Hotel Okura Manila, the first Okura Nikko Hotels property in the Philippines, officially opened its doors to the public yesterday, April 19th 2022.
The celebratory event was graced with no less than Hotel Okura Co. Ltd. President Toshihiro Ogita with guests DOT Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat, and Travellers International Hotel Group Chairman Kevin L. Tan participating in the traditional breaking of the Sake barrel, Kagami Hiraki, to usher good fortune.
Ogita said as he welcomes the guests, “At this hotel, we are confident that Okura’s omotenashi, together with the warmest Filipino hospitality in conjunction with our spirit of “Wa” (meaning harmony or teamwork), would evolve into the ultimate hospitality.”
The opening of Okura signals the recovery of the hospitality industry as stated by Tourism Sec. Puyat. “Our gathering today is a testament to the tourism and hospitality industry’s improving state from the two years in the pandemic,” she said.
The fact that the hotel opened while the country is still in a pandemic also showed investor optimism. Hotel Okura Manila, which soft-opened last December 28, 2021, is part of the country’s first integrated resort complex, Resorts World Manila.
Tan revealed that the launching of Okura Manila is also a meaningful year for the Filipinos and the Japanese as the country is celebrating the 66th year anniversary of the Japan-Philippines friendship.
“With the opening of Hotel Okura Manila, we are not only showcasing Filipinos’ renowned warmth and hospitality, but we are also putting the spotlight on the tradition of omotenashi, a deep-rooted Japanese way of life that is focused on providing the finest service and hospitality.”
As of press time, Hotel Okura Manila has more than half of its 190-total rooms available. The remaining rooms will see completion by the end of the year. It offers accommodations including the Hinoki-yu Room which features Hinoki (Japanese cypress) wooden bathtubs handcrafted by Japanese artisans from Nagano Prefecture.
All guest rooms are furnished with luxurious beds, separate areas for bathtub and rainfall shower, and premium amenities such as a flatscreen TV, high-speed internet connectivity, multimedia room controls, Nespresso machine, and Japanese bidet. The topmost floor offers leisure and recreation facilities o provide a serene sanctuary in the city. It features fitness center with state-of-the-art machines for cardiovascular and strength exercises, as well as free weights. In-house guests can also take a refreshing plunge at the SORA Rooftop’s 20-meter heated pool overlooking the Manila skyline, and experience the health club’s jet baths, steam, and sauna rooms.
Hotel Okura Manila also brings an authentic culinary experience to the Philippine food scene with its signature Japanese fine dining offerings at Yamazato and in the all-day dining Yawaragi that offers Japanese-oriented food with Western and Asian specialties as well as high tea and cocktails. It also features a robatayaki counter, a bar lounge, and private dining rooms.
The hotel is the latest to become part of the Okura Hotels & Resorts chain that operates over 25 hotels in Japan, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. The second property of Okura in the country will be part of Bayshore City Resorts World, a large-scale integrated resort in the City of Parañaque. The prime location positions the new Okura property as an ideal base for both leisure and business travelers. The plan is to build 380 rooms in a 13-story building that will occupy 38,000 square meters is targeted to open by 2024.
