The Midas touch
MANILA, Philippines - Midas Hotel, ultra-modern as it is, may reawaken treasured memories of the good old days. The building it occupies used to be where the now-legendary Savoy, Sheraton, and Hyatt Regency Manila stood. While the curious may be tempted to walk in to reminisce, they will soon realize that Midas has its own exciting qualities — enough for it to create even more good times for those who walk through its doors.
Since receiving its first guests on Dec. 29 last year, Midas’ soft opening and early positive feedback indicate that its time has truly arrived. Midas general manager Angel Kanapi Jr. reveals that they are looking into a grand launch toward the end of the second quarter or the early second half of the year.
“We are still in the final phase of our construction, and yet we have guests who are eager to try us out,” Kanapi says. “Remember that we are sitting in an iconic building. Many guests are curious how this structure has transformed into. By word of mouth, we are able to fill an acceptable occupancy given the rooms we have right now. They probably see us as the oldest newest kid on the block, so to speak.”
Midas Hotel’s owner, the Sunwest Group of Companies (which also owns Misibis Bay, Hotel St. Ellis, and Hotel Venezia in Albay), decided to keep certain aspects of the old Hyatt. For one, the adobe pillars in the lobby have been retained for posterity. It will be recalled that National Artist Leandro Locsin designed the building.
“Being a newly refurbished hotel, we have a little foot in the past and a big foot in the future,” he says. Step into the lobby and be greeted, not just by Midas’ efficient staff, but also by its clean lines and strong colors. Its interiors were designed and executed by Samson & Almario. Sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario masterminded the elegant lobby.
Orange, silver, and chrome practically dominate the lobby. One would notice the Hermes-inspired orange boxes that adorn the ground-floor shelves as well as the massive fiber optic chandelier. The plush furniture sets are from FurnItalia and are original Poltrona Frau and Philippe Starck.
Kanapi explains that the hotel’s name originates from, what else, the Greek mythological figure King Midas whose touch turns anything it comes in contact with into gold. “We treasure value. The name means two things: the gold element and the hospitality element. King Midas got his golden touch because of his hospitality. Gold is about value, security, and stability,” he says.
Value is a promise that the hotel wants to give. It comes in a variety of forms, particularly in its uniqueness. None best illustrates this point than the opening of Midas’ exclusive floor for female travelers as well as its lifestyle wellness facility that is best described as a “mini resort within a boutique hotel.”
The exclusive 29-room women’s floor, quite possibly the first and only floor of its kind in the country, absolutely does not admit male guests. Fact is, for this floor alone, only female staff will be allowed, from housekeepers to engineers.
“I will not even be allowed to go there!” Kanapi chuckles. “But we do have female managers to attend to our lady guests. You will be surprised. There are a lot of lady travelers. Sometimes they feel more secure in an environment where their needs as women are met. Their rooms are designed with amenities just for them. There are big mirrors, hairdryers, special lighting, and more feminine designs. It will be a hit for bridal showers and pajama parties.”
The Midas Hotel’s 227 rooms are classified under deluxe and executive categories. For now, the special amenities include Aigner Black products from Germany and Le Spa. The hotel will later have Bulgari and Acca Kappa items in its rooms.
Kanapi notes: “Acca Kappa is an Italian brand that remains faithful to its original values from 1869. These values are true nobility and the highest quality — the same ones as Midas Hotel’s.”
Food and beverage outlets are currently being set up. However, there is the temporary Café Midas, which serves Western fusion cuisine, at the Crystal Room and the 2702 at the lobby. In the works are Japanese and Chinese restaurants, and a pastry shop. There will also be an al fresco dining area and a juice bar by the pool.
The hotel, Kanapi shares, aims to attract foreign and local high-roller gamers, high-end corporate clients, select travel agents, and the style crowd. “We are not that big in the market as compared to the others. We are more of an upscale boutique hotel, best for people with more sophisticated lifestyles,” he says.
On top of these, Midas offers the newest and most modern gaming facility; its proximity to the airports, Mall of Asia, major government offices, and the Makati business district; and its commitment to guests’ privacy, security, and confidentiality.
Kanapi is hopeful that future guests will enjoy Midas’ brand of genuine hospitality through “the sincerity of our people,” adding that guests will feel like coming home to a friend when they come to the hotel. Midas touch? Indeed.
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Midas Hotel is managed with distinction by Genesis Hotels & Resorts Corp. It is located at 2702 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. For more information, call (63 2) 831-6063, e-mail at info@midashotelandcasino.com or log on to http://www.midashotelandcasino.com/.
