THOUGHT bubble: Then, it was the Mandarin Oriental Club of the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore, and now, the Mandarin Oriental Club of Manila. It really is my birthday.
I was smiling, feeling light-hearted and grateful for these blessings as I made my way to the 17th floor where the Mandarin Oriental Club’s private check-in counter was. Thank you Alu Suarez and Charisse Chuidian!
To be on this level, there is much more for you than your elegantly understated and well-appointed room the hotel chain has been known for. The Club is a veritable hide-away tucked on the top floors of the hotel where the businessman or the tourist who wish to escape from it all can enjoy the comfort and benefits of their “executive privacy.”
In this hotel, the Club covers the 15th to the 18th floor and all have access to the Club Lounge where a luxurious experience awaits their guest. The all-day refreshments are just part of it, from the start of the day with an executive breakfast to the afternoon tea. It doesn’t end there, when nightfall comes, the evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served. I can live here.
You don’t really have to leave the Club floor if you choose to. Aside from the dedicated concierge and very discreet check-in and check-out services, the business have an unlimited complimentary high speed internet access, free use of the well-equipped boardroom (for a limited time) are part of the many privileges the Mandarin Oriental Club offer.
My weekend hide-away was on the 16th floor. After a few hours with my good friends, I was in the comforts of my room for the entire duration of my Houdini birthday act. Sweet.
The past year was indeed filled with blessings and on the day the day I turned 47, I was filled with gratefulness. I woke up to a sunny day in Manila and a birthday cake from Alu and Charisse- their best-selling cheesecake topped with fresh tropical fruits, it was the dessert I missed tasting over a wide spread of desserts at Paseo Uno. Happiness!
 |
Woke up to my 47th year and went to the Club Lounge for breakfast where I had a wide choice of healthy food and a wonderful view of Makati. |
 |
| Caught the headline and needed to be comforted, so i had the crispiest bacons, eggs and blue cheese with honey with a croissant. During cocktails I had Japanese and this lovely dessert....that included the cheesecake from Alu & Charisse. |
Here’s more good news, Mandarin Oriental’s rooms are undergoing transformation. “Soon, the rooms’ contemporary look will feature a stylish interplay of warm earth tones and the use of Philippine hand-woven fabrics and images, for a sense of place,” Alu Suarez proudly said, “and the bed’s 13-inch mattress offer orthopaedic comfort to assure guests of a good nights’ sleep.” That’s something to look forward to.
 |
| The new rooms will have a contemporary look that will feature a stylish interplay of warm earth tones and the use of Philippine hand-woven fabrics and images, for a sense of place. |
As much as I would love to stay longer in the comforts of the Club of the Mandarin Oriental, the weekend is over. Another great year of blessings awaits me.
I heard this hotel has a new fleet of 30 limousines to ensure the transfer of guests in safety and comfort within Metro Manila and the airport. I need a ride to the airport.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 04, 2011.
.jpg)
