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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT | in partnership with Okada Manila  Manila's new pink escape for high rollers, clubbers, lovers and smart MICE suitsFind yourself plum in the middle of all the high adrenalin casino, nightlife, dining action.   GLINTING in the evening sun like a gigantic upturned golden custard neatly popped out of a mould, the Okada Manila (that previewed in December 2016 and gears up now for a grand launch in July 2017) has bulk and curves to entice. This mini-destination is set in 44 hectares and, of an evening, serves up vast curtains of dancing fountains to quicken the pulse with dreamy light shows. But this is no large, impersonal abstraction. Walking into this enormous 993-room casino hotel – it has 1,400sq m Grand Villas too – with its cheerfully plum interiors, you’ll be greeted by long-limbed hostesses in flared white gowns, all flashing incandescent smiles, as performers play below tall pink columns crowned by gathers that soar to the ceiling, adorned with faux gemstone inlays. It’s part One Thousand and One Nights fantasy, part Las Vegas extravaganza, and quintessentially Filipino. Despite the imposing scale, things are personal, service is attentive yet unobtrusive. It is clearly a luxury address for discerning travellers and high rollers. Yet, if you want the bright lights and adrenalin frisson of the casino scrum it’s all here, a short stroll down marbled gilt-edged corridors, past ornate shops with Gallic names promising haute couture and service with discretion. 
The Okada Manila is a versatile entertainment complex, from its dancing fountains and endless food choices, to retail
Rooms in the Pearl Wing (closest to the casino), have a decidedly feminine flavour with a clean white-and-powder-pink palette. A Deluxe Room (offering a standard design blend) weighs in from 55sq m to 74sq m with padded plum fabric headwalls, checked pink carpets, cream chairs, curved white bedside cabinets with two international three-pin plug sockets, a large wall-mounted flat-screen swivel TV, marble work desk, and large wall mirrors all leading straight into the bathroom with its circular Jacuzzi, twin vanities, rose-veined marble floor, rain shower cubicle (with steam room features and a marble bench) and an electronic Japanese potty that rears up to greet you and do your bidding at the touch of a button. The data-port at the desk has two more three-pin multi-plug sockets, two USB sockets and an HDMI connecter for those who like to watch their media on a big screen. everything is off the scale at this hotel, from the dancing fountains to the vast casino
A top-loading laptop-friendly safe is in the ivory white desk drawer. WiFi is free throughout. The competent and stark black Bentley hairdryer is the sole aberration from the pink Barbie and ice-cream meringue decor. These rooms have a decidedly feminine feel with plenty of natural light. The design is wonderfully calming and easy on the eye and will suit all comers from teens and in-betweens to testy corporate titans. The Coral Wing, for business travellers lies in a separate wing beyond the casinos with rooms in more muscular earth tones with gold hues. On the UG Upper Ground floor, which is the arrival level, find the central casino space (the largest in the Philippines) in a cavernous high-ceilinged chamber with an elegant spot for VIPs and rows of one-armed bandits for casual gamers. Expect huge jackpots, 3,000 electronic gaming machines and almost 500 tables for discerning gamers. It is all tastefully assembled and set out with ample spacing to avoid elbow jostles. 
Smart pink-hued 'Barbie' rooms are feminine but cater adroitly for all travellers and tastes with luxury trimmings and fabulous detail. The dining areas are on either side, set farther back so as not to intrude. Here, among the 21 outlets, you’ll find Medley the all-day dining area with its simple cream décor and open kitchens followed by gleaming retail stretches leading to the Cove Manila, a unique indoor beach club with a pool and a split level nightclub with cabanas and snuggeries for romantics and swimmers (yes you can swim here but not tan, alas, blissfully indoors). With its unique interiors and concept, Cove Manila will get sand between your toes should you choose, and plans to be the next hot entertainment spot for the city’s young and restless when it opens. Also find Japanese (Kappou Imamura and the intimate Ginza Nagaoka sushi bar), Korean, Chinese and more.
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