MANILA, Philippines — Looking for a summer getaway?
The first Swissotel resort in the Philippines officially opened last March 1 in Clark, Pampanga. The brand is known globally for its take on the freshness and vitality of the Swiss hospitality, and locally is part of the Hann Casino Resort Group, claiming to be the first world-class, luxurious fully-integrated gaming facility and resort in Central Luzon.
Swissotel Clark is an impressive 22-storey haven that offers elegant rooms and suites, a resort-style infinity pool and a separate pool for kids, as well as ten specialty restaurants that offer mouth-watering cuisines from across the world.
It is part of Accor, a world leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 5,000 hotels and residences across 110 countries and territories in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific - with Singapore the only other property in the whole of Asia.
"Swissotel is the most prestigious property north of Manila. Life is a journey so we live it well. Here's wishing you all a life full of vitality and success," intimated general manager Tarek Aouini, during the pre-launch cocktail reception at the hotel's swanky poolside bar and lounging area last March 1, which was also the first day COVID safety protocol alert level 1 was imposed in Pampanga.
"With Alert Level 1, our room occupancy is at 70 to 80 percent. Although this margin has already been reached by our sister brand Marriot, even during the Alert Level 2 protocol. And we have more game rooms now that the restrictions are more lenient. We differ from other hotel brands in the area by offering quality products and services like ambience, food, and entertainment," apprized Assistant Vice President for corporate planning, development, and communications Agnes "Neki" Liwanag, during the intimate media luncheon.
Neki added, "Hann Resorts Group services the casino market as well as accommodates the three to four star travel sector, MICE, and local travelers. Once completed, this facility will have a combined room inventory of 800 rooms - the biggest in Clark."
Hann Resort is a new high-end integrated lifestyle resort brand that elevates the luxury experience in Clark Pampanga, and the New Clark City in Tarlac. Under the Hann Resort master brand are two premium sub-brands: the Hann Casino Resort and the Hann Luxe Lifestyle Resorts (Mercure, Banyan Tree, Angsana, Westin, and The Luxury Collection by Marriott), that will open soon in the sprawling New Clark City facility in Tarlac.
Hann Casino Resort Group also boasts of its Hann Casino and the Clark Marriot, which recently opened the Cantonese-themed restaurant, Wu Xing. The Chinese fine dining outlet was well received by both gourmands and gourmets from North Luzon and guests from Metro Manila. Hann Resorts is the proud owner and developer of the Widus Hotel & Casino, as well as the Clark Marriot in Pampanga.
"We will have wellness rooms that will have spa and in-room gym setups. Also, our health spa will be functional by the middle of the year," Neki said.
"Swissotel Clark will also have retail and commercial spaces around the second level mixed-use area. We are geared toward capturing the North Luzon market, including Quezon City. To maintain the brand's standards, local arts are woven into our interiors and landscaping, including paintings and other decor. It hopes to bring in the European concept of hospitality and experience into the Philippine setting."
"We also anticipate the completion of our international airport and the train system so we need to be ready when this happens. We would also like to tap the Hong Kong and Macau travel markets. We might also integrate nature tours to Pinatubo as part of our activities for guests. As to our pipeline projects, we are planning to build a convention center and hotel in our remaining 3-hectare property. We will, hopefully, become the perfect playground for the new normal," enthused Neki at the close of our colloquy.
The property is conveniently located at the intersection of the Manuel A. Roxas and Claro M. Recto highways inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
Concurrent to the hotel's inauguration is the opening of the Cantonese-themed restaurant, Wu Xing. The fine dining Chinese restaurant has attracted food lovers not only of Pampanga but also from up north and down south, including Metro Manila. Their Peking duck is a favorite staple. The restaurant even advised diners to call prior to their dining date to assure supply of the sought-after delicacy.
Other must tries include their fried tofu, asado cutlets, spicy chicken, glutinous rice meal, yang chow, braised beef, steamed broccoli, and their combination dessert plate that contains canelle, mango sago in a shot glass, and choco-filled buchi.
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Editor's note: The tour to Pampanga was hosted by Swissotel Clark to promote tourism in the area. At no stage does the host organization have a say on the stories generated from the coverage, interviews conducted, publication date and story treatment. Content is produced solely by Philstar.com following editorial guidelines.