After 97 years, Manila Hotel undergoes renovation

It’s never easy to make changes to or renovate an edifice especially if the original one is in itself a masterpiece. And so when the Grand Dame of Manila — Manila Hotel — recently announced that it would undergo a major renovation, people were astonished.

“Manila Hotel is 97 years old. While we want to retain its old grandeur, we also need to keep up with the times to excite our regular guests and entice new clients. Rest assured that the management is retaining its distinct classic interiors, full of poise and elegance,” says Manila Hotel president Atty. Marcelo Ele Jr.

While most companies are cutting down on costs due to the worldwide economic instability, Manila Hotel is spending a huge sum for the ongoing renovations and the procurement of new amenities.

“We are very optimistic about the market and we believe that our guests deserve only the best. This ultimately makes all of the improvements and the money spent worth it. Our guests can expect that this is just the beginning,” he adds.

The renovations around the hotel revolve around one objective: To further elevate Manila Hotel’s lofty standards and to create an inimitable hotel experience.

“As we near our 100th year in 2012, our resolve to deftly balance tradition and innovation — and to make that fusion apparent in our outlets and amenities — is stronger than ever before. We are, after all, the country’s first five-star hotel. And the legacy of service and luxury that we have preserved throughout the years will get better and better with time,” Ele enthuses.

Manila Hotel Through The Years

Ninety-seven years ago, the first five-star hotel in the country was born. Dubbed the “Showcase of the Philippines,” the hotel is marvelously nestled between ancient historical monuments in the country such as the Walled City (Intramuros), Rizal Park, and the Manila Bay.

Manila Hotel was designed by William E. Parsons, a New York architect, who envisioned an impressive but comfortable hotel along the lines of California mission — but grander.

The original design was an H-shaped plan that focused on well-ventilated rooms on two wings, providing grand vistas of the harbor, the Luneta and Intramuros. The top floor, on the other hand, was a large viewing deck that was used for various functions.

The main lobby was designed for sitting as well as for making grand entrances. It is lined with white Doric columns. The floor is made of Philippine marble, the chandeliers are made of brass, crystals and seashells, while the furniture is carved out of Philippine mahogany, which is used throughout the hotel.

Prominent figures here and abroad have walked down its ethereal lobby — from heads of state, Hollywood stars, to royalty. Its roster of illustrious guests includes Gen. Douglas MacArthur, US Presidents Lyndon Jonson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton; Princes of Wales Edward and Charles, author Ernest Hemingway, The Beatles, and the King of Pop Michael Jackson, to name a few.

As Manila Hotel celebrates its 97th anniversary this year, a new Manila Hotel was presented before us by Manila Hotel president Atty. Marcelo Ele Jr, GM Leon Keekstra, and corporate communications assistant vice president Nian Liwanag-Rigor.

The renovations in the hotel commenced on the last quarter of 2008, beginning with Mabuhay Palace, its flagship outlet. The pool and garden, and guests rooms followed suit in the first quarter of 2009.

“We opened the Mabuhay Palace as our flagship outlet. It offers a wide array of delectable dishes inspired from China, Hong Kong and Singapore, and cooked to perfection by master chefs Hou Zhen Hui, Josephine Candelaria and Lin Jie Min,” explains Leon Keekstra, general manager.

The interiors of the restaurant complement its imperial Neo-Classical design. We marveled at the authentic jade sculptures meticulously sculpted with genuine jade and precious stones to narrate the tale of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius. The jade panels were carved by a Chinese family in China.

The guest rooms, on the other hand, are fully equipped with the most modern facilities and amenities such as waterproof LCD TVs in the bathrooms, Italian marble baths, premium bathroom amenities, iLuv radios, in-room safes, and VingCard electronic door locks. And while the rooms exude sophistication and elegance, they still showcase the beauty of authentic Philippine interior design (which boasts narra wood and capiz accents), remaining true to the classic interiors of the Manila Hotel that its loyal clients know and love.

Just a few minutes walk away from Mabuhay Palace is another newly renovated outlet: the Pool and Garden. The pool itself was reconfigured and re-engineered with state-of-the-art pumps and filter system.

“We even installed decorative spouts and jets, which complement the quartzon finish of the swimming pool. Behind the pool, we created an area where we can host up to 200 guests for a sunset dinner,” notes Keekstra.

Overlooking the bay, the Sea Breeze is perfect for outdoor parties and weddings. Timber trellises with colorful flowering vines punctuated with tall royal, coconut and Madagascar traveler palms filter the sun’s rays, creating a shaded area cooled by the sea breeze. Sea grapes, barringtonia asiatica and bougainvillea were conserved and enhanced with additional landscape and mood lighting. Fiery red gingers, orange heliconias, succulent bromeliads, luscious philodendrons and dwarf bamboos are some of the thousands of new plants added to the garden.

“We also opened our spa in the bay area behind the pool. Next to the spa, is the newly refurbished Manila Hotel Health Club, which boasts the most modern gym equipment in the hotel industry today,” Keekstra boasts.

The Life Fitness Strength Conditioning and Cardio machines come with touch-screen LCDs, an iPod control, and a virtual trainer.

“Most of us listen to our favorite music when we work out. Here, you can plug your iPods and navigate them on the touch screen on the treadmill,” he adds.

The Health Club also features electronic lockers, which make use of wrist watches instead of keys. It also has its own Pilates yoga and aerobics room, a dry sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi.

The Pool & Garden, Health Club, and the Mabuhay Palace are 100 percent complete. The Spa is about 90 percent done, and we have already re-opened 60 percent of the guest rooms.

“This is just the beginning. Ones the renovations are completed, the all new Manila Hotel will definitely be a landmark in Asia and will rank alongside the world’s finest hotels such as Raffles in Singapore; The Ritz in Paris; and The Sukhothai in Bangkok,” enthuses Ele.