It was an evening that dazzled, entertained and inspired like no other. And why not. When a prestigious hotel group bags the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating in all ten worldwide properties, that's a remarkable feat that deserves a grand celebration...
The Peninsula Hotels earns the acclaimed distinction of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards category across all ten Peninsula properties around the world for an unprecedented sweep. It's a rare distinction, in fact, it's the first in Forbes Travel Guide's enduring 61-year history. The Forbes Travel Guide, a global authority on luxury travel and lifestyle, bestowed its prestigious five-star rating on The Peninsula Hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Paris, Bangkok and Manila. Not only is this another hashtag worthy achievement for #PenMoments, it's a resounding validation in The Peninsula's history of service excellence...
The Forbes Travel Guide is synonymous with the finest hotels, restaurants and spas in the world selecting the very best based on a rigorous set of meticulous standards and criteria. Each year, the Forbes Travel Guide sends a team of anonymous professional inspectors all over the world to evaluate luxury properties against 500 stringent standards. Announced in February, the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Ratings highlight exceptional quality of service allowing discerning travelers to choose and select the world's very best luxury experiences around the world. This year, The Peninsula Hotels achieves a significant milestone with all its ten properties worldwide earning the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five Rating. At The Peninsula Manila, that Forbes Travel Guide Five Star experience begins the moment you arrive...
...starting a continuous chain of memorable experiences redefining unparalleled luxury and service. To celebrate this rare feat, The Peninsula Manila is introducing value-added perks with the best available rates between February 27 to March 31 including an upgrade to the next available room category (where available), early check-in and late check-out to suit your travel schedule, a P 3,000 Dining or Spa credit per room per stay and a unique amenity honoring The Peninsula's Five-Star accolade. The ground-breaking achievement brings with it a number of exclusive offers, but the rare feat must be celebrated in true Peninsula style. The Peninsula Manila's iconic lobby is transformed for the evening's celebration...
...becoming a stage for some of the metro's very best performers. For over forty years, The Peninsula Manila's famed lobby has been the meeting place of choice by the country's influential elite. That evening was no different as loyal clients and the country's movers and shakers joined the celebrations.
At exactly 6:00 pm, bottles of Moet & Chandon Champagne were uncorked and the celebrations began. At the bar, handcrafted cocktails were prepared all night long. The mood and the vibe was classic Peninsula all the way. 
As more guests arrived, the power of ten becomes overwhelming. It's not often that all ten properties of The Peninsula Hotels are bestowed by Forbes Travel Guide with the coveted Five Star rating in a rare sweep. Then again, it's The Peninsula. And you just don't expect anything less from The Peninsula.
But achieving that perfect five star rating in all ten properties remains an impressive achievement, no matter how you look at it. The Peninsula Manila's General Manager, Mark Choon (L) and Forbes Travel Guide's Chief Executive Officer, Filip Boyen (R) welcomed guests to the grand celebration... 
...followed by a ceremonial toast. The Peninsula Manila has so much more in store for guests this year, including some exciting renovations and exclusive offers. But tonight, it's all about savoring the moment...
...with some of the day's freshest catch. The Peninsula Manila's culinary team laid out an impressive selection of fresh and sustainable seafood from Tuna Kinilaw served in coconut shells...
...to Cold-Smoked Tuna Sashimi along with other tasty savory bites befitting a grand celebration. Dining, after all, is just one layer in The Peninsula experience.
From the impressive seafood to the equally indulgent dessert station, guests were treated to a lavish feast. A closer look at the desserts revealed a taste of the other Peninsula hotels and their signature desserts recreated at The Peninsula Manila. It's a novel touch that captures the symbolic achievement of all ten properties...
...from the Meyer Lemon Cake inspired by The Peninsula Beverly Hills...
...the Salted Caramel Popcorn Bars from The Peninsula Chicago...
...the Peninsula Cheesecake by The Peninsula New York...
...and Matcha Profiteroles by The Peninsula Tokyo. In one bite and another, the properties of The Peninsula Hotels are linked in one grand affair.
The familiar reception at The Peninsula Manila's lobby were also transformed that evening, with one side becoming a bar and another reconfigured as a DJ's booth. Throughout the spacious lobby, pocket stages were set up. And in celebration of International Women's Day, five talented female artists performed at the fabled lobby... 
...as the spotlight revealed the first performer of the evening.
The high yet melodic pitch of each heart-piercing note cuts across the expansive lobby with the inspired performance of Princess Ybanez, a solo techno violinist. There's just something about violins that somehow connects deep with emotions you never knew you had, and Princess Ybanez just pulls it out with her passionate renditions of familiar tunes that become refreshingly new and different.
And it's just the first of five performances by an all-female cast of artists at The Peninsula Manila's Forbes Travel Guide Five Star celebration...
In stark contrast, the soulful tunes of saxophonist Nicole Tejedor adds a cool blues vibe to the celebration...
...followed by the vibrant and powerful voice of singer and songwriter Nicole Laurel Asencio.
Each performance weaved its own unique layer to an evening already made even more memorable by that signature Peninsula touch. The spotlight beamed at every corner of the magnificent lobby, where each artist performed at their own stage. The concept of the performances matched the scale of The Peninsula Hotel's recent achievement. 
From classic hits to an old favorite (Nicole's version of Alanis Morissette's "Ironic" rocked by the way), Nicole Laurel Asencio both eased and upped the tempo of the evening...
...all from her own spot at The Peninsula Manila's lobby.
Then, from the other end of the lobby high above the elegant staircase, the dreamlike notes of a harp began to float in another inspired performance...
...this time, by Heloise La Harpe. The mood shifts as electric harpist, jazz singer and composer Heloise La Harpe resonates with with her pieces draping the lobby with a trippy spatial harmony that just takes you to another place.
One performance after another, each one captivating you with a different vibe...
...all seamlessly coming together in a finale featuring all the artists in an epic number...
...led and orchestrated by DJ BadKiss. That's how you celebrate a grand sweep of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating by The Peninsula Hotels.
It was a grand affair, and from The Peninsula Manila, here's a toast to every member of The Peninsula Hotels. Ready for your own Forbes Travel Guide Five Star experience? In Manila, it's The Peninsula...
The Peninsula Manila is located at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati City, Metro Manila or call +632 887-2888 for inquiries. You can also check out their website at https://www.peninsula.com for more information and updates.
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