The Wonders of Hotel H2O

MANILA, Philippines - We don’t need science to hell us the value of water in our lives and on the planet, for we recognize it each day. It cleans, nourishes, and heals.

Furthermore, the sound and sight of water calms. The Philippines is blessed with some of the most beautiful bodies of water and right in the capital is Manila Bay, which is celebrated for its majestic sunsets.

Perched atop the Manila Bay is Hotel H20 the first and only marine-theme urban resorts hotel in the country. The Property is part of marine theme park and educational facility Manila Ocean Park (MOP) situated behind historical landmarks Quirino Grandstand and Luneta.

“We are not a business hotel; we are a leisure complex”, remarks Hotel H20 general manager Lily Santos-Adrid. The hotel and theme park are sister companies. “We can’t live alone, we have to be together,” she continues and explains that MOP visitors who live outside Metro Manila find a temporary home in the hotel.

From afar, Hotel H20 is no doubt an intriguing structure. Its allure, however, doesn’t end in its location and façade. As you enter and get past the lobby, you will come across the club lounge where you can relax as you take in an unobstructed view of the bay and city skies.

128 rooms and 19 suites are equipped with amenities needed for a comfortable stay. The interior design is modern with lots of curves and bright colors, matching the energy of the city as well as the spirit of the sea.

What separates Hotel H20’s rooms from other hotel’s are the view it afford the guests.

The Parkview room faces Manila Ocean Park attractions while the Bayview room is ideal for romantics who love to watch the sun set. A personal favorite is the Aqua room, wherein one can “sleep beside the fish” as a long aquarium wall connects the Aqua rooms, thereby fish swim from one room to another to the quests’ delight.

Aside from its unique concept, the hotel also claims distinction for being the only ”ecoparadise building” in the country. The ecoparadise construction method, which originated in Japan, uses the ecoparadise anti oxidant eco paint made from a water-based adhesive, anti-oxidant solution, and diatomaceous earth powder. Among its benefits are the neutralization of bad bacteria, reduction of humidity, and prevention of fungus and molding.

CELEBRATING BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

This eco friendly and healthful characteristic is evident throughout the hotel, but most especially in the Zenyu Eco Spa, which is open to the public.

“Zenyu” is Japanese for “complete healing”, and this may be experienced through the “hot bed negative ion treatment” another offering unique to the hotel. Heated ceramic-tile beds emit negative ions that detoxify, cleanse the air, and cure. The growing list of loyal patrons is a testament to the spa’s capacity to deliver goods results.

The hotel gym has also become a favorite destination of the health-conscious. “Our gym may be small, but we have complete equipment,” says Santos-Adrid. To accommodate as many clients as possible despite its size, the gym is open for limited membership.

Because it values a healthy lifestyle, Hotel H20 celebrates its fourth anniversary by highlighting the hotel’s wellness and beauty services. After holding the “Wellness and Beauty Week”, which is an exhibit of must-have products from various pharmaceutical companies, it launched two major Zenyu Eco Spa programs: the Medi-Spa and Zenyu Club 50.

With Medi-Spa, clients can pick from an extensive menu of beauty services. The project is in partnership with a doctor who will hold office inside the spa itself. On the other hand, Zenyu Club 50 is a membership program that offers exclusive benefits like a personalized fitness course, vouchers for massage and treatments, and discounts.

More promos and activities up until Easter await hotel guests. Something to look forward to is the weekend brunch buffer at Makan Makan Asian Food Village. “Makan Makan” means  “Let’s eat” or “To eat” in Malay. The restaurant offers Southeast Asian cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere.

CUSTOMER SERVICES UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Hotel H20 was established on April 10, 2010, and the men and women who have been there in the beginning are practically the same ones who turned in into what it is now. “We stayed together and remained because we love our jobs,” shares Santos-Adrid. “The hotel is small, so our samahan is great.”

Santos-Adrid adds that the top three things guests like about the hotel are the overall experience, its uniqueness, and staff service. “I have to be proud of that because staff services is always on the top three,” she says and stresses that clients can count on receiving a personalized service when they visit.

True enough, no matter how exquisite a hotel’s features are, it would be empty if those who run it to care little about their guests. “We are committed to provide our clients with active discovery and distinct experience. We want them to be socially aware and inspired at the same time,” concludes Santos-Adrid. “We are committed to giving each guest a great stay.”