Checking in at Clark Marriott!
When I went to Clark early this year for AirAsia's #WeAreAllChampions Gala Night, Marriott was still under construction. We were staying at Widus Hotel (located right beside it) and I remember thinking about how amazing the hotel would be once it opens. So when I received an invite to a weekend stay at Clark Marriott last month, I was over the moon!
In case you didn't know, Clark Marriott is the first and only 5-star hotel North of Manila. It has 260 well-appointed rooms and suites with contemporary designs and local touches, giving it a distinct and vibrant aesthetic. During your stay, you can also enjoy their different relaxation and recreational facilities - from spa, fitness center, kid's club, and the pool. Food won't be a problem as the hotel has a total of six restaurants and bars created to satisfy every discerning palate.
The travel going to Marriott didn't take long at all. The group met up at Shangri-La Plaza along Edsa at 7:30am - still early enough for us to avoid traffic and explore the hotel before it was even time for lunch!
First stop: Urban Coffee Co.
Urban Coffee is Clark Marriott's cafe located on the lobby level of the hotel. Here, we got to try their specialty Italian Mocha which is THE BEST mocha I've tried yet. I had mine hot while everyone else enjoyed theirs cold.
Checking into our rooms!
I checked into one of their Deluxe Family Rooms with Jen and Princess, while Mark, Bianca, and Beanie stayed in another. It featured two double beds, a sofa by the window, a cable TV, a mini bar, mini ref, a safety deposit box, and coffee maker.
They also surprised us with complimentary apples and polvoron which we ate during our chikahan session that evening. Since we don't see each other on a regular basis, it was pretty great getting to spend the weekend with the girls to catch up on life.
Another thing I loved aside from the beds is the bathroom. I mean, it's huge! The sink/vanity area could easily fit the three of us! I could be brushing my teeth, Cess could be removing her makeup, and Jen could be washing her face and it still wouldn't feel crowded. Lighting was on point, too - perfect for getting ready in the morning.
The closet was another thing we were able to maximize. Being the bloggers that we are, we tend to overpack for stays like this, so having lots of hangers inside the room really helped in making sure that our clothes don't get wrinkly.
Next stop: Goji Kitchen + Bar
After resting for a bit, we headed downstairs to have lunch at Goji Kitchen + Bar. It's Clark Marriott's all day dining restaurant and is great for friends and family to hang out and enjoy the hotel's numerous buffet offerings. Below are some of the amazing dishes we had as well as a look at the 160-seater restaurant.
The food:
There's just so much to choose from! You'll surely have a great dining experience here ;)
Thank you, Goji and of course, Clark Marriott, for the wonderful lunch! :)
Since we were super full from the feast we just had at Goji, we decided to walk around and explore more of the hotel's amenities.
Lobby & The Lounge
This is the first thing you see once you enter the hotel. I love how high the ceiling is and how natural light just flows through the entire level. Right beside it is The Lounge, which Marriott calls the "soul of the hotel." It's a hub of activity, day and night. It's where people hang out while they're waiting to get checked in or to check out. It features crafted beverages with a 5-10-20 minute 3-meal menu program which lists immediate delivery (snacks) in 5 minutes, social sharing (bar food) in 10 minutes, casual entree (lounge friendly meals) and miniature desserts in 20 minutes.
Function Rooms
Should you find yourself planning for a big event, Clark Marriott has got you covered! The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 360 guests and for smaller events, they have four Meeting Rooms that can fit 20-80 persons (depending on your requirement).
If you booked a Suite or an Executive Room, you get access to the Executive Lounge. More private, less crowded.
Fitness Center
If exercising is on your agenda, this is a great place to do that. The Fitness Center is open 24/7 and offers state-of-the-art cardiovascular machines and a dance/yoga studio for those looking for a different type of work out.
Kids Club
For those who have kids, don't forget to stop by the Kids Club. It's a worry-free crib where kids meet kids, interact with new friends, and enjoy learning fun-filled activities together. It's such a cool space and I can imagine coming back and letting my child play here in a few years' time.
Swimming Pool
Probably THE MOST beautiful hotel pool I've seen yet. Unwind, get a workout in, bask in the sun, or simply relax by the pool. Definitely one of the reasons why you should stay at Clark Marriott. Unfortunately, none of us got to swim that weekend, but that's a good excuse to return.. yes? I absolutely love how huge the pool is and the open space surrounding it. I can totally see myself spending the entire afternoon here just drinking fresh fruit shakes and catching up on some reading.
Quan Spa
End your night at Quan. Whether you book a treatment or just detoxify in the steam room or sauna, Quan will provide a haven of calm, tranquility, and relaxation. I availed their 60-minute Deep Tissue Massage which uses classic Swedish massage strokes and works deeply into the muscles to stretch and release tension that may otherwise cause restricted movement and pain. Encouraging blood flow, this treatment improves flexibility and relieves sore or pulled muscles. It was AMAZING.
Soon, it was time for dinner. Sharing our dining experience at Smoki Moto in the next post.
Overall, our stay at Clark Marriott was one for the books. I can't wait to go back.. perhaps stay longer, too? :) So yeah, if you're looking for a place to stay that's near the Clark International Airport, I highly recommend Clark Marriott since it's only a short 5-minute drive from it. ;)
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