Heaven on Eleven

There are a few times in one’s life when one is whisked off into a world almost surreal to one. When good friends treated me to an overnight stay at the Imperial Residence of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, it was like I was whisked off on a red carpet to 11th heaven.

Heaven on the 11th floor is the Sofitel’s Imperial Residence, a haven as well as a theater before which unfolds Mother Nature’s daily blockbuster  the golden sun setting on the aquamarine seas of Manila Bay.

A collection of five luxurious suites, The Imperial Residence’s opulence makes for an ideal sanctuary within the city, fit for royalty, celebrities and heads of state. One of my life’s blessings is that I am a chronicler, and that I am able to share my experience with those for whom the Imperial Residence is an option and an aspiration. Who knows? The lotto spawns honest-to-goodness multimillionaires almost every week.

Our overnight stay was a rare peek into the life of the rich and famous  opulent but not decadent, magnificent but not unattainable. Certainly, not in the times of Mark Zuckerberg and Manny Pacquiao, self-made billionaires who have made it to the 11th floor of their lives.

The Residence’s recent guests include the Prime Minister of Laos and international pop star Justin Timberlake. US Foreign Secretary Hillary Clinton stayed in the Residence before it was remodelled, and so did former First Lady Imelda Marcos after she returned from exile in the US.

The Imperial Residence was designed by the world-renowned Spin Design Studio of Japan, with an investment of over $1 million. Says Sofitel Philippine Plaza general manager, Goran Aleks, “It is the epitome of luxurious indulgence and fine living, and there is simply nothing like it.”

Since the Sofitel is a French luxury hotel brand, the residence offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre.”

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The 576-square-meter Imperial Residence is comprised of five distinct rooms: four Luxury rooms, and the gem of The Imperial Residence  the Imperial Suite, which boasts of elegant living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, formal dining room, luxurious bath facilities and the largest outdoor living area overlooking unrivalled views of the Manila Bay. The Suite doesn’t come cheap  P250,000 a night. The entire residence  P300,000 a night.

Guests may choose any room in the residence, or book the entire residence (or convert any room to a gym, spa or office according to their unique requirements). They may likewise enjoy exclusive butler service, tailor-made to their specifications.

The only collection of suites of its kind in the country, The Imperial Residence allows guests to enjoy stunning 180-degree views of the city, as well as the brand of top-level security and privacy for which Sofitel Philippine Plaza is known.

Since my husband, son and uncle were guests of the Imperial Residence, we were treated to roundtrip limousine transfers to and from our homes, with iPad and WiFi; express check-in and check-out in-suite; Hermès bath amenities; a private library of international magazines (they thoughtfully put PeopleAsia on top of the pile in the living room), books and periodicals; complimentary in-room non-alcoholic beverages and snacks; customizable rooms based on guest requirements; a fully equipped kitchen and private chef on request; therapeutic bath and multi-shower system with color therapy; iPad with WiFi access; dedicated 24-hour butler and concierge services; Le Spa Signature Massage treatments per day of stay; access to the executive lounge Club Millésime’s privileges; and complimentary use of helipad with direct access to The Imperial Residence (but no one would lend me a helicopter, so I would save that dream for another time).

You can experience the sunset from any part of the suite  from the veranda, which makes you feel like you are in the balcony of a cruise ship with its panoramic view of the sea; from the living and dining rooms; from your bedroom, with front and side views of the sea. Or even from your bathroom, where you can pause anytime to pay homage to the drama of the skies beyond.

Since I am obviously one who finds solace and invigoration inside the bathroom, I especially enjoyed the dancing disco lights that reflected on the streams of water that flowed from the ceiling shower.

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For private cocktails in the suite to celebrate my birthday belatedly, the Sofitel’s French executive chef Eric Costille whipped up a spread of hors d’oeuvres and French delicacies for us, complemented by Moet and Chandon and vintage French wines. In the suite’s fully equipped kitchen, he also prepared pan-fried goose liver with mango compote and pumpkin, which melted in our mouths; a bisque of succulent mussels; gambas with garlic and tomatoes; scallops with mushrooms in a creamy sauce and potato au gratin. There were macarrons, which our guests, who had just arrived from Paris, said were better than Laduree’s  and chocolate chip cookies. Sofitel’s Spiral café, which will reopen in August, is famed for many things  but closest to many hearts are its chocolate chip cookies. Chef Eric thoughtfully included it in the menu.

Chef Eric, who is also the regional executive chef of Sofitel Asia-Pacific, is a balikbayan. Once connected with the Shangri-La Makati, he opened the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore as executive chef for its restaurants before his Manila stint. Married to a Filipina named Ellen, he relaxes at home with his wife’s specialties, including adobo and sinigang.

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If air travel to your dream destination is time-consuming, you can reconsider. It doesn’t take long to get to the 11th floor of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. For the same amount of money, you can get to heaven on the 11th.

(For bookings and inquiries, call 551-5555 extensions 1991 to 1994, or e-mail at [email protected]. Visit www.sofitelmanila.com.)

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)