THE 51-year-old Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City will close its doors starting July 1.
In a statement, the hotel said it will stop operations due to safety issues.
“This decision comes as part of our ongoing commitment to providing our guests and colleagues with the best possible experience,” said Esteban Peña Sy, president of the luxury hotel’s owner Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc.
Sy said this year alone, firefighting personnel had to respond to “27 fire incidents” in the hotel while in September 2023, over 1,000 hotel guests were evacuated because of busted water pipes.
Opened in 1976, Sofitel was designed by National Artists Leandro Locsin and Ildefonso P. Santos.
The Forbes travel guide, which gave the hotel a four-star rating for 2024, described it as the first hotel in the Philippines of international caliber.
“With gorgeous landscapes, lavish contemporary interiors and indulgent spa, it’s no wonder it’s often the hotel of choice of visiting VIPs, from former U.S. President Barack Obama to the Queen of Pop Madonna,” Forbes said.
