The main lobby of the hotel is actually on the 24th floor which I found strange at first, but upon entering, I immediately understood the design choice. It's very surreal lounging so high up and just enjoying the view. So amazing!
The lobby itself isn't too large and expansive but stylishly done.
We were given a basic double room but it was already pretty luxurious.
The bathroom is surprisingly large as well with a separate shower and bath tub. I was a bit surprised to see that there was no bidet for the toilet though, but this is frankly the only con that I saw in the whole room.
The beds are surprisingly wide. It can comfortably fit two people, to be honest.
After getting settled in, having High Tea at the Connect Lounge was the first thing on the agenda!
The Connect Lounge is actually is directly connected to the Front Desk and Main Lobby so you can't miss it.
It's also worth noting that the Connect Lounge works around the clock so it isn't just a place to have High Tea. It's also a lovely place to have drinks in the evening! More photos later on in the series!
For High Tea, you have an option to have Tea or Coffee as your main beverage. My sister ordered a Cappuccino while I had one of their signature fruit tea which was Manila Mango.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fruity, fragrant, and slightly sharp tang of the tea! Perfect for pairing with sweets to refresh the palate!
First to be served was the amuse bouche which was sorbet encased in flavored white chocolate. There's a lovely contrast that happens with the warm sweetness of the white chocolate and the tart fruit sorbet inside. Truly a fun treat to begin things with!
The main event, of course, is the carousel. It's meant to be eaten from the top-down!
On the top layer is the Spinach Quiche and Cranberry Scone. The scones come with your choice of fresh cream and strawberry jam while the quiche is meant to be eaten alone. The scone can be a bit dry if eaten alone so it's better to use the spreads it comes with. I enjoy it with just the cream because the jam is a little too sweet for my taste. It's light, buttery, and creamy! The Spinach Quiche, on the other hand, is simple and not overwhelming. It isn't too cheesy and can feel almost like a very light frittata. The subtle bacon and spinach combination is a win for me.
The middle part of the carousel is the sandwiches or the main courses of this High Tea session. Essentially, the major difference with the sandwiches is the component that goes on the top. Underneath the topping is a tomato, lettuce leaf, and a slice of cheese. The difference in colors of the baguettes signify different baguette flavors which are so incredibly subtle that I couldn't really taste the difference between the colored breads.
That aside, these sandwiches are quite lovely. They all work harmoniously with the other components to make for a tasty treat. My favorites of the bunch are definitely the Pepperoni because of the evident notes of peppers and good cured meat, as well as the Smoked Salmon that works so beautifully with the cheese but is balanced with the fresh fruitiness of the tomato.
The last layer is for the sweets! The Chocolate Cake is rich but surprisingly not too sweet, which means the depth of the chocolate is easier to appreciate. I really love it when hotels pay close attention to desserts as well as the main entrees! Next, the Cheesecake is an easy favorite. With a caramelized mango on top, the filling of the cheesecake is a strong lemony flavor that balances out the sweetness. Pure love!
Next, the tiramisu is a light and creamy treat that's accentuated by a strong sweet coffee syrup that becomes instantly balanced out by the other components in the tiramisu which makes it lovely in my book. The Mint Panna Cotta is also another favorite of mine! I don't really think the Red Velvet cake bits on the top are necessary. I mostly focused on the Panna Cotta itself which was creamy but very light and ever so slightly minty. It was strangely refreshing and a bit decadent at the same time!
Outfit Details: ZARA Man mandarin collar button-down, UNIQLO skinny jeans, ADIDAS Originals Superstar sneakers.
All in all, the High Tea at the Connect Lounge was a lovely experience to start our staycation at the Marco Polo Ortigas! It's something I would definitely love to enjoy with friends and family again in the future.
Stay tuned for more of the Marco Polo Ortigas!
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