It’s not easy to win a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award. Harder still to win it two times in a row. The pressure is so on for Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, which marked its fourth anniversary in July with four new deals that promote not just its delectable dining options but a philosophy of sustainable luxury as well.
“The Forbes Five-Star Award puts a lot of pressure on the team,” General Manager Frank Reichenbach said in an intimate lunch with journalists at the hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Lung Hin.
“We’d like to do it again,” he added.
For starters, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has taken the first step toward becoming a straw-free hotel. Instead of single-use plastic straws, the hotel is offering bamboo straws as more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative.
Single-use plastic straws and stirrers in the food service industry have contributed significantly to the volume of waste that end up in landfills and worse, in bodies of water. The Philippines, unfortunately, has been ranked the third biggest contributor of plastic wastes to the world’s oceans, next only to China and Indonesia.
Reichenbach said the hotel has partnered with socio-civic organization Bambuhay, which provides livelihood to communities in Central Luzon, in ensuring that all its restaurants and bars are without plastic straws.
“There are so many things we can do toward environment-friendly utensils and items to support our five-star-rated service,” he said.
To kick off its fourth anniversary, the hotel also launched its annual Mid-Autumn Festival offerings with authentic mooncakes imported directly from Hong Kong.
“It is so easy to just buy the mooncakes here, but we think authentic mooncakes from Hong Kong still have marketing edge. The boxes, however, are locally made, and we have received a lot of positive comments on how beautiful the customized boxes are,” said Reichenbach.
Inspired by traditional flowers, this year’s featured mooncakes—the Plum Blossom (set of four pieces) and Peony (half-dozen set)—symbolize luck, prosperity, and honor.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has also rolled out its Fantastic Fridays promotion as well as a reduced rate for its all-day buffet destination, Cucina.
Guests can enjoy a relaxing weekend staycation in the bustling Ortigas district with an exclusive special rate of P4,500 on Friday nights, which already comes with access to the indoor infinity pool, fitness center, and complimentary wireless internet. Cucina’s promo rate of only P1,399 is sure to satisfy foodies looking for the freshest sushi, authentic pizza and pasta, and a dizzying array of desserts, among others, in the buffet spread.
I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.