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Swiss welcome offers sweet respite
Welcome to “The Suite Life,” which explores the world of hotels in and out of the Philippines. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious novice, I hope this column helps guide you to what hotels in the Philippines and beyond have to offer. From the bustling cityscape of Manila to the tranquil beaches of Boracay, it’s a journey through the best hotels, resorts and villas in the country and beyond to discover the most exciting and exotic hotels in the world. Pack your bags and join me on this exciting adventure as I share the hidden gems and ultimate destinations for your next getaway. Our first hotel for this month is the Swissötel Clark in Pampanga. [caption id="attachment_148661" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF Swissötel Clark | Swissötel Clark Pampanga.[/caption] Cheese and chocolate, watches and private banks — if there’s any country defined by these words, it’s Switzerland. Renowned for its punctuality and precision, the country is very well-known for its high-end horology. If you want to know how deep this characteristic runs within the country, Switzerland’s national hero, William Tell, is more famous for shooting an apple off his son’s head than his defense of Switzerland from many a tyrant. Such precision is what Tell and Switzerland are known for, and it’s this exact value that the Swiss carry into hospitality. [caption id="attachment_148662" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE atrium.[/caption] Apart from what the history books will say about Switzerland, it’s also a place I’ve gotten to know up close. I lived in Neuchatel when my husband was taking his post-grad degree and got to imbibe in its culture and way of life, day in and out. It’s always in the details. These may seem minute or effortless, but they always add a thoughtful layer to the whole experience. Such touches abound at Swissötel Clark, and it definitely reminded me of the Swiss approach to doing things. The welcome: Located in the Clark Freeport Zone, I was surprised to find the hotel packed and buzzing. The lobby café was full, leaving no seats available, and the bright, bustling lobby was filled with people waiting — either for loved ones or colleagues — to be taken in by Swiss hospitality or having just finished a relaxing stay. The lobby was a walk away from the casino, leaving the vibrant lobby to shine all on its own. The room: Rooms and suites at Swissötel Clark welcome you with floor-to-ceiling views of the city or the mountains, flooding the room with natural light. A medley of creams, grays and browns, coupled with a king-size bed and Posturepedic mattress, high-speed Wi-Fi, cable and satellite TV channels, and USB charging stations provide a great sense of comfort for anyone looking to relax. The bathroom continues this philosophy with marble furnishings, a rain shower, and a soaking tub. Anyone looking for a more luxurious experience can upgrade to a Swiss Executive Lounge access suite with complimentary breakfast and refreshments. [caption id="attachment_148664" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PREMIUM room with king size bed.[/caption] The restaurants: I wasn’t able to try the breakfast because my alarm didn’t go off that morning, but I was able to try meals at Swissötel Clark’s two restaurants. Markt is their all-day dining buffet with incredible food. Initially conceived as an a la carte offering for diners to choose from, every station offers the full package with mains at every section, making them all stars in their own right. The hotel also has a permanent place on the menu for classic Swiss dishes like älplermagronen (Swiss macaroni and cheese with applesauce) and Zurich-style veal with mushrooms. [caption id="attachment_148663" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NASI, a contemporary restaurant that specializes in Filipino cuisine.[/caption] Ristorante Di Verona, on the other hand, is easily one of the best places to try modern and authentic Italian cuisine without leaving the country. With large, luxurious windows and al fresco seating, their spacious halls are filled with soothing Italian music and the noise of happy diners. They offer a fine selection of aperitifs, over 300 wines sourced from various regions of Europe, digestivos, and other Italian favorites, as well as their famous balsamico de Modena 25 anni 550, delightfully paired with Italian bread. Unique touches to the hotel: Details like the collar brooch and the shoe buckle of the doorman did not go unnoticed. The doorman is the first to greet visitors and serve as the best representation of the Swiss tradition of service. Their gear resembles the Appenzell costume designed by Ida Gout and the delicate brooch designed by goldsmith Sebastian Fassler shows a lot of care and thought for the kind of service they want to bring. The hotel itself also makes use of Appenzell design, the town famous for its mountain range. One must also have the Swissötel traditional cake with its notable ingredient of ground hazelnuts. Experiential for all senses that pull focus on their attention to what matters. The Spa: Swissötel Clark will launch their spa and Vitality suites soon. Every one of their six private suites will have its own gym equipment for guests to enjoy their fitness regimens in private. Swiss mindfulness podcasts, the Vitality kit, wellness treatments, and menus round out the entire experience for a great session. Outside, on the other hand, lets guests exercise with fresh air on bike and jogging paths as part of the hotel’s promotion of a healthy environment. I’m hearing that one of the managers hails from a 5-star hotel in Mandaluyong with a very good spa, who is also a professional therapist with a good grasp of wellness and treatments — a lot of which they can do themselves, so consider my expectations high. [caption id="attachment_148665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] VITALITY suite[/caption] Great food, comfortable rooms and fresh air for all — they did not miss a beat when it came to bringing Swiss hospitality to the country, even down to the finest details. Taking a trip up north to Pampanga is a great way to retreat from the city for a bit, made even better if you’re staying at Swissötel Clark. The post Swiss welcome offers sweet respite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese prostitution ring sa Clark, pinaimbestigahan ni Risa
Manila, Philippines – Hiniling ni Senador Risa Hontiveros sa Clark Development Corporation (CDC) at Philippine National Police (PNP) na magsagawa ng full-blown investigation sa pananagutan ng Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino sa hinihinalang Chinese prostitution ring na nadiskubre sa nasasakupan nito. Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Hontiveros na kanyang ipinanawagan ang imbestigasyon matapos arestuhin ng pulisya ang […] The post Chinese prostitution ring sa Clark, pinaimbestigahan ni Risa appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Kaspersky Shares Cybersecurity Tips for a Peaceful Getaway during the holy week
As the holiday season approaches, the urge to unwind and kick back is natural. And it’s all too common for people to let their guard down completely when connecting to the Internet too– but shouldn’t. Recently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group shared its findings on identity theft cases in the country. Between November […].....»»
Antipolo City throws support on Ajido
The Antipolo City government led by Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III will provide support to Antipolo-born swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido, who won the country’s lone gold medal in record-breaking fashion at the recent 11th Asian Age-Group Swimming Championships......»»
Waste consciousness urged during Holy Week
A DAVAO City-based environment group urged Dabawenyos to mind their waste during Holy Week......»»
REAAA members inspect New Clark City facilities
REAAA members inspect New Clark City facilities.....»»
Israel bombs Gaza, fights Hamas around hospitals
Israeli forces pounded besieged Gaza on Wednesday and fought Hamas around several hospitals, despite a UN Security Council demand for a ceasefire. Talks in Qatar towards a truce and hostage release deal involving US and Egyptian mediators have brought no result so far, with Israel and the Palestinian militant group blaming each other. READ: Israel.....»»
Amigas group celebrate March Birthdays
The Amigas group had a small get-together at Blackbird at the Nielson Tower this month for their March birthday celebrants. Among them was the author, Lanie Fung......»»
Trending tickers: Trump Media, Tesla, Bitcoin and DS Smith
Former US president Donald Trump’s media firm, Trump Media & Technology Group, had a successful stock market debut in New York, with shares soaring past.....»»
K-pop group Unis releases debut mini-album, Superwoman MV
After surviving the reality show "Universe Ticket," the eight-member K-pop group Unis, with Filipino members Gehlee and Elisia and Filipino-Korean Jin Hyeonju, launched its mini-album......»»
Fisherfolk group urges gov’t to regulate fish prices amid Lent
Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Wednesday urged the government to address the surge in retail prices of fish during the Holy Week......»»
NewJeans prepares for comeback with Japanese debut, teases world tour
K-pop girl group NewJeans is gearing up for a number of comeback projects this year, including a Japanese debut eyed to kick off a world tour......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Fake booking scams up – ACG
Fake booking scams increased in the second week of March, the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police reported yesterday......»»
Quizon second in Hanoi Grandmaster tourney
Olympiad-bound International Master Daniel Quizon continued his strong showing as he finished second in the second group of the two-bracket Hanoi Grandmaster Closed Tournament in Vietnam recently......»»
3 suspected rebels killed in clash in Philippines Batangas
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. The troops recovered three rifles, six jungle packs, and some mater.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26
MANILA -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. (Philippines-Clash) - - - - BEIRUT -- Two people were killed and nine other civ.....»»
Filinvest Invests P16B in Ciudad BTO Project
The development of Ciudad will finally be realized after the Province of Cebu turned over Friday a parcel of the property to homegrown developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) through a build-transfer-operate (BTO) engagement. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Tristan Las Marias, FLI president and CEO, formally kicked off the project in simple ceremonies onsite on […].....»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Calbayog farmer group receives greenhouse, farm tools from DAR
Aside from the greenhouse, DAR also provided Panoypoy Farmers Association various farm tools and farm inputs amounted to P402,500.00......»»