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thehungrykat1 · 7 years

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Elegant and Spacious Holiday Staycation at Oakwood Premier Manila

My first staycation at Oakwood Premier Manila was around four years ago. I was not yet a full-fledged food and lifestyle blogger back then, but I simply loved traveling and discovering new hotels around the city. My short overnight stay at their One-Bedroom Suite left such a lasting impression on me because I was so amazed at the size of this luxurious accommodation. Now, even though I have seen and experienced staying at different hotels around the country, Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila still remains to be one of my personal favorites.

The long holiday weekend last August proved to be the perfect time for me to revisit and rekindle my romance with Oakwood Premier Manila. Parking at the basement was a breeze, and after a hearty Sunday Lunch Buffet (Read about it here) at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge on the hotel’s sixth floor, I proceeded to check in to my lovely room for a much needed holiday staycation.

Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila is a five-star luxury serviced apartment located at the Ortigas Central Business District and within walking distance of the Asian Development Bank, SM Megamall, and Robinsons Galleria. It boasts of 230 fully furnished serviced apartments equipped with hotel-like amenities and modern home conveniences for both short and long-staying guests.

I went up to my One-bedroom Deluxe suite on the 21st floor and was so happy to be back in this huge room. Each 86-94 square meter apartment comes with its own spacious living room with a 40" high definition LCD TV and sound bar home theater system. Guests can also find a small dining area for four persons so you can invite friends and family to spend the afternoon with you.

Oakwood Premier Manila is actually one of the few pet-friendly hotels in the city. Guests can bring their beloved pets with them upon request for a small additional charge.

The large sofa is just so inviting and I quickly settled down inside my luxurious home for the weekend. Complimentary high speed wifi is available all throughout the hotel so I could do whatever I want, whether for work or for relaxation. Reading a good book is also a welcome activity, especially with the bright natural light coming from the full length glass windows which offers a glimpse of the Ortigas skyline.

What makes Oakwood Premier Manila different is that each serviced apartment can function as your home away from home. It comes with a fully-equipped kitchen with microwave and convention oven, Vitroceramic cook top, dishwasher, refrigerator, toaster, rice cooker, coffee maker, cooking utensils, a washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board.

Oakwood Premier Manila is best suited for long-staying guests who want the luxury of a five-star hotel and the convenience of having their own fully-furnished apartment complete with all house necessities. They even have a Grocery Order Form where guests can have their groceries delivered straight to their rooms.

But for families and couples looking for relaxing staycations, Oakwood Premier still offers one of the most luxurious experiences you can find. The bedroom is just as spacious with its king-sized bed and another 40" LCD TV for your viewing pleasure. Families with children won’t have to fight over the remote control because the kids can watch cartoons in the living room while the parents watch HBO in the bedroom.

My bed was so soft and comfy that I wanted to take a nap right away. The interiors inside the One-Bedroom Deluxe evoke a classical elegance with simple beige and wooden undertones providing a comforting environment.

The bathroom is also quite outstanding with its free-standing bathtub and Vessel-type double sinks. I’m definitely going for a warm bubble bath later in the evening before I go to sleep. The shower stall comes with a rain shower and in-shower steam plus high-end toiletries. But the best part about the bathroom is the 20-inch waterproof flat screen television which makes it a total of three LCD TVs inside the room. Now I can watch my favorite shows while taking a leisurely bath.

My room also offers such beautiful backdrops for taking photos and selfies. It was so relaxing to stay inside my suite but the hotel also has many other activities and facilities for guests to enjoy which you can find on their monthly calendar.

You too can have a luxurious stay at the Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila with their Midyear Escape room promotion, with room rates starting at only P5,500 for a Studio Room and P6,500 for a One Bedroom Suite. These rates are available for bookings until September 30, 2017.

Residents and hotel guests have exclusive access to The Fitness Center by Oakwood on the seventh floor. The gym features state-of-the-art fitness facilities equipped with treadmill machines, stationary bikes, and other cardio-vascular exercise equipment. It is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm on Monday to Saturday, and from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Sundays and holidays.

Oakwood Premier Manila also has one of the best indoor swimming pools among all the hotels I have visited. This heated pool actually features underwater music which you can hear once you start swimming. At the end of the long lap pool is a warm bubbly jacuzzi where I like to soak my body after a long eventful day.

A range of spa services and treatments can also be enjoyed in the Massage Room at the pool area or in the privacy of one's residence. These include body scrub, massage, hand and foot reflexology, facial massage and manicure and pedicure. Separate saunas for ladies and gentlemen are located in the locker areas.

After a quick shower, I headed down for dinner to The Nostalgia Dining Lounge which takes on a different character in the evening. While lunch here offers a cheerful family-type setting, dinner comes with a more private and romantic ambiance.

The a la carte menu presents an international selection of classic cuisine with a beverage menu offering cocktails and spirits for that special evening.

I started with their Soup of the Day (P325) which happened to be Shrimp Bisque. This warm and creamy seafood chowder bursts with flavor and is the perfect appetizer on this rainy night.

Some of the Chef’s Signature Dishes include the Prawns and Scallops with Bouillabaise Sauce (P660). This is a heartier version of the French seafood soup with artichoke mousseline, young onion and bouillabaise sauce.

Another recommended dish is the Escalope of Salmon (P1075) with delicious lump crab meat on top combined with mayonnaise and julienne of vegetable. This is a lighter and healthier alternative for those looking to cut their calories.

But there’s a reason they call me The Hungry Kat! This 250-gram U.S. Angus Rib Eye Steak (P2200) was just calling my name so I just had to have it. I had it cooked medium to preserve its natural beefy flavors. The steak was just so good and it even comes with a big side of salad to ease my conscience. Diners have a choice of sauces which include peppercorn, mushroom, béarnaise and honey mustard.

For dessert, the Black and White Choco Lava (P520) was my choice with its soft molten white chocolate center doused with chocolate sauce. Guests who prefer a nightcap should head to the Oakroom Lounge & Bar just next door. This cozy and inviting lounge has a classic bar features the best liquors and alcoholic beverages ranging from vintage wines to cocktails. It also serves its own menu of bar chows and holds special activities like the Wine and Whisky Appreciation Night on Fridays and Gin Buffet on Wednesdays. As for myself, I retreated back to my comfortable bedroom for a night of rest and relaxation.

The next morning, breakfast buffet was served at the Nostalgia Dining Lounge. Since it was a holiday, breakfast service lasted all the way until 11:00am, which lets guests have more time to sleep in and stay longer in bed. I also wanted to watch the live showing of Game of Thrones that morning which finishes at 10:00am, so I still had plenty of time to enjoy my breakfast.

The buffet spread had everything you needed to start your morning. All sorts of breads and pastries were laid out on the table, with sushi and salmon appetizers plus an assortment of salads, yogurt and fruits. Hot dishes are also included like the Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter, Lamb Kaldereta and Chicken Sausage. A dedicated egg station lets guests choose how they want their eggs to be prepared. I had my egg omelette filled with ham, mushrooms and cheese.

Don’t forget about the bacon! Crispy slices of bacon are always a welcome sight and Oakwood Premier Manila lets guests enjoy all the bacon that they can. Fresh juices, milk, and hot chocolate are also provided to complete this full breakfast experience.

I had a few hours left to enjoy my short but fulfilling stay at Oakwood Premier Manila, so I made the most out of it by asking for late checkout! Each visit at Oakwood Premier always makes me wish that I could stay much longer. Long-staying guests simply have the best of both worlds and one of these days, I might just decide to experience living in this luxurious apartment for the long term myself.

Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila

17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

637-7888 / 910-8888

www.oakwoodpremiermanila.com

www.facebook.com/OakwoodManila

#OakwoodPremierManila #OakwoodPremier #Staycation #Holiday #NostalgiaDiningLounge #Pool #Hotel #Ortigas

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thehungrykat1 · 7 years

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U.S. Angus Prime Rib at The Nostalgia Dining Lounge’s Sunday Lunch Buffet

The Nostalgia Dining Lounge is making weekends more memorable as it launches its new Sunday Lunch Buffet for the entire family. Feast on unlimited servings of U.S. Angus Prime Rib Steak and other delightful dishes as friends and family enjoy the appetizing buffet while gathered in a cozy and cheerful setting for only P999 nett per person. That is such a fantastic deal for an elegant Sunday brunch inside a luxury five-star hotel.

Located at the sixth floor of Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Centre in Ortigas, the Nostalgia Dining Lounge is the place where beautiful memories and tradition are celebrated. From the moment you enter the hallway leading to the restaurant, you are immediately brought back to the past with displays of classic photographs littered throughout its walls. It has been some time since I last visited Oakwood Premier and the Nostalgia Dining Lounge, so I was looking forward to creating some new memories myself, especially with all the mouthwatering dishes at their Sunday Lunch Buffet.

The restaurant is complemented with an ambience of classic art and design, nostalgic music, comfortable surroundings and friendly service that relaxes with good, warm memories. Round tables, lounge chairs, and sofas all serve as dining areas creating a relaxing, rustic and homey atmosphere that looks more like a graceful living room than the usual restaurant layout.

Scattered throughout the Nostalgia Dining Lounge’s classy and elegant interiors are memorabilia that may spark different reactions and feelings depending on its observer. From vintage liquor bottles to old radios to even this prehistoric typewriter, each may have a different connection, lighting up memories and recollections that have been hidden away for so long.

In addition to the main dining room, the Nostalgia Dining Lounge also houses three themed, private function rooms, all with distinct interiors and vibes that represents the international flavour of the main dining lounge. Old Manila is the largest of the function rooms which can accommodate up to fourteen guests. Here, you can experience the Philippine capital as it was years ago, with traditional Filipino furniture and ambience reminiscent of the glory days of the Old Manila.

On the other hand, Cosmopolitan Shanghai is a mix of the old bygone Oriental renaissance and the new, with walls adorned in Chinese hand-painted artwork and vibrant fabric combined with traditional Asian-laced dining furniture. Birthdays and special family celebrations would be perfect inside these private rooms.

My brunch partner that afternoon was Ms. Kyra Cabaero, PR and Marketing Communications Director for Oakwood Premier Manila who showed me around their new Sunday Lunch Buffet which features an international selection of classic favorites. The Nostalgia Dining Lounge actually offers a lunch buffet during weekdays but this is the first time they are expanding this to their Sunday lunch service.

Guests can start their journey at the breads and salad station where you can create your own gourmet salad. You can copy the ingredients from the board, or simply ask any of the servers to prepare your desired salad for you.

Soups and different pastries are also on the table so you can also start with some toasted bread to go along with your hearty bowl of soup.

But it was the Filipino appetizers which really caught my attention. These are scattered throughout the buffet area and I just had to grab a few pieces of crunchy Chicharron, Chicken Skin, and even Danggit. These crackling deep fried pork rind are just so sinfully delicious, especially when dipped in vinegar, and it takes a lot of willpower not to get this entire serving for myself.

Guests from the United States should be happy to find the Philly Cheese Steak which they can combine with some bread to create a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich if they prefer. The Meatloaf is also an American favorite but Filipinos have also grown to love these two comfort food items.

Diners can also visit the live pasta cooking station where they can have their own customized pasta dish prepared a la minute. I had the chefs cook a Spaghetti Carbonara for me, topped with generous servings of bacon and cheese.

The Spanish Paella is an entire meal in itself with loads of shrimp and seafood to go along with its warm rice served straight from a big paella pan. This goes so well with the other viands and dishes at the buffet tables.

One of these is the Salmon with Dill Sauce with its fresh and tender cuts of salmon fillet seared until the skin becomes golden brown.

But who can resist these Salt and Pepper Shrimp that are so crispy and tasty? You can even eat them without peeling off the skin, just remember to remove the heads.

There are also a few Chinese dishes like the Chili Chicken (upper left), Orange Chicken (upper right), and the Sweet and Sour Pork (lower left). Any of these yummy items would be enough for a delicious meal but the Sunday Lunch Buffet of Oakwood Premier Manila lets you have them all. They also have some Japanese Yaki Udon, stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables, plus Chop Suey for some healthier alternatives.

Another American favorite would be the Baby Back Ribs with its sweet and savory barbecue sauce. I’m sure everyone would love to have these tender ribs on their lunch menu.

But the highlight of the Sunday Lunch Buffet would definitely be this big slab of meat at the carving station called the Prime Rib. My readers know that I am such a big steak lover and I can eat my fair share of steak on any given day.

That’s why the U.S. Angus Prime Rib immediately got my full attention when I entered the buffet area. Guests can have unlimited servings of this gorgeous chunk of beef and I quickly asked the server for a slice. You can also have your prime rib lightly seared to bring out more of its natural flavors and juices. Top it off with mushroom gravy or pepper sauce to complete your meaty feast.

Sunday brunch is usually a family affair, so The Nostalgia Dining Lounge makes sure that kids have their own yummy section. They can indulge in some Mac n’ Cheese and pair it with big juicy Hotdogs.

Children can also get all the Chicken Fingers and Fried Chicken that they want. I’m sure other adults will also be getting these items for themselves.

After having all those scrumptious items, I always make sure to leave room for dessert. Nostalgia Dining Lounge offers a luscious and colorful medley of cakes and sweets like the Chocolate Caramel Cake and the Tiramisu. You can find these alongside fruits, donuts, pudding, and other delectable desserts.

One of the more interesting items was the Whisky Cheesecake with its creamy chocolate cheesecake doused with a slight whisky flavor and aftertaste. Assorted Native Desserts like biko, maja blanca and sapin-sapin are also included together with unlimited scoops of chocolate and ube ice cream to complete this spectacular brunch buffet.

Complimentary coffee or tea is also served to help guests digest all the delicious food that they ate. The Japanese Tea comes with this elegant tea set which even includes a timer so you will know when your tea is ready. The Sunday Lunch Buffet is available every Sunday from 12:00nn to 3:00pm for only P999 nett per person. Buffet rates for children between 6-12 years old are only P400 nett and it is free for kids 5 years old and below. The Nostalgia Dining Lounge is set to become another well-loved family weekend destination that is sure to create lots of happy memories. But my visit to Oakwood Premier was not yet finished, because I then proceeded to check in to my One-Bedroom Suite for a relaxing holiday staycation. More on that here: Elegant and Spacious Holiday Staycation at Oakwood Premier Manila

THE NOSTALGIA DINING LOUNGE

6/F Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center, 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig

637-7888 loc 8604

www.oakwoodpremiermanila.com

www.facebook.com/OakwoodManila

#NostalgiaDiningLounge #Sunday #Lunch #Buffet #Brunch #OakwoodPremierManila #OakwoodPremier #Family #Restaurant #Angus #PrimeRib

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