TWO of my favorite areas to stay when in Manila: Salcedo Village in Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. I believe I cannot be in better spots. For a non-resident, everything I need is within walking distance – food, shopping, a park, pop-up markets, or even the office you need to be for a business meeting.
In BGC, Seda is a good place to call “home”. Staying in this hotel, I consider myself one of the residents of the most cosmopolitan and fastest growing business and commercial district in the country.
Seda is specifically designed as a lifestyle hotel for the modern traveler and Seda BGC is the brand’s flagship property. Opened in December 2012, it introduced guests to a new “silky” experience in hospitality – the modern lifestyle hotel -- where seamless service, exceptional value, and exciting destination weave a remarkable accommodation experience for guests.
“We have a high-quality ‘lifestyle hotel’ brand that combines the conveniences of a high- energy, central location, innate Filipino hospitality and best global practices,” Group General Manager Andrea Mastellone explained, “The assumption behind the Seda concept is that there is an explorer in each Seda hotel guest who will seek the many dining and retail choices located just a few steps away from the hotel -- in this case High Street, Serendra, and Market! Market! -- while enjoying the range of conveniences in-house.”
While the personable service that has distinguished the work of Filipinos in the hospitality industry worldwide is present, Seda pairs it with state-of-the-art technology to provide each visitor an “optimal guest experience” -- a touch screen tablet for use in the hotel car service, paperless check-in, complimentary WiFi to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, and an e-lounge and its bank of IMacs at the lobby allowing guests to surf or check emails at their convenience.
This technology is incorporated in a contemporary shell. The interior design of Seda BGC is clean and streamlined, and most impressive is how it showcases the best of Philippine design. Pieces by Kenneth Cobonpue, Ann Pamintuan, Tom Epperson and photographer- industrialist Jaime Zobel de Ayala proudly hold court in the lobby, guestrooms, restaurant and bar, “a testament to the brand’s commitment of highlighting Filipino talent and excellence.”
While its environs are bustling with colors and activity, the interiors of Seda BGC balance the mind’s eye by utilizing calm, neutral colors and minimalist silhouettes. In guest rooms and suites are beds designed for maximum comfort, complemented by a long alcove seat below the window, doubling as a daybed or extra seating for visitors. Amenities ensure the utmost convenience-- wide-screen LED HDTV, mini-bar, laptop ready in-room safe, executive desk, and media panel with universal adaptor and USB/audio-visual connectivity, which enables the guest to work from his hotel room if he so chooses or should the need arise.
However, guests today seem to like working in the lobby or the restaurant instead of their rooms. Perhaps this is due to the open layout of the ground floor space, which allows guests to work, dine and socialize with other guests, the same glass wrapped space that seamlessly connects to the outdoors inviting the guests to venture out and explore the neighborhood.
For a spectacular view of the city skyline and surrounding vistas, take the loft to the roof deck bar, Straight Up bar, one of Philippine Tatler’s Best Bars and Lounges in 2014. The ambiance, music, great drinks and delectable bar chow has made this joint one of the most popular night spots this side of the metropolis.
Mastellone says, “We will highlight what’s local but continue to provide international standards in our service, amenities and surroundings. Filipino hospitality is a lot about embracing the value of taking care of others. By going beyond what is expected through a sincere desire to create memorable experiences at every moment that we interact with the customer, we are able to make a lasting impression on our guests. This is our philosophy in Seda.”
The Seda hotel collection includes Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro, Seda Abreeza in Davao, and Seda Nuvali in Laguna, Seda Atria in Iloilo City, the first Seda hotel in the Visayas. Launching soon: Seda BGC’s second tower and its first resort, Seda Lio in El Nido, Palawan.
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