CROWNE PLAZA Manila’s newest classy hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group’s latest destination in the Philippines opened its doors to the public recently to mark another milestone in the country’s hospitality industry. Called the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, the newest classy hotel in the metropolis is situated in Metro Manila’s second most important commercial and business district – the Ortigas Center. It stands side by side with the Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, or just behind the Robinson’s Plaza.

Initially, the hotel opened its ballroom, soft launched two food and beverage outlets and several rooms to keen guests. "Our Grand Ballroom is by far, the largest, tallest and the newest in the whole of Ortigas – giving the hotel an edge in capturing the corporate business and MICE markets. Our weekends will be driven by the leisure market," according toMichael Sengol, general manager.

"Xin Tian Di, our Chinese restaurant and Seven Corners – serve authentic cuisine in a most contemporary setting," he told a small press gathering at the Seven Corners restaurant of the hotel. The hotel’s management team composed of Pearl Maclang, promotion and marketing director and Kit L. Trajano PR and Marketing communications director, and Arlene E. Flores her assistant later shared some insights on this addition to IHG’s roster of premium hotels.

It was stressed during the briefing that Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila is designed for business travelers as an ideal working base with upscale amenities, comprehensive business support and topnotch meetings expertise all under one roof – ensuring that no single detail of transaction is overlooked to the guest’s satisfaction.

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila is the first ever Crowne Plaza property to open in the Philippines. The 265-room hotel is just minutes away from Makati the country’s leading business district and 15 kms from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The Asian Development Bank and Philippine Stock Exchange are just short walk from the hotel, while it has direct access to one of the most modern shopping centers in Metro Manila, Robinsons Galleria.

A tour of the hotel’s state of the art facilities followed the press briefing.

Hotel’s guest rooms feature stylish interiors and spacious comfort. These include work desk and lamp, satellite TV, high-speed internet access and a 2-line phone with voice mail, among others. For a more stress-free stay and business transactions, guests at the Crowne Club Floors have exclusive access to private lounge serving complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. Crowne Club guests also enjoy express check-in, extended check-out and a welcome fruit basket.

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila offers sumptuous dining options, from local fare to international cuisine. Its dining places are:

The Seven Corners. Global food choices are served with a twist at this contemporary restaurant which boasts seven unique interactive cooking stations using only the freshest ingredients and culinary flair. Thematic buffets and ala carte options introduce new flavors from around the world

Xin Tian Di restaurant offers authentic Chinese flavor whose house specialty is roast duck with aromatic, crisp skin complimented by succulent meat. It also features an Asian Noodle Bar which serves up a wide array of mouth-watering selection; and Cantonese cuisine. Xin Tian Di diners can dine in style while enjoying the exclusivity of its five banquet rooms. Signature dishes and signature panache nourish the body and soul – be it for an intimate meal, family and friends’ get-together, or corporate dining.

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila also offers a wide array of facilities and support services for rest and relaxation. It has an outdoor swimming pool; fully equipped gym; spa and beauty salon; travel tours and limousine/shuttle service. The hotel has direct access to Robinson’s Galleria mall with dining, entertainment venues like cinema complex, boutiques and specialty shops, exclusive brand names and lifestyle stores.

Crowne meetings. The hotel features the largest ballroom in the Ortigas district that can comfortably accommodation functions of 20 to 1,500 persons. The ballroom also boasts of state-of-the-art lighting facilities, not to mention premium audio and video equipment. Aside from the ballroom, guests are free to use other areas for informal meetings an after-meeting sessions – lobbies, restaurants, bars or poolside.