Executive Hotel Lounge Review: Sofitel Manila

How would like to enjoy your afternoon tea or a glass of wine with the iconic Manila Bay sunset as your view? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, look no further as Sofitel's Club Millesime lets you savor that and more when you book a room in one of their well-appointed luxury club rooms or suites. To read more on our Sofitel Luxury Club room experience, please click here.

Ambiance and Amenities.

I've been to Club Millesime several times and the excitement never gets old everytime I hear the ding sound in the elevator signaling that we've arrived in the club floor. As soon as we step inside the lounge, a staff immediately attends to each guest regardless if you're a regular or a first timer as the treatment is one and the same - warm, courteous, professional, and accommodating.

Variety and Abundance of Snack Choices.

What I love about Club Millesime is the assortment of your non-regular food items that we usually see in club lounges in Manila during evening cocktails. While most hotels tend to offer the basics, Club Millesime takes it a notch higher by offering a wide array of Western appetizers, a selection of cheese and cold cuts, at least 4 hot dishes, and jaw-dropping dessert spread.

 

Unlimited alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.

Free-flowing cocktails, wine, champagne, fruit juices, and soda await guests during evening cocktails. Kids are strictly prohibited at the lounge at this time, as most Manila hotels impose nowadays. Coffee and tea, on the other hand, are available anytime of the day.

Operating Hours.

• Afternoon tea - 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Evening cocktails - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Breakfast - 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  

Full Breakfast Buffet.

An interactive buffet breakfast with 21 ateliers? There's no better way to start your morning but to dine in the most extensive offering any hotel in Manila can offer - welcome to Sofitel's Spiral Buffet! Go wild and enjoy food hopping from one cuisine to another to savor its HUGE selection because I guarantee that whatever morning cravings you might have, you can definitely find it in Spiral along with ten other breakfast staples you will surely love.

But if you like your privacy and some quiet, you are always welcome to enjoy your breakfast at Club Millesime with fewer but well-thought of options, of course.

Dining in Spiral is an incredible experience in itself so if you haven't tried it at least once in your life, you're definitely missing out on the best buffet in the whole country!

Other Perks & Services Offered. 

Overall Service.

It would be a shame to expect less than perfection from one the country's premier five-star hotels who have hosted several dignitaries and VIPs in the past. Except from the slow service we've encountered during cocktail hour, Sofitel Philippine Plaza's service embodies what true Filipino hospitality is all about from the moment we hear the parking attendant say, "Magandang hapon po!"

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Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 573-5555

Luxury Club Room at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

UPGRADE. A word that always brings joy to my heart and butterflies in my stomach. After the staff told us that we were give a room at the Imperial Residence, her next statements came out blur. Next thing I knew was were being ushered to our luxurious home for the next two days.

Trivia: When former President Barack Obama visited the Philippines a few years back, he stayed at the Imperial Suite along with his entourage so the entire floor was off-limits to other guests.

A masterwork by Spin Design Studio of Japan in an investment of over $1M, the Imperial Residence is a collection of four Luxury Club Millésime Rooms and the Imperial Suite. Redefining the art of luxurious living, the Imperial Residence boasts of a fully-equipped kitchen, a formal dining room, lavish bath facilities and outdoor living area overlooking Manila Bay. The 562 square meter premier residential destination boasts of luxury and versatility. The seasoned traveler may tailor the rooms to preference and convert units to include a personal gym, private spa or a home office.

True to its claim, the luxury club room indulges guests to a modern and plush interiors reminiscent of autumn in France with its orange and olive green hues. The spacious 44sqm room has its own private balcony offering a magnificent view of Manila Bay - perfect for sunset watching.

More than the aforementioned features and access to the exclusive Club Millésime, Sofitel's Luxury Club Room amenities also include the following:

• King size bed with lush pillows and bedding
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• Work desk
• High-speed wireless internet connection
• LED television with cable channels
• A fully-stocked mini bar
• In-room safe
• Spacious bathroom with soaking tub, shower, and Lanvin toiletries

We came back to a plate of treats and bottles of Evian and sparkling water after spending a good few minutes at Club Millésime. Really impressive hospitality as Sofitel makes it a point that guests are well taken cared of and have the most unforgettable holiday/staycation.

Pros: Five-star service, efficient check-in and check-out service, spacious and well-appointed room with panoramic view of Manila Bay, Lanvin bath amenities, and complimentary parking.

Cons: Nothing because despite having mixed reviews, we had an enjoyable and pleasant stay at one of the oldest yet well-maintained hotels in Manila.

~o~o~o~

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 573-5555

Sunday Treats No. 21

Candy drawers

Spiral Buffet Rates 2013

Breakfast
Monday to Friday: Php1,719.55 (Adult) / Php982.60 (Kids ages 5-12) 
Saturday & Sunday: Php1,965.20 (Adult) / Php1,105.43 (Kids ages 5-12) 

Brunch
Sunday: Php3,623.34 (Adult) / Php1,842.38 (Kids ages 5-12) 

Lunch 
Monday to Saturday: Php2,431.94 (Adult) / Php1,351.08 (Kids ages 5-12) 
Sunday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12) 

Dinner
Sunday to Thursday: Php2,800.41 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12) 
Friday & Saturday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12) 

~o~o~o~

Spiral at Sofitel
Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Atang Dela Rama St.
PICC Reclamation Area, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 832-6988

The New Spiral at Sofitel

To celebrate our special day, DB and I decided that it was high time to finally see and try the newly-opened, improved and grander Spiral at Sofitel Manila. 

Since 2006, Spiral has been dubbed as the most iconic dining destination in the country. We actually bought the buffet vouchers back in 2011 but due to Typhoon Pedring's devastation, Sofitel had to close it for renovation with the plan of offering an even more exciting experience.

The new Spiral is divided into 21 dining ateliers. In France, an atelier is an artist’s special workshop, and in Spiral it is where secret recipes are masterfully prepared right before your very eyes. The range of cuisines is expansive and the attention and detail to each dish has the focus of an artisan. Source

The twenty one dining ateliers include:

• Salad and Appetizer
• L’Écailler
• Sushi Sashimi
• L’Epicerie
• Hot Japanese
• French Stove
• Rotisserie
• Wood fired Oven
• Churrasco
• North Indian
• Asian Noodles
• Peking Duck Oven
• Steam Baskets
• Chinese Wok
• Filipino
• Thai
• Korean
• La Boulangerie
• La Patisserie
• Chocolaterie
• Creamery

I must admit though, some of the above-mentioned ateliers are foreign to me (or I just didn't know its English translation). Heck, I don't even know how to pronounce them!

The buffet was overwhelming and I was so hungry that I had no system in taking photos so they will be posted based on its arrangement in my camera.

Breads

More Breads

Salad

Fresh Oysters

Cold Seafood Appetizers

The Cheese Room

Dried Fruits

Imported Cheese

Hamon Iberico

Peking Duck Oven

Chinese Wok

Dimsum

Thai

Korean

Hot Japanese

French Stove

Churrasco

Fondue

Do-it-yourself Halo-Halo

Fresh Fruits

Candies

More desserts

Chocolate Truffles

Here are some of the dishes we were able to try

Cheese and Cured Ham Platter

Fresh Oysters

Some Salmon Appetizer

Tuna and Salmon Sashimi

I love Japanese food and I'm happy to say that Spiral did not disappoint! The Sushi and Sashimi along with the Lobster, Oyster and Cocktail Shrimps were parading their freshness right in front of my eyes that I totally went crazy getting pieces after pieces. So before I knew it, I was half full already! You could leave me in one corner for hours with these in front of me and I wouldn't complain a bit. Well, unless I ran out of Wasabi.

Beef Sukiyaki

Mushroom Appetizer

Prime Rib cooked Medium Rare

One more spot that left me speechless was Spiral's Carving Station. If you're a meat-lover like me, you'd probably go gaga over the eat-all-you-can Lamb and Prime Rib here.

Fresh Strawberries and Pistachio Cookies

Mint Sorbet

Chocolate Platter

More Fruits

I was too stuffed by this time but I still made it a point to try some of Spiral's desserts. I liked their gooey Pistachio Cookies and of course, Fresh Strawberries! I was kinda expecting to eat some French Macarons but I guess you can't really have the best of everything in one place.

If you're a foodie with the willingness to pay the hefty price tag, you should really go and try the new Spiral! The staff were courteous and very attentive and the selection is pretty amazing with almost all famous cuisines covered. It wouldn't be the called the best for nothing.

Spiral Buffet Rates 2013

Breakfast
Monday to Friday: Php1,719.55 (Adult) / Php982.60 (Kids ages 5-12)
Saturday & Sunday: Php1,965.20 (Adult) / Php1,105.43 (Kids ages 5-12)

Brunch
Sunday: Php3,623.34 (Adult) / Php1,842.38 (Kids ages 5-12)

Lunch 
Monday to Saturday: Php2,431.94 (Adult) / Php1,351.08 (Kids ages 5-12)
Sunday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)

Dinner
Sunday to Thursday: Php2,800.41 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)
Friday & Saturday: Php3,046.06 (Adult) / Php1,596.73 (Kids ages 5-12)

~o~o~o~

Spiral

Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Atang Dela Rama St.
PICC Reclamation Area, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 832-6988