I’m always looking for romantic escape ideas with my wife to spice up our relationship.
We recently tried Dusit Manila’s Just for Two Package, specially targeted at couples seeking that lovey-dovey rendezvous in the heart of Makati City.
I would like to share with you our learnings and give tips on how to maximize the package. This post is particularly for the guys who might be planning this as a surprise (so girls, please don’t read this anymore 🙂 ).
DUSIT ACCOMMODATIONS
First, the package cost depends on the room category you will choose:
- Deluxe Room P13,000++ (P15,938 nett)
- Club Room P15,500++ (P19,003 nett)
- Junior Suite P17,000++ (P20,842 nett)
- Executive Suite P19,000++ (P23,294 nett)
I would recommend going for the Club Room category and up so that you can enjoy the Dusit Club benefits during your stay.
The Junior and Executive Suite Packages both include a round-trip chauffeured limousine service from your home to Dusit and back.
The Executive Suite is like a one-bedroom suite, while the Junior Suite is just like one big bedroom.
We stayed in the Executive Suite (Room 1260), which has a view of the Ortigas skyline.
It has a sala area with its own separate TV.
The room also has a nice office table area where you can continue to “work-from-home” if needed.
The complimentary wi-fi is fast and reliable. To access wi-fi, use the room number as the account name, and your last name as the password.
(TIP: It’s better if you don’t bring work so as not to ruin the romantic moment.)
DUSIT CLUB EXCLUSIVE SERVICES
We appreciate the Dusit Club because it provides personalized check-in/check-out service. Express check-out is available upon request.
You can check in discreetly because Dusit Club is located on the mezzanine level — away from the busy front desk located on the ground floor.
Dusit Club also offers complimentary sodas, premium coffee and specialty teas from 6.00am to 11.00pm daily. This is a good area to hang out while you wait for your check-in or check-out service.
Also, don’t miss the cocktails from 5.00pm to 8.00pm when they serve complimentary beer, wine, standard alcoholic beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
DUSIT CLUB exclusive services also include:
- Complimentary local calls to landline within Metro Manila (mobile phones calls are not included).
- 20% discount to all International Direct Dial calls.
- 24 hours access to the D’FiT Fitness Center for your workout needs
- Complimentary use of outdoor swimming pool for you and your registered guests (2 adults and 2 children)
- 10% discount on all Food and Beverage Outlets (excluding Room Service and Minibar consumption)
- Complimentary Pressing of one set of suit/dress upon arrival.
WINE SETUP IN THE ROOM WITH STRAWBERRY AND PRALINES
The Just for Two package includes a setup of a bottle of wine and chocolates in your room.
It also comes with cheese, olives, nuts, bread sticks and fresh fruits.
BATHTUB WITH ROSE PETALS AND SCENTED BURNER
The room comes with a bathtub,
which is filled with beautiful rose petals, and a scented burner for that romantic fragrance.
I love the natural soap amenities and the L’Occitane shampoo and conditioner.
COUPLES THAI MASSAGE AT DEVARANA SPA
Devarana (pronounced as te-wa-run) is Thai-Sanskrit for “Garden in Heaven”. The package includes a 90-minute Thai Massage (P2,900++ or P3,178.34 nett) for two in a Couples Massage Room.
Upon check-in, you have to book your schedule for the massage. Here are some suggestions:
- Schedule it at 3pm after resting upon checking in, and before the cocktails/early dinner.
- Book the last schedule (which is at 10pm) so that you’ll have a good night’s sleep after.
- Book the first schedule at 10am right after a good workout, before checking out.
It’s actually one of the best Thai massages we’ve had in Manila. The stretching and pressure techniques are different — strong, sometimes painful, but relaxing.
(NOTE: I would have preferred the chocolates, wine, and rose petal setup in the couples massage room, which has a more romantic ambiance than the Executive Suite. Hopefully, Dusit management can accommodate the couple’s preference.)
TOSCA ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO
One of the highlights of the night is a 4-course dinner for two at Tosca — the most romantic Italian restaurant in Dusit.
(A 5-course dinner at Tosca on Valentine’s Day would cost about P4,900 nett for two).
It has a classic romantic ambiance, so make sure to dress up for the occasion.
(TIP: Make sure to select a table far away from the empty picture frames, which is bad feng shui.)
The meal starts with a complimentary bread basket with Black Olive, Squash, and Balsamic Oil and Vinegar dips.
(TIP: Request to have the bread heated before they serve it.)
STARTER: Beef Carpaccio with preserved Pecorino.
This was really good. The beef was thinly sliced and paired well with the cheese and tomato combination. You don’t even taste that it’s raw.
SOUP: La Ribollita – Tuscan Bean Soup.
The soup was good, but a bit heavy. It would have been better to have a lighter hot soup like minestrone.
MAIN COURSE: Swordfish fillet with preserved Lemon White Wine Risotto and Peperonata.
I enjoyed the taste of the swordfish with the basil oregano olive oil dip and the risotto.
(NOTE: For future purposes, maybe a meat option could also be offered as the main dish for the meat lovers?)
However, the fish meat was slightly tougher than cod fish or salmon.
(TIP: If you can request for the menu beforehand, try asking for a different kind of fish.)
The 4-course meal does not come with wine pairing.
We ordered white wine to go with the fish. It costs about P445 nett for a glass.
DESSERT: Yoghurt Ice Cream with “Limoncello”.
The dessert was the highlight of the meal, with a serving of limoncello on top of the ice cream.
A good, sweet ending (and at the same time, a digestive) to bring that satisfied smile to your face.
(TIP: Our Tosca dinner was made even more enjoyable by David Handelsman who provided exceptional service and shared interesting stories. If you can, request for his presence — and maybe you can ask him to do a setup for you, like bringing the flowers or setting up the table.)
BASIX BUFFET BREAKFAST
The romantic package also includes Buffet Breakfast for two, either in Basix or in Tosca, from 6.00am to 10.00am. We preferred to eat breakfast in Basix (P1,045 nett/person) to have a wider variety. I suggest eating before 8:00am to enjoy the buffet thoroughly.
For married couples, if you are celebrating your 10th, 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary, you’ll get a discount entitlement equivalent to the number of years together as a couple when you dine in Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant during your stay.
Overall, we love our pampered romantic stay — from the Club Dusit services, to the wine and chocolates, to the bathing ritual, to the best Thai massage in Manila, to the romantic dinner treat at Tosca.
The menu in Tosca is specially made by the chef, and it can be improved. It would be good if you called in advance to communicate your preferences and maybe personalize the menu.
Make sure to block off two days from your schedule — free from work, free from appointments, free from worries, and free from the kids. 🙂 Go for the Friday overnight to Saturday because Sunday is typically busy with the Crossover Buffet crowd.
Just For Two Room Package
(Valid from February 1 – December 31, 2013)
For reservations and inquiries, please call (+632) 238 8888
E-mail: dtmn@dusit.com
If you have special requests, contact Sidney S. Alañon the Guest Profile and Programs Manager. Telephone: +632 238 8888 x 8112 or email her at sidney.alanon@dusit.com
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If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.
Full Disclosure: Our romantic stay was courtesy of our friends from Dusit Manila to share the Just for Two experience to other couples out there.
I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I don’t receive compensation from food and travel places we feature in the blog.
P.S. There’s an ongoing #JustFor2atDusit Twitter promotion from @Dusit_Manila:
1. Follow @Dusit_Manila in Twitter and fill this up: Let’s getaway #JustFor2atDusit __________
2. All entries must have the hashtag “#JustFor2atDusit @Dusit_Manila” to qualify.
3. Entry with most number of ‘favorite’ will get to experience the Just For Two Room Package at Dusit Thani Manila.
4. Promo period is from January 18 to February 18, 2013.
5. Announcement of winning entry will be on February 20, 2013.
For more details, visit ‘Just For Two’ Room Package Twitter Contest
P.P.S. If you are going to Dusit during the Valentine’s Season, check out the special Valentine’s promotion of the different restaurants: DUSIT THANI MANILA CELEBRATES VALENTINE’S DAY
Romantic 🙂
thanks for share good images with blog.