What happens in a staycation these days? We spend 24 hours at Okada Manila to find out.
It used to be so simple. You pick a hotel, you pack a small bag with a swimsuit and your best outfit, and you let your weekender (not-so-far) away from home begin. Well, that was before COVID-19 stepped into the picture.
Trying it out for size, this writer recently went on a staycation at Okada Manila, the largest luxury integrated resort in Asia, and one of the first to get their Certificate to Operate for leisure stays from the Department of Tourism. And while it was fun and enjoyable, to say the least, it was most certainly unlike the staycations we had in the pre- pandemic world.
You will be swabbed
The starkest difference dawns on you immediately after you check-in—in the form of an antigen test.
As part of Okada Manila’s stringent health protocols, guests who are checking in to the hotel are required to avail of an on-site antigen test, before they are officially accepted for their stay. Worry not though, for the reasonably priced swab test (sometimes folded into your bill), is set up in convenient function rooms with plush seating and air-conditioning. After the 15-minute wait for the result, you are then free to check-in (as long as you test negative). There’s a good chance that this is also one the swankiest antigen tests you’ll ever take.
Signed, sealed and delivered
Social distancing and cleanliness are definitely part and parcel of many leisure hotels’ promise. And it is one that Okada delivers on.
For starters, their rooms are rigorously cleaned and disinfected before guests arrive. The doors are even sealed with a sticker — a reassuring gesture for many a germophobe who just want to have a relaxing time outside of the four corners of their homes (after all those months!)
It also helps that the rooms of Okada Manila are spacious. Social distancing is definitely not an issue, especially IF you abide by the maximum occupancy limit set by the hotel. Our executive suite, for instance, is around 250 sq.m. (and that’s not even their biggest room category) and good for two persons.
The suite is fitted with its own bar, massage room, jacuzzi, king size bed and other ultra-modern amenities. Add to that the gorgeous view of Manila Bay from our floor-to-ceiling windows and it’s easy to understand why that we definitely didn’t want our stay to end.
At some point, we stepped out to check out the outdoor pool, one of Okada’s three beautiful pools that are open to the public. While we didn’t take a dip, we must say that the view is simply stunning. For those who want a more serene swim, we imagine that The Retreat Spa pool is the place to be. There’s also Cove Manila’s indoor pools, if you want to reminisce about those pool parties that were all the rage, back in, well, 2019.
Cleanliness is king
“True safe, true clean and true heart.” Such is the battle cry of Okada Manila in these times. True enough, the staff is always quick to remind everyone to put on their face masks or observe social distancing when you go around the property. You are also very likely to see robots deployed in various corridors to smoke and disinfect the common areas regularly.
Something to ‘dine’ for
Okada Manila has also started to open its dining outlets for the public. During our stay, we found ourselves gorging on authentic Korean dishes at Goryeo, one of the integrated resort’s signature restaurants. Make sure to order Sogogi Modeumgui, an assorted beef set with prime rib and brisket. You can even ask the staff to cook it for you, if you don’t like doing the grilling yourself.
Unlike in ordinary Korean barbecues, the restaurant’s exhaust system goes through the table stands and into pipes hidden underneath the flooring, giving you an unobstructed view of the place. Medley, the property’s buffet restaurant, has also opened to offer a smorgasbord of flavors (with modifications, of course).
The spa is open – and a must-try
For a truly memorable staycation, make sure to visit the lavish The Retreat Spa of Okada Manila. Much like their suites, the treatment rooms are also spacious and modern. An hour or so on the heated massage bed, where you can get a signature foot reflexology massage and a complimentary back massage, will surely soothe your muscles and rejuvenate every fiber of your being. They even apply foot patches on your soles at the end of the massage, to absorb the toxins from your body. Attendants, like other staff members in the hotel, are also regularly tested to make sure that there are no COVID-19 transmissions during those treatments.
Having said these, an overnight stay in Okada Manila is somewhat short, due to the variety of activities available, dining options and size of the place. But if you have an extra day or two to spare, it’s surely something worth having an antigen test for!
