Hotel and Inn Review: Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Date of Stay: September 21 to 22, 2024

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *********

Rooms: *********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: **********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: *********

Other Amenities: *********

Value for Money: **********

 

Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila

I recently had the pleasure of staying overnight, with my son Jandy, at Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila and, I must say, it was an unforgettable experience.  From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the hotel staff’s warmth and hospitality which was nothing short of exceptional, going above and beyond to make us feel welcome as a valued guest and ensure that every aspect of our stay was perfect.  The attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction really stood out.

 

The exterior finish inspired by the ripples of the ocean

A collaboration between Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited (LPHM) and SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), this 11-storey hybrid hotel and serviced residences caters to professionals and regular guests, under SM’s luxury hotel brands.  The first Lanson Place in the country, it is also the tenth hotel property of SMHCC (established in April 2008, it also manages the SMX Convention Center and Trade Halls) which includes Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Radisson Blu Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod and Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA). 

The beautifully landscaped courtyard

Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited, founded in 1995, is a subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties, a premium developer of quality residential, commercial, industrial and serviced apartments.  It operates properties in Hong Kong (Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Two MacDonnell Road, Lanson Place Waterfront Suites), Kuala Lumpur (Lanson Place Bukit Ceylon), Shanghai (Lanson Place Parkside), Shenzhen (Yiju Apartment) and Singapore (Lanson Place Winsland), and soon to open in Melbourne, Australia (Lanson Place Parliament Gardens).

Pergola at the courtyard where you can have bespoke coffee breaks, short pocket meetings or small receptions

 

Now almost a year in operation (it opened last October 2, 2023), this U-shaped hotel is centered around a beautifully landscaped courtyard which is used for bespoke coffee breaks and short pocket meetings and small receptions when necessary.  The hotel’s design is inspired by the ripples of the ocean, from the exterior finish, down to the ceiling of the second floor and all the way to the carpet of the Saffron Grand Ballroom. It had 247 guest rooms and 142 serviced apartments, including two-bedroom suites with floor-to-ceiling windows which allow sweeping views of the city skyline and Manila Bay.  

One-Bedroom Junior Suite (551)

We stayed in an immaculate, peaceful and spacious, 49 sq. m. One-Bedroom Junior Suite (551) that allowed us to be truly at home. Stylishly furnished in soothing earth tones, it had a separate bedroom and living room, each with a 50-inch flat screen interactive TV (iPTV) with 65 international and local cable TV channels and 16 radio channels for entertainment. 

 

Living Room

The cozy and clean bedding and super soft pillows of our king-size bed (one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on) and modern and thoughtful amenities such as an electronic key lock system; voice mail, IDD/NDD telephone lines; airconditioning with individually controlled thermostats; a well-stocked minibar; blackout drapes/curtains; closet, bathrobes, ; in-room safe; pillow menu; luggage rack (making unpacking and repacking a breeze), and iron & ironing board, provided a welcoming retreat, ensuring a restful night’s sleep throughout our stay.  

The personal Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary coffee capsules and complimentary tea set-up

The personal Nespresso coffee machine, with complimentary coffee capsules and complimentary tea set-up, was a nice touch. Wide windows invited Manila Bay views and infused the room with the warmth of natural light. 

 

The bathroom with glass shower enclosure and His and Her lavatory

The reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi internet connection (10 mbps) made staying connected (to catch up on emails) or working remotely a breeze, ensuring uninterrupted productivity, clear video calls and lag-free file sharing.

 

The Powder Room with electronic bidet

Our private ensuite bathroom had a His and Her lavatory, vanity mirror, hair dryer and hot and cold rainshower head.   The Kohler water closet, at the separate powder room (with another lavatory), had an electronic bidet with a heated toilet seat with various temperature settings and an easy-to-use control and preset. Both bathroom and powder room are furnished with luxurious APPELLES Green collection (Davidson Plum Hand & Body Wash, Rosella Conditioner and Rosella Shampoo) bathroom amenities infused with natural ingredients and delightful scents.

 

Lanson Suite

The other hotel room types are the 25 sq. m. (269 sq. ft.) Superior Room and Deluxe Room, furnished with King/Twin beds, the 58 sq. m. One-Bedroom Grand Suite and the 68 sq. m. One-Bedroom Lanson Suite, both having King-size beds and separate living rooms.

 

A bathtub with a view

We also tried out some of Lanson Place Mall of Asia’s dining options which range from comfort foods, to international cuisine and local favorites for a long, lazy lunch with friends or dinner with the family, to grab-and-go treats and delicious pastries for an easy meal on the go, that are as varied and vibrant as the Pasay restaurants outside their doors.

 

Madeleine High Tea

Upon checking in, we had merienda, with Ms. Rosary Ysmael (Lanson Place Marketing Consultant), at the peaceful and beautiful, albeit hidden (turn right upon entering the main lobby) Madeleine High Tea, on the ground floor of the Ballroom lobby.  

High Tea Set Menu

It is just the place to be with friends, from Friday to Sunday (2 to 5 PM), as you savor its serene atmosphere.  A lady tea sommelier explained to us the basics of tea, the different kinds and the food pairings to try.

 

Artisanal teas from Nature's Apothecary

There are three sweet and savory high tea sets offering six premium artisanal teas from Agusan del Norte’s Nature’s  Apothecary (Forest Pearl Green Tea, Oasis Green Tea, Golden Monkey Black Tea, Merry Berry Fruit Tea, Hello Sunshine Fruit Tea and Peach Oolong Tea), innovative pastries, and cakes that blend traditional and contemporary high tea flavors – Traditional (Php1,750), Contemporary (Php1,950) and Signature (Php2,150). 

 

One of three High Tea Sets

We sampled the first two, featuring traditional scones, clotted cream, madeleines, macarons, tiny sandwiches and delicious snacks, perfectly matched with Jandy and Rosary’s choice of tea (I had a Cappucino).

 

Saffron Grand Ballroom

On an exclusively dedicated floor above it is the pillarless (for flexible configurations to suit specific needs), well-designed and contemporary, 676 sq. m. Saffron Grand Ballroom.  An ideal event place to hold glamorous weddings, conventions and corporate events, it has a dedicated lobby, expansive pre-function area for c0cktail reception (with a dedicated bar), dedicated bridal dressing/holding room, full-service audio-visual system, dedicated drop-off and pick-up foyer and can be set up theater style (370 pax), banquet style (300 pax), U-shaped style (240 pax), classroom style (192 pax) and conference style (180 pax). 

 

The Leeroy New artwork hanging from the ceiling

Above the ballroom lobby and Madeleine’s High Tea is the huge, wind wave-like ceiling, an art project designed by contemporary Filipino fine artist Leeroy New.  A stunning mass of undulating blues, it was inspired by the bioluminescent waves and dancing nudibranches.

 

BLK 12 Cafe-Bar

Come nighttime, we visited the more casual, comfortable and trendy BLK12 Café/Bar, at the ground floor (City Wing) welcome lobby.  During daylight hours, you can visit for a snack or a delectable pastry paired with a perfectly brewed coffee or a handcrafted beverage, and, come nighttime, for the chilled-out wine bar experience in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Confit Garlic and Spinach Dip, Crisps

Gambas Al Ajillo

Caramel Flan

Spanish Churros

Here, we tried out the Confit Garlic and Spinach Dip (Php380), followed by Gambas Al Ajillo (Php680) and Lemongrass Chicken Skewers (Php340) and ended with a dessert of Spanish Churros (Php380) and Caramel Flan (Php300).   Truly filling and delicious.

 

Jandy and the author at the Fitness Gym

Fitness Gym

After dinner, we burned our calories, with the assistance of trainer Jason Abesamis, at the 198 sq. m. (22 x 9 m.), 24-hour Fitness Gym at the 11^th floor. It has a suite of state-of-the-art Life Fitness gym equipment such as 3 treadmills, 2 upright indoor cycling exercise bikes, a free weight stack exercise machine, a multi-functional machine gym and a seated leg press plus 20 dumbbells (2.5 to 25 lbs.), 5 medicine balls, 2 slam balls and 5 kettle bells. 

Yoga Room

Beside the fitness gym is the 52.5 sq. m. (7.5 x 7 m.) dedicated Yoga Room for those who prefer a more mindful workout.

 

Kids Corner

At the same floor is the Kids’ Corner which offers a lively, safe and fun space equipped with a wide range of indoor activities and games for children aged 3 to 10 years old, where they can watch movies, discover a new favorite video game to play or challenge a new friend to a board game. 

Residents' Lounge

Also at the 11th floor (Bay Wing) is the Resident’s Lounge, a place for easy hangouts and delicious morning meals, which is open only to long-stay guests.

 

Cyan Modern Kitchen

Bar Area

The next day, we had a buffet breakfast at Cyan Modern Kitchen, the third floor (Bay Wing) all-day dining restaurant.  Its contemporary design, with floor-to-ceiling windows, creates a flexible space for both leisure and corporate settings. 

Al Fresco Dining Area

The restaurant’s main dining hall, as well as its al fresco dining area facing Macapagal Avenue, offers front-row seats to the magnificent sunset Manila Bay is known for. A private room offers a stunning view of the MOA Eye and, on a clear day, Mount Samat in Bataan.

 

Breakfast Buffet

A selection of delectable dishes

Bread, Croissants and Scones

The breakfast spread was varied, filling and delicious, with pancakes, waffles, French toast, egg station (sunny side up, scrambled, hard boiled, etc.), cereals, pastries (croissants, Spanish bread, blueberry Danish, banana walnut cake, raisin bonnet, doughnuts, etc.), tater tots, bacon, farmer’s ham, an assortment of dishes (shokshouka, lamb con carne, beef adobo, chicken curry, sautéed bottle gourd, fish sarciado, beef with fried eggplant, etc.), chicken sausages, dulong, plus coffee, tea and fresh juices (watermelon, pink sweet guava, orange). 

 

Cereals

and more.....

Their lunch buffet rate is Php2,500 net per person, Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon to 2:30 PM, while their pre-dinner cocktail buffet rate is Php2,500 net per person, Fridays to Saturdays, 5:30 to 8:30 PM.  They offer 20% discount to SMAC card holders. For reservations, call +63 917 812 8061 or email fb.lpmn@lansonplace.com.

Focus Co-Working Space

Also at the third floor is the 288 sq. m., 48-pax Focus.  This 24-hour Manila co-working space explores the concept of “work from everywhere.” These flexible workspaces are popular, especially among firms implanting hybrid work arrangements and those seeking short-term leases.  A dynamic hub for entrepreneurs and creatives alike, it features high-speed W—Fi connectivity, exclusive meeting pods, tables with plentiful sockets, comfortable seating, spacious tables and a tranquil ambiance.  

Bytes

To keep you energized throughout the day, there’s Bytes, Lanson’s grab and go station alongside our co-working space at the third floor, where you can indulge in guilt-free snack or sandwich options to keep by your side as you ramp up your productivity.

  

Executive Boardroom

Meeting_Room

This is complemented by seven natural light-filled meeting spaces – the 12-pax Thyme, Vanilla and Lavender Meeting Rooms; the 16-pax Sage; and the 20-pax Tarragon, Rosemary and Basil Meeting Rooms.  The last three have individual courtyard access.  All are equipped with cutting-edge amenities and technologies to host intimate meetings and presentations or as comfortable breakout areas.

 

Infinity Pool

After breakfast, we decided to take a dip at the 11^th floor, 25 m. (82 ft.) x 6 m. (20 ft.), 1.2 (4 ft.) deep, elevated Infinity Pool (open 6 AM to 9 PM) where, from the edge, you look out over Manila Bay. Beside it is a 3 m. (10 ft.) x 9 m. (30 ft.), 0.60 m. (2 ft.) deep Children’s Pool.  

Edge Pool Bar

Adjacent to the pools is Edge Pool Bar. Exclusively reserved for residents and in-house guests, it is a perfect venue to cap off a productive day.  

Bar Area

With its unobstructed view of the bay, here you can sip specially-concocted signature cocktails and savor a selection of comforting dishes while enjoying the captivating sunsets and cool breeze.   

 

Lunchtime crowd at Cyan Modern Kitchen

Prior to checking out, we had lunch again at Cyan Modern Kitchen. This time, we tried out a buffet of modern, chef-curated interpretations of traditional international favorites made with fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.  

Crabs and shrimp

Chona Masala, Seafood Moilee, Lamb Keema Mattar

The delicious fare included Chona Masala, Seafood Moilee, Lamb Keema Mattar, Vegetable Samosa, Papadam, Chicken Tikka, Truffle Smash Potato, Sauteed French Beans, Shepherd Pie, Conchillo, Eggplant Parmigiana, Sweet Chili Fish, Nasi Goreng, Chicken Florentina plus decadent desserts such as Tres Leches Halo-Halo, Tiramisu, Leche Flan, Cheesecake, etc.

 

Tres Leches Halo Halo

My dessert plate.....

The hotel also has a 24-hour Front Desk, 21-pax elevators and offers daily housekeeping, luggage storage, concierge, laundry service, room service (limited hours), car rental, airport transfer (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge). The hotel’s strategic and unbeatable location was also the highlight of our stay as Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila is a short walk to the SM Mall of Asia Complex (470 m. away), One Esplanade (520 m. away), entertainment spaces such as the Mall of Asia Arena (1.7 kms. away); the flagship SMX Convention Center (730 m. away); restaurants; office buildings and a transportation hub that can take you to and from any part of Metro Manila.  It is also the perfect location to watch the Pyromusical Competition in SM MOA.

 

24-Hour Front Desk

It is also located 4.19 kms. from Robinsons Place Manila, 4.61 kms. from Manila Ocean Park, 4.98 kms. from Rizal Park, 5.43 kms. from the National Museum, 5.63 kms. from Fort Santiago, 5.65 kms. from San Agustin Church, 5.97 kms. from the Manila Cathedral and 6.71 kms. from Quiapo Church.

 

Service Residence

I cannot recommend this hotel enough and we look forward to returning in the future.  Even if you don’t stay there, you should still check out Cyan Modern Kitchen’s scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet offerings.  Our thanks to the entire staff for making our refreshing staycation, which struck a balance between comfort and functionality, truly memorable. 

 

The author and Jandy at Cyan Modern Kitchen

Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila: Block 12, Palm Coast Ave., corner Seaside Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex, Brgy. 76, Zone 10, CBP-1A, Pasay City, 1300 Metro Manila. Tel: + 632 7777 0000.  Email: reservations.lpmn@lansonplace.com and sales.lpmn@lansonplace.com.  Website: www.lansonplace.com.

Hindley Street Country Club (HSCC) Concert in Manila

 

Photo: www.ovationsmanila.com 

The Hindley Street Country Club (HSCC), described as the greatest cover band in the world, with over 1 billion views across social media platforms, will perform live in Manila on September 29, 2024, at the New Frontier Theater. The band’s unique blend, high-energy performance, and catchy tunes have garnered viewers from Australia and abroad, amassing over 590 million YouTube views with over one million subscribers globally.  

The HSCC, an online band sensation from Australia, was founded in 2017 by arranger and producer Constantine Delo, along with a cohort of seasoned Adelaide session musicians who got together, for a lark, to record re-arranged covers of their favorite songs from the 1970’s and 1980’s and uploading them to Facebook and YouTube weekly. All HSCC tracks are recorded live, with everyone in one room (with the exception of a few when COVID 19 restrictions were in South Australia). As there is no PA or fold-back speakers to hear themselves in the room, the singers use Shure In-ear monitors to hear themselves, so the sound can be captured through the microphones as isolated as possible to make the job of the mixing engineer easier. 

The band got its name from Hindley Street located in the center of the city of Adelaide.  Many of the musicians who have played with HSCC had gigs in bands up and down that street in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The name is a play on the reputation of the street which is an eclectic mix of activity today.  In addition to pubs, clubs, amusement arcades, cinemas, fast food outlets, ice cream parlors and a university campus at one end, the street features adult entertainment, tattoo shops, motorcycle gangs and a steady stream of traffic cruising up and down the strip. There is no actual “country club” on Hindley Street, and the in-joke is mixing up a genteel concept like a country club with “Hindley Street.”

 

Photo: www.ovationsmanila.com 

Following on from HSCC’s major internet success, the band now tours throughout the world to audiences far and wide. Releasing videos weekly, they perform all of pop’s greatest and most popular hits, sounding faithful to the sound of the original recording and getting praised by the original artists themselves. 

Their videos showcase the hit songs of Dolly Parton (Islands in the Stream), Phil Collins (Something Happened on the Way to Heaven),  Toto (Africa), Foreigner (Waiting for a Girl Like You, Feels Like the First Time, I Want to Know What Love Is), Beegees (Too Much Heaven),  Billy Joel (Just the Way You Are), Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street),  Crowded House (Don’t Dream It’s Over), Sade (Sweetest Taboo),  Christopher Cross (Arthur’s Theme, Sailing), Barry White (Can’t Get Enough of Your Love,Babe), Boz Scaggs (Lowdown), The Alan Parsons Project (Eye in the Sky), Supertramp (Take the Long Way Home), A-ha (Take on Me), Spandau Ballet (True), Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John (Suddenly), Cyndi Lauper (Time After Time), Sergio Mendes (Never Gonna Let You Go), George Harrison (My Sweet Lord), Andy Gibb (I Just Wanna Be Your Everything), Cheryl Lynn (Got To Be Real), Wham (Careless Whisper), Earth, Wind and Fire (Boogie Wonderland, September), Whitney Houston (The Greatest Love of All), Tears For Fears (Head Over Heels), The Beatles (While My Guitar Gently Weeps), Dire Straits (Sultans of Swing, Money For Nothing), Barbra Streisand (Woman in Love), Mike + The Mechanics (The Living Years), Rod Stewart (I Don't Wanna Talk About It), Mister, Mister (Broken Wings), John Waite (Missing You), Hall & Oates (Kiss on My List), Taylor Dayne (Love Will Lead You Back), Madonna (La Isla Bonita), Fleetwood Mac (Silver Springs, Sara), Joe Jackson (Steppin’ Out), Wings (Silly Love Songs), Starship (Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now), Donna Summer (Bad Girls) and many more.  

The HSCC’s live show in the Philippines is presented by Main Events, a sub-unit of Ovation Productions Inc. that specializes in corporate events and other special projects that include live performances by various local and international artists. Tickets are available on September 3, 2024, at ticketnet.com.ph at the following ticket prices: PHP 4,500 (VIP)/ 4,000 (Orchestra) / 3,500 (Loge)/ 2,500 (Balcony) plus ticketing charges.  

For more details and updates about the concert, please check the official Facebook page of Main Events at https://social.mainevents.asia/facebook.

35th Philippine Travel Mart (SMX, Pasay City, Metro Manila)

The 35th Philippine Travel Mart

The three day 35th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), to be held from September 6 to 8, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, is the longest-running and the most exciting interactive travel trade exhibition of Philippine destinations in the Philippines. New surprises are available each year that highlight new discoveries for travelers to explore. 

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco 

Mr. Arjun Shroff, PHILTOA President

The exhibition is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc., an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on June 12, 1986, the membership of this non-stock and non-profit organization includes travel agencies, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and associations. 

The symbolic planting in lieu of a ribbon cutting

The PTM is also supported and participated in by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), which exists to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination, in strategic partnership with private and public stakeholders to deliver a unique high-value experience for visitors, significantly contributing to increased arrivals, receipts and investments to the country.

A cultural dance presentation

With the ASEAN integration, tour packages are also available for Southeast Asian countries, providing easy access to exotic locations such as Bali (Indonesia), Siem Reap (Cambodia), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Packages are likewise available for popular destinations in Japan, China and Korea. 

Ilocos Norte Booth

Now on its 35^th edition, this year’s theme is “Love the NextGen Tourism,” emphasizing the importance of tourism practices that will benefit future generations. NextGen Tourism has four pillars – sustainability (embrace eco-friendly travel that protects our environment and support local communities), digitization (enjoy smarter travel through AI planning, virtual reality explorations, and intuitive apps), inclusivity (engage in community-based tourism that empowers locals and celebrates diversity) and health and wellness (find rejuvenating experiences that enhance well-being).  

Cotabato Booth

Anya Hospitality Group Booth

Mr. Arjun P. Shroff, President of PHILTOA delivered the opening remarks on the first day of the Travel Mart.  The guest of honor was Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco who, after delivering her keynote message, joined others in the symbolic planting, a sustainability initiative replacing the ribbon cutting. What followed was special performance by the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation.

Capiz Booth

The exhibition, a great opportunity to highlight popular and emerging destinations in the Philippines and to give local tourism a boost, will feature around 300 exhibitors, the biggest number since the COVID 19 pandemic, some for the first time this year, bringing fresh offerings and giving guests more options and travel opportunities to choose from.  

Ascott Hotels Booth

There are so many hidden gems for you to uncover at the PTM. You can book tour packages in the Spratly Islands and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or make plans to go grape-picking in La Union or lemon-picking in La Union and Benguet.  Exhibitors range from tours and travel agencies, hotels/resorts, theme parks, airlines, and provincial and regional tourism offices. 

Calabarzon Booth

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Booth

The exhibition zone is zoned based on current Philippine tourism offerings, highlighting the diversity of different tourism products available at the much-awaited event and providing guests with easy access to the adventures that await them. A celebration of the beauty and culture of the Philippines, from Batanes to Zamboanga, it will showcase diverse destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through its many pavilions where you’ll find great travel packages, deals and discounts so you can have more adventures across the country, and in popular foreign places visited by Filipinos. Favorite international destinations in Asia, the US, Europe and Australia will be showcased as well. 

Cordillera Autonomous Region Booth

Bluewater Resorts Booth

The PTM is sponsored by UnionBank, GCash, ITPI, and Philippine Airlines. Media partners are WhenInManila.com, SPOT.ph, BusinessMirror, Asian Journal/Balikbayan Magazine, Orange Magazine, and NEO Retro Radio 1059 FM. 

Eastern Visayas Region Booth

During the PTM, UnionBank credit card holders can enjoy exclusive travel perks and privileges. Aside from waived entrance fees for cardholders, UnionBank’s PAYEASY facility allows greater flexibility with 0% installment payment plans on exciting travel deals and packages from participating travel agencies, airlines and related travel products and services. 

Bicol Region Booth

Tickets may be purchased online at www.philtravelmart.com/buyticket. For more details, visit www.philtravelmart.com, email philtravelmart@philtoa.com and follow @philtravelmart on Facebook and Instagram. 

Batanes Booth

Lanson Place (SM Mall of Asia) Booth

Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc.: 810-811 8/F, Cityland 10 Tower 1, H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, 1227 Metro Manila. Tel:   +63 (02) 8812-4513, 8822-6964
E-mail: info@philtoa.com.  Website: www.philtoa.com. 

Tourism Promotions Board (TPB): 6/F, Five E-Com Center, Harbor Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila.    Tel: +63 85259318 to 27.  Fax: +63 2 85216165 and +63 2 85253314. E-mail: info@tpb.gov.ph. Website: www.tpb.gov.ph.

11th Travel Madness Expo (SMX, Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

11th Travel Madness Expo

After a successful comeback last year, a whole new and more exciting Travel Madness Expo (TME), now on its 11th edition, will be held, from July 12 - Jul 14, 2023 (Friday to Sunday), at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, occupying the first floor covering Halls 1-4.

Department of Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia-Frasco

This year’s theme, “Revolutionizing Travel to Create Magical Experiences,” promises even more thrilling adventures and bargains for travelers. With an increased number of sponsors and exhibitors, TME is expecting a larger turnout compared to previous years.

 

TME 2024 Chairperson Ms. Maria Paz Alberto

TME 2024 stands out as the largest travel expo, boasting a high number of participating airlines (31) and cruise lines (2GO, Princess Cruises and Royal Carribean); 34 trustworthy travel agencies and tour operators trade associations; travel technology solutions providers; trade services and exporters; destination marketing organizations; thrilling theme parks (Enchanted Kingdom,  Cebu Safari & Adventure Park, JCastles Theme Park and Zoobic Safari); and a diverse range of 45 hotel and accommodation providers.

Megaword Hotels & Resorts Booth

Also on hand were 18 delightful food concessionaires, 7 well-established financial and insurance companies; 8 local and international (Korea Tourism Pavilion, Sabah Tourism  Board and Taiwan Tourism) tourism offices; local and international education partners (Far Eastern University and Pathway to Australia); 6 media partners; 30 services and retail stores; and travel accessories and gear shops.

 

A cultural dance presentation

TME 2024 anticipates exceeding 40,000 visitors and attendees, with over 200 exhibitors showcasing their offerings. All exhibiting travel agents and tour operators were carefully selected for their integrity and excellent services.

 

Love the Philippines Booth

Attendees can expect to discover the top captivating destinations; exceptional travel discoveries, unparalleled services, at the Travel Madness Expo 2024 and take advantage of exclusive deals and low rates from domestic hotels and resorts; enticing and affordable promotional airfare; remarkable travel discounts and many more. Whether travelers are seeking local or international destinations, they can look forward to great value for their money with these budget-friendly travel packages.  

Philippine Airlines Booth

In addition to the exciting travel opportunities, ultimate travel event will also feature cultural performances, entertaining workshops, food tastings, and entertainment and special events to enhance the overall experience for attendees. Raffles and giveaways will add an element of luck for the lucky visitors of this event.

 

A very busy and well-attended first day.....

The opening day of this year’s event was graced by DOT Secretary Ms. Cristina Garcia-Frasco; Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J.Bautista; Tourism, Infrastructure  and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) ACOO Mr. Jetro Nicolas F. Lozada; Pasay City Mayor Chief-of-Staff Atty. Peter Fardo; Philippine Airlines (PAL) OIC-EVP General Counsel Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez; PAL Vice-President for Sales Mr. Salvador “Bud” Britanico, Jr.; VFS KTO Director Hyung Joon Kim; and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Travel Innovators President Ms. Maria Paz Alberto, the Chairperson of Travel Madness Expo 2024.

The Korea Pavilion

Hotel and Inn Review: Solem Cave Suites (Urgur/Nevsehir, Turkey)

 Date of Stay: June 24 to 25, 2024

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: **********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: *********

 

Solem Cave Suites

Our overnight home during our two-day tour of Cappadocia was the beautiful, stylish and very peaceful Solem Cave Suites, a charming boutique hotel built on the street and nestled in the heart of Urgup.  The hotel consists of a combination of 3 different usage areas that have been used, for centuries, as a madrasa (an educational institution), inn and agha mansion. It was meticulously restored by architect Fevzi Aysu and Muzafeer Büyükbaş (Solem Cave Suites Chairman), adhering to the past without damaging its historical texture.

 

Sun Deck - East Side

Sun Deck - West Side

The hotel has 17 non-smoking, allergy-free rooms - two 80 sq. m. (431 sq. ft.) King Suites (202 and 305), four 60 sq. m. (646 sq. ft.) Queen Suites (102, 108, 201 and 203), eight 40 sq. m. (431 sq. ft.) Deluxe Rooms (101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109 and 302) and three 20 sq.m. (215 sq. ft.) Standard Rooms (301, 303 and 304).  The King and Queen Suites have a bathtub, balcony/terrace and garden views. Spa and wellness facilities, including a hot tub and a hammam (Turkish bath), are at guests' disposal during their stay at Solem Cave Suites.

 

Deluxe Room (103)

Bathroom

The Deluxe Room (103) we stayed in had air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen Smart TV with satellite channels (plus paid platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and Amazon); coffee and tea facility; heated floors; laptop-compatible work desk and safety deposit box; phone (with free local calls); minibar and a spacious private bathroom with a hot and cold shower, bathrobes and slippers and equipped with bed linen and towels. The bed and pillows were super soft and very comfortable.  The room was very clean and nice and the price versus quality was unbeatable. 

 

Grace, Jandy, Paula, Manny and Selena at the Shared Lounge

The hotel features a 24-hour Front Desk, a garden, terrace, a bar (in Urgup), business center (with a fax machine and photocopier) as well as a shared lounge. Free high speed wireless internet access is available throughout the property and so many electrical outlets were available for us in our room.

 

Restaurant

Bar

During dinner, we met up with the genial and kind Ercan Ozcan, a retired high school teacher, at the onsite restaurant set in a modern style setting. He made dining at the restaurant a delightful experience, personally serving us a delicious array of reasonably priced dishes – vegetable salad, soup, the traditional testi (meaning “jug” in Turkish) kebab (placed in a single-serve clay pot) of Cappadocia, Turkish rice and a chocolate souffle for dessert.  

 

Breakfast

Dining Area

After our hot-air balloon experience, we again met up with Ercan during our a la carte breakfast (available 8 to 11 AM) which offered Continental, Full English/Irish or Italian options.  The over-the-top breakfast was also delicious and filling, with various kinds of jams and cheeses; omelets, bread, juice and hot Turkish coffee or chocolate.

 

Garden facing our room

They offer express check-in (12 noon) and check-out (10:30 AM), room service, airport shuttle service (surcharge), luggage storage, concierge, daily housekeeping, valet parking, laundry service and currency exchange for guests. The area is popular for cycling (bike rentals are available) and car hire is available at the hotel. The hotel also has a tour desk offering hot-air balloon flights, ATV tours, off-road tours, one-day private Cappadocia tours and horse riding tours. 

 

View from outdoor sitting area

The staff was very friendly, professional, kind and helpful.  From the hundreds of “cave hotels” in the area, this is exceptional as it is away from busy and noisy touristy area.  The only downside of this hotel is that it is that it does not have ramps or elevators for the disabled/handicapped, it being a cave hotel (the upper floors are only accessible by stairs)).  Still, I give the hotel five stars. Truly, a highly recommendable hotel.

Solem Rooftop Wine Bar

The hotel, with its stunning, awe-inspiring and panoramic views of beautiful cave houses in the Urgup Region, is located 150 m. (a 2-min. walk) from Turasan Winery, 490 m. from Nikolos Monastery, 520 m. (a 5-min. walk) from Temenni Wishing Hill, 1 km. from Urgup Museum, 11.3 kms. from Love Valley, 11.7 kms. from Red Valley, 12 kms. from Zelve Open-Air Museum, 13 kms. from Uchisar Castle, 28 kms. from Özkonak Underground City and 48.966 kms. (a 45-min. drive) from Nevşehir Kapadokya airport.

 

A trellised outdoor dining area

Solem Cave Suites: Temenni, Tevfik Fikret Cd. No:25, 50400 Ürgüp/Nevşehir, Turkey Tel: +90 384 341 33 00.  E-mail: info@solemcavesuites.com. Website: www.solemcavesuites.com.