A multi-stop business trip through Southeast Asia once landed me somewhere I never thought I’d have occasion to visit - Manila. It’s been the principal city of the Philippines for four centuries and has been the center of its industrial development as well as the nation’s international port of entry. Manila is situated on one of the finest sheltered harbors of the Pacific region, about 700 miles southeast of Hong Kong. In fact, that’s where my British Airways flight originated, from Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok International Airport (HKG).
At the time, the carrier was flying a B747-400 and I was fortunate to secure a reservation in Club World. After check-in, I was invited to visit The Pier Business Lounge operated by Cathay Pacific as BA did not have a dedicated lounge at the airport. The Pier is Cathay’s largest lounge located on Level 6 of Terminal 1 near Gate 65. On arrival, I felt more like I was checking into an exclusive boutique hotel rather than an airport lounge. There were numerous staff on hand to ensure that wait time was kept to a minimum and I liked effortlessly handing my bags over to a cloakroom attendant for safekeeping before heading into the lounge itself. There I found numerous well maintained and well staffed spaces dedicated to catering to the needs of nearly every traveler. The Bar offered fine wines, spirits and freshly made cocktails as well as a coffee cart. The Food Hall emphasized Western fare, including Home Made Salads, huge Wheels of Parmesan Cheese and Imported Salami as well as hot dishes, including Freshly Baked Pizzas from a wood fired oven! The Noodle Bar offered the perennial favorite Dan Dan Noodles as well as Wonton Noodles, Ramen and a variety of Dim Sum. Everything was freshly made and both the Wonton Noodles and the the Char Siu Pork Bun were delicious. There was even a very quiet and dimly lit Teahouse. Here, I discovered a wide variety of Freshly Brewed Teas along with some Cakes and Pastries baked on site. This lounge had it all, including a full-fledged Relaxation Room with low lighting and individual open walled sleeping pods. A Business Center and a suite of showers were also on site. I’ve never seen a better Business Class lounge and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this very special place.
Upon boarding the aircraft, I was pleased to have reserved a second row aisle seat in one of the 20 situated on the Upper Deck, which were laid out in a 2x2 configuration. This was much better than those Club World seats located on the Main Deck, which were set up eight across in a tight 2x4x2 layout. And British Airways even managed to serve lunch on this short flight. I commend the very polished crew for their efficient and friendly service. Of the three entrée choices, I selected the Seared Fillet of British Beef with Potato Dauphinoise, Honey Roasted Butternut Squash, and Peppercorn jus paired with the South African Swartland Red Blend. Dessert was a Chocolate and Caramel Layer Cake. Shortly after the meal service, we began our descent into the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Within 40 minutes I had cleared Philippine Customs and Immigration and was in a taxi headed to my hotel.
The Grand Hyatt Manila Hotel was just a little over five miles from the airport. But, with a population of over 12 million people, Metro Manila experiences high levels of congestion on nearly all roads and highways. The city thoroughfares are just not able to keep up with the growing number of vehicles and so I wasn’t surprised that it took us nearly 40 minutes to reach the hotel. But, it was worth it. At 66 stories high, the 5-Star Grand Hyatt Manila has 461 rooms and suites located within a mixed-use skyscraper that lays claim to being the tallest in town. When I arrived at the reception desk, I was acknowledged as a Grand Club guest and was assisted by the receptionist to the 57th floor for private check-in. My bag was handled by the concierge and was sent directly to my 538 square-foot room. It featured all I could ask for, including plush bedding, a smart TV with satellite channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, upgraded bath amenities, robe, slippers, in-room safe and ample work desk area. Grand Club guests enjoy concierge and business center services and numerous daily food and beverage presentations. Complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as late-night snacks made this exclusive space feel more like a "hotel within a hotel." And, with no less than eight restaurants and lounges from which to choose, the Grand Hyatt Manila provided excellent business and personal dining options for my three-day stay in this vibrant city.
Although a very crowded and busy place, Manila has any number of attractions which lie in sharp contrast with one another and which I was anxious to explore during my free time. The Walled City of Intramuros was first on my list. Built by the Spanish in 1571, it’s bound on all sides by moats and thick, high walls, some over 19 feet high. Intramoros is one of the Philippines’ most visited tourist attractions and is nothing short of remarkable. Today, this is the only district in Manila that’s been successful in keeping its bygone Spanish-era look. The old walls still defend the district, keeping its churches and streets untouched by the winds of change.
Fort Santiago, a Sixteenth Century citadel, a national landmark and a shrine to the hard-won freedom of the Philippines, lies within Intromuros. One of the city’s main visitor sites, Fort Santiago and its beautifully landscaped grounds are located on the banks of the Pasig River and make for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of this very big city. It was originally built by the Spanish in 1590, as a forward base for their ambitions in the Far East. Over the centuries, Fort Santiago gained a fearsome reputation among Filipinos. The national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned here immediately before his execution, and the Japanese massacred thousands here throughout their short but brutal occupation in the early 1940s.The citadel today includes gardens, plazas, fountains and a tranquil lily pond, all existing in sharp contrast to the centuries of violence the fort has witnessed.
Before departing, I visited Casa Manila, also in Intramuros. It's a living museum constructed by the government in 1981under the direction of the now infamous First Lady Imelda Marcos. Casa Manila faithfully showcases the lifestyle of an affluent Filipino family during the late Spanish colonial period. It was designed by architect Ramon Faustmann and is patterned after an 1850s house that once stood in the Chinese district of Binondo. The interior decor follows tastes prevalent at the turn of the late Nineteenth Century and faithfully recreates a rich merchant’s way of life, with period furniture coming from Chinese, European, and Philippine origins. The crystal chandeliers, Chinese ceramics, paintings, sculptures, textiles and gilded furniture showed me just how elegant and luxurious a mansion in the nation’s capital could be for the privileged few of that era.
I didn’t get an opportunity to explore all that Manila has to offer, but was happy to have experienced a smattering of what makes this Asian destination so alluring.
Until next time...safe travels.
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