Oh, the Manila Sofitel is so nice!

This morning I moved from my Airbnb to the posh and luxurious Sofitel, currently the only 5-star property in Manila, which is also serving as the primary host hotel for the TBEX conference.  As soon as I arrived, I discovered that I needed to go through a security apparatus that reminded me of being at the airport. In all my travels I don’t think I have ever gone through such tight security. As I passed through the grand doors to the lobby, I was pleasantly taken by the grandeur and opulence before me. The exterior of the building is nothing special, as a matter of fact, the architecture is not what I would consider 5-star, but the interior is second-to-none.

I was quickly greeted by personnel who seemed to be expecting my arrival. The two women were fashionably dressed and genuinely happy to see me. At first I thought it was perhaps because I was a speaker at the TBEX conference, but I later learned that I was on some VIP list (I guess due in part that I was a speaker), so a select group of hotel personnel take the effort to know these people to make their welcome extra special. I certainly did feel special! They even personally took me to my room to show me all the amenities and gave me their cards in case I required any assistance during my stay.

My room was on the 10th floor of the hotel, overlooking the Manila Bay with my own private balcony. The room was smartly decorated and incredibly comfortable. Once I got settled I walked around the rest of the property. In the lobby was a grand staircase that lead to a restaurant below. On the lobby level was a lounge and several elaborate food stations…from gourmet candy/chocolates, fine cheeses to a salad and sandwich bar. It was quite impressive. Beyond the restaurant below is an outdoor poolside restaurant and bar, pool lounge area and a boardwalk that runs along the Bay.

Time was in short supply, so I went back to my room to get ready for the TBEX speaker’s dinner, the first event of the conference and open to just speakers, sponsors and VIP’s. We met in the lobby of the Sofitel where we boarded a bus that took us to the Samba Restaurant at the Shagri-la at the Fort.  Interestingly, we had a police escort. Unfortunately, that didn’t really help us get through the traffic any faster. I think it took us over an hour to go just a few miles. Coming back it was maybe a 15 minute drive. I think the traffic in Manila might be the worst I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot since I’ve been to cities like Bangkok, Beijing and Jakarta.

When we arrived at Samba, we were warmly greeted and taken to an outdoor patio where a series of food and drink stations where set up. Not only was the food and libations fantastic, but it was so nice to meet some of my fellow TBEX speakers and run into a few old friends as well. 

Tomorrow I head on a tour of the historic part of Manila, so please stay tuned. Click here to read the previous Road Diary report, click here to read the next one.