By Zsarlene B. Chua
SEEKING to be the “top-of-mind hotel in the area” (in the words of general manager Frank Reichenbach during a press lunch last August) is no easy feat with dozens of hotels crowding the busy Ortigas Center and a behemoth (a Shangri-La) at its center, but Marco Polo Ortigas has more than a fighting chance as the so-called “Sky Hotel” has a lot going for it, including a fantastic view and good food.
The less than two-year-old Metro Manila iteration (the third in the Philippines after Cebu and Davao) of the Hong Kong-based international hotel chain sits in front of one of the busiest — and “happening” — places in Pasig City, Metrowalk, and is thus smack dab in the middle of the chaotic mess that is Metro Manila traffic.
Curiously enough though, once inside Marco Polo, one can find the tail lights and slow moving vehicles almost beautifully hypnotic when night falls, likely because the room (spacious and decked out in cool earth tones) this writer was billeted in last December was on the 42nd floor — far, far above the sounds of the street. It was blessedly quiet and the pretty cityscape lighting up at night was an added bonus.
The hotel, 45-storeys high, has most of its public facilities located at the 24th floor and above, hence the “Sky Hotel” moniker. The lobby and the all-day dining restaurant Cucina are at the 24th floor, while the business center, Vu’s Sky Bar, and Lung Hin Cantonese restaurant are located at the top floor. Below the lobby level is the indoor pool and Flow Spa and Fitness Center. Everything is, of course, afforded a magnificent view of the skyline.
While the buffet spread at Cucina is not as extensive as others, it is certainly not lacking as the selection (Asian and Continental cuisine) and flavors are better than many others — they have pretty good tapa (cured beef) and the Indian section is very good.
While the view alone would have some people keep coming back to the hotel (and go through the mild inconvenience of switching elevators as one only goes as high as the lobby floor while the other goes up to the hotel rooms), one of the drawbacks of being in one of the tallest buildings in the city is that it is sometimes uncomfortably close to fireworks displays, as this writer found out.
MASSAGE
During the staycation, this writer was given the chance to try out the Flow Signature Massage — a 90-minute treatment said to combine “Eastern and Western techniques while using a special blend of essential oils,” featuring “Thai stretching and Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi strokes” (according to the hotel Web site).
What was supposed to be a spa visit turned into an in-room massage treatment as due to “technical issues” (never explained) the spa had to close for the night. Despite the hiccup, the way the hotel handled the whole thing — by calling the guests and informing them of the problem and the solution/alternatives — was much appreciated.
The signature massage certainly was relaxing — I would hazard to say that it was one of the best massages I’ve had in a while — and the essential oils smelled divine (without the stickiness). In hindsight, it was a boon that the treatment was done in-room because I wouldn’t have been able to muster the strength needed to go up my room afterwards if it had been done in the spa.
It might not be the top-of-mind just yet, but Marco Polo Ortigas certainly tries its hardest to be.
As an introductory promotion, guests may enjoy a 90-minute Flow Signature Massage for two and get a 25% discount. Down to P5,000 from the original price of P6,250, this promotion is valid until March 31. The Flow Spa is located at the 22nd floor of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, with its treatments starting at P1,800. Flow Spa is not exclusive to the Hotel’s in-house guests. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight. For details visit www.marcopolohotels.com.
