Zerenity Hotel and Suites is located very close to IT Park in Lahug, at San Miguel street corner First street of Villa Amores in Apas. It offers Zen living as affordable luxury.
Zerenity has a total of 47 rooms in four types: 24 of them are standard; 8, superior; 10, executive pads; and 5, executive suites.
The hotel also offers function rooms for meetings and social celebrations. It had a Zen garden in the ground floor, and a roof deck with a garden at the eighth floor.
One afternoon, Zelia Borromeo invited a group of friends to come and experience Zerenity. First stop was the Zen garden which she has designed in the classic Japanese style, which means minimalistic
simplicity.
Then we were whisked off to the roof deck for a celebration. The view is great—greenery on one side, and the IT skyline on the other.
Solicitously present were Norma Songfo Borromeo and her son Francisco “Fabby” Borromeo who is Zerenity’s general manager, his wife Christine and their children, Paqui and Kirsten.
Zerenity, with its Zen living tag line, was conceptualized by Zelia Borromeo. She explains that her late brother, Paquito Borromeo, dream of putting up a hotel with some 30 rooms which he could manager with the help of his son Fabby, wife Norman, and Zelia herself.
Her idea was to name the hotel Zerenity, evoking peace and harmony which they’d enjoy running with, as Zelia says, the help of God. Fabby suggested to make the hotel simple, attractive and affordable, following the Zen dictum.
Eventually, the hotel came to called Zerenity. “People think the Z is for my name,” says Zelia with a touch of humor, as she mischievously adds, “Well, perhaps…”
There was a plan to put a swimming pool but the area was so small Zelia decided on a Zen garden in its place. She had a clear idea of what had to be done and it took some time to clear up the place for her specifications.
With the help of the workers, little by little the Zen garden was achieved. As she says, “It is easy to make, and not too costly, if you know how. All it took was white sand, and a few rocks beside which are small green plants.”
Research helped. Zelia went over some books on Ikebana and came upon an article about a Zen garden. She had it printed, framed, and hung on the wall leading to the Zen garden at Zerenity. Her it is:
“Zen garden is a place for inspiration. It evokes serenity, contemplation, and deep appreciation of the beauty of nature.
“For hundreds of years the greatest in Japan have served as respites from the busy affairs of the everyday world.
“This can be considered a tribute to the original designers, those Zen monks who created works of timeless art that still appeal to viewers anew for many generations to come.”
How affordable is the luxury of Zerenity living? As the rates go (inclusive of government tax and service charge) it’s P1,698 net for the standard room: P1,898 net for the superior room; P2,098 net for an executive pad; and P2798 net for an executive suite.
The two-room executive suite has an area for dining, its own kitchenette, and a living room with a terrace. The executive pad also has a dining area and kitchenette.
All rooms are fully air-conditioned, with 32” or 40” LED TV with cable connection. There is also a work desk, USB Port, and safe deposit box. Doors have an electronic look system.
