2 Phl Hotels Among World’s Best
Edsa Shangri-La Manila and Conrad Manila were recognized not just for their facilities but also for excellent service.
Two hotels in the Philippines made it to the list of 2019 Best Hotels in the World, based on the survey of lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.
The two hotels recognized were Edsa Shangri-La Manila and Conrad Manila, ranking 46th and 45th, respectively, in the magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards.
The list ranked the 50 best hotels in the world according to 600,000 registered voters who participated in the survey.
In an article post dated Oct. 7, the website said Edsa Shangri-La, which is located in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City has exteriors that are “a bit nondescript, but it’s so beautiful inside.” Its “interior have marble floors, wooden rails, Asian paintings, and floral arrangements.”
“Rooms in the Tower Wing set the tone with hues of brown and red and cityscape views; the Garden Wing has views of either the cityscape or the hotel’s landscaped gardens,” the article noted.
It also cited the hotel’s excellent service, saying “multiple restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, from Japanese at Senju to Cantonese at Summer Palace to Italian at Paparazzi, where framed black-and-white images of Hollywood and European celebrities hang on the walls. Chi, the spa, has an herbal steam room and suites with sunken tubs.”
The five-star luxury Conrad Manila in Pasay City, meanwhile, was commended for its “eye-catching design meant to bring to mind the cruise ships that fill the Manila Bay it overlooks.”
“And while the on-land Conrad includes the best of cruising, with 347 rooms, six restaurants, a 24-hour fitness center and spa, and an infinity pool, it’s also hyper-connected to the city of Manila, and just a 15-minute drive from the airport,” the travel website added.
Apart from this, Conde Nast Traveler also pointed out Conrad’s design, “which has been recognized with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award for breaking new ground in sustainable hotel design, including smart room lighting that changes to suit the time of day.”
Meanwhile, the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles was voted the best hotel in the world, followed by Baur au Lac in Zurich, Switzerland (second); Taj Lake Palace in India (third); 1 Hotel West Hollywood in California (fourth) and Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Miami (fifth).
Conde Nast Traveler also named Boracay as the best island in Asia this year, with Cebu and Palawan in second and fourth places, respectively.
Edsa Shangri-La Manila describes itself as a “tropical oasis” and “quintessential luxury retreat” in the heart of the city.
“The hotel’s lush tropical gardens envelope the property with tranquil greenery, creating a peaceful haven of rest,” it said.
The hotel has 631 rooms and suites, six international restaurants and bars, a spa, health club and city resort facilities.
Conrad Manila is positioned atop S Maison, a high-end retail complex on the edge of Manila Bay.
“The visually striking Conrad Manila offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Makati… You will enjoy easy access to a variety of shopping, dining, recreation and local attractions,” the hotel said on its website.
Aside from being recognized by the US Green Building Council as LEED gold-certified, Conrad Manila “is a proud recipient of the 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award,” it added.
Inspired by the impressive vessels that traverse the bay, Conrad Manila noted that its “architecture makes strong connections to the immediate waters in front, and the skyline of Makati’s central business district behind the hotel.”
Conrad Manila has a direct link to the SMX Convention Center, extensive MICE or meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions or events facilities, including a pillarless grand ballroom and an outdoor function space overlooking the city.
