If you’re planning a weekend staycation this summer or just looking for a place to spend the hot afternoon, consider Crimson Hotel Filinvest City in Alabang. Located near Festival Mall and Alabang Town Center, the hotel opened in 2012 and is owned by the Filinvest Group. Executive Chef Alessio Loddo sits at the helm of Crimson’s culinary offerings.
Afternoons at Crimson Hotel can be spent having tea and scones at The Lobby Lounge on the 8th floor from 3PM to 5PM. The afternoon tea package is just P550++ and already good for two (a date with your mom or best girl friend, maybe?). This includes an unlimited serving of coffee or tea and a selection of pastries and mini sandwiches served on a tiered plate.
Sweet treats include scones, raisin cookies, kiwi and blueberry tarts, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate cake while smoked salmon and chicken with lettuce make up the savory sandwiches. Tea time won’t be complete without some clotted cream and jam and there’s even a bonus of lemon curd that I really loved (and smeared generously) on the scones. These were accompanied with a pot of Dilmah Earl Grey Tea.
The hotel also has a Pastry and Sandwich corner where you can buy small and large cakes, cupcakes, and breads.
For dinner, the spacious Café Eight serves dinner buffet at P988++ per person. The array of Asian and Western dishes includes fresh salads like the Prawns on Spicy Garlic Sauce and Japanese fare such as assorted maki rolls, crab salad, sashimi and soba as appetizers. Beside the plates of maki rolls is a make-your-own taco spread. The appetizers alone were overwhelming!
I started with a hot bowl of Crab and Corn Soup and also tasted the Artichoke Salad. After finishing these, I made my way to the cheese and rolls section where I took a dollop of Orange Marmalade, some dried fruit and small slices of cheese for my rolls.
I chose a glass of Four Seasons as my drink but more potent drinks are available from the bar like the Blue Mojito (Blue Curacao, White Rum, Soda, and fresh mint leaves topped with lime wedges).
For main courses, I tried a couple of fish dishes and loved the Baccala con Napoli that has capers, green and black olives and tomatoes. To offset all those strong flavors, I had a taste of the Oven-Baked Fish Fillet with Leeks Sauce.
There’s a carving station and other meatier choices like Baby Back Ribs with Onion Rings and Black Pepper Beef.
The colorful slew of desserts laid out on a table just beside ours beckoned and was hard to resist: Strawberry Cake, Mango Panna Cotta, Blueberry Mousse! There’s also a Halo-Halo station and a crepe station to please your sweet tooth.
Aside from tea and dinner at Café Eight, there’s a barbecue dinner buffet for P900++ per person by their pool held every Friday and Saturday from 6PM to 9PM until May. The deck is furnished with Dedon loungers and is a nice place to chill out. If you happen to be there in the morning, you might spot a mermaid or two because of an on-going Enchanting Tails session – coaches from the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy teach lessons on how to swim like a proper little mermaid!
A staycation or any hotel experience won’t be completely enjoyable if you don’t feel “special” and if there’s one thing Crimson properties are known for, it’s excellent customer service – it’s definitely the proverbial cherry on top.
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Afternoon tea at Crimson Hotel Filinvest City is P550++ good for two. Dinner buffet at Café Eight is P988++ per person. Crimson Hotel Filinvest City is located at Entrata Urban Complex, 2609 Civic Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Like Crimson on Facebook (CrimsonFilinvestCity) and follow them on Twitter (@Crimson_Alabang). For reservations and more information, call (+632) 863-2222 or email info.alabang@crimsonhotel.com. You may also visit their website at www.crimsonhotel.com/manila/.
