If you can't decide which resort to go to because everyone wants a different thing, you should consider Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Manila.
Unlike many resorts, what makes Solaire Resort stand out is that it offers an all-in-one holiday experience for everyone in the family. This holiday resort boasts not just hundreds of hotel suites, but also 19 dining options and high-end, luxurious retail shops such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior, Omega, and more. It also has a casino, theatre, fitness center, salon and a spa!
Everything sounds like a dream come true, but is it really in person? We can assure you that everything's true to the resort's claims.
The Vie team was recently invited to experience a stay at Solaire Resort, where the team was treated to almost everything from restaurant and shopping tours to casino and spa visits.
Formerly known as Solaire Resort & Casino, the newly branded Solaire Resort Entertainment City is a premier Filipino integrated resort that offers 5-star service and world-class facilities. It has also been awarded a prestigious Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star Excellence Award for 8 years consecutively.
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Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
Hotel Arrival, Room Check-In
Upon touchdown at the Manila airport, we found our way to a luxury van chauffeur, which is courtesy of the hotel, then escorted straight to the hotel in Paranaque. Room acommodations are available in the Sky and Bay Towers, which has several hundreds of luxuriously-furnished rooms and suites that offer exclusive accommodations.
The area is also blessed with a view of the world-renowned Manila Bay. Yes, Solaire Resort is perfect for those who love sea views.
As soon as we entered the hotel, the first thing we saw was the resort's giant casino filled with all the classics: slot machines, roulette and more. Even though it's just a casino, we were truly blown away by the lights, colours, and how grand it looked.
Checking in was also seamless. Because of how big the resort is, the counter was quite a walk away. Once all of that was done, we checked-in to our room which was very spacious and comfortable (plush). We also got to enjoy some delicious welcome snacks and dessert.
If we had to pick, our favourite greeting to the room was the sight of the gigantic marble bathroom with a spacious shower and deep tub.
We were also given a peek at Solaire Resorts' suites and exclusive rooms, including Chairman and Presidential. The rooms are all spacious, filled with panoramic views. Some of the higher-end ones come with crystal chandeliers, private pool and jacuzzis which are on a whole other level of luxury and class. Chairman's suite was definitely a favorite for us.
Good Food To Fuel Our Stomachs
As mentioned, there are many restaurants for you to dine at too.
To start the day, breakfast is a must. And to accomodate guests, you get an international spread.
- Room service breakfast was done very well. We were allowed to choose local, Continental or Asian style. Whichever one we got, they all came as fresh ingredients and in big portions. Some food we got to enjoy were pastries, overnight oats, English breakfasts and even Korean dishes.
- Otherwise, breakfast buffet at Fresh Restaurant is of course available. You'll find a big spread of varied cuisines. Aside from food freshly cooked in front of you, you also get to enjoy the likes of Acai bowl customisation and such. Very international-friendly indeed!
Lunch was served at restaurants whereby we were treated to local, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.
- We had the Red Lantern set menu that came with the likes of wok fried noodles and black pepper sauce scallops as well as truffle dim sum (all favourites!). Desserts were also well presented and artistic. We got to try a baked chinese swan puff, red date rolls, baked honey cake, and mango sorbet.
- Yakumi for Japanese was also available. Here you can chow on fresh seafood and meat cuts of quality. We were lucky to have tried giant snow crabs as well as a lobster miso soup and foie gras combo dish, which was interesting and good.
Tea time options are aplenty as well, all set to let you feel like royalty.
- At the Oasis Garden Cafe, we were treated to vast options of drinks, including Solaire's signatures. While it's common to get food that is aesthetically pleasing but misses a tad in taste, food at Solaire was great, as they hit both aspects in the right spot. Our recommendation for tea time would be their refreshing signature drinks which felt like the best pick-me-up after a flight.
- We also got to do Tea at Tiffany's Boutique! Aside from the usual tea time sweets and treats, guests are treated to the pleasant decor for the eye. The staff even allowed us to try some of the Tiffany jewellery for our amusement.
Dinners were spent at both Asian and Western restaurants.
- Dining at House of Zhou for Chinese cuisine, surprisingly there were a lot of Malaysian inspired courses, such as Malaysian style curry fish and cereal lobster, Kam Heong clams and Sambal Kangkong. A favorite for that night has to be the signature Otak Siumai and mini curry puff for starter.
- Our time at Waterside Restobar for local Philippines cuisine was truly unique. Some highlights were a giant suckling pig, savoury Jackfruit dishes and a local dessert called Buko Pandan (a chilled jelly-like pudding). Even the plating were Spanish-influenced whereby dishes are decorated with cacti and fruits.
- For a taste of fine dining, we also visited the Finestra Italian restaurant, which was decorated with crystal chandeliers, wide seating booths, marble floors and the biggest open-kitchen ever. Our favourites for the night was the exceptionally great bread as complimentary starter and the freshly-made Tiramisu dessert.
For alcoholic drinks we got to go to Baccarat Room and Bar for cocktails, where the decor was very classy with a vintage feel, decked in leather chairs and marble countertops. We tried a few of their signature cocktails that includes local fruits. Even though we are not huge drinkers, these cocktails were tasty.
Besides the delicious food, all restaurants were serviced by attentive and friendly staff which enhanced our experience overall.
Entertainment For The Guests
As mentioned, there's a casino for you to spend your time (and money) at. As per norm, we aren't allowed to take photos or video footages in it, but it's equipped with most types of games for you to try your luck at.
If you're feeling the itch to shop, head to The Shoppes and enjoy luxury retail boutique experiences such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Omega, and more.
Should you want a massage, you can head to the spa. It's fitted with big and comfortable bathrooms that comes with a bath tub and stocked with luxury amenities. Staff was also a crew of friendly, attentive masseurs and masseues who made sure we were fully comfortable and safe.
We also visited the Solaire Theater, which hosts broadway musicals, orchestras, plays and more. This visit really left us feeling blown away by how many things this resort had, like it could never end. The theater hall was huge, but the best part was visiting backstage and checking out the dressing rooms where we got a glimpse of where the star actors hung out.
The Sky Range was something we really did not expect, but was nontheless thrilling. Here we were allowed to fire real guns! Now, if you wish, you can choose between real or virtual guns, and that the range is fully attended by staff for guidance and safety reasons.
There are also helicopter aerial tours offered by the hotel which focuses on the cityscape around Manila Bay and the modernity of Bonifacio Global City, Makati, and Entertainment City. Otherwise, you may ask the hotel for private city tours as well which we got to enjoy.
Will We Be Back?
Although our stay was short, the hospitality that the Philippine locals and staff had displayed was amazing; people were all friendly and welcoming. Say for our short guided tour; we got to see a glimpse of Manila which felt as modern as Singapore. It has a good mix of skyscraper views, greenery and clean streets. Just with that short guided trip alone definitely boosted the city's charm and impression on us.
From the moment you step through the doors, the resort treated every guest as a royalty or VIP. Every inch of the space itself was also luxurious, grand and clean. Whether you're here to unwind in luxurious comfort, savor gourmet dining, or explore the vibrant surroundings, it's the perfect holiday destination for anyone.
Want to experience what you've just read? Check and book a stay at Solaire Resort Entertainment City here!
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