Name of the hotel?
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
What is your Le Club status?
Gold (Though Share Owner direct)
Were you (or for multi-stayers were you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Without the slightest doubt!!!
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a
Luxury Club Room and received a 2 room corner suite on the 10th floor facing the city.
How are the rooms?
Amazing, though a tad dated. Corner room with balcony all the way round with views of the city, MoA and somewhat the water front.
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
1) Breakfast: I have never in my life seen anything like it. Thinks Harrods food courts in London and add a little Far Eastern flare and you have the best breakfast experience ever. This seriously beats anything and everything. WOW.
2) Staff in the lounge: AMAZING and very good offerings in deed.
3) Check-in: was again one of those WOW experiences I will never forget.
A little back ground info: We just came from a 10 day Shangri-La Boracay stay where a simple standard check in took 45 min due to incompetent staff. They knew we were coming as we were picked up at the airport, driven by minibus, jetted over in a private speed boat, picked up at the private Jetty and chauffeured over to the main building for check-in and still they had no clue about anything. Even when mentioning it they just shrugged their shoulders and couldn'0tt care.
Arriving at Sofitel Manila: It all started at the airport in a white S Class MB taking us swiftly (as swiftly one can move through Manila traffic) to the hotel, where we were greeted by a ever-so-lovely hostess who took us directly to the 10th floor and our room. Check-in happened on her iPad and all in all it took 45 seconds from arriving until we were in the room (give or take a few). Bags arrived 2 min later.
4) I'm a shower-room snob - big time. I love my showers and I LOVED the shower in this room. No water spillage (not a single drop anywhere on the floor outside the shower cubicle), temperature easy to control and nice nozzle.
5) Free shuttle bus to shopping areas.
Bad:
1) Rooms are a tad dated/very dark (which is OK if you suffer from migraine as I do) and the location is not the best in the world.
2) Pool area a tad “rough” and somewhat dilapidated but didn'tt use it so not of any concern really.
3) Only once a day shuttle bus to the green belt shopping area (at least what we saw, maybe there are more)
Did you get club lounge access? How was the lounge?
Yes, access granted. Very nice lounge in-deed. It's very elongated with a little reception and to the left after entering food offering and fridges with drinks. Smoking is allowed out side on the balcony and very annoying when people run in and out without closing the door after them. There are a few iMacs for visitors to use and the wi-fi is ok'ish. Very tentative staff in deed and amazing hostess'.
What about welcome drinks, welcome amenities or any other special perks?
Got a personal hand written card welcoming us to the hotel. A selection of amuse bouche and fruits as well as bottle of wine was there for us. One thing I don't get. Why not keep it local rather than European? I agree that very little things here on our planet can beat (or even get close to) finer French cooking/food presentation and I love French food more than anything but I do also like to try other things when away, I didn't go to Manila to have French food ;-) Also, the lounge has all you an dream off
One "perk" that's not written anywhere is actually the way one is treated at any Sofitel (at least where I have stayed). It's world leader by far and when you inform (or when they know) you have status i the membership the fantastic service just jumps one step up... I keep being amazed...
Value for $ or Vouchers? Would you return?
Yes, top value all the way and I would return without hesitation.
Room
Lounge
