From grad celebrations to wedding anniversaries: Social media users recall fond memories at Sofitel Manila
Sofitel is officially closing its doors soon and on the last day of its operations, social media users took a stroll down memory lane of their favorite moments at the hotel.
On June 30, the Manila hotel shared its farewell message on Facebook.
"Where moments were made magnifique. Where memories last," the post began.
"Your smiles and stories have left an indelible mark on our hearts. We hope these memories stay with you as fondly as they will with us. Sofitel Manila bids you adieu. Merci beaucoup, and à bientôt in new adventures!" it said.
In the comments section of the post, users shared photos of their fun memories at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
"I realized how blessed I am because my children and I had good memories at Sofitel and Spiral. Thank you Sofitel and we will miss you!" one user wrote.
"Thank you [Sofitel] for the happy and unforgettable memories. Lost Horizon during the late 70s [was] where I said yes to my first love [and] Spiral buffet [was where we celebrated] our anniversaries and birthdays," another said.
PhilSTAR L!fe also asked its readers about their best memories at the hotel, which officially ceases operations on July 1.
"Breakfast and swimming with slides," one user said.
"The best breakfast buffets," added another.
Amenities of the hotel aside, their favorite parts of Sofitel Manila were spending special moments there.
"Every [birthday] namin buo pamilya namin diyan kami mag celebrate kaso ['yung] kuya ko wala na," one said.
"My best and only memory of Sofitel/Westin Philippine Plaza is coming to Spiral with my parents and two assistants of my pop for lunch just after my graduation at [the Philippine International Convention Center]. To my surprise, a female batchmate was also there with her family for a graduation lunch," another shared.
"Our last memories there was when me and my husband celebrated our second wedding anniversary there and that's also where me and my husband stayed when we first met way back in 2022," added one reader.
Others shared about how they went to the hotel during a field trip and for their high school prom dances, among other special occasions.
"We celebrated JS Prom before. Dati siyang Westin Philippine Plaza," one user shared.
"College days field trip namin [diyan] kami nag check-in. Pag pasok mo palang parang talagang maganda na ang ambiance, yayamanin talaga and 'yung buffet nila super sulit nakakailang balik pa ako nuon lahat masarap [kasi]," another recalled.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila confirmed in May that it was closing its doors after almost five decades of operations.
Operations would close and cease on July 1, the five-star hotel said in a statement to PhilSTAR L!fe.
The hotel said that this decision is part of its commitment to "provide guests and colleagues with the best possible experience."