Experience ultimate grandeur at Okada Manila
THE NEWEST CASINO RESORT AT ENTERTAINMENT CITY
This is the much-awaited Okada Manila, the third casino resort to rise at the 100-hectare Entertainment City in Parañaque, a Las Vegas-style casino and leisure district developed by state gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
During a recent site tour for journalists, Okada Manila officials showcased the progress of the construction of the soonto-be-completed casino resort.
Okada Manila president Steve Wolstenholme said they are all set to open before the end of the year.
“It’s now roughly 85 percent complete,” he said.
There are 19,000 workers on several shifts working 24/7, Okada Manila’s key executives said during the site visit.
Japanese casino mogul Ka- zuo Okada and Filipino businessman Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco are partners in this world-class integrated resort.
The first phase of the project which will open by year-end consists of two wings and is designed with a gold exterior. For this phase alone, Okada Manila is pumping in $2.4 billion in investments.
These are the Pearl and Coral Wings which comprise 15 floors each. The Wings will house 993 rooms, ranging from 60 square meter deluxe suites to luxurious 1,400 sqm villas, with each room providing a view of Manila Bay or the resort’s fountain.
Aside from the two hotel wings, there would be a casino floor, nightclub and beach club, retail area, restaurants and an iconic fountain that will be one of the largest in the world.
The casino floor has over 26,000 sqm gaming area and up to 500 table games. It also has 3,000 electronic gaming machines and promises to offer a unique gaming environment and world–class entertainment for all guests to enjoy.
From its architecture to its interior design, every single detail was carefully planned and executed in order to bring to life chairman Okada’s vision, said Takahiro Usui, Okada Manila chief operating officer.
“Chairman ( Okada) has been a long time believer in the potential of the Philippines. This project is a fulfillment of his dream and his biggest gift to the Filipinos yet,” Usui said.
The project is a fruit of collaboration effort between the best and the biggest design and architectural consultants from around the world led by Japanese firm Miurashin Architect + Associates.
A visit to the property, which is located past the Marina residential enclave at the end of Macapagal Blvd, one can’t help but notice Okada Manila’s hulking building and distinct exterior.
Indeed, its glass façade literally glistens in bright gold and stands out among the Manila Bay skyline.
Usui said the gold facade represents abundance, luxury and the hue of Manila Bay’s famed sunset.
A sky bridge which is a threelevel structure that connects the two Y-shaped hotel wings is also another distinct feature of the hotel.
It is strategically located in the exact center of the building, giving guests a vantage point over Manila Bay and the integrated resort’s $30-million dancing water fountain.
During the site visit, Ivaylo Ivanov, vice president of hotel operations, said in jest: “You only have two choices: a breathtaking view of Manila Bay or the dancing water fountain.”
The sky bridge will house the Sky Casino and offer a private gaming haven exclusive to VIP guests.
Usui said the size of the property is really huge.
“The property’s size is incredible in scope. We do not want to focus on a single amenity in the property because we want to offer full range of products and services and be known as a complete travel destination,” Usui said.
The hotel will also be “a gourmet paradise” given its chairman’s love for food.
Indeed, Okada Manila will offer a feast of 21 food and beverage outlets serving international cuisine from casual to fine dining.
Also a major attraction in Manila’s nightlife is Okada Manila’s nightclub and beach club.
This 9,000 sqm entertainment venue will be enclosed in a climate controlled glass dome and will feature 33 cabanas and bungalows equipped with amenities such as private Jacuzzis, dining rooms, media and karaoke rooms.
“It’s going to be very exciting,” said Maxwell Zetlin, vice president for entertainment, during the site visit.
“At the centerpiece of the dome club will be Asia’s first kinetic chandelier with six rings that can create 10,000 special effects and project stunning 3D motion graphics. Meanwhile, its white sand indoor beach club will be the first in Southeast Asia and will rival the largest clubs in the world,” Okada Manila also said in a separate briefer.
Another attraction is Okada Manila’s spa, which is a hybrid urban escape and wellness retreat with a Wave Dream lounge designed to help guests master the art of tranquil relaxation.
Completing the whole project is a dancing fountain that promises to provide guests with a superb visual treat as it rivals the best in Las Vegas and Dubai.
It will be the first to implement a 360-degree immersive water projection in the world. The fountain size will be equivalent to 50 Olympic-size swimming pools and the lake will need 178,296,000 million glasses of champagne to fill it up, Okada Manila also said.