Solaire’s design is inspired by different stages of the sun throughout the day (Photo: Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
Ask anyone the tourism slogan of our Pinoy neighbour and the words “It’s more fun in the Philippines” will inevitably come as a knee-jerk reaction. But, the 11-year-old saying was dethroned in 2023 by a new catchphrase meant to convey the country as more than just “fun”. The current “Love the Philippines” tagline is meant to convey the full wealth of the nation’s natural assets, history and culture, says tourism secretary Christina Frasco. Indeed, the country’s all-encompassing allure can be found in its every offering, and for proof of that, one need not look further than Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City, Metro Manila.
Spanning a commanding 21 acres, Solaire was the first integrated resort to break ground in the reclaimed bay area in 2010. Here you will notice no towering skyscrapers or tall eyesores looming large (all reserved for Bonifacio Global City, the business centre of the region), instead you are guaranteed sweeping views of the striking Manila Bay. Since opening its glittering doors in 2013, this all-inclusive triple threat of award-winning accommodation, extensive dining options and endless activities has been matched only by the exceptional warmth of its Filipino hospitality. For those looking for an indulgent weekend, or more popularly a pit stop en route to one of the country’s many islands, this comprehensive destination is the ultimate gateway to the Philippines.
Solaire comprises two beautiful hotels totalling 793 generously appointed rooms, with smoking and non-smoking options. The Bay Tower affords guests gorgeous views of the water, with its Premiere Suite featuring a private bar space where you can watch the setting sun with a glass in hand. Meanwhile, its sister the Sky Tower has received Forbes Travel Guide’s 5-Star Excellence Award for the eighth consecutive year, providing timeless luxury to everyone from overnight jetsetters to larger families.
The Presidential Suite in particular cuts no corners when it comes to incomparable decadence, offering dedicated dining, pantry, closet and entertainment areas, three large bedrooms, and its own rolling landscape of the bay. Even the Sky Studio is lavishly furnished with a bathtub and separate living space, ensuring an uncompromising standard of excellence across all of its accommodations.
sky_studio.jpg
Solaire’s overall radiant architecture, conceived by prominent American gaming and hospitality architect Paul Steelman, plays on the ample natural sunlight and open areas, weaving the resort’s “sun” motif into its design language. Having observed the affinity of Asian clients for “brighter and crisper” aesthetics as opposed to the Friedman design principles of stuffy, windowless layouts, Steelman uses skylights and panoramic windows throughout the building to create a uniquely “day-lit” property.
The sprawling spaces thoughtfully transition from the quintessentially tropical in the morning — exemplified by an indoor waterfall and plumes of fresh, fragrant flowers — to the elegant yet peerlessly grand in daytime, incorporating metallic finishes, shimmering crystal and lattice shapes for optimal airiness. Come nightfall, you will discover a chic moodiness in the monochromatic expression of its nocturnal venues.
Of course, looks are not all you get. Visiting gourmands will be more than glad to hear of the staggering 19 eateries that make Solaire a preferred dining destination. These locations range from upscale to casual, and each has its own distinct character. If you cannot hit all of them up during your stay, make sure to at least try the three signature restaurants.
Yakumi serves up authentic Japanese dishes crafted with outstandingly fresh ingredients. Sashimi prepared using melt-in-your-mouth ōtoro (fatty tuna) and rich salmon belly imported from Tokyo’s Toyosu market, alongside fine-grained marbled Omi Hime wagyu chargrilled to perfection in its open kitchen, accentuate the components’ stunning quality and natural flavours, while chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) with foie gras represents a modern take on culinary classics. Available to pair with your meals are an excellent selection of Japanese beers and saké.
Red Lantern, the resort’s must-visit for Chinese fare, incorporates a breadth of regional specialities, from Beijing to Guangdong. Dishes like tender braised short rib and enoki mushrooms soaked in Sichuan sauce or wok-fried black pepper noodles with scallops are delectable, elevated yet unfussy preparations. (Tip: For an unforgettable yum cha, the dim sum buffet is lauded as one of Metro Manila’s best, with 46 dishes daily. Reservations strongly recommended!)
red_lantern_dim_sum.jpg
Fine Italian cuisine and sophisticated ambience take centre stage at Finestra, helmed by Michelin-decorated executive chef Andrea Spigoni. Traditional hand-cut tartare and homemade pastas with exceptionally flavourful sauces are extravagantly sumptuous while retaining that grandmotherly familiarity. Veering towards the more unconventional, cured Balik Salmon in nori powder and almond milk is an innovative gastronomic delight. The cocktail menu, also not to be missed, features creative drinks themed after tiramisu, pizza margherita and fiorentina steak, though the impressive cellar of wines and digestif trolley are certainly worth musing over as well.
On top of these signature spots, Solaire has no shortage of watering holes to facilitate afternoon sips and evening nightcaps. The Waterside Restobar overlooking the poolside alternates between the chill and lively auras of its bar and dining sections. The selection of hearty Western-style meals in generous portions (the 1.5kg tomahawk steak is a show-stopper) is complemented by beers on tap, wines, spirits and seasonal mixed drinks.
By evening, a bubbly atmosphere overtakes the venue with the chatter and clinking glasses of guests looking to unwind or take a stylish break from the bustling city. A little more quiet but perhaps equally dramatic is the Dragon Bar, overseen by its auspicious dragon sculpture made from more than 80,000 crystals. This location, open 24 hours a day, offers an extensive alcoholic and non-alcoholic line-up with snacks and sweets for the thirsty and peckish, making it an ideal place for late-night lounging.
Lovers of the vintage dive bar vibe, however, will insist on the Baccarat Room and Bar. Descend the stairs into this den of warm wood and moody lighting, and you will find this locale’s classic energy and old-timey films on display are enough to have one involuntarily reaching for whisky and cigars. Asking the resident mixologist for a little bespoke shake-up, though, is equally advised. Just mention your preferred spirit base and flavour profile, and watch a specially tailored concoction come to life. Notably, the walls are adorned with black-and-white photographs of Filipino fishermen, yet another homage to the sea and the historic livelihoods of the region.
baccarat_room_and_bar.jpg
Should all the dining and drinking make you want to get moving, there are plenty of activities to take you from end to end of the opulent compound. Have a dip in the glistening waters of the pool while basking in the Manila sun, or sweat it out on the advanced equipment of the Solaire gym. Deep relaxation and much-needed self care can be found at the spa, which provides such services as hair and nail treatments, facials, traditional massages and romantic pampering for two at the hands of master masseuses. Aromatherapy and reflexology can also be enjoyed in-room.
For more unique fun, you can find the Sky Range Shooting Club, a state-of-the-art 20-lane range where pistol veterans and firearm first-timers alike can blow off some steam in safety and comfort. The faint of heart are welcome to watch the action behind the Level 5 bulletproof viewing windows, or retire to the cigar lounge and café.
Retail therapy sounds more like your type of wellness? Solaire has you covered there too. The Shoppes is home to about 30 luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Omega boutiques, and offers a next-level immersive shopping experience that will save you a trip to the nearby Mall of Asia — the nation’s (and one of the world’s) largest shopping complex located a mere 10 to 15 minutes away.
Taking entertainment to the next level, however, is undoubtedly the majestic Theatre, immediately recognisable by the smell of popcorn wafting in the air. This immense auditorium is decked out with cutting-edge audiovisual systems, and has staged hit Broadway productions, concerts and plays by local and international talents. Make sure to check out its schedule of special events and festivals close to the date of your stay, all hosted in the massive Grand Ballroom, which rotates throughout the year.
Dressed in the golden opulence that recalls the dazzling casinos of Macau, Solaire also flaunts an expansive floor of slot machines as well as tables for baccarat, roulette, poker and blackjack, with elite high-roller and VIP game zones. Solaire has an exclusive Diamond Club Lounge for its top-tier members, providing these privileged patrons with private salon services and a special bar.
Last but not least, a short stroll through Forum will lead you to a corridor of inspiring artworks, an understated highlight of the resort seamlessly woven into its meta-thematic design. With over 3,000 pieces — paintings, sculptures, fixtures — interspersed throughout the complex, the Solaire art collection is one of the largest in the Philippines. Curated in tandem with Enrique K Razon Jr, chairman of Bloomberry Resorts Corp which owns Solaire, the entire property is a platform for a cosmopolitan but predominantly Filipino coterie of emerging and established artists.
This article first appeared on Sept 30, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
