad connects guests to people and places around the corner or halfway around the world.
Conrad Manila recently won awards (best in hotel development and best hotel interior design awards) at the Philippines Property Awards 2016, in recognition of its unique structure, contemporary interiors and modern design.
Experience the interesting dining selections the hotel has to offer. Brasserie On 3 is its all-day dining restaurant that redefines balanced cuisines and focuses on healthy sustainable and organic ingredients. I have to mention that at the Sea Breeze buffet restaurant, I had the most succulent lobster that was cooked in lemon and butter and halo-halo in buck shell, all prepared lovingly right before me.
China Blue by Jereme Leung features modern interpretations of traditional Chinese cuisine. On the other hand, C Lounge is the lobby lounge at day that transforms into a destination bar at night. Here you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Manila Bay sunset while sipping your beverage of choice. The Manila Bay sunset remains magical. The best part is, from your vantage point at the hotel, you are treated to this natural spectacle at no extra cost.
The Conrad Manila rekindles in me my love for the international chain. My recent staycation there proved that memories are an intrinsic part of the soul. Memories bring us closer to the people we miss and love. Conrad will help me celebrate more memories with the people who matter most to me. This ship, indeed, is ready to sail in my heart.
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For more information on Conrad Manila, log on to conradmanila.com.
Email the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
