Hotel & Tours Group

With an intensified global environmental responsiveness, it has become evident that more and more things can be done to establish a sustainable humanity. Hence, coming from a successful participation of the worldwide Earth Hour campaign to save Mother Earth, the all new Dusit Thani Manila launches "Dusit Hour" as its own little way to persistently show its concern for the environment.

"If every single human being in the world would take just a few small steps, make a few different choices, and think about their vital role in the world, restoring the world to its original beauty and resources is possibly no longer beyond reach", said Dusit Thani Manila general manager Prateek Kumar.

On a monthly basis starting May 30, 2009, a 120-minute hotel wide ‘lights off’ initiative shall be conducted and participated by the entire Dusit Thani Manila consisting of the DFiT Fitness Center, Devarana Spa and all its restaurants and bars which will use tea candles at Basix, Benjarong, Umu and Fiesta San Miguel and rechargeable lamps for Tosca and Lobby Lounge. Hotel guests are also encouraged to switch off the lights in their rooms.

"By voluntarily switching off the lights in all our restaurants and certain areas in the kitchen every last Saturday of the month from 7pm-9pm, we believe we can make a greener better world an hour at a time", shared Mr. Gilbert Uy, director of food and beverage.

As this campaign endeavors to save Mother Earth that eventually saves energy cost for the hotel, all its dining guests will also be shared the saving benefits of this thrust by entitling them 30% discount on any food and beverage orders for dinner every last Saturday of each month.

Each restaurant also showcases its respective contribution to make a greener and better world all year round. Basix, the all day dining restaurant that offers a la carte and a buffet spread of international dishes, suggests conservation of resources through its Cold Station of fresh oysters, prawns and mussels that do not require heating, the Salad Station that uses organic fresh vegetables and its Surf and Turf Station where the grilling items are cooked on guest’s demand only and promotes no wastage of food. Benjarong, the Royal Thai Restaurant, on the other hand, takes pride in its naturally brewed Thai Pandan and Lemongrass Juices, the use of unrefined herbs and spices and its use of banana leaves, squash, pomelo and melon skin as serving bowls. All diners will be treated to a true Italian affair in an elegant setting at Tosca whilst being serenaded by the ‘unplugged’ live performance of renowned jazz singer, Ms. Joanna Abrera with an accompanying pianist.

The freshest ingredients take centerstage at Umu with its sushi bar and robata counter offerings prepared ala minute to promote no food wastage, while the Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu cooking add on a dramatic shimmering effect with it’s a la minute live cooking side table preparation. Meanwhile, Umu’s al fresco dining area paves the way for a romantic under-the-sky city escape with a picturesque view of the vintage-and-mesmerizingly-designed Japanese gardens and the flowing lagoon that houses bright orange-colored Koi fishes. For party goers on a Saturday night gig, paint the town red with the freshest brewed beer in town that has zero preservatives at Fiesta San Miguel or enjoy Lobby Lounge’s locally produced Lambanog Cocktails using 100% natural sources that include sugar cane, coconut and rice.

The Dusit Hour is an initiative of the all-new Dusit Thani Manila in its continuous fight against global warming.