I don’t like sweet things but sometimes I just have to give in, especially if everyone in your group wants to have desserts right after meals. And so it went that after our fantastic Asian lunch at the Mian Restaurant in Marriott Manila, we—or should I say—my companions hurriedly trotted to the nearby Crema café right at the lobby of the same building. I slowly followed, nursing my still full tummy.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO LOUNGE ABOUT, PREFERABLY WITH A GOOD BOOK

CREMA’S SWANKY INTERIORS

Crema opened last 2014 and is located on the ground floor left wing of Marriott’s Grand Ballroom. The place opens right up to the lobby and is tastefully furnished with comfortable loungers, chairs, and low tables. We decided to seat ourselves on the less formal built-in couch lining the windows overlooking the streets of Resorts World Manila.

► CHECK OUT: MARRIOTT MANILA STAYCATION

Two rice bowls, a couple of noodles, some soups, plates of appetizers, desserts, and drinks; a food feast more than good enough for eight persons. We were at Mian, one of Marriott Grand Ballroom’s in-house restaurants (a hop away from Marriott Hotel Manila) and we were only four in the group. How we’re gonna finish everything off boggles the mind.

MIAN ASIAN RESTAURANT AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF MARRIOTT GRAND BALLROOM

WATCHING THE ACTION AT MIAN’S OPEN KITCHEN

The restaurant is located at the ground floor of the ballroom, just right off the lobby. They serve mostly Asian dishes set on a modern interior setting. From where we were sitting, an airy open niche beset by bamboo enclosure, we can see the staff preparing our meal on the open kitchen.

► CHECK OUT: CREMA MARRIOTT MANILA

After killing time at Marriott Manila’s Executive Lounge, we sauntered to the hotel’s in house restaurant for dinner. Dressed in our finest—we would be attending a musical later at the nearby Newport Theater—we sat on one corner of Marriott Café and surveyed supper; we were indeed ready (and dressed the part) to eat.

MARRIOTT CAFE LOBBY

Marriott Café became our go-to place when our stomach dragons beseech us during our two-day stay at Marriott Manila. We ate here twice, during our first night’s dinner and for the next day’s complimentary breakfast buffet.

► CHECK FOR MARRIOTT’S DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES

It was quite a night. Seven o’clock found us dining at the Marriott Café buffet. By eight we were running towards Newport Theater to catch the Bituing Walang Ningning musical. By midnight we were belting songs at a KTV somewhere in Pasay City. It was almost six in the morning when the night ended. We walked back to the lobby of Marriott Hotel Manila, heads spinning, finally ready for some shut eye.

MARRIOTT MANILA’S LOUNGE AREA

THE HOTEL’S PLUSH LOBBY AND RECEIVING AREA

Our day didn’t start out so hectic. We checked in at Hotel Marriott Manila at around lunchtime. We were told that check-in time was still at three, but we took the chance since we were already in the area anyways. The receptionist we talked with was quite accommodating—he let us check in ahead of time.

So up we went to our rooms, hopelessly fumbling with the electronic key cards at the elevator.