It was the butler that brought the guests

BUSINESS hotels in Metro Manila have at least one distinguishing feature to attract travelers and executives. Some pride themselves on being the most private or exclusive, others offer bigger rooms or full service kitchens while still others offer the latest in audio-visual and business equipment.

The Pan Pacific Manila hotel in the heart of the popular Malate area says one of its main features that sets it apart from the rest is its personalized full butler service. This means that all guests have their own butler to look after the guests’ requirements from unpacking their clothes, ironing their shirts or some secretarial work.

The butlers can also be asked to assist with business appointments, make travel arrangements and give advice on the best local restaurants and places of interest and entertainment.

Pan Pacific marketing head Jane L. Natividad tells the INQUIRER that many of the butlers were trained abroad to make sure that the service they provide is at par with the level of service in more developed countries such as the United Kingdom.

Natividad adds that the butler service is part of the strategy to package the 236-room Pan Pacific as a primary destination for executives. She says all the rooms are considered executive level with amenities such as a granite desk, personal computer, facsimile machine, printer and coffee/tea making facilities.

She, however, says that many guests far prefer the bathroom facilities. Many guests have been known to come back if only for the chance to use the bathroom.

Pan Pacific’s bathrooms have a separate bathtub and shower cubicle. The rooms also have a television set and sliding wall that opens the bathroom to the bedroom.

Other hotel facilities include a rooftop garden; nine function rooms, executive business center, health and fitness center, swimming pool and jacuzzi, billiard tables. A popular destination is the Pacific Lounge at the top floor where guests take their complimentary breakfast and afternoon cocktails while watching the sunset over Manila Bay.

"We cater primarily to business travelers who do business in this area. One of our biggest clients is the American Embassy and the attached agencies that are also located in Manila," Natividad says.

The standard executive room runs up to $190 for an overnight stay, while the executive deluxe room costs $230 million. The cheapest suite—Pacific Suite—goes for $280 a night while the executive suite goes up to $400 a night.

Guests, on the other hand, can stay at the Presidential Suite with its own living and dining areas and three bedrooms for $1,250 a night.

These rates include buffet breakfast, pre-dinner cocktails and complimentary laundry service for two items a day.

Pan Pacific is also close to the Japanese Embassy, World Trade Center and the Philippine International Convention Center, making it a natural destination for business travelers attending conventions and exhibitions sponsored by the Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions.

Asian businessmen, primarily the Japanese, are also among the biggest clients although an increasing number of local residents have been using the facilities to take advantage of the lower hotel rates in these depressed times.

"We are quite fortunate because Pan Pacific is the only deluxe hotel in this area," Natividad says.