The rise of Global Luxury Hotel Brands in Clark is definitely on its way, and the undeniably exquisite: HILTON CLARK SUN VALLEY RESORT paves its way to the top tier of hotels in the Clark Freeport Zone. Here is a story guide of my experience at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.
ABOUT HILTON CLARK SUN VALLEY RESORT
I would describe the property as a certainly spacious five-star luxury brand of hotel chain that opened at the foothills region of Clark Freeport Zone. With its operations that began during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Hilton Clark Team are able to pull through the unprecedented challenges and making them today a shining beacon of luxurious staycation experiences and a wide spectrum of business meetings and events holdings.
The Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort is now in its full swing operations with a staggering total of 308 guest rooms and suites, two large restaurants and a bar lounge with an alfresco setup. With its available sprawling events space, they have 7 Modern and Technology Ready Corporate Meeting Rooms, Board Rooms, Junior Ballroom and the Grand Ballroom. On any given day, the Meetings and Events can handle almost two thousand guests, if to maximise each section.
THE INGRESS: the first step to the luxury experience
Sitting atop the hilly regions of Clark, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort stands like the sole beacon of true luxury offering its guests its global brand of care and attention through its superb and posh amenities that speaks luxury and the most coveted element in a growing crowded urban zone – SPACIOUS AMENITIES. It is hard to deny it, at your ingress, you will enter its ultra-high ceilinged halls and warm welcome from its security team. Being invited for a media familiarization tour, I was greeted by the seemingly transcendental angel in her full brimming smile and notable warm expression of hospitality, Ms. Ethel Joseph, the Director of Sales, assisted and guided the team to the first outlet. After leaving our baggage secured by their Concierge team, momentarily, we are gracing another spacious and expansive haven of luxury dining – TREAT BAR LOUNGE – the first of three outlets we are going to try at Hilton Clark.
After exchanging pleasantries with the Hilton Clark team, which is truly a flattering moment for me, we headed to the next outlet, Xi Restaurant for the sumptuous lunch and presentation. Our breakfast for the next day is at Olive Restaurant where we have another sumptuous Lunch Buffet Treat!
THE GRAND HOTEL WALKING TOUR – seeing the great Hilton Clark amenities in person
Ushered by the Hilton Clark team cladded in their dainty fitted blazers and corporates click clacks, we visited the outdoor social spaces like the biggest Outdoor Swimming Pool in Clark, to date, which features kiddie size and adult pool, sun lounge beds and a team of identifiable lifeguards. The swimming pool review at the latter part of this article.
Beside the Swimming Pool (which loudly calls me to plunge in) is the enclosed Children’s Playground that features colourful slides, springy seats, and fun swings over rubberized flooring for the added safety of the young ones.
Quick Visit at the Olive Restaurant
After which we made a brief visit to Olive Restaurant, their all-day-dining outlet, which again features an airy high ceiling with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that adds to natural lighting and a feel of more space. Seat configurations and designs feature semicircular shoulder height panels that provide moderate privacy in each section. Table furnishings and chairs provide ample height and support for that ultra-comfortable dining experience. The buffet spread presents itself in the restaurant’s inner room with counters strategically placed to provide diners and guests with ease of movement around.
In-House Duty-Free Philippines
For the shoppers’ haven, you can access the Duty-Free Philippines outlet that sells different categories of items from premium branded bags, and perfumes to take-home gifts to your loved ones. It features an open story setup that you can freely saunter around while enjoying the posh interiors of Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.
The Meetings and Large Events Halls (Indoor and Outdoor)
Since of the massive space that Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort has, you will never run out of event space you may need with your shows and exhibitions. Since Clark is positioning itself as a MICE Center of the Philippines, it is noteworthy that Hilton Clark serves as one of the backbone facilities in this endeavour by creating and designing these facilities that would provide a real strategic and comfortable holding of such crowd drawing exhibitions up to intimate VIP corporate meetings and rendezvous.
Board Rooms
Featuring two connecting wall-to-wall carpeted board rooms equipped with a large wooden style central main meeting table with comfortable executive chairs, a digital light projector and a white projecting screen. There are coffee and tea facility that you can request for setup and pre-arrange your meal and beverage requirements with your dedicated attentive Hilton Clark Event Management Team. The Board Room is recommended for intimate and VIP treatment corporate meetings or rendezvous that require privacy and comfort. The Board Rooms can comfortably accommodate 12 – 16 pax.
Meeting Rooms
There are two Meeting Rooms connected by a moderately-sized foyer that can be your reception and admin area. These Meeting Rooms can hold from 70-120 pax depending on seat configuration. These Meeting Rooms are equipped with digital light projectors, white screen, sound system and a podium.
Junior Ballroom
The Junior Ballroom is located at the lower lobby level and is the only MICE space on that same floor. It is connected with escalator for the convenience of guests and exhibitors. A raised stage setup can be prearranged with your dedicated Hilton Clark Events Management Team. Both the Junior and Grand Ballroom are pillarless and offers unparalleled and unhampered view wherever you are in this convention space.
Grand Ballroom
The Grand Ballroom of Hilton Clark can hold a maximum of 1200 pax in a theatre seating configuration and is one of the largest convention spaces in Clark. The entire convention is fully carpeted and is connected with a large and expansive ballroom foyer, enough space to hold a huge crowd. Both Junior Ballroom and Grand Ballroom feature their own VIP room where you can hold your war room and admin activities.
Mezzanine Floor Facilities and Amenities
The Ultra Sensational APRICUS SPA
Located at the Health and Fitness Wing of Hilton Clark, their spa partner – APRICUS SPA offers pampering treatments using premium microbiome elements that provide health benefits to the skin and total well-being by increasing the ratio of good microbiomes to ward off or weaken pathogenic microbiota on your exposed bodily systems. Added treatments are the use of phytotherapy or medicinal plants and herbs that are studied to have a significant positive impact on overall health.
It is indeed fortuitous to have experienced a complete cycle of therapy during this familiarization tour. I scheduled my treatment with the first batch after the hotel facilities tour and really did not expect this much level of luxurious pampering. At its own reception suite, we are welcomed warmly by its staff and ushered to its unexpectedly spacious relaxing lounge area. The lounge features different spa room elements like aromatherapy candles, oriental-style tea facilities, avant-garde wooden seats with moderately warm illumination and calming background music to truly set my luxurious Apricus Spa Treatment Journey. Momentarily, we are handed printed forms to fill in regarding anything health-related and options of your treatment – from the strength of pressure to choice of aromatherapy-like treatment they termed as “shakra” and its general effects like increasing masculine energy up to extensive relaxation.
My assigned therapist then returned with sets of different spray scents that features different scent profiles from citrusy-floral to a bit musky character. After which, we are ushered to our assigned rooms, take note: not cubicles, hence, we are assured of our privacy. Entering my room assignment, I was truly thrilled by its large space, different aromatherapy resources, private separate toilet and shower room with shower gel and shampoo, make-up room with your own sets of towels, comb, tropical designed drapes and disposable underwear. After donning the required attire, my therapist instructed me on the comfortable lazy boy seat with velvety covers. Momentarily, both of my feet are soaked on a wooded basin filled with warm waters filled with clouded warm water dip smothered with flower petals (my first time). Next, we move to the massage table where my therapist employed a unique sequence for the Apricus Signature massage treatment which aims to detoxify and stimulate energy routes. With that perfect gliding and ample pressure, my therapist teleported me to the snooze zone. After the massage treatment, I am instructed to rest a bit and I can shower after, which I did.
The Apricus Spa at Hilton Clark is the best and most luxurious spa experience in my entire life.
The Outdoor Swimming Pool
I capped the night with a quick plunge into the outdoor pool. I hurried down since I have half an hour’s worth of time to swim. After exchanging the towel cards and choosing a nook where to place my stuff, I have a quick shower and finally entered the pool. The general swimming temperature is a bit tepid and the chlorine ratio is not that concentrated comparable to other public pools, which altogether makes swimming more pleasurable and enjoyable. The water appears less murky even from underwater, and peeling my eyes for long periods did not hurt.
The Fitness Center
Need to hit the gym? Fret not, Hilton Clark offers 24/7 access to its valued guests. The in-house Fitness Center has treadmills, stationary bikes, dumbbells, barbels and adjustable padded benches. The treadmills are stationed overviewing the Lobby Level. They also have a weighing scale, racks of towels and a water station for your hydration.
Kids Club
Need your kids to burn those extra energies, bring them to Kids Club where they get to enjoy the indoor playground, games and different activities that they would truly love. I bet that clocking them out would prove a challenge to parents and carers.
First time in a 5-Star Hotel SUITE ROOM
A staycation in a luxurious suite room is truly one for the books for me. It is indeed a blessing to have been invited and be part of the first-ever Media Familiarization of Hilton Clark and to have experienced this type of treatment and management. In this event, we are given the chance to stay at a King One Bed Room Suite with Balcony, and by checking the price online, this is indeed a luxury for me. Like, I can never afford to try unless I will save from a measly hospital salary. After the luxurious Apricus Spa Experience, we are now heading to our assigned suite room at Room 7060.
Since it is my first time, I documented well the amenities and the experience, truly, unforgettable. Let me narrate the Suite Room I have. Upon entry using contactless keycards, the room features a separate toilet with door access beside the entrance. This separate toilet features a huge mirror with a lavatory complete with toiletries bearing the Crabtree and Evelyn Brand, a bidet that Filipino guests loved, ample toilet rolls and a trash bin.
The Living Space
Welcomed by the wall-to-wall carpeted suite room set in shades of blue accented with leaf design patterns, the living space features a luggage rack, and a huge 55-inch flat-screen TV adjacent to a desk table as your working nook. The Working Desk has two power outlets with LAN cable, which I think is for the wired internet connection, a dedicated wall lamp and ergonomic executive chairs.
The are two sofas with soft and moderate support foam supports and dedicated throw pillows. At the coffee table, there are sets of citrus and apples, Asian and local finger food delicacies placed inside individual jars, adorably designed deserts and cutleries for a welcome snack.
Also, it has a mini bar area with a refrigerator, the Nespresso machine for your espresso requirement, Dilmah tea brands, water heater, and power outlet and six bottles of Hope in a box drinking water. There are generic coffee, sugar and creamer sachets placed in the covered section of the mini bar facility. Open the drawer and you will have your pairs of coffee mugs, tea cups, drinking beakers and wine glasses – these I truly love – wish I brought some wine.
That Large Closet
Adjacent is walk through closet that features two opposite dresser and hanging nooks with wooden hangers, a single safe, multilayered storage spaces and drawers. I am able to have a separate space for my personal stuff during this familiarization tour. You will also find here the ironing set, the provided hotel slippers and laundry bags.
Luxurious Toilet and Bath
The Luxurious Toilet and Bath features a separate toilet stall with bidet and a clear glass door, two adjoining granite lavatories with a huge illuminated mirror complete with CrabTree and Evelyn brand of toiletries, different sized towel rolls, pair of glass, pull-up tissue and two separate hand towel ring, a dresser table with another huge mirror and separate power outlet. You would notice that there is a digital weighing scale if you tend to monitor your health status.
A separate shower stall features a multi-head hot and cold shower system that has an overhead rainfall shower, a handheld water spray with the great fancy scented Crabtree and Evelyn ShowerGel, shampoo and Conditioner. Fronting this is a full-sized bathtub that features two water spouts and a temperature control lever another separate Crabtree and Evelyn Toiletries, a rolled floor mat for your safety and a robe. It also has a corner handle to help you safely hoist yourself up after that relaxing bath.
That Separate Bedroom
The Bedroom features a huge King Size Bed with good back support, two separate lamps, two separate power outlets, two separate bedside tables, a phone, a digital clock, four plush pillows and a duvet cover. There is a long bench at the foot of the bed, the second 55-inch flat TV, separate chairs and a mini coffee table.
That Spacious Balcony
Another feature of this room type is the Balcony that offers a view of the Social Spaces level like the Outdoor Pool and surrounding mountains. The balcony is equipped with outdoor seats and tables with chest-high handrails of clear glass. The balcony is separated by floor-to-ceiling glass wall and door with blackout drapes and day curtains.
Media Dinner Night and Cocktails
To cap the night’s activity, we had a Media Dinner Night and Cocktails specially curated in one of their Governor’s Suite at the Far corner of the 9th level. Upon ingress, we are warmly welcomed by the top management, at the helm is the energetic, bubbly yet grounded General Manager, Ms, Denise Molintas, and Commercial Manager, Ms. Eunjoo Bae, of course, the delightful and amicable Ms. Ethel Joseph was there with her team. It was exhilarating to have met the Hilton Manila team, Country Director for Marketing, the lively polyglot and beautiful well-travelled lady, Ms. Aleah Angelica Alam, and Media Manager, Ms. Aya Pornel. The ultra-friendly Ms. Dianne Quirante, the multiethnic Ms. Carla and the jolly Ms. Diane Figuerras were also there joining us as we spent the night with cocktails, wine, and this incredible buffet spread that truly filled our bellies. In reality, I have not downed that much food as I truly enjoyed the conversations with them.
I can vividly remember exchanging ideas with Ms. Denise, giving her fresh ideas for their future events, also, discussing ideas covering topics from local labour, government regulations, and current events, up to global issues. I was glad that I got exposed to these trends and was able to provide my personal opinions and even share some of my experiences and travel insights with them. At that moment, I almost forgot my companion as I got engaged in deeper conversations and storytelling – that’s my extrovert self triggered at the moment. If it wasn’t for the time, I could have stayed longer but everyone has to hit the sack. We left the cocktail night ushered by the charming and bright, Ms. Ethel to the lift. I could not be thankful enough to her for letting me experience this such plush and epicurean experience that truly speaks to the Hilton brand.
A TOUCH OF LOVELY SURPRISE <3
When I returned to my assigned suite room, I notice something was different. I noticed that there are two boxes of goodies beside our bed, the duvet covers are unfolded to prepare us to hit the sack, the bedroom slippers are positioned at the bedside and two Hilton Shirts of our preferred sizes are there. I was touched by this move and truly, a royalty treatment I experience. I immediately snapped this and showed the world this brand of extra-mile service.
HITTING THE SACK AND DRIFTING TO SEVENTH HEAVEN
After a quick moment at the bathtub and shower, the king-size bed is now calling me, and my aching back starts to magnet itself onto it. I was not able to turn off any lighting and my eyes automatically shut off and my hardwired brain shifted its gears towards slumberland. Truly, I had a good night’s sleep and woke up refreshed, ready for another day’s activity. The bed offered ample support and I did not experience any shoulder, neck or back strain. The pillows offered enough support too. Thanks for the extra pair, I have one to hug too.
THE CLARK FAMILIARIZATION TOUR
We are set to visit four destinations on the second day of the Media Familiarization Tour. First, is the Sun Valley Resort Golf Course which is just a few minutes away from Hilton Clark. We have a brief moment to enjoy the sprawling views and the foothills of the Cabusilan Mountain Range at the back. After which, we headed to Clark Safari where we get to see wildlife in person. Since I have been here, I immediately ran to my favourite spots and spent more time there. After an hour’s visit, we visited the facade of Aqua Planet and moved to Clark Museum 4D Theatre to watch the Rise From Ashes Film by the Clark Development Corporation. It was a quick sauntering around Clark that made me miss the Freeport Zone again.
THE CHECK OUT
The inevitable has to come, and that is the checking out. The team is granted to have an extended stay until 4:00PM, so we can enjoy a bit more at the pool. Before that time, I ran back to the room making sure the key cards still works. Hurriedly packed my things, and check the surroundings for left belongings.
CONTACT HILTON CLARK SUN VALLEY RESORT
Website: www.clarksunvalleyresort.hilton.com
Reservations: https://www.guestreservations.com/hilton-clark-sun-valley-resort/booking
Clark Freeport Zone
Pampanga | Philippines | 2023
Landline: +63 45 598 5400
Fax: +63 45 598 5401
Email: clarksunvalleyinfo@hilton.com
Email for Events: clarksunvalleyresortevents@hilton.com
Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/hiltonclarksunvalley
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hiltonclarksunvalleyresort/
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VoF4L7nY1S78u5iv8?g_st=ic
EPILOGUE
My heart and soul are full nothing but of gratitude and humbleness towards the entire Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort for making the five-star experience a reality.