Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Premier Room. Credit: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Earning the coveted Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide is an amazing achievement, but getting it three years in a row is a feat of its own.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila got its first Five-Star award in 2017, one of just two hotels in the newly rated city to receive this distinction at the time (the tally is now at four). The Philippines’ capital city officially became a part of the Forbes Travel Guide roster that year, but more than the world-class properties, it was the people who caught the eye of FTG’s CEO, Filip Boyen.
“The Philippines is becoming a more and more popular destination,” Boyen said. “I think the Philippines has a lot of potential for the future. What I look at first is the mentality of the people, and here, they are incredibly service-minded. If you don’t have the people culture and the service culture coming from the top, you’re never going to achieve Five [Stars].”
In February 2019, the Manila skyscraper did, indeed, receive its third consecutive top honor. Here are just a few reasons why it’s such a winner.
The Sky Lobby. Credit: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Stellar Service with Filipino Warmth
High-touch service is hallmark of any luxury hotel, but this Five-Star property raises the bar with warm Filipino hospitality.
“We just encourage our staff to do this extra touch,” says Frank Reichenbach, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s general manager. “I call it the extra mile. I think that’s important. I think that’s where the customer [feels] what they call luxury.”
He continues, “The hotel takes pride in providing guests with personal service grounded in local experience. Filipino values enhance the overall stay experience in the hotel.” Guests have the chance to see exactly what he means with a visit to Flow Spa, which features a menu packed with locally inspired treatments, and beloved Cantonese-flavored restaurant Lung Hin.
Cucina. Credit: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
A Culinary Destination
Whether you’re hungry for authentic Cantonese cuisine, flavorful Italian fare (Cucina) or freshly brewed coffee and a snack (Café Pronto), Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has it all.
New food specials are introduced almost every month, so no two visits are ever the same at this Five-Star property.
“The flavors presented in our dining destinations are prepared by a seasoned team that celebrates authenticity,” Reichenbach says. “For example, Lung Hin features traditional authentic Cantonese cuisine as cooked by Hong Kong-experienced chefs.”
Another delicious example of the hotel’s innovative culinary offerings is its recently launched artisanal chocolates, each one a testament to the country’s flavors: Chili Caramel, Zest & Zing (with local citrus fruits calamansi and dayap) and Green Mango Delight.
Just Outside of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. Credit: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Location, Location, Location
The 316-room property is in the heart of one of the capital’s thriving business districts, Ortigas, which lies less than 30 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and serves as the midpoint between bustling Quezon City and the country’s financial district in Makati City.
If you want to experience all the beauty and culture Manila has to offer, the hotel can arrange visits to nearby art galleries and tourist landmarks, such as the historic city of Intramuros or even the famed Pinto Gallery in the Antipolo countryside.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is also conveniently near several shopping centers in metro Manila, so if you’re looking for premium goods from the Philippines, you’ll be able to squeeze in some retail therapy.
