VLOG: OUR STAYCATION AT MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA!

          The Pickiest Family in the World got the opportunity to stay at the beautiful Marco Polo Ortigas Manila for the second time, giving us a chance to make a new VLOG to show you how beautiful the hotel is!

WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE DOG AT LUNG HIN, MARCO POLO MANILA

         If you read my previous post on Marco Polo Hotel at Ortigas, then you'll know that I find Lung Hin to be among the finest restaurants in the country today, regardless of the cuisine. Chef Terry Lai is indeed one of the best in the business, and this 2018 Chinese New Year media event was a wonderful way to  sample some of his new dishes, while ushering in the Year of the Dog.

DINING AT MARCO POLO: CONNECT LOUNGE

       For afternoon refreshments, you may drop by the Connect Lounge, located at the 24th floor. Again, the draw here is the breathtaking view of the metropolis, which you can gaze at while enjoying their Afternoon Tea Set (P788) which is available everyday from 2pm-6pm.

MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA: THE HEART OF ORTIGAS

     I had the pleasure of staying at Marco Polo Davao a few years ago, and was impressed by the high level of service and hospitality that made Marco Polo the internationally recognized name in hotels that it is today. However, despite the fact that I pass it on my way to work every day, I had yet to experience a stay in their renowned accommodations and facilities. That changed recently when Rina, Rain and I were invited to a family staycation by our friends from Marco Polo Manila!

FROM PALETTE TO PALATE: RAMON ANTONIO AT MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

             I first heard of Chef Ramon Antonio a few years ago when he developed the menu of the Da.u.de Tea Lounge, where he managed to infused different kinds of teas into several dishes, including one of the best burgers I've ever tried in my life. 

             Knowing his extensive experience and skill, I was thrilled to see that the latest food festival of Marco Polo, dubbed "Palette to Palate", featured Chef Ramon taking the reins of the kitchen of this prestigious hotel. Having prepared for Royalty and several Celebrities in the past, I knew this was no skin off Chef Ramon's back, but I knew this was an opportunity to see the maestro in action once again. 

         And once again, I left the restaurant completely in awe of this man's talent. 

MARCO POLO CUCINA: FESTA ITALIANA

       Marco Polo always finds ways to keep its flagship restaurant, Cucina, on the top of its game, by conceptualizing various international food festivals, and inviting some of the most acclaimed Chefs to elevate the dining experiences of their guests. 

     Their latest food festival, raises the bar once again. Invoking the bold flavors of Italy, Marco Polo has recently launched their Festa Italiana festival, which is spearheaded by Award Winning Chef, Andrea Delzanno, a native of Italy who now calls Marco Polo Hong Kong his home. 

    I was fortunate to have personally witnessed the amazing spread that Chef Andrea prepared for his guests, exemplifying the excellence that the Marco Polo name carries throughout the world. 

LUNCH AT THE AWARD WINNING LUNG HIN OF MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA!

       I've mentioned a few times how I was blown away by the quality of food served at Marco Polo Ortigas' Flagship Restaurant, Cocina. However, little did I know, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Housed high up at the 44th floor of the magnificent hotel, is Lung Hin, Marco Polo Ortigas' restaurant that specializes in the culinary wonder that is Chinese Food. 

      Just last March of this year,, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila was awarded the prestigious China Hotel Industry Golden Horse Award, proving that their excellence in the preparation of Chinese Cuisine is among the best in the world. 

    Never one to rest on their laurels, Marco Polo Ortigas acquired the services of renowned Chef Leung Chi Kwan, more lovingly known as Chef Ken, to spearhead the Chinese Kitchen of the hotel. 

   Given all the accolades that has been showered upon Marco Polo and Lung Hin, I would be a total fool to pass up an opportunity to visit this acclaimed restaurant, and try the new dishes of Chef Ken himself! 

A WEEKEND FIESTA AT MARCO POLO ORTIGAS' CUCINA!

        I think I've mentioned quite a number of times that Marco Polo's Cucina is one of the finest hotel buffets out there in the metro today. Instead of dazzling you with a vast array dishes from a variety of stations, Cucina's selection is rather modest when compared to other hotel buffets, However, Cucina proves that it should always be more about quality, and not just quantity, because each dish that is carefully prepared by the outstanding culinary team of Executive Chef  Lluis Pesarrodona is of the highest standards of excellence. 

   

      After a successful Weekday Craze promo, Marco Polo has a little something special for the Weekend Warriors.. A Weekend Fiesta at Cucina!    

MARCO POLO'S MARCH MADNESS: 7 DAY WEEKDAY CRAZE!

             I'm gonna just say it. Marco Polo's Cucina has one of the best buffet spreads in Metro Manila. Admittedly, they won't wow you with an abundance of selections, but let's face it.. How many dishes do you actually eat in a buffet any way? What Marco Polo does is provide a satisfying amount of choices of different cuisines, each of which will most assuredly blow your taste buds away. 

     If you're never been to Cucina, then this is the best time for you to visit, because Marco Polo has launched a new series of themes for everyday of that week, including a Week Day Craze promo that gives diners an amazing discount from Monday to Thursday! 

CUCINA AT MARCO POLO ORTIGAS OFFERS A FINE GERMAN FEAST

          In my life, I've had the pleasure of experiencing the world renowned Marco Polo Hospitality twice in my life. The first during a trip to Hong Kong almost 20 years ago (Geeze I'm old), and more recently in 2013, when we visited Marco Polo Davao for the Kadayawan Festival. Marco Polo Manila opened their doors in 2013, finding a home in the heart of the bustling Ortigas Center, walking distance from some of the country's most popular malls. 

     And nestled in the 24th floor of the towering hotel, is their flagship 24 hour restaurant, Cucina, which features themed buffets for their guests. 

        Given the amazing experiences I've had in my first two visits, I was curious to find out  how the Ortigas branch's food fared in carrying the prestigious Marco Polo name.

      To my delight, I discovered that Cucina's buffet is undoubtedly among the best in the metro today!

THE 2013 DAVAO ADVENTURE: POLO BISTRO AT MARCO POLO DAVAO

        I'm really more a relaxed kind of guy. If you asked me where I'd like to have a meal, there's a stronger likelihood that I would choose a burger joint or a rib shack before I would go for a fine dining restaurant (You'd feel the same way too if you didn't have any comfortable leather shoes to wear). 

     But of course, I had no complaints when I found out that dinner at Polo Bistro of Marco Polo Davao. I whipped out the polo shirt I had packed, gave my Crocs a little shine, and I was ready to go!

THE 2013 DAVAO ADVENTURE: CAFE MARCO AT MARCO POLO DAVAO

              If you're like me, then one of the things that excites you most when thinking about checking into a hotel is the food.. Especially a buffet. Call me weird, but the thought of a breakfast buffet is more appealing to me than a lunch or dinner one. I'm probably one of the few people that feel Bacon trumps Roast Beef, any day.

           This case is true for Cafe Marco at Marco Polo Hotel Davao. Their lunch and dinner entrees, are actually quite spectacular. But it can't quite compare to their breakfast food... particularly their Bacon, which I have to say, easily ranks among the best I've ever tried. 

THE 2013 DAVAO ADVENTURE: MARCO POLO HOTEL DAVAO

     I believe it was in my 2012 year-ender post that I stated that my goals for 2013 would be to incorporate more travel posts to my blog, which would also include a "Staycation" Series. My plan was to make the most out of those deals from various Group Buying sites, and come up with at least one or two Staycation weekends, and possibly one fly out of town trip by the year ends. 

     Never in my wildest dreams did I even consider that I would be flown out to Davao by a world class hotel chain to cover the fun filled festivities of the popular Kadayawan Festival! 

     I had been to Davao before. But like most cities in the provinces that I have  had the pleasure of touring, the most I had truly ever seen were the malls. Case in point.. I was at Davao just last November for work, and again, the most memorable landmark I saw was SM Lanang Premier, which was where the conference I had attended was held. 

      Which was quite sad really, because Davao is much more than that. So much more. Its an incredibly beautiful city, rich in varied cultures, yet undeniably Filipino. 

       For the first time in my life, I would be visiting Davao as a tourist, and Marco Polo Hotel Davao made sure that, Rina and I, together with the other amazing members of our travel group would have the time of our lives. We go to experience one of the Philippine's greatest cities with the full Marco Polo Hotel VIP treatment. 

     So began our wonderful stay in Davao, courtesy of Marco Polo Hotel Davao.