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Tropicana Apartment Hotel Second home for expats in the heart of Malate When was the last time you felt at ease in a second home while on vacation or a business trip? Ask the many foreign diplomats, consultants and expatriates who have stayed in Tropicana Apartment Hotel in Manila and they would offer good advice on the merits of living in a foreign country, yet enjoying every minute of it. Indeed, after over three decades, Tropicana has kept its reputation as the preferred “home away from home” of countless expats in Manila, either working as consultants for government projects or international agencies such as the World Health Organization. But Filipinos are also discovering the hotel as their soothing second home as well. Tucked in a quiet side of Malate and bounded by two leading educational institutions—St. Paul College Manila and University of the Philippines-Manila—Tropicana is just a stone’s throw away from a shopping mall (Robinson’s Place Ermita), restaurants and entertainment venues. It has become a precious landmark in Manila’s bohemian district. Having pioneered the concept of a serviced apartment hotel in the Philippines, Tropicana withstood the passing of time and, since the late 1990s, has underwent major renovations. It now sports a sleek, modern look with a glass-covered facade and a warmly lit and spacious lobby, while ensuring a more comfortable stay for guests with its upgraded facilities and newly refurbished rooms. But one thing has not changed: Tropicana continues to be an oasis for both local and foreign guests with its personalized service and utmost attention to security and safety details. Tropicana’s 98 rooms come with the amenities expected of a first-rate apartment hotel. What sets it apart from other serviced apartments in the area is that its rooms boast of an airy and fully furnished living area, a comfortably bigger bedroom, and a dining space that has complete kitchen facilities. Little wonder then that most of Tropicana’s long-staying guests are families who enjoy the hotel’s bigger space. The nine-story hotel offers two-bedroom, one-bedroom and studio units with choices of either twin bed sharing or queen size bed accommodations. One finds in each room a kitchen that is complete with utensils, dinnerware, a stove, a refrigerator and other cooking facilities. While some of the rooms are undergoing renovation, many now come refurbished with new furniture pieces and beds. The toilet and kitchen facilities have also been upgraded. “Besides upgrading our rooms and facilities, what we really try to do each day is to provide better service to our guests,” explains Linda Lainez, the hotel’s reservations manager who has worked with Tropicana for almost 20 years now. Safe and sound Tropicana is now home to a lot of expats who are mostly Japanese (half of its total occupancy), Americans and Europeans. In fact, foreign and local guests who stay there for three months to a full year would become comfortably familiar with each other. Guests also compliment the hotel for observing strict rules on safety and security. Tropicana’s rigorous monitoring of visitors and other tight security measures make them safe from unscrupulous individuals. Guests can do their business during the day or soundly sleep at night without anyone knocking on their doors unannounced. “If they’re not registered, we ask the visitors where they are going. Then we check with the guests if he or she is expecting a visitor by a certain name. If he or she is, we allow the visitors to go up. If not, we hold them at the receiving area,” says Lainez. Satisfied guests have found Tropicana an oasis after a weary working day by enjoying a good workout session at the fitness center, which comes with the latest equipment and a sauna, or savoring serene moments on the clear and well-maintained swimming pool. “One of our advantages is that, within the Malate neighborhood, Tropicana has the best location since it’s situated in a quiet area. It is away from busy streets,” Lainez says. She adds: “Tropicana is quiet and homely place, one with an atmosphere of safety, security and convenience. Some apartment hotels may have all the fancy things around, but their guests don’t get to talk to employees that well. Here, they’re very much welcome, and if they have any problem, they can always approach us. We’re open to complaints and we try to do something about them. We’re attentive to our guests.” Some guests, in fact, have stayed with the hotel for the last 10 years (an American artist close to restaurateur Larry Cruz), 15 years (a Japanese lady on an immigrant visa), or even 20 years (a German who goes back to his home country only to renew his papers). Tropicana also has a secure parking area with an ample number of slots, a most welcome advantage to guests who stay with their families; function rooms for social occasions or business meetings; a well-equipped business center; a roof deck lounge; a coffee shop, and a boutique and gift shop. It also offers room, laundry, airport shuttle and travel services. “We will continue to upgrade and renovate our facilities and rooms. So when our guests come and stay with us, they will always feel the warmth of our personalized service and security,” Lainez promises.