Sofitel Manila Unveils Its New Masterpiece: The Grand Plaza Ballroom
Ever since it opened in 1976, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila has been the home of discerning travelers the world over. It has housed celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and everyone else who has excellent taste. It has become the number one choice because it perfectly embodies the French saying of art de vivre or the art of living.
The first guests of the renovated Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Grand Ballroom
To prove that Sofitel is dedicated to this art of living, they recently renovated the Grand Plaza Ballroom, and they went all out. We got to see the launch of the new ballroom and we were amazed at the spectacular redesign. If the old ballroom was the epitome of elegance, the new ballroom takes it to new heights of luxury.
The Sofitel executive team toasting the new ballroom: Ms. Marian Villar, Director of Human Resources; Ms. Hazel De Jesus, Director of Rooms; Chef Eric Costille, Executive Chef; Mr. Alfredo Denage, Resident Manager; Mr. Adam Laker, General Manager; Ms. Chanelle Garvey, Director of Sales & Marketing; Ms. Lina Solis, Director of Finance; Mr. Damien Marchenay, Director of F & B; Mr. Andy Martinez, Director of Engineering; Ms. Alice Jenkins, Incoming Director of Sales & Marketing
“The Grand Plaza Ballroom and Meeting Room’s luxurious transformation launches a new chapter in standing out as the preferred destination for meetings, milestones and grand events at Sofitel,” shared Adam Laker, Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s general manager. “Intricately weaving and preserving of the historic elements of the past cutting-edge technology and modern design, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila again inspires a revolution in hosting notable gatherings with the brand’s signature timeless French elegance.”
Sofitel General Manager Adam Laker introducing the innovations of the new ballroom and meeting rooms
Even if the elegance is French, the design is uniquely Filipino. The Grand Plaza Ballroom was designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, Dale Keller, and Spatial Lighting. The patterns in the guest room interiors are Tinalak-inspired, and most art forms displayed are influenced by the patterns of Southern Mindanao. The grand entrances will be accentuated by 30 pillars and large murals of local artistic interpretations. It will feature bamboo rings, bamboo, banana barks, onion skin, duldul seeds, coco palwa, guod, mahogany seeds, alpaco, tahong shells, coco shells, and elephant seeds. And of course, what can get more Filipino than the amazing sunset at Manila Bay, which can be seen both from the ballroom and the meeting rooms. Now who wouldn’t get inspired to work with that as your background?
The grandiose Murano crystal chandeliers were the only things kept from the old ballroom
To keep in touch with the theme of French elegance, the foyer will have 19th century inspired palatial-style floor-to-ceiling veneer doors, handles shaped like classic French scrolls in steel, and the signature earth tones of reds, browns, oranges, golds, and creams. But the only thing they kept from the first ballroom was the Murano crystal chandeliers especially flown in from Italy, with its 876 crystal teardrops set against the biggest and most special events. The chandeliers alone are a sight to see.
