Thesis Statement The Manila Hotel is a 570-room, five star hotel in Manila, Philippines, located in the heart of the Manila Bay area. The Manila Hotel is the oldest premiere hotel in the Philippines, built in 1909 to rival Malacanang Palace, where the Philippine president now lives, and opened in 1912. It was built on 3. 5 hectares (376,736. 9 sq ft) of land along Roxas Boulevard. It was the residence of General Douglas MacArthur from 1935 to 1941. On January 17, 2008, at Number One Rizal Park, the Manila Hotel Tent City’s blessing and grand opening was held at 5:00 p. . Its conference halls seat 7,000 guests, and it will accommodate another 2,500 guests, for wedding receptions, anniversaries, conventions, and exhibitions. II. Body The hotel contains the offices of several foreign news organizations, including The New York Times. It has hosted numerous historical persons and celebrities, including authors Ernest Hemingway and James A. Michener, U. S. President John F. Kennedy, The Beatles, actors Michael Jackson, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. , and John Wayne, publisher Henry Luce, entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, and many various world leaders. I A. History The Manila Hotel in the Philippines is a premier hotel in the Philippine capital where the president of the country resides. It was famously the home of U. S. General Douglas MacArthur prior to World War II, and has housed celebrities and leaders from around the world. Opened in the early 1900s, it is the top luxury hotel in the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Marcos, president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, hosted his deciding political campaign at the Manila Hotel shortly before being elected.
Expansion The hotel underwent extensive expansion in 1976 when it upped its room total to 570, added color television and a library, and brought in luxurious furnishings for first lady Imelda Marcos. Famous Ties In its almost 100 year history, the Manila Hotel has hosted John Wayne, Michael Jackson, John F. Kennedy, Ernest Hemingway and The Beatles. When the United States took over the Philippine Islands from the Spanish in 1898 after the Spanish-American War, President William McKinley began Americanizing the former Spanish colony.
In 1900 he appointed Judge William Howard Taft to head the Philippine Commission to evaluate the needs of the new territory. Taft, who later became the Philippines’ first civilian Governor-General, decided that Manila, the capital, should be a planned town. He hired as his architect and city planner Daniel Hudson Burnham, who had built Union Station and the post office in Washington. In Manila, Mr. Burnham had in mind a long wide, tree-lined boulevard along the bay, beginning at a park area dominated by a magnificent hotel. To design the hotel Taft hired William E.
Parsons, a New York architect, who envisioned an impressive, but comfortable hotel, along the lines of a California mission, but grander. The original design was an H-shaped plan that focused on well-ventilated rooms on two wings, providing grand vistas of the harbor, the Luneta, and Intramuros. The top floor was, in fact, a large viewing deck that was used for various functions, including watching the American navy steam into the harbor. As residence of Gen. MacArthur When the Commonwealth of the Philippines achieved semi-independent status in 1935, President Manuel L.
Quezon asked General MacArthur to supervise the creation of a Philippine Army. As a general, MacArthur elected not to retire and remained on the active list as a major general, and with President Roosevelt’s approval, MacArthur accepted the assignment. It was decided to house MacArthur in a suite at the Manila Hotel, then owned by the Philippine government. [1] The hotel was on Manila Bay across the park from the Army and Navy Club, MacArthur’s favorite haunt, and also conveniently near the United States embassy.
Government accountants decided that the best way to handle the cost of the suite was to make MacArthur a hotel employee entitled to housing. MacArthur was given the honorary title of “General Manager. ” However, MacArthur ignored the figurehead status, instead taking control of hotel management while he lived there. The MacArthur Suite still exists in the hotel. It has a large formal dining room, a spacious parlor, kitchen, study which includes some of the general’s books, pictures of his family and mementos of the war, plus a terrace facing Manila Bay.
World War II – Present During World War II, the hotel was occupied by Japanese troops, and the Japanese flag was flown above the walls for the entirety of the war. The hotel survived the bombing of Manila and was later reconstructed. The political party of Ferdinand Marcos held its convention at the Manila Hotel before the February 1986 presidential election, and Corazon Aquino delivered a speech at the hotel that was a turning point in the campaign. In the following two decades, Mr. Marcos’s wife, Imelda, could frequently be seen at the hotel.
When she visited restaurants there, a red carpet and garlands were put out and the air was sprayed with deodorant. The hotel was remodeled in 1976 and expanded to 570 rooms, as well as including executive services, language translation, a business library and color television and closed circuit movies. The hotel’s spartan interiors in simplified Mission style gave way to more lavish furnishings and, for some sections, major renovations by Paris-trained Filipino architect Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of Juan Luna).
On July 6, 1986, a group of military officers loyal to deposed President Marcos took over the Manila Hotel and declared Arturo Tolentino, who was Marcos’s vice presidential running mate, as President. However, they surrendered two days later. Most recently, the hotel received international attention in 1999 when Imelda Marcos, former First Lady, celebrated her 70th birthday in this prestigious hotel. More than 1,000 of Manila’s elite turned up to attend. B. Location Rizal Park. One of the most beautiful park in Asia and is just located in front of Manila Hotel.
This park has sidewalk cafes, Chinese and Japanese gardens, a planetarium, a topographical map of the Philippines and “dancing” fountains in a man-made lagoon. Manila Cathedral. The seat of the Catholic Archiodiocese of Manila. It’s situated near Manila Hotel. INTRAMUROS. “Walled City” of Manila. The center of church and state from the 16th to the 19th centuries, it is now a preserve of restored buildings, museums, antique shops and restaurants. This historical place is adjacent to Manila Hotel. II A. Features The main lobby was designed for sitting as well as for making grand entrances.
Measuring 125 feet (38 m) long by 25 feet (7. 6 m) wide, the lobby is lined with white Doric columns. The floor is Philippine marble, the chandeliers are made of brass, crystal and seashells, the furniture is carved out of Philippine mahogany which is used throughout the hotel. a. The lobby The rooms provide exceptional views of the city, especially the gardens of Rizal Park and Intramuros. Manila Hotel is the first hotel in the Philippines to offer HBO among other television network systems for all rooms. All rooms make use of the Ving Card electronic card system for maximum security.
The 570 fully renovated rooms that reflect the hotel’s storied past blend with the conveniences of a modern luxury hotel. Other amenities include traditional decor with elegant furnishings, individually controlled central air conditioning, remote-control TV with cable channels, minibars, separate bath and toilet with extension phone, and secure in-room safes. The three-bedroom MacArthur suite rents for $650 a night. The penthouse, the most expensive suite (with a private swimming pool) on the 18th floor, has a view of the Bay, of Rizal Park and the 16th-century ruins of the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, opposite the hotel.
Like the Presidential Suite, which costs $900 a night, the $1,200-a-night penthouse is decorated with rare paintings, Asian antiques and Filipino crafts. The MacArthur, Presidential and Penthouse Suites provide 24-hour butler service. B. Accommodation A stay at the Manila Hotel promises sheer comfort from its exquisitely decorated deluxe and suite rooms. The rooms provide all travellers and business executives with a spectacular view of the city—the breathtaking sunsets in Manila bay, the lush gardens, and the magnificent ruins of the old Walled City.
Manila Hotel rooms make use of the Ving Card electronic card system for maximum security. The 500 fully renovated rooms that reflect the grandeur of the hotel’s storied past blend delightfully with the conveniences of a modern luxury hotel. For a night or two, guests enjoy living in the lap of luxury – Manila Hotel style. a. Luxurious Amenities * Classic, traditional decor with elegant furnishings * Individually controlled central air conditioning * Remote-control TV with cable channels * Fully-stocked minibar * International Direct Dialing * Separate bath and toilet with extension phone Keycard electronic lock system * Secure in-room safe * Bedside radio * The MacArthur, Presidential and Penthouse Suites provide 24-hour butler service. C. Facilities and services The hotel’s guest facilities and other services include limousine and luxury car rental, a helipad on the roof deck, airport transfer and transport assistance, medical and dental clinic, a business center with Internet access, 24-hour full menu room service, a delicatessen, a barber shop and beauty salon, a florist, laundry service, a post office, an in-house shopping mall, and arrangement of sightseeing tours.
The Bay Club, Manila Hotel’s sports and health club, features a jacuzzi, two tennis courts, and one squash court. Guests also have access to a gym, a sauna, swimming pool with a wet bar, a game room, and an indoor golf simulator. Other health club services include a whirlpool, wet sauna, steambox, martial arts, swimming, massages, and tennis lessons. In addition to these, Manila Hotel also served as the venue for the FAMAS Awards, one of the leading award-giving body in the Philippines, for many years. From 1961 to 2002, the Manila Hotel hosted twelve incarnations of the annual awards night. a.
Weddings and Occasions For your wedding, debut, graduation or any grand occasion, celebrate it here. Manila Hotel offers packages that can make your special day an event worth remembering. Your guests are assured to enjoy first-hand the amenities and the service this hotel is always known for. The fully managed Centennial-inspired function rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, are a perfect setting for all kinds of occasions. From overnight stays, to a sparkling house wine to a sumptuous three-layer wedding cake, Manila Hotel can take care of everything. 1. Wedding Package Amenities
Complimentary Two (2) Nights stay in one-bedroom suite * Room service breakfast for two (2) for two days * Bottle of wine with box of pralines * VIP fruit basket and flowers in the room * Personalized stationary and matches * Personalized Guest book * Two (2) hours use bridal car with floral arrangements (w/in MM) * Three-layered wedding cake in Fondant icing * One (1) round of fruit punch, chilled fruit juice, softdrink or Beer for Lunch or Dinner per invited guest * A pair of Doves in a cage * Floral centerpieces for all tables * Placecards for the presidential table * Special menucards (For set menus only) Ice carving as buffet centerpiece * Lunch certificate for two (2) at the Cafe Ilang-ilang * Dinner certificate for two(2) at the Cafe Ilang-ilang b. Debut Package * Set Dinner Menu Buffet Dinner Menu Amenities * Complimentary Overnight stay in a Superior DeLuxe Room * Three layered Cake in fondant icing * Fruit Basket in the room * Mobile Disco * Floral Centerpiece for each table in the reception hall * One (1) round of either fruit punch or softdrink for all * 18 Roses for the Debutante * Special Rate of P 865. 00 Net per bottle for Sparkling Housewine and P740. 0 Net per bottle for White and Red Housewines c. Graduation Ball/Homecoming Package Minimum of one hundred fifty (150) persons for lunch or dinner-sit down or buffet menu Set Lunch/ Dinner Menu Buffet Lunch/Dinner Menu Amenities * Complimentary overnight stay in a Superior Deluxe room * Fruit Basket/Flowers in the room * One (1) round of either softdrink, chilled juice, fruit punch or beer * Lunch certificate for two(2) at the Cafe Ilang-Ilang * Special rate of P720. 00 net for bottle for sparkling house wine and P610. 00 Net per bottle for White and Red House wines. III A. Dining and Entertainment
The hotel offers a good selection of specialty restaurants and bars. We have, among others, the Champagne Room for the finest French cuisine, the Cowrie Grill for the juciest steaks and the freshest seafood, and Ginza, a Japanese restaurant with the widest selection of authentic Japanese food. a. Cafe Ilang-Ilang Let Cafe Ilang-Ilang take you back to the romance of old Spanish period haciendas as you dine amidst the lush greenery and charming latticework. Sample native and international specialties by the windows that offer an extensive view of the pool and manicured lawns along the bay.
You won’t find a better place for simple intimate dining. Open 24 hours daily. Located on the ground floor next to the pool and the Cowrie Grill Breakfast 6:00 to 10:00 a. m. Lunch 12 noon to 2:30 p. m. Merienda 3:00 to 6:00 p. m. Dinner 7:00 to 10:00 p. m. Capacity: 200 b. Champagne Room | Relive the gradeur of Old World Europe, framed majestically by crystal palm trees and bathed in a dazzling golden glow. Champagne Room is a favorite venue for elegant gatherings and celebrations. It best embodies the Grand Dame’s decades of tradition and devotion to providing guests with only the finest dining experience. Located on the ground floor * Open daily for lunch and dinner * Lunch: a la carte and special set menus from 12noon – 2:30 p. m. * Dinner: a la carte and menu degustation from 7:00 to 10:30 p. m. * Capacity: 175 * Attire: Semi-formal for dinner | | | | c. Cowrie Grill | The lights of over 7,000 islands all find a place in the Cowrie Grill. Hundreds of Cowrie shells – each one representing the islands of the Philippine archipelago – cast a soft, amber glow that dominates the room and creates a unique dining space. The best place to relish some of the finest steaks and seafood in town. Located on the ground floor adjacent to the Coffee Shop * Open for Lunch 12 noon to 2:30 p. m. daily * Dinner from 7:00 to 10:30 p. m. daily * Seating: 80 | d. Ginza | Delight a Japanese cuisine at its finest. More than its wide menu selection, Ginza prides itself as being a showcase of art. With tatami rooms that look out to traditional Japanese landscapes, a spacious main dining room, teppanyaki and sushi bar, the Ginza is truly no less than a masterpiece. Open daily, Lunch 11:30 am. To 2:30 p. m. Dinner 6:30 p. m. to 10:30 p. m. e. Mabuhay Palace | A feast for all senses.
Tickle your palate with our lavish menu of authentic Chinese cuisine as you dine amidst imperial Neo-Classical interiors in hues of rich red, orange and gold. The Mabuhay Palace brings to life a marriage of traditional and stylish living with its one-of-a-kind wall art, meticulously sculpted with jade and precious stones, and ingenuous cut to chronologically narrate the tale of Confucious as complement to unparalleled culinary experience. Let the feast begin. * Located on the ground floor * Open daily * Lunch from 11 AM to 2:30 PM * Dinner from 6 PM to 10 PM * Capacity: 200 pax | | f.
Tap Room | Raise your glass and have a drink or two in the old English pub-inspired Tap Room. Enjoy snacks and drinks amid an atmosphere enhanced by a magnificent Tiffany bay window. Live jazz and pop music nightly. * Located on the ground floor next to the main lobby * Open daily from 12 noon to 1:00 a. m. * Capacity: 60 g. Pool Bar | Cool down with a refreshing drink at our pool’s wet bar or at the sun deck furbished with comfortable Contemporary Asian decor. Treat yourself to a relaxing foot spa as you sit back in any comfortable Dedon cocoon like chairs that line the upper deck.
Enjoy cocktails at the Sea Breeze event space overlooking a dramatic view of Manila Bay. * Located on the ground floor outside the hotel * Capacity: 200 * Open daily from 6:00 a. m. to 9:00 p. m. | | III. Conclusion/Recommendation The hotel has seven restaurants and bars, covering a large portion of world cuisines. They include the Champagne Room for French cuisine, the Cowrie Grill for steaks and seafood, and Ginza, a Japanese restaurant with a wide selection of authentic Japanese food. There is also a pool bar that serves drinks and sandwiches. Religious holidays are very special in the Philippines.
It is generally 80 degrees on Christmas Day, but the streets are decorated with lights resembling snowflakes. At the Manila Hotel, where every year pine trees are flown in from Washington state, carolers stroll the lobby, and among the Yuletide delicacies in evidence are marzipan, pralines, German stollen and fruitcakes, normally unheard of in Asia. The tropical garden beside the lobby is transformed into a Nativity scene Hotel With a History, MacArthur to Marcos. We recommend that the Manila Hotel in the Philippines is a premier hotel in the Philippine capital where the president of the country resides.
During World War II, the hotel was occupied by Japanese troops, and the Japanese flag was flown above the walls for the entirety of the war. We also recommend that Manila Hotel could be one of the heritage of the Philippines and should continue explore the Manila Hotel. IV. Bibliography Dining & Entertainment, Manila Hotel official site. Retrieved on August 27, 2007. Hotel Manila, AsiaRooms. com. Retrieved August 27, 2007. “Colonial Comfort in the Philippines”. The New York Times. 1982-11-07. MacArthur At Home in the Philippines, Excerpted from the book “The Manila Hotel” by Beth Day Romulo; Manila, Philippines.
Retrieved on August 27, 2007. Chronology for the Philippine Islands and Guam in the Spanish-American War, Library of Congress. Retrieved August 27, 2007. ^William Howard Taft, American Presidents: Life Portraits. Retrieved August 27, 2007. “Manila: The Riviera of the Orient”. Philippine Star.. Retrieved 2007-08-28. Manila Hotel, Filipiniana Blogsphere. Retrieved August 28, 2007. “Ferdinand E. Marcos, Man of the Year, 1965”. The Philippine Free Press Online.. Retrieved 2007-08-28. “Philippine Coup Attempts”. The New York Times. “Imelda Marcos turns 70 in style”. BBC News. 1999-07-04. ttp://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/385515. stm. Retrieved 2007-08-28. Accommodations, Manila Hotel official site. Retrieved August 28, 2007. Facilities & Services, Manila Hotel official site. Retrieved August 28, 2007. Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology BONGABONG CAMPUS Labasan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro A Research Paper Entitled “Manila Hotel; a Historical Hotel in the Philippines” SUBMITTED BY: Bryan S. Ramirez And Mary Rose M. Musngi II-BSHRM IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE SUBJECT English 201 SUBMITTED TO: Mrs. Myrna E. Mamador (Instructor)
Table of Content I. Thesis Statement II. Body I A. History Ferdinand Marcos Expansion Famous Ties As residence of Gen. MacArthur World War II – Present B. Location Rizal Park Manila Cathedral Intramuros II A. Feature a. The Lobby B. Accommodation a. Luxurious Amenities C. Facilities and services a. Wedding and Occasions 1. Wedding Package Amenities b. Debut Package c. Graduation Ball/Homecoming Package III A. Dining and Entertainment a. Cafe Ilang-Ilang b. Champagne Room c. Cowrie Grill d. Ginza e. Mabuhay Palace f. Tap Room g. Pool Bar III. Summary/Recommendation IV. Bibliography
