Stay, Stray, Play and Feast: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel: Over Rated French Tropical Paradise by the Bay

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
Over Rated French Tropical Paradise by the Bay

We have been to Sofitel Philippine Plaza for
a quite number of times even way back when

this was known as the Westin Philippine Plaza.

The kids grew up loving and longing for the hotel’s huge,

lake- size swimming pool which they tremendously enjoy.

^^taken eight years ago

We again returned for a three day stay and intend

to do nothing but to eat, laze, swim, rest and sleep.

We arrived at the hotel after a short flight from
Naga City, the check- in was fast and easy,

…and we were in our room in a breeze.

Stay

We were booked to a Superior Room,

…that had a beautiful view of the city

and of the Manila Bay by the balcony.

The view could be depressing at daytime

when thick smog obscures the horizon,

…but becomes alive and breathtaking

the city lights up at night time.

According to their webpage, the room had “the air

of elegant simplicity” and was apparently designed

by the renowned Hong- kong based HOK designers.

Source: Sofitel Web Page

It was pretty spacious and had warm touches

of exquisite Filipino flair like capiz shells,

…coconut inlay,

…and dark hardwood.

I remember the room being this way even when the hotel was

still a Westin property, before it was taken over by Sofitel.

Sofitel did not update the rooms, during the renovation

and still had the laid back feel of 70’s and 80’s era.

I suspect “the air of elegant simplicity” that they described their rooms

in their webpage, is just a subliminal way of mind setting their guests

to make them believe it was worth its ridiculously expensive a tariff,

…and to cover up the sloppy renovation job done
by their apparently Hong- kong based designer.

The room had a massive, comfortable King sized bed

bearing Sofitel’s voguish and classy signature MyBed,

big enough to fit four of us snugly and still feel relaxed.

It had a nice sitting area,

…a study and working table,

…a wide flat screen TV.

…and a well stocked mini- bar

with coffee/tea making facilities,

…that they never refilled on succeeding days.

It had a spacious closet filled with things

that would make our stay safe comfortable,

…the room had a very spacious

and luxurious toilet and bathroom,

…provided with signature toiletries,

…which, just like the mini- bar, were also not been

refilled on succeeding days, something that never

happen in other hotels of the same class and category.

The bathroom had fabulous rain shower with poor water- heating
capacity as the water heater nver really worked during our stay,

and though this wasn’t a premier room, , it did not have a bath
tub, a usual amenity of hotels of similar class and standard.

Connectivity was not a problem as the room had

three landline phones, the first was on the bedside,

…the second on the working table,

...and the third at the toilet.

It also had a fast and free

Wi- Fi internet connection.

Stray

Sofitel Philippine Plaza is ideal for families wanting to get

away from the urban hustle and bustle without leaving the city.

The resort hotel is a serene tropical sanctuary and would

make one feel that guests are in an isolated island paradise,

but comfortably close enough to urban convenience.

It is located just a block away from

Star City, an indoor theme park,

Source: Philippines Travel Guide

…few blocks away from the Mall of Asia, where it is visible from
our balcony, and the hotel offers a free shuttle to the mall.

It is also about thirty minutes drive

away from the Manila Ocean Park.

Source: The Manila Ocean Park Nifty Guide

The beautiful Rizal Park, historic Intramuros and the old Manila

district are also located nearby, but I would recommend visiting them

at the peak of summer due to the awful heat the dreadful humidity and

the horrible urban blight at the old city capital could be disappointing.

Source: Rizal Park

There is really no need to stray out of the

hotel, as there is a seaside garden lounge

…where guests could watch beautiful

the famous Manila Bay sunset,

...and laze some more at night gazing at the moon

and the stars lying flat on the giant lawn pillows,

...or catch the breeze on a hammock,

...or even just comfortably read a book by the poolside.

Play

Sofitel Philippine Plaza is a kiddie paradise right in the

middle massive of the urban jungle that is Metro- Manila.

They have a massive lake- size swimming pool,

which the kids tremendously enjoyed.

They grew up swimming and this pool and I decided
to take photos of them on this two boulders on the pool,

...so I could and compare them to a photo taken
on exactly the same site about eight years ago.

^^taken eight years ago

The hotel also had an outdoor kiddie playground,

… an indoor playground,.

…and a Kid’s Club Room as well.

They have a 9 and 18 hole golf courses,

a putting green, and a mini golf course.

The hotel also had a well- equipped fitness
center and an upscale sauna and spa,

…several tennis courts,

and a foot ball/soccer field.

There were just so many things to do for guests

of any age at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, making

it a awesome resort playground for the whole family.

Feast

The Sofitel Philippine Plaza is unbeatable when it comes

feasting and definitely the best dining destination in Manila.

The Spiral

Spiral is where the hotel’s complimentary

sumptuous buffet breakfast is served,

…and also offers a massive dinner buffet, probably

the best in Manila or even the entire Philippines.

It has 21 dining ateliers offering the best

of the world's cuisines in one destination.

Each atelier is a showcase kitchen workshop, where

the best of world cuisine are masterfully prepared

by seasoned chefs right before the diners’ eyes.

I believe this is a smaller but more upscale version of

the iconic Rio’s World Carnival Buffet in Las Vegas.

There was a roomful of cheeses,
special sausages, hams and cold cuts,

They were all kept in a temperature controlled room something

that I have never seen in any buffet any where else in the world.

For the Spiral dinner buffet alone, Sofitel Philippine Plaza is worth

visiting as I believe it is the best culinary destination in the country,

Le Bar

Le Bar is located at the lobby and a

three-in-one combination of bistro,

…music lounge,

…and Galette - patisserie and chocolaterie.

Sunset bar

The Sunset Bar is open every weekend, and

features poolside barbecue of fresh seafood,

…marinated meats and an array of salads,

tropical fruits and native desserts.

There are also colorful cultural dance

and live band performances are slated.

Pool Side and Garden Lounge

Pool side garden is one of the best places to laze
around all day or just relax and do nothing at all.

They have comfortable outdoor sofa beds,

...hammocks,

...and even giant lawn pillows.

There are also numerous water stations located on strategic places
in the garden to keep guests hydrated during the hot summer day,

...or you can order food and drinks
from attendants just a buzzer away.

In Room Dining

Sofitel's in- room dining was excellent ,

...and the choices at the room service menu was superb.

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My family had already stayed for quite a number of times in this hotel

in the past, and during my pre blogging days, and I still clearly remember

the glass walled bathroom on the newly renovated in hotel luxury room,

…but the Superior Room where we stayed

this time was a disappointment though.

It was newly renovated the room but it was not updated,

and I believe their Hong- kong based designer made a

sloppy job in doing so as it still looked the same when

the hotel was still known as Westin Philippines Plaza.

Just what I have earlier stated in this blog, “the air of elegant simplicity” that

they described this room in their webpage, is a way to mind set their guests

into thinking that the room was worth its ridiculously expensive tariff and to

cover up the sloppy renovation job done by their Hong- kong based designer.

Source: Sofitel Web Page

Sofitel prides itself as a five star hotel, I agree

facility wise, but I would disagree service wise.

Source: Sofitel Web Page

They failed to refill the toiletries in the bathroom,
and they also failed to refill the coffee and tea
at mini- bar during our 3 day stay in the hotel.