Conrad Manila, that hotel by the bay, the façade of which looks like that of a cruise liner, recently gathered its friends in celebration of its second anniversary at its luxurious 1,100-square meter Presidential Suite, which includes a very large terrace and a private pool. The Sunset Cocktails was well attended by members of the diplomatic community, leading personalities from social, business and government circles, and the media.
The celebration highlighted the 24 awards the hotel earned during its first 24 months in operation. Of these awards, what I find most significant is the hotel’s LEED Gold Certification.
LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council to evaluate a building’s concern for the environment and its sustainable design. It is the most widely used green building rating system, as it provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. The globally recognized LEED Certification is a symbol of sustainability achievement.
A building earns points based on energy use, air quality, and many other categories. These points earn the building any of the four rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Since Conrad Manila earned a Gold Certification, it ranks way up there in its concern for the environment and sustainability, an achievement that should be emulated by the other components of the tourism industry.
How does the hotel manifest these concerns in its day-to-day operations? Easy. They have this “Meet With A Purpose” Program which promotes eco-friendly practices.
In their function rooms, they manage the room temperature based on the number of people participating in the event. Energy-efficient light bulbs are used, infused water and beverages are served in carafes to avoid wastage, and surplus pencils and notepads are donated to the scholars of World Vision.
As for the food served in its banquet venues, the hotel’s menus are curated to ensure an energy-filled and productive event. Seasonal and local produce are sourced with respect for the environment, and the hotel supports local sustainable seafood advocacies. It even has its own herb garden at the veranda. Even its coffee comes from responsibly grown coffee beans.
And for meetings participated in by health-conscious participants, Conrad Manila can provide fitness trainers to “energize” everyone in the event, make available an outdoor breakout area, and encourage morning runs with the hotel’s management team by providing running maps with recommended routes.
Since LEED standards advocate the conservation of energy, water, resources, as well as less waste and support for human health, we can easily see that Conrad Manila makes a perfect fit in that mold.
There are many other celebratory events taking place in the hotel, in commemoration of its second year, but if you ask me where in the hotel I’ll celebrate their anniversary, aside from my favorite corner suite facing the big Ferris Wheel, you’ll find me at the C Lounge. This is my sanctuary for a mellow state of mind, as I listen to soft music and soak in the splendor of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset.
Of course, after a drink or two at the lounge, you will find me in the hotel’s spa for some rejuvenating treatments as I unburden myself of all the day’s headaches, challenges, and anxious moments that have become the norm in today’s existence.
In his speech during the cocktail celebration, Conrad Manila’s general manager Laurent Boisdron beamed with pride as he described the hotel as “a destination of choice for the new generation of sophisticated travelers, offering service that is intuitive and a world of style.” I couldn’t agree with him more! Conrad Manila is Two-rrefic!
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