Winning the Raffle(s)

One of the best things about the return to the “old” normal is returning to the Raffles-Fairmont Hotel in Makati, enjoying its cozy Writers’ Bar, its British colonial-themed Long Bar, its versatile Spectrum Café, its French-inspired fine-dine Mireio restaurant and its romantic and breezy rooftop bar Mistral.

The Fairmont Makati, together with its sister properties the Raffles Makati and Raffles Residences Makati, recently marked its 10th anniversary of “ turning moments into memories.”

I couldn’t agree more. I have celebrated moments-turned-memories in the hotel, and in its sister hotel, The Fairmont (where the Grand Ballroom is).

Raffles is art and romance. Its’ Writers Bar doubles up as the Lobby Lounge, and yet it is private enough to have a corner to yourself as you have afternoon tea or a glass of wine as you listen to mellow melodies performed live by a pianist.

At The Raffles, there are places that are quiet when you want an oasis of calm, and there are places that pulsate with energy. It’s that mix under one roof that has Raffles winning me over.

I like the high ceilings of the Long Bar, complete with punkahs reminiscent of the colonial era, the peanuts in small paper bags that you can shell on your table, and the creative cocktails. My latest discovery is its crunchy chicharon platter — a trio of chicharon groupings. One mound is wasabi-flavored, another is salted egg-laced and the other is plain. Recommended for those who are not on any diet restrictions!

Mistral gives one a panoramic view of the skyscrapers of the Makati Central Business district, plus it boasts pulsating music. Truly a place to party or just sink in the view.

Mireio, on the other hand, is now bringing many to Cloud Nine (the restaurant is on the ninth floor of the Raffles) with its “Brunch Society” on Sundays, with unlimited French and other Mediterranean dishes and “bottomless” wines and spirits, including champagne. I loved the truffle risotto, the raclette and the fresh oysters.  Its floor-to-ceiling glass windows on three sides of the restaurant also offer dining with a view. C’est magnifique!

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I love the ambiance of British colonial architecture, the high ceilings, the louvered windows and doors, the punkahs swaying.  It is also a treat to have a staycation at a Raffles suite, also because the colonial interiors are complimented by modern art and fixtures. Plus, my husband and I always feel pampered with the butler service.

I was told occupancy and dining at Raffles and Fairmont are back to pre-pandemic levels, fueled a lot by the leadership of Bernd Schneider, cluster general manager for Raffles-Fairmont Makati and area general manager for Accor Philippines, a man they say has exacting standards that he motivates his staff to meet.

Raffles Makati marked its milestone 10th anniversary recently with an exclusive commemoration held at the Mirèio.

Titled Affaires Artistiques, the anniversary event was named for and inspired by arts, one of the tenets of the Raffles brand. Arts in all its forms have played an important part in the legacy of Raffles properties the world over, and Raffles Makati’s 10th anniversary served as an ideal spotlight to the story of art in the hotel.

The fine arts were perfectly represented by visual artist Joemarie Sanclaria, who joined the event and worked on a live painting of the celebration to capture and immortalize the anniversary and those who came to celebrate it. His painting entitled Affaires Artistiques, an Impressionist interpretation of the night’s proceedings, greatly impressed the guests, who were each gifted ­with limited edition canvas prints of the masterpiece, hand-delivered to them individually as a souvenir from the event.

It really isn’t difficult for the Raffles to win you over!