I was in a mood of something posh and lucratively, within my budget, indulging for my family last December 2011 so I decided to spend Christmas eve in Manila Hotel as my gift for them.
I did a little research on Manila Hotel and all of the 5star hotels in Manila and Makati because I am OC like that and of course I would like to keep my options open and my budget secured.
If my knowledge in Philippines History serves me well, Manila Hotel was made to rival with The Malacanang Palace around 1909 when it was built along Roxas Boulevard. Given the year, this is the oldest premiere hotel in the Philippines. Adding to its rich history, General Douglas MacArthur resides there between 1935 to 1941 thus the MacArthur Suites.
there a peek to the past o.O
Now in 2011 the prestigious Manila Hotel is still... well, prestigious, it is still one of the kind and can go neck to neck with other international 5 star hotels mushrooming Manila and Makati.
So i decided, Manila Hotel it is.
Who would argue with its rich history, posh ambiance and those chandeliers OMG its humongous!
We were greeted by a poorly decorated Christmas tree, honestly they can do better :( moving on, there were capis, woods, abacas, receptionist dress in filipinana guards in barong its all 100% pilipino...
... but not this chocolate masterpiece, westernized from chocolate Santa Clause, circling train to a snowy white chocolate fountain, all are edible of course! I fought the urge to ask a stupid question if Its free to taste some... I would not want to ruin a picture perfect chocolate wonderland right!?
If you cant contain yourself, you can avail of their decadent Belgian chocolate boxes, prices are not stated because I did not asked know its expensive hehehe.
more more chocolates....
Enough of the chocolates...
standard check in time is 2pm you can arrange for an airport pick up for a charge. If you have a car you'll love Manila Hotel because unlike others you have a wide parking lot -Quirino Grand Stand whahaha but seriously parking was a bliss and valet parking was absolutely free and fast.
Unfortunately while their valet was fast the traffic was insanely slow along Roxas Boulvard so avoid rush hour and holiday events or find a alternate route.
Thanks to Manila Film Festival yearly parade we finally checked in at around 6pm.
I tried paying online but they only allow booking for confirmation I need to really go there, moreover the cafe is not part of the hotels reception I need to pay it separately. The hotel's reception is open 24 hours but the cafe is only 6am until 11pm during holidays. Some hotels require a deposit, I was expecting only 2k to 3k... I was mildly shocked when the receptionist informed me about the 5k deposit. (will be returned upon check out)
14th floor. Mama and papa are old school so it took them a few minutes to figure out how to use the card key hehehe first time.
view form 14th floor.
Finally they figured out how the card key works and how to open the electricity in the room without calling reception hehehe work well done papa.
L'Occitane toiletries.posh!
Wasting no time, we headed to our Notche Buena at Cafe Ilang ilang.
The christmas dinner buffet was whopping 2745.00php per head. Dinner started 6pm untill 11pm.
What was special, was the lovely serenade while you dine and the accommodating waiters that made us feel like a million bucks... plus it was christmas eve and we're complete, us four nothing's more special than that ^.^
Tim Yap is that you whahaha.
We finally give up, after going back and forth the 9 stations buffet no later than 11pm, we rested and ate out desserts.
This, ladies and gentlemen, are every sweet tooth's dream.
Alas, dinner was done time to go to sleep but first a quick stop at the pool.
nothing special there...
View from the pool. Can you spot room 1417!?
Ok now really time to go to sleep.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! December 25, 2011 morning.
Wake up, its christmas!
Unprepared I called house keeping to press my polo shirt. While having our breakfast. Due to limited budget, finally admitting it, only mama and papa enjoyed the Cafe Ilang ilang breakfast. T.T
Unlike lunch and dinner, coffee, hot chocolate and orange juice are included in breakfast buffet.
I want waffles :(
Our version of christmas breakfast. Its Jericho's treat so I ordered away.
Original hot chocolate non fat, Chlie chan and a grande calzone for my big breakfast. burrfff!!!
and oh thats not for share... hehehe talk about gluttony.
While arguing on who's gonna drive back we saw a street fight between two drunk men... breakfast and entertainment live o.O
After breakfast we went to go site seeing- trourist wahahaha
We'll check in here soon I heard their Aqua room is nice.
Mama said that we'll have a long day ahead so she insisted that we both sleep while waiting for them at the spa.
Door bell rang and a warm "merry christmas" greeted me with a news paper and a christmas stocking, courtesy of the hotel.
There was all sorts of sweets in the stocking but what I love most was the yema.
Surprise! while I was cleaning all of the freebies, stacking it all up in my bag. Another sweet treat. I wonder if its really for free hehehe.
As much as we wanted to live there we need to go :( check out time is 12pm.
We waited for mama and papa at the lobby. Enjoying the free wifi and the caroling choir we were never bored at all, I even did not feel that mama and papa's massage was 2 hours long.
I went to check my parents at the spa after realizing we needed to eat lunch.
The spa smelled like a scented candle which I love it was borderline lavender to jasmine. No background music however the water pouring sound coming from the display fountain were addictively relaxing.
After their massage they were given hot tea and a plate of fruits and yogurt.
My mom can't get enough of the massage she wanted to tip their masseuse but they were on their undies she said hehehe and beacause of that she wanted massage every month o.O
Late lunch. Our lunch cost 2225.00php between 10am to 2pm. We were seated 1:30pm.
Ill buy tripod... get that on my list!!!
Solo pics!!! no solo pic for mama she's buys murdering her baby ribs.
Me super cute... isn't it? DO NOT ANSWER wahahah
My brother Jericho.
My father.
Manila Hotel shot.
mugshot!? hehehe
Mama and papa.
Traditionally every christmas we attend mass.
Another Damaso tradition, is watching Manila Film Fest ALL of the entry during christmas vacation.
but there is no harm in breaking tradition once in a while.
We ended our day watching Mission Impossible 4. 401php and its only 2D haist...
To sum it all up my christmas 2011 was a blast like every other christmas we had but this time it was only the four of us, extra special and a quality time with my family.
