Every time I visit Clark Freeport Zone, I always wish I’d stay for a few days to thoroughly enjoy the area. Aside from the numerous dining and café options, it is always a good idea to wake up and enjoy a quick run along the neighborhood's spacious pedestrian and bike lanes, hang out at the various parks, or simply chill at one of the many fancy hotels located within the Freeport Zone.
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| Retiring quickly to my fancy room after a hearty brunch |
Imagine my surprise when unbeknownst to me, other than to cover the opening of Swissôtel's "Verona Brunch Club" at its in-house Ristorante di Verona, us members of the media are also staying there overnight. This is a piece of great news that was lost in translation when I got the invite for the coverage.
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| I dig the ship-like shape of the hotel's architecture |
Bringing only my laptop and even without a change of clothes, I welcomed the chance to stay in one of Clark’s newest 5-star hotels. I could always buy an extra shirt and underwear at a nearby mall, I assured myself.
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| The horizontal lines adds an interesting architectural element to the hotel |
Arriving just in time for brunch (read this previous story) for the uhm brunch event, I hurriedly sampled the courses offered in what Swissôtel crafted to change how one would enjoy brunch forever.
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| The tropical themed lobby of Swissôtel Clark Pampanga |
After indulging in a delectable array of appetizers, main courses, and desserts—ranging from light bites, juicy meat cuts, fresh seafood and delectable sweets—plus a profusion of champagne, I promptly retreated to my room to indulge in the kind of comfort and luxury the hospitality brand Swissôtel is known for.
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| Breakfast of champions at Markt |
Strategically located inside Clark Freeport Zone, the Central Luzon’s thriving hub of commerce and tourism, the Swissôtel Clark towers with more than 20 stories. This 5-star hotel, which is a part of the Hann Casino Resort complex, offers a laidback escape in the with easy access to several dining, shopping, and entertainment attractions.
Swiss Advantage
Swissôtel caters to the varied tastes of every discriminating traveler with its extensive room category offerings, which include Premium, Swiss Executive, Swiss Grand Suite, Swiss Family Suite, Swiss Vitality Suite, Swiss Prestige Suite, Swiss Presidential Suite, and my own room, the Swiss Advantage, the second category after the most common Premium rooms, boasting 46 square meters of space.
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| Tasteful interior was crafted meticulously. |
Loving the spaciousness of my room, I could not imagine what more awaits in the other more expensive suites. If you ask me, this Swiss Advantage room is just the perfect one for me.
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| The ultra-HD telly |
Red hues from the upholstered headboard and mini bar stand out against the room's mostly neutral color scheme, which is complemented by earthy tones from the sofa and throw pillows. Color elements that match the magnificence of the floor-to-ceiling city views while adding warmth to the room's inimitable Swiss character. A 55-inch TV not only displays HD quality images, but it also produces a clear white noise anytime I want to hear something without watching what's on. Another standout feature is the bathroom, which features a revitalizing high-powered rain shower and large marble accents. Of course, my favorite was the king bed, which immediately tempted me to sleep soundly thanks to its soft and smooth mattress.
Dinner and Breakfast at Markt
While Ristorante di Verona served up a mean brunch, dinner and the next day’s breakfast and lunch was served at Markt. Here, I got to enjoy a smorgasbord of European and Asian dishes.
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| Sounds like my name. Markt |
Markt is a concept that stays faithful to its Swiss origins while paying homage to Europe's busy marketplaces. A plaza-style eating area sits amidst vintage businesses, stained-glass ceilings, chalkboard menus, and the food court's overall atmosphere. Pasta and pizza at the Pizzeria, salads and soups at the Salad Bar, a la carte western-style barbecue and steaks at the Grill, desserts at the Dessert Bar, and so on are just a few examples of the themed stations that diners can order from.
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| Just my first plate. More to come. |
Other dining options at Swissôtel that we unfortunately never had time to try out include Spice, Nasi, 20, Oma's, The Atrium, and Kai.
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| The pool opens to a sweeping view of the greenery around Clark |
Despite my brief overnight stay, I took advantage of a couple of the hotel's amenities the next day, namely the gym and the pool. I truly loved my dip on the pool, which overlooks the gorgeous greenery surrounding Swissôtel, particularly the huge expanse of Mimosa Plus Golf Country Club.
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| Me trying to burn some calories to no avail. |
What was supposed to be a brief reportage of a gastronomy event at Swissôtel became an overnight staycation. I guess I can’t and will never complain. Till next time, Swissôtel.
Klook.com
