I was on leave for one month due to abnormal uterine bleeding, and when it was time for me to go back to work, I thought of destressing for a night. Well, I didn’t make up my mind that day– that’s why I didn’t prepare and pack my things for an overnight stay in Marco Polo Ortigas.
I was in Marco Polo that morning because I had to screen tutor applicants. I planned to go back home after a few hours, but then part of me would like to take a break and release all the negative energies. After mentally arguing with myself, I just made an impulse decision! I booked a continental room online and voila! After a minute, the booking was already confirmed. I went to the 24th floor where I checked in before, but I was redirected to the 44th floor where Continental Club is located.
I checked in around 9 am and after filling out the info sheet, I was asked to go back at 12nn to get the keycards.
Realizing that we had no extra clothes, I called at home and asked my father to bring some clothes for me and my daughter Shane. Because it was unplanned, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to wear what I wanted. I had to accept the consequences because I decided to push through with the booking at the last minute.
Before 12nn, we went back to the Continental Club and got the keycards. I was with my 11-year-old daughter (Shane) that time. I asked the front desk staff (I forgot her name) about the afternoon tea @ the Continental Club Lounge. Still, she informed me that children are not allowed in the lounge during weekdays. She said that Shane couldn’t enter in Connect Lounge @ the 24th floor alone. That was confusing, though, because I still have to accompany the kid and quite weird because she will have her meals at Connect while I will have mine at the club lounge.
We checked our Continental Club room first. We didn’t have our bags because as what I have mentioned earlier, this was an unplanned booking. They were probably wondering why we didn’t have our luggages. After taking a peek in our room, we decided to rest for few minutes and dine there.
We went down to 7-11 to buy take out food for our lunch.
This Continental Club room is larger than the previous one that we have booked last summer. It has a sliding glass door that separates the bedroom from the mini dining area. The bathroom is also more spacious.
The reason why I always want a Continental Club room is because of its FREE access to the Continental Club Lounge where guests can have free drinks and have afternoon tea & snacks @ 2pm. Another benefit is the free use of boardroom for 2 hours. It was in time that I booked there and we were able to use the boardroom because at that time people were in the community meeting room in the 19th floor where supposedly was scheduled for us.
After utilizing the boardroom for the tutor orientation,I went back to our room and let Shane get ready for the afternoon tea @ Connect Lounge in the 24th floor. I decided to join her rather than leave her and have my snacks at the club lounge. When I approached the lady at thebar, she already knew that we would be coming. She said that she got a call from the Continental Club and instructed her to reserve a table for us for the afternoon tea. I assumed that they knew what they were doing, so I convinced myself that everything has been taken cared of.
It was also a time for my daughter and I to bond so it was just a perfect decision for me to join her. In my previous post about our afternoon tea @ CONNECT Lounge, I already featured the inclusions for the Traditional Afternoon Tea. Again I have chosen the Traditional over Asian. I just had Cappucino and juice for Shane instead of tea.
When we went back to our Continental Club room, I felt uneasy and quite bothered. I couldn’t help myself but to call the frontdesk to confirm whether we have a problem having our snacks at Connect Lounge rather than having it at the club lounge. I hate HASSLE during our stay and I wanted to make sure that I won’t pay extra upon check out. I asked if my privelege as Continental Club guest is the same as what we had at Connect Lounge. If we can eat unli snacks and have unli drinks in the Continental Club Lounge, I wondered if it’s also the same in Connect since the receptionist told me that Shane won’t be allowed in the Continental Club Lounge. I was alarmed when I was informed that it’s not, but after few minutes of talking, I was assured that I didn’t have to worry about anything and that Shane will be allowed to be with me in the club lounge since she is already 11.
After resting for few hours, we went to the lobby and looked for my father. I asked him to bring us clothes– as expected, I got what I didn’t want but it was fine with me. What I wanted was a relaxing stay and a night to chill @ the hotel. This is not the usual photo sessions during my press trip.
After unpacking, we got ready for the cocktail time @ The Continental Lounge. I am not into drinking wine so we just had dinner in the club lounge.
In Continental Club Lounge, you can get as many food and drinks that you want (that’s the reason why I always book for a club room in 5-star hotels). Actually, before we get our things in the lobby, we dropped by here to drink a glass of orange and apple juice.
The staff asked us about our preferred pasta and I chose spaghetti in red sauce and penne in white sauce.
Our tummies were satisfied– we had pasta and sweets so we didn’t have to go out and order for expensive food. We just watched TV in our room then I had a relaxing hot tub bath.
Evening won’t be perfect without having a cup of coffee. We have tea/coffee making facilities in the room. I opted for the free instant coffee because I preferred to use the Nespresso machine the following day.
We had a good night sleep, but I made sure that we will be able to enjoy and make the most out of our stay. While I was preparing our things, we had a cup of cofee in the room using the Nespresso machine.
After that, we had breakfast @ the Continental Lounge before we had our morning swim.
Because I couldn’t use the fitness center (I had abnormal uterine bleeding last month), we just conditioned ourselves to spend the morning in the indoor pool.
We headed to the changing room first and had a quick shower before getting our fresh towels in the pool area.
You almost have everything in the changing room from warm water to drink, mouthwash, cotton buds, lotion, toner, shampoo and body wash. You just have to bring your own comb or hairbrush. They do not have one unlike in Edsa Shangrila.
I didn’t spend much time in the swimming pool, I enjoyed the jacuzzi more.
I was not comfortable during the morning swim because of the pool attendant. It’s as if he can see every single movement.
Before 10 am, we went back to the changing room to spend few minutes in the sauna room and take a quick shower.
Because we had to leave before 12nn, we went back to the Continental Club Lounge for our lunch.
In a while, we prepared our things and called the Continental Club Lounge for check out.
Since it was an impulse booking experience, and I didn’t have any fashion photoshoots, it’s just the experience that I would share here.
Actually, I prefer Edsa Shangri-la than Marco Polo because the amenities and the room is way better than the latter but I was already there, I didn’t want to transfer to another hotel anymore. You can have a club room in Edsa Shangrila for 15k but I got mine at Marco Polo for only 10k. Of course, the 15k has its own living area while the latter doesn’t have one. The swimming pool, fitness center and jacuzzi is also better as expected.
So, did I achieve my purpose? Yes, though it wasn’t carefully planned.
Rating:
It’s above average but I wasn’t completely satisfied with the breakfast. They need to have variety of choices for their customers but the staff are very polite and attentive.
MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA
Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
(02) 720-7777
