In exactly a week, Sofitel Philippine Plaza will close its doors after nearly 50 years as one of our country’s most luxurious hotels.
Clockwise, from above left: Ann Tan Kim by the staircase at Sofitel’s famous Spiral; ensaymada from Galette Patisserie Chocolaterie; Hawaiian pizza at Cocos restaurant by the poolside; and more pastries on display at the Galette Patisserie by the hotel lobby.
At Spiral, we were led to a private room so that mom could chat with our gracious host, Steve Peña Sy, president of the company that owns Sofitel Philippines. And though he ordered the must-haves like foie gras, roast beef, peking duck, and lobster, he told us that we could go out to the ateliers/food stations and get whatever else we wanted.
Greg, 50s: “There was that once-in-a-lifetime weekend in the late ‘80s when our family stayed in the Imperial Suite, which back then cost P100,000 a night . Everything about it was luxurious…the bathroom, the living room, the kitchen… the suite was bigger than our house. I remember my friends coming over and how we took zany pictures in various parts of the suite, posing like we were the cast of a Hollywood soap about filthy-rich gazillionaires like Dallas or Dynasty.
“Because my small appetite did not justify the expensive cost of the Spiral buffet, I ended up having lunch at Cocos restaurant by the poolside. Good thing they serve kiddie-size pizza though I could not finish it either. It was one of the best, if not the best, Hawaiian pizza I have had. They did not scrimp on the bacon and the pineapple was fresh and did not come from a can!
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