Friday, February 19, 2010

Living the luxe life

My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity of staying at the Opera Suite of Sofitel Manila over the Valentine and Lunar New Year weekend. The Opera Suite is the hotel's top, single-bedroom suite and 'luxurious' is the only word that I can think of to describe it. And this beautiful suite is only just the beginning of what proved to be a fantasy weekend.

A foyer with a mirrored wall welcomes guests as they enter the suite. Off to one side is a powder room, whose open doorway is reflected in the mirror.

entrance foyer of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

The foyer leads to a spacious sitting room with a large sofa and lounge chair with big, soft cushions which face an entertainment center with surround-sound speakers.

sitting room of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

When we arrived, there were fresh fruits on the dining table and a personalized welcome note from the hotel manager, Goran Aleks. Each room of the suite has a balcony, for a total of four, overlooking the swimming pool and Manila Bay.

dining room of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

The bedroom has another large TV with a DVD player on a chest of drawers facing the king-sized bed. I have to say that Sofitel's pillows are the softest I have ever hugged or laid my head on! And, being the pillow hog that I am, I love that they already put out two pillows per person; in other hotels, we usually have to call housekeeping for extra pillows. (Please pardon hubby-dear's backpack there. And see if you can spot my floppy gray bag in the previous photo.)

bedroom of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

Except for the space taken up by the powder room, the bathroom is as long as the suite (this is only one end of it). And it's not just a bathroom; it's also a dressing room, with a vanity, closets and another chest of drawers. Needless to say, the bath is a whirlpool bath.

bathroom of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

The last room in the suite, which proved to be a boon to my laptop-toting, sleep-challenged Valentine date, is a study with a wide desk and an armchair with a footstool—perfect for reading. There was another personalized letter for us on the desk, this time listing all the services and privileges that come with being on the exclusive Club Sofitel floor, but more on that some other time.

study or office of Sofitel Manila's Opera Suite

See what's reflecting what at James' Weekend Reflections.
Weekend Reflections