Swissôtel Clark
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner Claro M. Recto Highway,
Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, Pampanga
Rates start at P8,500 per night
At a Glance
Rooms and Villas: Modern, European-style rooms and suites
Food and Drink: Choose from 10 dining destinations, including the new Ristorante di Verona
Staff: Fully staffed, including an elevator operator to ensure health protocols
Why you should stay: Even if you’re not a high roller or into the slot machines, you’ll enjoy the staycation amenities and dining options
Less than a two-hour drive from Manila and just a 10-minute drive from Clark International Airport, Swissôtel Clark is becoming a go-to destination for families looking to escape the congested Metro. The biggest five-star casino resort in the area, Swissôtel has plenty of features that they have yet to roll out, but for now, there’s an impressive array of things to do and explore.
Casino and business amenities aside, there are 10 dining options, a fitness center, a garden-style lounge, a gym, and a pool. As part of the Hann Casino Resort Complex, Swissôtel is interconnected with Marriott Clark and Widus Hotel. Coming soon are the suites, a spa, and more shops to make it a little Las Vegas up north.
Also read: Spot Stays: This Luxe Clark Resort Is Your One-Stop Sanity Break Away From the Metro
Swiss Staycation at This Clark Hotel
The 22-storey hotel offers 372 rooms with Swiss-style interiors and touches of travel-themed furniture, such as posh side tables that look like suitcases. Next to the bed is a lounge chair with a mini workstation. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows that give you a panoramic view of the city, you may never want to leave the room.
The interactive TV isn’t just for your cable-watching needs; it’s where you’ll find the room service menu and other hotel info. All five-star room amenities you’d expect are covered, including a travel-themed coffee nook and minibar.
The modern bathroom has motorized blinds. As for the complimentary toiletries, we love a hotel that goes beyond generic shampoos. All Swissôtel guests are treated to Swiss-made Purovel bath products.
What To Do
Gamblers can make a beeline for the slots, roulettes, and card tables, but if you’re not the betting type, the fifth floor is the place to be. There you’ll find the resort-style infinity pool that gives you a view of the towering hotel, the clean and green city, and the neighboring mountains of Zambales.
The pool cabanas make the perfect Instagram backdrop. If you want to have that spot all to yourself, it’s best to come at around noon when the kids are off to eat lunch somewhere it isn’t too hot and most guests are either checking out or waiting at the lobby to check in.
The main pool is heated at night, and there’s a separate kiddie pool at the back. Parents who need to unwind can pay for the hotel’s babysitting services. Lifeguards are on duty until the pool closes at 10 p.m.
Where To Eat
So many options, so little time! There are 10 restaurants, bars, and cafés to choose from, including hidden VIP restaurants and bars for the high rollers. Non-rollers can start with the tropical-themed lounge on the ground floor next to the concierge. There you’ll find the Atrium, a bar that has over 40 types of gin and tonic, one of the biggest collections in the country. Across is Oma’s Dessert Bar, where you’ll find a delectable selection of sweets and café fare.
Also on the ground floor is Markt, where the complimentary breakfast is served from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., it transforms into an open-plan, plaza-style dining space reminiscent of Europe’s marketplaces. Let your taste buds explore several ala carte choices, including Asian, Western, and European fare.
For a 24-hour option, head to the Hann Casino to find Spice, an homage to the street food stalls of Asia. Each Asian country is represented by bestselling hawker-style dishes, plus bubble teas and Asian beers.
For a bit of nightlife, 20 is the name of the casino’s circular bar with an illuminated marble enclosure. Catch the musical entertainment and themed nights. The menu highlights the world’s top 20 cocktails of all time, but you may also pick from craft beers and spirits.
On the fifth floor next to the pool is Swiss Tropic, the pool bar with a variety of grills, sandwiches, wraps, and pasta.
Swissôtel Clark's Flagship Restaurant
Also on the fifth floor is the new Ristorante di Verona, slated as the hotel’s flagship restaurant. It officially opens on July 7. Whether you prefer indoor or al fresco dining, make sure you prep yourselves for an authentic Italian feast.
The open kitchen is headed by Chef Alessio Loddo, who hails from Sardinia, Italy, and has worked in several hotel-based Italian restaurants around the Philippines. While the dishes are plated in fine-dining style, Ristorante di Verona is located near the pool to give it a family-friendly atmosphere.
The menu consists of eight antipasti dishes, two zuppes, two kinds of risotto, six pasta plates, 14 pizzas, four main courses, and six desserts that highlight the best of Italian cuisine. For your fresh bread’s dippings, they proudly serve their own balsamic reductions, which use a 25-year-old balsamic vinegar of Modena, following the rules of a century-old Italian tradition. The reductions also garnish their plated meals.
Don’t forget the reds and whites! Choose from more than 300 extensive wine selections sourced from various regions, including a 1958 Pio Cesare Barolo from Italy and a 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Cru Classe from France. They’re proudly displayed in a see-through cellar.
Where To Shop
For now, there aren’t many shopping options in Swissôtel, so as we wait for the construction of more shops, feel free to explore the city. Sadly, many duty-free shops did not survive the pandemic, but you will still find several malls and shopping centers around Clark.
Swissôtel Clark is at Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner Claro M. Recto Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, Pampanga. Rates start at P8,500 per night with complimentary breakfast for two. For more information, visit Swissôtel Clark's website.