Mandarin Oriental says hackers stole credit card data

NEW YORK — Hackers broke into the Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel group’s database and stole credit card information from “an isolated number” of its properties in the United States and Europe.

“The incident is a direct result of an unauthorized cyber-attack,” the Hong Kong-based group said in a statement Thursday.

“Unfortunately incidents of this nature are increasingly becoming an industry-wide concern and therefore we have also alerted our technology peers in the hospitality industry.”

The hotel group said the breach came from malicious software that was “undetectable by all anti-viral systems.”

Mandarin said it had removed the malware and was “coordinating with credit card agencies, law enforcement authorities and forensic specialists to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to fully protect our guests and our systems across our portfolio.”

The luxury lodging group did not identify the hotels affected but said none of them were in Asia.

“We can confirm that only an isolated number of hotels in the US and Europe have been affected,” the statement said.

“Moreover, from the information we have to date, the breach has only affected credit card data and not any other personal guest data, and credit card security codes have not been compromised.”

Part of the Jardine Matheson group, Mandarin Oriental operates some 45 hotels in 25 countries.

source: interaksyon.com

The Peninsula Manila and The Farm at San Benito create new wellness menu

The Peninsula Manila Hotel invites us to embrace wellness and experience the restorative powers of nature with its newly expanded 360º Wellness, Naturally, Peninsula menu, a collaborative effort between the talented culinary teams of The Peninsula and The Farm at San Benito, one of the world’s foremost health and wellness resorts, located 90 minutes away from Metro Manila.

The new menu introduces a wide variety of lighter dining fare using natural herbs and spices, together with other organic produce from reputable and sustainable sources, live and raw foods and no meat, fish, fowl, dairy, eggs, butter, cholesterol or saturated fats from animals or animal by-products.

This echoes The Peninsula Manila’s “Naturally Peninsula” cuisine philosophy that focuses on a non-clinical and holistic approach to wellness by harnessing the botanical benefits of nature.

This same philosophy is shared by the chefs of The Farm at San Benito  who have won numerous best cuisine awards, including  winning the “Spa Cuisine of the Year” two years in a row from Asia Spa Magazine. Upon the guidance of The Farm’s chefs, the Peninsula Manila’s new 360° Wellness, Naturally Peninsula menu does not use any flour, wheat, grain, sugar, canned, or anything that is processed, boxed or packaged.

Dishes under this menu are also to be cooked only with certified organic extra virgin olive oil and Absolutely No Heat Process (ANH) virgin coconut oil. Working closely with the Peninsula’s Executive Chef Richard Green and his team, both stellar kitchens have identified and incorporated local ingredients into signature dishes that will ultimately enhance a guest’s destination-inspired experience.

Guest dining in the hotel’s various dining outlets will delight not just in the surprisingly more flavorful take on health food, but also in the knowledge that they are eating ingredients that are free of toxins and harmful chemicals and at the same time helping preserve the environment.

To celebrate the new collaboration, The Farm at San Benito and The Peninsula Manila are launching a joint wellness program package, starting at approximately USD873 (PhP34,916) for two, which includes one-night accommodation at The Peninsula Manila and two-nights’ accommodation at The Farm.

Early Chowbuzz recommendations includes; the Smoked Eggplant-Szechuan dip (90 calories per tablespoon), Mushroom-nut ragout stuffed, Coconut Ravioli with cumin carrot sauce (274 calories per serving), and Penang Curry (174 calories per serving).

• The Peninsula Manila, corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City. Tel. no. (+632) 810-3456 or (+632) 887-2888.

source: interaksyon.com

Resorts World operator halves IPO price

MANILA - The operator of Resorts World Manila slashed by half the price at which it would sell its shares to the public, trimming the size of the equity fundraising to $430 million.

During Friday's domestic roadshow, UBS Philippines managing director Lauro Baja III said the maximum price for Travellers International Hotel Group Inc’s initial public offering (IPO) will be P11.88 per share, down from the original price of P23.38 per share.




UBS is one of the global coordinators, international book runners and lead managers of the IPO.

Proceeds from the primary offering will drop to $430 million, Baja said. Including the over-allotment option, the proceeds could reach $450 million.

The joint venture between Alliance Global Group Inc of Philippine billionaire Andrew Tan and Malaysia's Genting Hong Kong earlier planned to raise $842-million from the IPO before it was shelved in July in light of the volatility in financial markets worldwide.

Travellers will kick off its international roadshow on Monday, bringing the hotel and gaming firm to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, New York and Boston.

The final offer price will be set on October 17 with offer period scheduled from October 22 to 29. Listing of the shares at the Philippine Stock Exchange is slated on November 5.

Travellers will use the proceeds from the offer to partly finance the $600-million expansion of Resorts World Manila, the country's first integrated tourism estate.

CIMB Securities (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Maybank Kim Eng Securities (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Religare Capital Markets Hong Kong Limited and UBS AG, Hong Kong Branch were tapped as joint global coordinators, international book runners and lead managers.

CLSA Limited, Credit Suisse (Singapore) Limited and Morgan Stanley & Company International PLC will act as joint international co-book runners.

Domestic lead underwriters are BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, Maybank ATR Kim Eng Capital Partners Inc and UBS Investments Philippines Inc.

Travellers operates Resorts World Manila and plans to build a second facility in the Entertainment City of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).

The expansion of Resorts World Manila will double its current offerings in the next three years. This involves a convention cenetr that can accommodate 5,000 people, an additional 1,100 hotel rooms and gaming facilities.

source: interaksyon.com

Traders Hotel Manila gets a new look

MANILA, Philippines -  Traders Hotel, Manila opens its doors to corporate events, weddings and social occasions with its newly-renovated grand ballroom and function rooms.

The modernized and elegant design of the brand new Embassy ballroom on the second floor can accommodate up to 500 persons and the four smaller function rooms can seat from 50 to 150 attendees.  The updated and exquisite meeting rooms complement the hotel’s 312 renovated guestrooms, the Traders Lounge, the newly renovated pool and the Japanese restaurant.

Guests will feel a more vibrant ambiance with the contemporary architectural design highlighting the crystal chandeliers, art glass and stained mirrors, metal doors, cream-colored textured leather padded walls, the elegantly appointed earth tone motif with abstract and linear pattern for the fully-carpeted ballroom and function rooms along with the original Italian marble flooring for the foyer.

Woodworks in dark hazel nut and abstract paintings were also added to give contrast to the overall bright walls and the natural light coming from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Ambassador’s Sala. Energy-efficient and eco-friendly LED lights are used throughout the place, which will certainly amplify guests’ event experience.

For information, call 708-4888 or e-mail events.thm@tradershotels.com.

source: philstar.com

Pavilion to unveil Aquino Suite

MANILA, Philippines - In commemoration of the 30th Ninoy Aquino Day on Aug. 21, Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino is unveiling its newly renovated suite named after former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to give honor and recognition to all of his significant contributions in carving the nation and Philippine history.

Situated on the 20th floor, the Aquino Suite magnifies classic elegance with its floor size up to 150 square meters. Its marble foyer welcomes guests with aesthetic artifacts, thoughtful lighting design, and sleek furniture.

“This hotel has stood tall for 45 years and based on the stories of the people who have been here way longer than me, this specific room has been a witness to a lot of momentous events before Ninoy got imprisoned, exiled, died and became our hero as the inspiration for the People Power EDSA Revolution in 1986,” says GM Christopher Park. “We are glad of that fact that he was once our beloved guest.”

The suite’s master bedroom is especially well furnished, making a subtle entitlement for a royal treatment. Every little detail in the room brings nostalgia. The elegantly appointed room is connected to a dressing room and a marble-tiled bathroom housing a Jacuzzi and walk-in shower, blending modernism and elegance of the past.

When its time for business, the study area functions as an ideal office space. It has a separate workstation, a stylish sofa set, and a mini library reliving the days of the former senator, a reputed wide reader. His birthday, Nov. 27, has actually been declared “Araw ng Pagbasa (Day of Reading)” to recognize the influence of books in his life.

In the living room, Ninoy’s inspiration comes true with the yellow modish armchairs which look like a throne and the P500 bill painting that is quite a scene-stealer.


The floor area is expansive and includes a 40-inch LED TV for personal entertainment. From the living room, the suite unfolds into the dining room. The chandelier hanging above the dining table also leaves a statement, making the view within even more astonishing. 

Guests of the Aquino Suite, located in a private corner to provide maximum privacy, will enjoy the dedicated butler service for all their needs and pleasure.

The Aquino Suite at Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino is an ideal destination for a well-earned getaway. It’s a private sanctuary that lets guests take a peek on the life of a historical icon and pay homage to the heritage of the country.


Visit the Manila Pavilion Hotel at United Nations Avenue corner Maria Orosa St., Manila. Log on to www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or call 526-1212 for inquiries or reservations. Like or follow @WaterfrontMNL for regular updates.

source: philstar.com

For $50,000, a floating hotel room in Denver’s skyline is yours

(Reuters)—If being a mile above sea level is not high enough for visitors to Denver, guests at one hotel can pay a cool $50,000 to get an additional 22-foot (7-meter) boost in an inflatable room hoisted into the downtown skyline.

Perched atop a mechanical scissor lift affixed to the roof of a van parked outside the Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver, “the world’s only floating pop-up hotel” is a small but fully functional guest room, according to hotel promotional material.

The 5-foot-by-7-foot (1.5-meter-by-2.1-meter) inflatable chamber—about the dimensions of an elevator—is the brainchild of New York-based artist Alex Schweder, who created the work for a local festival to promote the arts.

Made of clear vinyl with inflated walls like a bouncy room for kids, the chamber is furnished with a bed, chair, couch, and complete lavatory facilities. The couch and chair retract when the bed is deployed, similar to a pop-up book.

An aluminum railing around the room provides a measure of security lest a sleepwalker decide to take a midnight stroll.

The floating room concept is part of the Curtis Hotel’s pop culture-themed lodging experience, said sales and marketing director Kate Thompson.

Other amenities included in the $50,000-per-night charge are limousine service, a Tiffany’s diamond pendant and earring set, binoculars for viewing, and “groovy in-room” swag like 1960s-era scarves and bell-bottom pants.

Patrons can also host a disco party at the main hotel’s ’70s-style lounge. And guests who buy the package will be greeted at their hotel room by Sonny and Cher impersonators.

Although the quirky concept is creating a buzz in downtown Denver, so far no one has reserved the room, which will be available for another few weeks, Thompson said.

“We’ve had one serious phone call but no one has booked it yet,” Thompson said.

source: interaksyon.com

Ayala Land to expand hotel portfolio to 4,000 rooms by 2015

MANILA - Ayala Land Inc (ALI) is developing its own affordable and upscale hotel brands as well as building more tourism estates as part of its plan of having 4,000 hotel rooms by 2015.

On the sidelines of the company's annual stockholders meeting, ALI president Antonino Aquino said the property company is conceptualizing a "more economic" hotel brand with room prices at $60 or P2,500 per night. Rates at the Seda business man's hotel averages $128 or P5,000 per night.

Junie Jalandoni, senior vice president and head of AyalaLand Hotel and Resorts Corp, said the affordable hotel brand will rise initially in its South Park District development in Alabang, in Bacolod and in Iloilo. The firm will break ground on the first site in the second half of the year and it will be operational a year later.

ALI is also going upscale with the development of Seda Suites, which will have bigger room sizes. The first Seda Suite will rise in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

"Tourism is one of the major items that has very good tailwind as far as the Philippine economy is concerned. All of our product initiatives are related to what is getting a lot of tailwind from the Philippine economy," said Aquino.

ALI is opening Seda hotels in Quezon City, Arca South in Taguig City, Nuvali in Laguna and Circuit in Makati after rolling out the brand in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and BGC.

By the end of the year, ALI will have a network of 2,000 hotel and resort rooms. It recently opened the Holiday Inn and The Raffles and Fairmont in Makati.

Aside from putting up more hotels, ALI is working to acquire more land and expand its island resort portfolio.

“What is attractive relative to the tourism estate sector is where you have the Visayas islands, that’s the place where marine life is good, a lot of corals have been formed, beaches are nice. That’s the target area where we are very interested,” Aquino said.

The firm had said it wants to double its land bank for tourism estates to 1,000 hectares in the next 2-3 years. It is preparing the master plan for a 300-hectare El Nido property in Palawan, which may include residential developments, among others. El Nido is an island resort complex consisting of the Lagen, Miniloc, Apulit and Pangulasian island resorts.

The real estate firm vowed further developments in El Nido will have limited impact on the environment.

“It will be very balanced. If ever there will be a conflict, it will be in favor of nature,” said Aquino.

ALI has also partnered with Subic Bay Development and Industrial Estate Corp for the development of Anvaya Cove, a 320-hectare leisure complex in Bataan.

source: interaksyon.com

Everything you need at Quest Hotel-Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - It’s an exciting time to be in Cebu City right now. The Queen City of the South lives up to its name, thanks to its robust economy and booming tourism industry. A major destination in the country for locals and foreigners alike, Cebu offers plenty of opportunities for businesspeople and vacationers all year-round. Answering the need for a perfect place to stay in the city is the Quest Hotel Conference Center-Cebu.

The first, and important, rule of running a business is having a good location. Quest Hotel has that and more. The hotel, located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, is just minutes away from the central business district. And right across the street is Ayala Center-Cebu, one of the premier shopping malls in the city. Less than half an hour away is the famous Magellan’s Cross as well as the seaport. Travel time from the Mactan International Airport to the hotel is about 45 minutes.

Quest Hotel is a three-star establishment that strives to give guests the best value for their money. From the location to the hotel’s clean and modern design aesthetic, many will be delighted at what they will see. “We call ourselves the ‘Great Value Hotel,’” says Karen Mendoza, executive assistant manager. “We have been doing so well in terms of occupancy, considering the competition surrounding us. Our rates are really very reasonable.”

Aimed at the corporate market, Quest Hotel offers a simple yet adequate kind of stay for people who place a premium on value. Ten state-of-the-art meeting rooms can accommodate anywhere from 10 people for small meetings to 150 people for large corporate events, celebrations, and other gatherings. Four different room types offer basic amenities, but all are outfitted with king-size beds and are covered with free Wi-Fi. Wide-screen TVs, a safe, and mini bar come standard for the deluxe, premier deluxe, junior and corporate suites — basically all that anyone needs for a comfortable stay. Mendoza says, “Room amenities are basic. There are some you need to request (if you need them) like dental kits, etc., but we don’t want our guests to worry about anything because everything is here. We have a pool on the seventh floor and one big restaurant at the lobby level.”


That would be the Pusô Bistro & Bar. Named after Cebu’s unique “hanging” rice, which is wrapped and cooked in young coconut leaves shaped like a human heart, the restaurant serves many local and international dishes with an all-you-can-eat buffet at P499 per person. The name serves a double purpose for Quest Hotel and, according to Mendoza, it is reflective of the “uncomplicated” type of service they offer.




For a three-star hotel to truly shine, the efficiency and quality of service of its staff has to be excellent. And that’s a level that Quest Hotel employees all strive for. “It’s service from the heart,” Mendoza continues. “It speaks for itself.” And according to her, they must be doing something right in that regard. Karen shares that on review site TripAdvisor.com, Quest Hotel ranks fourth in positive guest reviews among the 68 hotels in Cebu. “Most of the guest comments say they like staying at Quest because of the great location, value for money, great service and modern feel.” That’s the kind of feedback that every hotel dreams of.

“We want guests to enjoy their stay and to come back,” says Mendoza. “And we have been very successful in achieving that because we have a lot of returning guests.” That’s great news for a hotel that has been around for only a little over a year. It shows how a little quality service goes a long way. The journey has just begun for Quest Hotel, but already, the future looks bright.


 Quest Hotel and Conference Center-Cebu is located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City. For inquiries or reservations, call (+6332) 402-5999, fax at (+6332) 402-5998, e-mail at CebuInfo@Quest-Hotels.Com or log on to Cebu.QuestHotels.com.

source: philstar.com

The age of Discovery

MANILA, Philippines - How do you top paradise?

How do you make “the best” even better?

That’s the challenge for any beach resort on the Philippines’ most famous beach island of Boracay. But only Discovery Shores has a winning formula that’s been singled out by Travel + Leisure magazine, which named it the “Top Hotel Spa in Asia” in its 2012 survey, and included it on its World’s Best Hotels list for three years running.

We were there for a special media event during Earth Hour — Discovery Shores was awarding its annual “Top Producers,” those travel agencies that had generated the most bookings for the resort paradise. Awardees were flown in to the island (by sponsor Seair) and pampered with a two-night stay. As Discovery Shores sales and marketing director Joy Anne C. Denoga told us, it was a night to showcase “the best of the best.” Toward that end, we enjoyed an excellent beachside menu of Alaskan gindara and grilled Palawan lobster prepared by a two-Michelin star chef, Anthony Raymond. We watched, during the lights-out Earth Hour, as the Manila Boys and Girls Black Light Theater lit up the shoreline with a fluorescent spectacle (set to Katy Perry’s Fireworks, Black Eyed Peas’ Time of My Life, et al) that trumpeted the resort’s special place in the pantheon of Bora beach getaways.

Again, how does Discovery Shores excel at something that’s practically perfect already? Boracay is regarded as one of the top beach destinations in the world. Not to take anything away from the proud awardees (Hana Tours, which does a brisk business in selling Korean honeymoon and wedding packages to Discovery Shores, won the top honors), but how hard can it be to sell tickets to paradise? Well, it turns out it’s this extra effort that makes the resort such a memorable experience. While agreeing that write-ups in Travel + Leisure, The New York Times and even the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World guide are “a great help, a boost in our popularity,” Denoga said that maintaining Discovery Shore’s excellence becomes even more important: “We need to make sure that we do deliver, because people have high expectations. We want to deliver because, honestly, it’s good for the Philippines. It’s really about local pride.”

So how do they go the extra mile? Well, it’s worth noting that, in Discovery Shores, your enjoyment is meant to be seamless: from the moment you enter the wooden platform and check in until you check out. Your initial view of the beachfront is mesmerizing. “It’s like entering a dream,” Therese remarked, gazing at the serene blue waters, the perfect sky, the paddle boarders lazily drifting by, the trademark white globes and cocktail tables dotting the sand. And from the moment you arrive, your experience is meant to be effortless. Yet, as with most effortless things, it’s not surprising to learn that lots of people are working behind the scenes to make yours a memorable stay. We noticed first, upon entering our room, a banner welcoming us for our stay; then we spotted a dessert dish with chocolates and a cupcake topped by the Philippine STAR logo. Other little touches — the iPod dock, the wooden tic-tac-toe game, the bedside rack of classic Western novels (The Great Gatsby, Sense and Sensibility, etc.) — remind you this is a place that’s always seeking to win you over.


Well, they had us at the incredible junior suite (one of 88 available rooms), with its raised bed and personal foot-bathing area; the balcony that’s perfect for gazing out across the Boracay treeline and swimming  pool below; they continued to raise the bar as we sauntered past the lobby desk (with its glass jar of Easter cookies for guests to nibble), its billiards table and children’s recreation room and library with computers for Internet use; then it was a stroll down to the (still) perfect white-powder sand to a couple of sprawling beach chairs, where we were quickly attended to by Discovery Shores’ staff (beachfront butlers) who presented beach towels and a cool carafe of pandan water. Later, if you need a ride to D’Mall or other Bora locations, just ask: Discovery Shores provides free shuttle service.



 Then there was the jar of Choconut candies discreetly placed at our table as we waited for our al fresco lunch to arrive. Not a moment passed when our needs went unattended.



So: just imagine you’ve arrived at the Pearly Gates, and you see Saint Peter standing there. And you sheepishly ask, “Do you have anything up here that’s… just a little bit more special?”

That’s Discovery Shores.

Located at Station 1’s White Beach, set back comfortably from its commanding beachfront, this resort still offers the bluest waters, the nicest sand to squash between your toes, and that extra bit of seclusion that’s getting harder to come by in Station 2’s summer party zone. Yet you’re still a barefooted beach walk away from the action, if that’s what you crave.

Food is something else that sets Discovery Shores apart. With chef Raymond as the executive chef of Discovery properties (previously he was with Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, preparing for a flurry of very particular Hollywood stars), the food at Indigo is awesome enough to earn it two features in Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurants List, as well as being shortlisted in the 2010/2011 Miele Guide to Asia’s Best Restaurants.

Resident manager Leeds Trompeta pointed out that Discovery Shores has a loyal following of repeat guests, people who book their next three or four stays in advance, sometimes even the same rooms. And let’s not forget weddings: Discovery Shores arranges about 15-20 a year, from elaborate to simple, all of them memorable — like the American/Filipina couple who held a full-scale nuptial on the beachfront just a day before our arrival, complete with a seven-foot wedding cake. The staff works with wedding planners and guests to get every detail right. The wedding and honeymoon market is particularly strong among Korean guests, notes Trompeta.

Another highlight was a visit to Discovery Shore’s award-winning Terra Spa. The 90-minute Terra’s Touch signature treatment is thoroughly relaxing: choose from four oil blends — Alaga with rosemary and ginger (soothing), Sigla with lemongrass and peppermint (energizing), Gayuma with ylang ylang and palmarosa essential oils (for romance) or Hulay with ylang ylang and lavender oils (for relaxing). Let Scott describe his experience: “Being a Gemini, I’m attuned to a certain symmetry in most things: my left and right side should be equally balanced, especially during a massage. At Terra, I was pleased to find that the series of signature strokes was delivered with exactly the same pressure and in the same sequence to both my right and left sides.” (Yes, that’s a little OCD, but Geminis do notice such things.)

Therese, always on the lookout for the best ways to take the hurting from her flamenco-abused feet, also tried the one-hour Dagdagay, a native treatment in which two sticks are used to massage the feet to stimulate blood circulation. “Though the therapist scratching your feet with the sticks takes some getting used to (I was trying not to laugh, actually), the rolling motions were really soothing. I can’t wait to do this again in Manila!”

Discovery Shores is the kind of place where people like to nestle and feel at home. Seeing those colored globes and tables lighting up the beach at night, wandering its tranquil wooden walkways, curling up with a book or a drink on its shaded lounge chairs and sofas — surrounded by the pacifying sound of waves crashing into the shore — you feel something akin to being home. This is the experience that Discovery Shores has raised to a level as fine as the white sands.


 To book your stay at Discovery Shores this summer, contact 719-8888 in Manila, e-mail inquiry@discovery.com.ph  or dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph, or visit their website (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com).

source: philstar.com

Georgina is stylish endorser of Park Inn by Radisson Davao

MANILA, Philippines - Park Inn by Radisson Davao was launched recently. A fun and energetic mid-market brand under the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, Park Inn by Radisson Davao is located adjacent to SM City Lanang Premier and SMX Davao Convention Center. The hotel is just 15 minutes away from the Davao International Airport and the city center, and a short drive away from major tourist attractions, beaches and museums. Perfect for business and leisure travelers, the brand offers a great hotel experience through its comfortable rooms, superb modern essentials, great conference venue facilities and signature “Adding Colors to Life” service concept.

Park Inn by Radisson Davao taps Georgina Wilson (second from left) as endorser.  With her during the contract signing are (from left) talent manager Shirley Kuan, Rey Villar, EVP of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. and Lourdes Macalindong-Juco, VP for sales and marketing of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.

source: philstar.com

Waterfront begins P500-million renovation of Manila Pavilion

MANILA - Waterfront Philippines Inc launched the P500-million renovation of the Manila Pavilion Hotel amid rising competition from new and international hotel brands set to open in the Philippines.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Waterfront said Manila Pavilion recently completed the second phase of its renovation covering 223 upper floor rooms and suites. Aside from its two-category Deluxe Rooms, Executive Rooms and Premier Suites, the hotel introduced a new set of Ambassador Club rooms and two new Presidential Suites to enhance the hotel's position in the corporate market.

“As one of the pioneering hotels in the country, we see ourselves as pioneers for steadfast innovations to meet and beat competition. In this promising part of Manila, we just can’t wait to create a signature that will amalgamate our hallmark design concepts, high-tech features and exceptional service to complete that grandeur experience for our guests.” said Christopher Park, general manager of Manila Pavilion.

The redevelopment will continue for 250 Superior Rooms and Suites at the lower floors, as well as for the upgrade of function rooms and food and beverage facilities.

The P500-million renovation, financed through internally-generated cash and external sources, will increase the hotel’s room revenues by 50 percent because of more bookings from premium corporate and travel clients, Waterfront said.

The room themes were developed to maximize guest satisfaction to generate repeat bookings and keep room maintenance costs to minimum levels, the company said.

A landmark in Manila, the Manila Pavillon is situated close to a mix of historic sites, major ports and various entertainment hubs. It also houses the Casino Filipino Pavilion on the first three floors of the hotel.

The completion of the second phase of the hotel’s renovation comes on the heels of the opening of Solaire Resort & Casino, the first hotel and casino among the four licensees to open at the Entertainment City of state-run Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp (Pagcor). Three more hotels will open at the Entertainment City through 2016.

In the second quarter, Travellers International Hotel Group Inc -- a joint venture between Alliance Global Group Inc and the Genting group of Hong Kong -- is set to commence development on the third phase of Resorts World Manila. This comprises two new hotels under the Sheraton and Hilton brands as well as the expansion of the existing Maxims and Marriott Hotels.

Lastly, the SM group is set to build a Conrad hotel at the Mall of Asia complex near the Entertainment City.

Apart from Manila Pavillon, Waterfront operates the G Hotel in Manila, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan in Cebu and the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao in Davao.

The company operates close to 1,500 rooms, employs 1,500 employees and has over 41,000 square meters of convention and gaming space.

source: interaksyon.com

The Pen Lobby’s cool treats for the chilly season

Eating ice cream in December? The wisecracker would quickly retort, you drink coffee in summer, don’t you? Really, why not. Especially if it’s the luscious and oversized ice cream treats being served at the iconic Peninsula Manila Lobby.

“December is the time when a lot of people come and get together traditionally, just like at The Lobby where we are launching our latest ice cream menu. We do get a lot of people coming together and who ask for our ice cream,” shares Adam Lifshitz, the Pen’s assistant food and beverage manager.

Not only that, Executive Pastry Chef Sebastien Coquery notes guests of the hotel are fond of eating their frozen delights anytime of the day. “I have been traveling around the world for 20 years now, and this is the first country where we serve ice cream for breakfast. In the buffet, it is not only kids but also adults as well who enjoy our ice cream. They take their cup of coffee with ice cream (on the side). I’ve never seen that anywhere in the world,” the French chef says with an amused tone.

Guests screaming for ice cream in the hotel’s lobby and restaurant outlets encouraged Executive Chef Patrick Bocheur and Chef Coquery to improve the Pen Lobby’s dessert collections to serve more tempting concoctions under the collective name Frozen by the Sun. The Sun, of course, is a reference to National Artist Napoleon Abueva’s iconic “Sunburst” sculpture set above the Lobby.

In the midst of the artisanal ice cream rage, however, don’t expect unusual flavors like bacon, wasabi, and blue cheese to be served here. Lifshitz shrugs his shoulders and says the hotel prefers to offer more familiar flavors. “We decided to stick to the more traditional, classic flavors of ice cream as these are what the people look for. People want something they can recognize.”

Instead, the hotel found its perfect chill buddy in food service giant Unilever Foodsolutions, which carries Selecta, one of the country’s leading ice cream brands. Chefs Bocheur and Coquery then created festively served frozen desserts guaranteed to delight not just Filipinos but foreign guests, too.

Lifshitz shares that the new and improved cold desserts will also surely make people feel good. “Most of the people who order ice cream at the Lobby are adults. (That’s why) we try to give our ice cream a playful feel so they can embrace their inner child.”






Chef Coquery adds that the ice cream creations are not just for satisfying the sense of taste but the sense of sight as well. “We eat first with the eyes. Just see what we did with the Nutty Page Boy, which has marshmallows, rich caramel sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles on it. Kids will certainly like it.”

The Choco Loco Sundae, for instance, is definitely a chocoholic’s fantasy with its chocolate truffle and chocolate hazelnut ice cream together with moist brownie chunks and whipped cream.

Can’t Say No consists of ice cream classics like chocolate truffle, vanilla, and coffee almond topped with white and dark chocolate, and whipped cream.

Then there’s the all-time Pen Lobby favorite Pen Pals—all 19 scoops of guiltless ice-cream goodness. Unless you’re up for brain freeze, it’s best attacked as a group.

“People still get that same excitement, even as adults, over ice cream,” says Lifshitz. “Their eyes light up and they still get that sense of joy.”

True. You can’t get anymore Christmas-y than that—delighting in food that gives cheer and a sweet rush of childhood memories.


The Peninsula Manila is located at Ayala corner Makati Avenue. For inquiries, (+632) 887-2888.

source: interaksyon.com

Hotel of the Week: Waimea Luxury Houses in Puerto Galera

Waimea Luxury Houses is located on Sabang Beach in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The easiest way to get there from Manila is by bus or private vehicle via Batangas pier. From there, several boat transfer options bound for Sabang are made available. In Puerto Galera, tricycles are the easiest way to get to the Waimea Luxury Houses.

















Website
http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/puerto_galera/waimea_luxury_houses_el_galleon_dive_resort_annex.html

Price specials
Regular discounts available year-round on Agoda.com





What makes this hotel a stand out?
Unlike anything else in Puerto Galera, Waimea’s three luxury private villas are a five- minute walk to El Galleon beach resort but offer the privacy of one’s own home. Set in a lush tropical garden, the private villas are built around a gorgeous pool. Each villa has been tastefully decorated, complete with essential amenities. The villas are divided into two sections: downstairs is a self-contained studio flat that is separate from the main house, and the top floor of the villa has two en-suite bedrooms, a mezzanine with balcony, spacious living and dining areas, and kitchen.

What Agoda guests are saying
“A great compound back on the hillside with its own pool and nice landscape. Great view of palms trees out to the ocean.”
—Edwin T, Couple from the US, October 2012

“Conveniently located from the next door Asia Divers, with a bit more modern flair and clean environment compared to the nearby original hotel.”
—Riwa S, family with older children from the UK, September 2012

“Perfect place. The staff members were great; the place is spotlessly clean; we really loved the place and would stay there again.”
—David K, couple from Australia, August 2012

source: interaksyon.com

Live and play at Marriott Hotel Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Combining the best in luxury hotel accommodations and a prime location, Marriott Hotel Manila is the ideal place to stay for either work or leisure.

This exquisitely appointed five-star hotel sits perfectly beside Manila’s most lavish entertainment complex, Resorts World Manila at Newport City, just across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Being a few steps away from a host of dining and entertainment options plus the convenient proximity to a bevy of transport options makes Marriott Hotel one of the must-stay destinations in Metro Manila.

According to Scott Sibley, general manager of Marriott Hotel Manila, people can expect a lot more from the hotel in the next couple of years. Ongoing is the construction of the Marriott Convention Center which is expected to open in January 2015. Located adjacent to the hotel property, the convention center will be linked to the main hotel via a walkway.

“It’s 6,900 square meters of meeting space and another 2,000 square meters of lobby space,” he says. “It’s three storys, an entire city block. You cannot miss it.”

Aside from this, Sibley says the Marriott will have an additional 200 rooms constructed on a separate building which will also be linked to the convention center. All three structures will be connected by the planned walkway.

Sibley adds: “This will make us the largest five-star convention center in the Philippines. This will be a one-stop shop — you come in, book your wedding, your event, your function, your car show, whatever it is, and then it will be dressed up like a five-star hotel and ballroom with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. You will be able to do whatever you want and we will service it.”

The addition of the convention center is expected to generate 600 new jobs for the hotel. As one of the largest hotel chains in the world, Marriott’s fastest growth has recently been in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sibley says Marriott Hotel Manila is poised to join the ranks of its sister hotels. He predicts: “In the next decade, the Philippines will be our next hottest spot, not just in Metro Manila, but in the whole nation.”





Stationed in Manila for almost a year now, Sibley had his start as an executive chef at Marriott 29 years ago. Last stationed at the Marriott in Guam, he reveals that 98 percent of his staffers back there were Filipinos. So, it was not as hard a transition as one would expect.

“Marriot’s known for its service,” Sibley enthuses. “The takeaway here is the Filipino hospitality — how great and fun it is to be in the Philippines, how friendly Filipinos are and how much (guests) enjoy the service here. The hospitality of the Filipinos is outstanding; it’s probably the best in the world. The natural resources here are amazing. Three of the beaches are probably some of the best beaches in the world. For people who like to dive there are some of the best diving spots in the world here.”

Although he heaps praise on the Philippines’ inherent wonders, Sibley is quick to add that Metro Manila is often taken for granted by many foreign tourists. “An hour away from here there’s so much to do,” he says. “I think it’s been overlooked for decades. In the future, I think you are going to see more and more people staying longer in Manila to see more of what it has to offer. This entertainment complex here itself is one of a kind in the Philippines. There’s nothing like Resorts World in the Philippines. You can stay here for three days and never leave the building.”

No truer words have been said. If you are not staying in one of Marriot Manila’s exquisitely appointed guest rooms, you will be spending time at the hotel’s many dining options and leisure facilities. There’s the Marriott Café, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. For relaxing there’s the Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and nearby, the Newport Mall and Cinema.

A Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms also make Marriott Hotel Manila the must-go destination for company meetings and group events from weddings to any kind of celebration.

As if being one of the world’s most successful hotel brands was not enough, Marriott Hotel Manila also engages in the “Spirit to Serve (STS)” campaign which the hotel’s founder started over 60 years ago. Sibley explains: “Mr. J.W. Marriott Jr., who is chairman of the board, has always said that we need to make places that we work in better places to live, work, and play. So we have always tried to give back to the community, in whatever country we are in.”

As it turns out, the STS efforts of Marriott Hotel Manila have impressed Sibley deeply.

“This hotel here does an outstanding job. I have been with Marriott about 29 years now, worked in 16 different countries. The job that the team does here is amazing.”

Marriott Hotel Manila’s STS partners include the Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Pasay City.

Sibley adds: “Last year we were able to raise P170,000 for Habitat for Humanity. We are doing that again this Christmas.” Chefs at the hotel have also fed about 4,000 kids this year in partnership with the Red Cross.

Marriott Hotel Manila has proven itself to be more than just one of the top luxury hotels in the city. It has shown its heart and spirit to serve, literally, that reflects deeply in the area it resides in. With the upcoming convention center, guests are given assurance of not just a luxury stay but also the experience of the best in Filipino hospitality.

source: philstar.com

Inside Tom Cruise's Solo Life in London

With his latest home base an apartment in a luxury hotel just outside London, Tom Cruise is a single man again.

As PEOPLE reports in its new cover story, Cruise has been making several calls a day to his daughter Suri, 6, who lives in New York City with mom Katie Holmes, while he's been working long hours on his sci-fi thriller All You Need Is Kill since August.

"He misses his little girl," says his friend, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie.

Meanwhile, often late at night once film work has wrapped, Cruise has relaxed over spirited dinners and occasional club nights with old and newer friends.

On Sept. 20, Cruise caught a late night dinner with actress Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett, who produced the MTV Movie Awards the year Cruise appeared as his Tropic Thunder alter ego Les Grossman.

The night before, he stayed out until 3 a.m. at the nightclub Annabel's, where Cruise hung out with friends including McQuarrie and his wife.

At Annabel's, a laid-back Cruise chatted up several fellow club-goers. "Tom loves the people here [in England]," says a source. "They're friendly."

Earlier in the month, Cruise caught his friend Mark Rylance in Shakespeare's Richard III at the Globe Theatre, and at the end of August he caught up with former girlfriend Penélope Cruz, husband Javier Bardem and his Knight and Day costar Cameron Diaz at a dinner in Coworth Park.

In between, there was a quick vacation to Hvar, Croatia, where he hung with Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, a past investor in Cruise's production company, and his wife Tanya.

But there's no new romance in his life yet: Three months after Holmes filed for divorce, Cruise isn't ready to date again, sources say.

"When he's in London he's going to be seeing his friends," says a source. "[But] there is no mystery woman."

source: people.com

When hotels are not the only option

Office manager Janice de Jesus is one ‘bakasyonista’ who likes the feel of home when she is traveling. She prefers to stay in a rental close to a wet market so she can buy her favorite vegetables and cook for her family.

For her, staying in a hotel is not always the best option. If she can find a rental that allows her the amenities of home, she’d prefer that over a stuffy hotel whose sliding doors you can’t even open.

“Usually when people plan a vacation, they assume that a hotel is the only option available to them,” she said.

An increasing number of people are turning to property rental as an alternative. Whether in the city or deep in the countryside, there are some great opportunities available to people that want to spend a little while in a house or apartment instead of a hotel.

Property rental has over the past few years become more and more popular, as people seek to engage more with the community they’re staying in. In Janice’s travels — for work or family recreation – she’s found holiday homes with their own kitchen. She opted for that during her recent visit to London weeks before the Olympics.

“We were able to visit the local markets for ingredients, which gave us a chance to mingle with the locals and find out more about their food culture,” she said. “It’s also obviously a money-saver, when you can cook your own meals instead of having to find a restaurant three times a day.”

Apartments and houses also offer more space than hotel rooms. In a hotel, you’ll normally find a bed, a table, and a chair, but a fully furnished apartment is often the same price as a hotel, and gives you much more of a sense of freedom, when you have a living area separate to the bedroom.

Obviously, there are some differences. You can’t call room service at 4 in the morning and ask them to make you a sandwich, rather, you have to make it yourself. But the independence is also part of the appeal. You can find many rental properties at this site.

For people able to work from home, a vacation in a rented property can still be productive. Many properties offer Internet access, and a holiday home in the country can be a fantastic way to work and relax at the same time.

In Janice’s recent trip to the U.K., that meant spending half a day working at the computer, and having the other half of the day to cycle through the hills, or go swimming in a nearby lake.

source: thefilam.net

Manila Hotel: A grand old dame turns 100

“If it’s a good story, it’s like Manila Hotel.”
—Ernest Hemingway

MANILA HOTEL, fondly called the “grand old dame,” was bedecked in her finest Thursday night as she celebrated her 100th birthday, looking even more brilliant and feeling optimistic about her future.

About 800 guests in formal Filipiniana attire, including President Benigno S. Aquino III, came and helped the venerable and much-loved hotel celebrate its birthday in a grand in a grand celebration dubbed the ”Centennial Ball” at a huge tent on the premises..

Cocktails were served at 6 p.m. before a short audio-visual history of the institution was presented and projected on the wall of the hotel. Declared a national historical landmark in February 1997, the hotel has attracted VIPs such as Gen. Douglas MacArthur (where a suite is named after him), Hollywood celebrities such as Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., and boxing legends like Muhammad Ali, to name a few.

Guests were served at a sit-down dinner starting with wild mushroom consommé with truffle custard, accompanied with Casa Lapostolle, Chardonnay; Southern Spiny Lobster and Apple Salad with Celery and Crisp bacon, tarragon, and sherry vinaigrette (with Cuvee Alexandre Lapostolle, Chardonnay); a passion fruit sorbet as palate cleanser; with the main course of Oven-roasted sea bass with brown butter and tomato fondue, potato and a bell pepper frittata with spicy sausage (Casa Lapostolle, Merlot); and for dessert, a Lemongrass mousse on coconut-chocolate joconde cake, pineapple compote, and ginger crème Anglaise as well as chocolate pralines with either coffee or tea.

Addressing President Aquino, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Manila Hotel Chairman Dr. Emilio T. Yap, hotel director and executive vice president Enrique Y. Yap, Jr. said by way of introducing the AVP: “Exactly 100 years ago, the doors of Manila Hotel were opened to welcome guests who chose to live the good life. It was also the beginning of the long and rich history of the hotel. Great men and women have stayed here, while others chose to stay a bit longer. So many stories have been told, but certainly, more interesting stories are yet to be known.”

Yap Jr. was recently accorded an Outstanding Manilan 2012 Award by the city of Manila, for hotel management and tourism. “He is young, dynamic, and has over the past two years, implemented so many changes in the hotel,” said hotel senior vice president Georgina C. Banaag in an interview. “Service has improved tremendously because the hotel got busier, we are sprucing up for the Centennial this year, and our function rooms will be renovated next,” she added.

The Yap family was awarded the hotel in 1997 after a rather contentious bidding process in 1995 that pitted Don Emilio with Renong Berhad of Malaysia. But the family has since poured billions in investments to refurbish the rooms and renovate the hotel, attracting a new and even younger clientele.

It has a new pool and garden area, a health club, a relaxing spa run by a concessionaire, a spanking Executive Center, the MacArthur Lounge, an Events and Celebrations Area, the Sampaguita Hall, the Cafe Ilang-Ilang, which has been modernized and now serves an interactive buffet; and the Mabuhay Palace, which serves excellent Chinese cuisine.

In his speech, Atty. Jose Lina, hotel president, told guests: “As the custodian of one of the country’s national landmarks, it is our duty to ensure that the next 100 years will be as bright, as momentous, as the hotel’s storied past. For the past four years, Manila Hotel has worked very hard to create the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Every renovation and refurbishment we have undertaken is part of our commitment to bring Manila Hotel to the future.

“And although its glorious past is at the Manila Hotel’s very core, our identity itself is shaped by our determination to continuously reinvent ourselves in order to meet the dynamic demands of our modern guests. We see every year as another chance to exceed our past achievements, an opportunity to set even higher standards for ourselves.”

VIPs spotted at the event included Sen. Eduardo Angara, GSIS president Robert Vergara, appliance king Sammy Lim, insurance leader Peter Coyiuto, and a host of local actors and celebrities.

While President Aquino didn’t make any speech during the event, unlike the 99th anniversary of the hotel last year, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda released a message congratulating the hotel’s stakeholders on the institution’s 100th anniversary. “Over the past century, Manila Hotel has truly become a bastion of Filipino heritage, culture, and history: from the numerous historical events to which it has been a witness, to the hundreds of thousands of guests it has hosted in its rooms.

“Our congratulations also to Don Emilio Yap and his family, to Gov. Joey Lina, Jr., and to the management and staff of this establishment. We are certain that Manila Hotel will continue to be a pillar of the hotel industry, and that it will continue to leave its mark on our history.”

source: interaksyon.com

Whitney Houston Death Hotel Guests Demand Refund ... Hotel REFUSES

Multiple guests staying at the Beverly Hilton Hotel the day Whitney Houston died claim their stay was absolutely UNBEARABLE due to commotion surrounding the singer's death -- and the hotel has done nothing to address their dissatisfaction.

TMZ spoke with several guests who stayed on the 4th floor when Whitney died -- the same floor Whitney had been staying on -- and they tell us ... the entire floor was on lockdown over the weekend, making their lives miserable.

We're told guests couldn't walk down a hallway without being hassled for their key cards by hotel security -- to prove they were, in fact, guests of the hotel.

Worse ... we're told law enforcement and EMS were running all over the hotel all weekend, creating an intolerable ruckus -- making it impossible to get a moment's quiet, let alone sleep.

When guests asked the hotel to refund their money, or offer a discount -- we're told the hotel refused ... instructing guests to file an official complaint either online or at the hotel's front desk.

A rep for the Beverly Hilton tells TMZ, "Given the extraordinary nature of the events of last Saturday evening, The Beverly Hilton took every precaution to protect the privacy of the Houston Family as well as the hotel guests who may have been impacted by the incident."

The rep adds, "The hotel cooperated fully with the Beverly Hills police which included securing the fourth floor to insure the safety and well-being of all guests ... and regrets any inconvenience that may have occurred in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s events."

source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/19/whitney-houston-death-hotel-guests-refund/#.T0EIndn64zA

A Perfect Family Holiday Destination

Traveling to Greece is an experience that one will surely treasure for a lifetime. Greece is located in south-eastern Europe and it's very popular for its diversified beauty perfect for family holiday destination. Greece has a good reputation for its warm hospitality, attractive landscape and large variety of beautiful beaches on the mainland as well as the islands. Each year, there are more than 16 million tourists who enter and visit Greece.




Athens is the capital and largest city in Greece and the most visited place of Greece. The city of Athens has something to offer for all tastes and ages. It offers many advantages for sight seeing, visiting the world's most famous museums.

Athens has historical and cultural significance which is symbolized by many ancient buildings constructed by sophisticated style of architecture. It shows richness of ancient culture and architecture. Visiting Athens grant and offers tourists to have the chance to learn more about the historical and cultural significance of the region, particularly the famous Acropolis. Acropolis -a Greek word which means higher city.



Athens is also known for the exclusive accommodation offered to meet the expectations and needs of travelers. There are many cheap budget luxury hotels in Greece, Athens. The Athens Plaza tops the list of the hotels that travelers should visit.


Shopping in Greece is almost as fun. There are many shops that deals with the sale of modern and elegant signature clothes, shoes etc...in the streets of Mitropoleos and Ermou.


Anyone who wants a perfect ideal travel holiday destination, Greece has something to offer for every person. Just contact your travel agent that you can really rely on.