The leisure of business at Pontefino
When it comes to leisure, this hotel means business. So much so that even as we speak, it continues to expand and cater to the needs of your typical har-
ried businessperson. It’s a hub for the developing community around it and it innovates by introducing value-laden concepts to the table. This is Hotel Pontefino, the five-star hotel of Batangas City shining bright on a hill.
As the city’s premier hotel, Pontefino just “wows” you when you first see it. Sitting pretty on the hilltop of a two-hectare property, it stands out in the landscape of the port city with a decidedly European-inspired architecture fused with Filipino and Spanish accents.
Arnold Tence, Hotel Pontefino COO, explains: “It was patterned after a French chateau/chalet-type of architecture. Interiors were mixed but, ideally, the theme we’ve been after is mostly Filipino.”
Established in 2003, the hotel is said to be ahead of its time. It is the only five-star hotel in Batangas. Back then, it was quite a spectacle for the locals. But this pretty little spectacle has been enjoying a generous amount of tourist traffic, mainly from big corporations and multinationals.
A mere two-hour drive from Manila, this business and leisure property is a reflection of all facets of a fine Filipino home while redefining luxury, comfort and the business needs of its guests.
A quick rundown of the rooms and facilities shows the focus of the group behind the establishment on the business set.
Pontefino has four function rooms complementing its guestrooms and suites which are appropriate for companies’ requirements such as conferences, seminars, product launches and updates, team-building sessions and out-of-town incentives. Its four floors encompass 60 rooms in different categories — larger than your typical hotel room. Choose a premium room, terrace suite or a Fino suite. All rooms have air-conditioning, phones, cable TV, coffee and tea service, room safe and Wi-Fi Internet access (free use for one hour). A fax machine, computer and printer, and microwave oven are available for rent. Pontefino is also the only hotel with a free mini bar.
Guests can enjoy a swim in the beautiful infinity pool or have a quiet private relaxation spa. A fitness gym keeps guests in shape while indoor badminton courts and a game room with an outdoor adventure challenge course is perfect for company team-builders.
What’s new and exciting with the hotel is its brand new Japanese restaurant, Mangetsu. Literally meaning “Full Moon,” Mangetsu is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the country with its staff trained in Japanese dining customs and culinary arts. All equipment used in Mangetsu was imported straight from
Specialties include the Mangetsu Sukiyaki — Sweet Soy Beef and Vegetable Hotpot — a popular traditional Japanese dish flavored with cotton candy that resembles the white cloud and blue sky. Then there are the Crispy Tempura and the Mangetsu Sushi featuring the oldest types of Japanese sushi — assorted oshi-zushi (pressed sushi) and chakin-zushi (egg-wrapped sushi). Dessert specialties include Homemade Green Tea Bavarian Cream, Japanese Style Dumpling Parfait, and Tempura Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce.
Mangetsu holds the distinction of being the only Japanese restaurant with 30 varieties of sake (rice wine) available on order and imported straight from
Tence adds that aside from the hotel proper, they are also branching out into real estate. “There’s a townhouse/condotel property up front at the hotel. And the unique feature is that all are connected to the hotel. So when we sell (the units), our priority is to sell them not as a primary residence, but rather for people to invest in.”
This ties into a planned expansion within the property, which involves augmenting existing facilities and the addition of the Club Pontefino, a premier club that lets its members enjoy the hotel facilities.
“The idea is, aside from real estate, we want to create a ‘Club Pontefino.’ It’s a membership club. We’ll put up a specific pavilion for massage, a clubhouse, full spa facility, basketball court, badminton court, tennis court, and multi-level parking,” Tence enthuses.
As a 100-percent Filipino-owned and operated hotel, Pontefino proudly espouses the Filipino culture. Tence says, “We’re not trying to look like a foreign chain. What we’re saying is, Pinoys can be five-star.”
Take advantage of Pontefino’s conference and weekend promo rates. A group with a minimum of 20 participants can avail itself of the conference package of P2,700 per person on quad-sharing room basis. The package includes breakfast, morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, dinner, coffee during sessions, use of the function rooms, KTV set-up (advance reservations needed), two-hour use of the adventure challenge course (advance reservations required, too), free Wi-Fi access at the lobby and selected function rooms, free Internet access in the guestroom, and 10 percent discount on spa massage services.
Overnight weekend rates of P3,850 for twin occupancy and P4,650 for quad-occupancy per room include breakfast, access to all the hotel facilities, 10 percent discount on spa massage services, 10 percent food discount at Pastorelli Restaurant, a driver’s quarter (subject to space availability), and assistance in visiting the Monte Maria or Mount Carmel church.
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For reservations or inquiries, log on to www.pontefino.com.ph, e-mail at salesmanila@pontefino.com.ph or call the
