A taste of spring at Hotel Okura Manila

There’s something quietly magical about Hotel Okura Manila. Tucked away in Newport City’s bustling landscape, it doesn’t shout luxury — it whispers it. The kind that comes not from chandeliers or showy lobbies, but from precision, poetry and a particular kind of grace the Japanese call omotenashi: Sincere, selfless hospitality.

This spring, as sakura trees begin their gentle bloom in Japan, Hotel Okura Manila celebrates its third anniversary — and in true Okura fashion, it does so with restraint, refinement and rare moments worth lingering over.

A global toast: 62 years of Okura

What began in Tokyo in 1962 has quietly grown into a global collection of hotels known for blending classic Japanese hospitality with modern luxury. This year marks Hotel Okura’s 62nd global anniversary, and to honor the occasion, something truly rare is being poured: The Dalmore Emerald.

Only 62 bottles exist, each housed in an emerald-green case, handpicked by The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Maker, Gregg Glass. A few of these elusive bottles have made their way to Manila — available at Yamazato, the hotel’s crown jewel of fine dining.

For those who want more than just a sip, Executive Chef Keiichiro Fujino has curated a six-course kaiseki dinner to accompany The Dalmore Emerald. Only 18 sets are available for the entire month of April. This is not dinner — it’s ceremony.

Spring on a plate: The Sakura Kaiseki

Chef Fujino continues to work his quiet magic in Yamazato’s kitchen with the Sakura Anniversary Kaiseki, a seasonal menu inspired by spring’s delicate rhythms. Think of it as a poetic procession of textures and flavors — each course a nod to nature’s transient beauty.

Even better: for every two full-paying One Harmony members, the third guest dines for free. It’s an elegant little celebration of being together — something we’ve all learned not to take for granted.

Lunch, redefined: The Kisetsu buffet

Meanwhile at Yawaragi, what was once a special-occasion treat has become a weekday staple. The Kisetsu buffet now runs Monday to Friday, serving up made-to-order dishes crafted from the freshest ingredients. It’s buffet reimagined: curated, calm and full of flavor. P1,600 per person, and worth every bite.

A room for spring: The Hanami experience

For those who want to lean fully into the moment, the Hanami Room Package offers a stay that feels like a soft exhale. It comes with breakfast, dining credits, welcome treats and access to everything you need to unplug — plus a little extra warmth woven into every interaction.

Hotel Okura Manila doesn’t try to dazzle with flash. It invites you in quietly, shows you the beauty of simplicity, and makes you feel — without ever saying it aloud — that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

And maybe, after three years, that’s its real magic.