Having been connected with the Tourism Industry for almost half a century, I can proudly say that I have been to all first class and de luxe hotels here in Metro Manila and I must declare that the runaway winner for having the biggest rooms is the Oakwood Premier at the Joy-Nostalg Center in Ortigas.
The building’s façade and interiors were designed by C.Y. Lee and Partners, the same firm behind what was formerly the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101, and the hotel interiors were executed by Leandro V. Locsin & Partners with the guidance of the Oakwood Technical Group from Singapore.
The hotel has 230 rooms, spread over 23 floors of the building, with 56 studios, each of them 41 square meters in size, and the rest, being suites, are even much bigger, going as much as 182 square meters for a three-bedroom suite. Why is this an advantage? I, for one, don’t want to have that cooped up feeling every time I stay in my hotel room. To be comfortable, guests always prefer more space and flexibility in a hotel room.
In fact, spacious accommodations is a staple in all Oakwood properties all over the world, having been the very first to offer the concept of temporary housing for relocated employees, for guests on extended business trips, or for those who prefer long, leisurely trips. The Oakwood story is quite interesting.
Successful residential developers Howard Ruby and Bob Franks founded Oakwood after realizing there was a severe lack of housing in the real estate market for people on short-term business assignments and whose requirements can’t be met by a hotel. They immediately put up easy-on-the-pocket, short-term accommodations in major cities in the US and now, in the world. Each property is equipped with modern amenities and manned by service-oriented professionals.
The new concept easily propelled Oakwood to become the industry leader in temporary housing that it is today, and the brand is now found in more than 25,000 locations worldwide.
The fully furnished studios and suites at the Oakwood Premier in Ortigas makes it a veritable sanctuary for anybody who just wants to get away from the humdrum of everyday life and seek refuge in very comfortable and luxurious surroundings, with the comforts of home. At least, that’s how I felt when I decided to spend a relaxing weekend there.
Although it is located right in the middle of the Ortigas Business District, which makes it very convenient for those who do business there and in the adjoining areas, I never felt the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis once inside my room. It must have been the spacious accommodations or the modern furnishings or the responsive service I got from the staff that made me feel I was in my cocoon, in a different world, far away from the city. I have to tip my hat off to General Manager Meinrad Schibler, for making the hotel a gleaming example of what hospitality accommodations should be.
Of course, what would a hotel “staycation” be without a taste of its culinary offerings? The Nostalgia Dining Lounge is Oakwood Premier’s main restaurant. Its brown décor and earth tones seemed to increase my appetite for real good food.
I enjoyed the Pan Seared Macadamia Crusted Salmon, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, and became an instant fan of the chef’s culinary expertise, whoever he is. In fact, I decided to go back the following evening to try out the Angus Steak, and for dessert, the unique deconstructed Black Forest.
I could go on and on about this beautiful property at the Ortigas Business District but I guess it’s easier to just sum everything up in this statement—Oakwood Premier is certainly the Premier Sanctuary everyone’s inner being hankers for. It is what hospitality is all about. Treat yourself to it and, just like me, you’ll probably also end up singing, “,,,and I think to myself, what a wonderful world!”
For feedback, I’m at
bobzozobrado@gmail.com
YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE
On their first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. On their second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. On their third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.