Intercontinental Hotel Manila…… One Last Time
I never thought I would ever do a feature like this… No. Especially with one of my most favorite hotels of all time. I’m not really good at goodbyes, especially to someone or something dear to me… I believe you can relate to me on this.
I couldn’t help but shed a tear when Intercontinental Hotel Manila announced that they are closing down for good. After 46 yrs….I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it. My initial reaction was, “WTF? What’s a city without an Intercon Hotel? And what about the 365 Club? Where are they gonna stay now?” Parang kailan lang, we did a 45th Anniversary feature for them, and now…. I still can’t believe this will be my last time to write about the Great Dame.
Why are they closing?
Well, AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corporation’s subsidiary and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) decided not continue their contract which ends on December 31, 2015.
Ayala Land Inc. decided to move forward with its plan to transform the entrance of Ayala Center Makati into a modern gateway, with a first-of-its-kind intermodal transport facility designed especially for the commuting public. So in the coming years, expect to see an entirely different scene along Edsa Ayala.
After hearing about the sad news, I knew I had to pay one last visit and pay tribute to this great icon. For this week, join me as I take you on a tour inside Intercontinental Hotel Manila one last time and tell you all about what I will personally miss about this hotel.
This is it… taking the elevator and going up my room …. one last time =(
I can’t believe I’ll be walking this hall one last time as well… its signature scent sure brings back so much memories.
I will also never forget Intercon’s classic looking rooms.. something that I will always remember…
For this last stay, I decided to just stay in my room, for I know I’m gonna miss it forever. While contemplating and reminiscing, I listed down the things that made me fall in-love with this place as well as what I will miss dearly. Here they are:
The impeccable housekeeping service
This is the 1st ever reason why I became a fan. They surely know how to treat guests properly and anticipates your every move to ensure you’re all good. I will truly miss this kind of unmatched hospitality. Their housekeeping team is one of the finest in the land.
Cafe Jeepney
It was right here at Intercontinental Manila where I began my romance with salmon sashimi and smoked salmon! For me, their’s will always be the best! I will also never forget their Sotanghon Guisado, Kare Kare and their famous Crepe Samurai!
Salmon Sashimi
My favorite Sotanghon Guisado
Crepe Samurai
I also remember having a food photography gig here once. I’m eternally thankful for that opportunity. =)
Spending sunsets at their Executive Lounge
One of the things that I’ll surely miss would be having sunset cocktails at their executive lounge. The “feel” is just different.
My memories from last year are still very fresh, as if it only happened yesterday. Catching up with partner Frank has always been a delight. If you haven’t experienced this, well, you still have until Dec 31.
Chillin’ by the pool
Definitely one of the best places to take photos. I never really got to actually swim in it, but simply hanging out here makes you feel at peace. Til now, I still can’t believe that just right behind the wall is already chaotic Edsa.
I know in the future, this will look so different so might as well enjoy it one last time.
Seeing the hotel building whenever I pass by Edsa
I’m a proud commuter and as a working class citizen, I will truly miss seeing the Intercon building whenever I pass by Edsa after this year. Sad that my future kids won’t be able to experience this, so I made an effort to take a quick snap so I can have a photo that I can look back after many years.
As a travel enthusiast, I feel fortunate to have experienced the grandeur of Manila’s Great Dame. But yeah, I will definitely miss its majestic building, but I know that the spirit of The Intercon will forever remain in the hearts of its dedicated workers and guests whom they have touched and inspired over the years… and wherever we may go, we’ll surely bring a piece of its legacy with us throughout this lifetime.
Intercontinental Manila
No. 1 Ayala Avenue
1226 Makati City
Tel No. (02) 793 7000
email: manila@ihg.com
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InterContinentalManila
Sad day to a lot of us ! I developed a quite unique personality in such a wonderful establishment. When i applied for a job i had Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala & Enrile’s personal letter of endorsement for that i earned quite a reputation as the “Ayala/ Enrile boy” so the only question they ask me is what kind of job do you want 😉 no interview ,,sweet so a choose to be a busboy. From there everything else is history,my last stop was @ Bahia oh ! prior to that i became the local J Travolta Where Else was the “joint” at that time & we know Denny Terio ( Travolta’s trainer supposedly) My heart is devastated as i planned to bring our US friends sometime to Manila through our Travel Company using the Hotel Intercontinetal , a subsidiary company of the old Pan-Am airline as our base. I suppose nothing last forever, even the good times ! i shall keep the awesome memories alive. To the Ayala Corporation good luck, to my beloved hotel , merci mille fois for the all the good things & not so good. Adios,
Will this be the last remaining site from the early 70’s in that area? I remember going to the disco place, Where Else. When I asked where are we going, a friend would respond, Where Else and I would ask again not knowing it was a disco place. A couple of times I also dined in the Jeepney Cafe, when they had the real Jeepney in there. Does anybody have pictures of these 2 places? So many great memories, sad to see it go.
*cries* mandarin, intercon? whats next? huhuhu
Who designed and built Intercon Bldg.?