A Lenten vacation adventure at One Pacific Place

MANILA, Philippines - Summer has officially started and people are in a mad rush to plan their vacations and destinations. In fact, Holy Week is the mother of all holidays — right up there with Christmas — sending the population out of the city and on to a sizzling beach or freezing mountaintop of their provincial dreams.

However, a good number opt to vacation right at home, away from the maddening horde of tourists and into streets gleefully devoid of traffic. If a “staycation” is your thing, then check out One Pacific Place Serviced Residences.

In any central business district, it pays to find the least busiest part to situate your leisure destination and One Pacific Place, located right along H. V. de la Costa Street in Makati City, can take pride at being where all the action is without the frenetic energy that inhabits the CBD’s main avenue.

One Pacific’s main feature is its serviced residences, units with full amenities, complete with the creature comforts of home. Every room has a kitchenette where guests can prepare meals, and is attended to with the utmost in hospitality services.

Any family or group of friends can take advantage of One Pacific’s many amenities as an alternative to having a trip out of town. “We offer comfortable accommodations with delicious buffet breakfast every morning,” says Mabel Tobias, director of sales and marketing. “(We are) the only serviced residences in the CBD that have a full range of facilities and amenities. Our two-bedroom suite can accommodate a family of five. With the option to cook their favorite recipes, the kitchenette in the room is a wonderful plus.”

With your family or barkada in full vacation mode, the swimming pool is one of the most enjoyable ways to catch up on some bonding time. Located at the sixth floor, One Pacific’s swimming pool is the perfect answer to quashing the summer heat. With a depth of only four to five feet, relaxing is the number one priority but, if you want to get some exercise, the pool’s 25-meter length is perfect for doing laps. If you prefer to lift weights or run a treadmill, a fully equipped fitness gym is available. One Pacific also has a playroom for children to have some fun.

Of course, you cannot have the perfect vacation without great food. Executive Chef Bless Que has made sure that people on a Lenten diet can fully enjoy the Holy Week with a series of mouthwatering dishes at One Pacific’s The Strand Café and Restaurant located at the ground floor.

With prices starting at P230, including a round of complimentary iced tea, these specially made dishes for Lent will satisfy any hungry guest.

Start with the Cajun Fish Po Boy Sliders, four mini-soft rolls with layers of flavor-fried fish fillets, coleslaw and cajun mayonnaise served with potato fries and ranch dressing. There are also Pasta Puttanesca, well-cooked with olive oil-sautéed olives, capers, tomato concasse, anchovies, garlic and pepper flakes served with toasted bread; and Fish and Chips, beer-battered fried fish fillets served with potato fries with tartare and cocktail sauce. Or choose the Seafood Creole, a stew of prawn, mussels, calamari, and fillet of fish in a flavorful pomodoro sauce served with Jambalaya rice. These special Lenten dishes will also be integrated into The Strand’s regular menu after the holidays.

Aside from the food, drinks are essential for cooling off in this heat. The Strand has a chilly lineup of summer coolers starting at P150 a glass. From April 13 to May 31, you can order a mango or watermelon shake or banana-melon slush with brewed green tea mixed with honey and milk that you can enjoy at the restaurant. Check out the ice cubes; they are made out of frozen fruits instead of water.

Corporate clients can take full-advantage of the function rooms for their seminars, while guests can hold wedding receptions, birthday parties and banquets, or any type of event. The surrounding area is also filled with restaurants, business establishments, malls, schools and embassies which are a mere walking distance away. The Makati Medical Center is also in the vicinity.

Tobias urges people to book their reservations now to get 45 percent discount from published rates on all room types. “This promo rate is only up to April 20,” she adds.

It all adds up to a great package for Holy Week travelers who want something a little different and much closer to home.

***

One Pacific Place Serviced Residences, managed by Quantum Hotels and Resorts, is located at 161 H.V. de la Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. For inquiries or reservations, call (632) 304-7777. For more information, check out its website at www.onepacificplaceresidences.com. Photos by Fernan Nebres