By Iza Iglesias | The Manila Times
August 08, 2023
MORE than two years after its closure, luxury hotel Makati Shangri-La announced it is reopening its doors today, Aug. 8, 2023. The hotel announced its temporary closure in January 2021 due to financial losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After a storied three decades at the heart of Manila’s premier financial and commercial district, the renowned hotel is prepared to welcome guests with “timeless luxury and legendary brand of service and hospitality.”
Udo Wittich, the hotel manager, said in a statement, “The reopening symbolizes a fresh beginning for Makati Shangri-La, Manila. It presents us a unique opportunity to provide guests with refreshed experiences and colorful joys of life that span our accommodations, dining destinations, and even in the ways we work with our community.”
Elevated stay awaits
Elevating the guest experience, the hotel introduces the groundbreaking Horizon Club Business Room, a first-of-its-kind offering in the Philippines. Tailored to meet the needs of business travelers, this innovative space blends comfort, convenience, and functionality.
Each Horizon Club Business Room boasts of remote work-friendly amenities, including an Omnidesk adjustable standing table, ergonomic chair, dual-screen 4K monitors, speakerphone, mobile stands, and fast-charging cable adaptors – fostering an ideal environment for focused productivity..
With the hotel’s reopening, the Health Club is ready to provide cutting-edge fitness facilities, and amenities such as the outdoor pool, children’s pool, and tennis courts offer a haven for families seeking outdoor leisure activities. The hotel spa is scheduled to reopen in early 2024.
As a dining destination, Makati Shangri-La celebrates fresh beginnings by gradually unveiling its acclaimed dining outlets. Guests will savor a fusion of Asian and Western cuisine, reflecting the hotel’s culinary heritage.
Notably, the famed Shang Palace, led by a new Chinese Executive Chef with extensive experience, unveils a menu spotlighting eight signature Cantonese dishes. Sage, the signature grill restaurant, reopens with a renewed culinary focus, emphasizing sustainable ingredients and inventive cocktails.
In line with its commitment to sustainability and community impact, the hotel also adopts eco-friendly practices, eliminating single-use toiletries and introducing wooden key cards to reduce plastic waste.
A garden-to-table approach is embraced, with plans for an on-site garden cultivating herbs and vegetables for select food and beverage offerings.
Other dining establishments such as Circles Event Café and Sage Bar are slated to reopen in the upcoming months.
In addition, Makati Shangri-La’s renowned events and banqueting spaces all reopen today.
Moreover, Makati Shangri-La solidifies its role in the community by partnering with the University of Makati, providing internships and employment opportunities for students enrolled in the Hospitality Management program. This collaboration opens doors for aspiring hospitality professionals to launch their careers with a globally recognized name in the industry.
Located at Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati Shangri-La opened on April 27, 1993 and had 696 rooms and suites at the time. The two-level Shangri-La Retail Arcade, which hosts retail and office spaces at the ground and second levels, remained open even while the hotel was closed.