I have always been fascinated by the name of this de luxe hotel in the Ortigas Business District. I became familiar with Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila when my youngest son worked there in the Sales and Marketing Department.
When I asked him how the owners came up with such a unique name, he simply said that “Joy” refers to what guests experience when they avail of the hotel’s services and offerings, and “Nostalg,” coined from “nostalgia,” points to the fond memories the guests have of their joyful moments at the hotel. To me, that made a lot of sense.
Even when my son was still working for the hotel, I could never visit it as often as I would have wanted to because I live in the opposite part of the metropolis and my business activities were always just limited to the Makati and Manila areas. Nevertheless, there were a couple of occasions when a chance to experience and enjoy its luxurious accommodations and culinary delights.
Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila is a 5-star serviced residence managed by Accor. It has 229 spacious rooms, ranging from a studio to a 3-bedroom Executive Suite, with all the suites offering spacious living and dining areas, a fully-equipped kitchen, and laundry amenities.
But, I think the biggest “come-on” the hotel has is the sauna in every room. I enjoyed it when I stayed in one of the suites. I know some friends who spend their staycations at this hotel just to have easy access to a sauna. The best part is, that such an amenity doesn’t cost any extra.
The hotel’s Nostalgia Lounge and Bar has become a favorite of many expats, mostly from the Asian Development Bank which is right across, and other top officers of the large business community in the area. For Valentine’s Day celebration, the Nostalgia offered a 5-course menu which I had the privilege of partaking in.
For starters, I had chickpea, caviar, crayfish, white tomato mousse, cherry mozzarella, and strawberry salad. All these were paired with a sparking rosé from Spain called 49 Millions. Naturally, I had to try it to see if it made me feel like a millionaire. Then I had soup made of artichoke heart crème paired with dark chocolate-filled clam ravioli.
This was followed by cocoa husk-smoked duck breast before I had my amazing main entrée of wagyu beef belly. Of course, the dessert is always my favorite part of the meal, and I wasn’t disappointed – dates and chocolate fondant. Having enjoyed a menu like this, I certainly felt like a millionaire.
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the hotel offered what they rightfully bannered as Flavors of Prosperity. To go along with the celebration of good fortune and abundance, the Nostalgia Lounge and Bar further enhanced its menu.
There was a daily dim sum bar that had chiu chao, hakaw, shrimp and pork siomai, spinach wagyu dumplings, crab roe dumplings, siopao asado and bola-bola, and cuapao.
They also featured flavors from different regions in China – Cantonese, Sichuan, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Hunan
Aside from the sumptuous culinary preparations that Nostalgia Lounge and Bar is known for, there is another venue I like about Joy Nostalg Hotel. It’s on the 43rd floor and it’s called The Roof. This al fresco restaurant and bar offers an awesome breathtaking view of the metropolis.
I find it very relaxing to have a bite of my favorite comfort food with my favorite drink on hand while the evening breeze continuously flows from all directions. It is the perfect antidote to stress.
When my elder brother visited from Houston, I brought him there after our dinner at Nostalgia and he had nothing but superlatives for this haven of joy and nostalgia.
More information on Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila may be obtained from +632 5318 7888 or [email protected]
YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE
FROM A SENIOR:
I don’t mean to interrupt people.
I just randomly remember things
and get really excited!
For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado @gmail.com