Name of the hotel?
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

What is your Le Club status?
Platinum

Were you (or for multi-stayers were you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Absolutely.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a luxury room and received a luxury club room. The biggest difference between these two room categories is a small couch that is missing in the luxury rooms. Some of the club rooms also has a bathtub.

How are the rooms?
I got a room on the 10th floor where also the club lounge is located. It was a connecting room which I’m not a fan and also a little bit dated already. I arrived late, close to midnight, so I was tired to ask if I could get another room. I was moved to a new room next day after I requested it. It was now a renovated room on the 6th floor. It looked very nice and still had a smell of new furniture. I highly recommend to ask for a new room. For coffee drinkers: Sofitel Manila doesn't provide coffee machines in rooms, not even in suites. A kettle is available, though. This isn’t a big thing for me when there is an excellent lounge in the building.

What was good and what was bad?

Good:
- Breakfast: In my opinion, Sofitel Manila offers the best hotel breakfast. The selection is unbelievable wide. Taste good, too.
- Lounge: Again, the best in its class. Top notch.
- Pool: Huge swimming area surrounded by palm trees, sun beds and cabanas. Despite being a huge resort, it’s a relaxing heaven.

Bad:
- Too strict security: for example getting to pool area requires two check-ins. First in the doors to pool area and then again in a towel station a few meters away. One need to repeat room number, name and sign a form. Hotel guests are also forced to wear a red wristband during weekends. It’s like amusement park and not very convenient, annoying actually.
- Hotel guests are strictly forbidden to bring any food or beverages from outside the hotel. One has to sign a paper that has understood the rules.

Did you get club lounge access? How was the lounge?
Yes. It’s just amazing. The lounge is the best part of this hotel and in my opinion also the best of all hotel lounges I have ever been to. Very stylish and elegant. The quality and variety of food is good. It’s a buffet with both cold and warm options. Evening snacks included for example salmon sashimi with condiments, cold smoked salmon, roasted salmon, tuna cocktails, lamb shanks, lamb skewers, beef skewers, breasola, prosciutto, coppa ham, selection of cheeses and breads…
Read more about the lounge and see pictures in a separate Sofitel lounge thread here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/26756016-post80.html

What about welcome drinks, welcome amenities or any other special perks?
- Drink voucher for two, redeemable for local beer or juice (the lounge compensates this so I don’t complain)
- Welcome treat: fruit platter, bottle of white wine, apple juice, whole bread with dried fruits and mango chevre, plus banana cake (previously I have received a bottle of red wine, local mango liquor and a selection of mango delicacies)

Value for $ or Vouchers? Would you return?
Very good value. This is one of my favourite hotels and have my next stay booked already so will certainly return.