MANILA, Philippines - For some, Alabang is that area down south that is so far below the map. Try telling that to the proud southerner, who would retort that the impression is farthest from the truth. Distance, dears, is no issue if one would care to discover the glorious south, where, as what we residents proudly declare, life is more laid back and less hectic. It is basically city life without the insanity of the city.
In the middle of this southern side of the city is Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila. This towering structure in Filinvest City is the newest player in the Alabang market, having formally opened in March 2013.
“A lot of people are discovering and appreciating our side of town,” begins Crimson Hotel Filinvest City’s resident manager Perry Avecilla. “They tell us they feel detached from the busy life of Metro Manila. They used to think that Alabang is far, as compared to, say, Makati or Ortigas. I would think, time-wise, that people get here faster. If they use the Skyway, they will be here in no time.”
He adds that their location has proven beneficial to business markets, particularly those from the Calabarzon area where industrial parks abound and from nearby BPOs.
“These markets and travelers need a place to stay. We offer them very comfortable accommodations,” Avecilla says.
Crimson Filinvest City boasts of 345 guest rooms, including 20 suites, and 34 executive rooms. Each room has the most luxurious linens and pillows, and provides high-speed Wi-Fi, 40-inch LED television, DVD player, iron and ironing board, in-room safe suitable for laptop computers, private bar, and more. The room air conditioning unit features an energy recovery ventilation technology that improves air quality through the continuous circulation of fresh air.
Outside the room await exciting facilities and services. The eighth floor has the swimming pool, complete with separate areas for adults and children. There are even fabulous Dedon loungers for registered hotel guests. We must say that this spot alone feels completely removed from the city, giving the impression of an exotic out of-town resort.
“The pool’s deck bar is a nice hangout for people at night and during the weekend. It feels like a resort. You never expect something like that here or in a building,” he remarks.
Quite unique as well is the hotel lobby at the eighth floor. He shares, “For some, it surprises them that the actual lobby is eight floors up. The small ground-floor lobby is just a prelude. The concept is very similar to Hong Kong and Singapore hotels. This is our way of giving this side of town a new feel of luxury.”
It is also impossible to miss the designs and ornaments at the lobby and, indeed, throughout the hotel. “A lot of heart put into the design. Everywhere you look there is something artistic. We focus more on artworks by local contemporary artists. It is our way of showcasing our pride in the Filipino artistry.”
The hotel also offers its own fitness center and Executive Club Lounge where afternoon tea or evening cocktails can be enjoyed.
How could we miss out Crimson’s increasingly popular Café Eight? The hotel’s flagship restaurant serves a contemporary international buffet with touches of Mediterranean, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and emphatically Asian influences.
Executive Chef Alessio Loddo declares, “What we want to offer is more on quality. We are focusing more on the ingredients that we use. Freshness and good quality ingredients are at the top of our list. Everything is homemade. We do not use any MSG nor powders. Everything is done from scratch. That is our forte.”
“We have our buffet counter, with more variety for vegetarians. We encounter a lot of vegetarian guests so we thought of them when we created our buffet,” Loddo says. “For desserts, I highly recommend our panna cotta and leche flan.”
Even with their breakfast, he says, the spread is big, with more options for the guests. He comments, “If you stay longer with us, you will notice we hardly do repeats.”
Avecilla adds that the Deli Shop, with its assortment of pastries, wines, cheeses, sandwiches, and chocolates, offers big portions. “The price range is very comparative to what others give. One thing is very important for us here: the food has to be good, and it is. Otherwise, what is the point in serving it?”
Meanwhile, Crimson’s Grand Ballroom is one of the biggest function spaces in the south. It is divisible into three sections and features sound-proof walls, so guests do not hear the sounds coming from the other rooms. Cutting-edge audio visual equipment capable of live streaming and real-time exposure are available at the ballroom. The meeting rooms are refreshingly different from the usual, complete with natural daylight and state-of-the-art facilities.
“We have been getting a good number of weddings and debuts here. Companies are trying us out for their banquet needs. We adapt to their needs, and we are easily approachable,” the resident manager states.
More than anything else, we are told, Crimson, being a new presence in the hotel scene, is eager to please its guests and exhibit its personalized services and world-class standards.
Avecilla concludes, “At Crimson, we create experiences for you to remember.” Now that is something worth the trip down south.
(Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila is located at Entrata Urban Complex, 2609 Civic Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For more information, call (+632) 863-2222; email at info.alabang@crimsonhotel.com, or visit the website at www.crimsonhotel.com)