Microtel’s latest addition offers long-stay for executives and a few thrills

RESIDENT manager Marinelle Braña says they have received encouraging reviews on Tripadvisor.com. MA. ESTHER SALCEDO

SILANG, CAVITE—Microtel South Forbes is a joint corporate venture between PHINMA, Microtel Development, and Cathay Land.   The hotel had a soft opening in March 2014.  It is located inside South Forbes Golf City going toward the Ayala Westgrove community and the newly established St. Benedict Church.

“Our main market here is the Laguna Industrial Park, especially the Japanese expatriates,” says Resident General Manager Marinelle Braña.  Braña relates that since the hotel opened, they have been aggressively pursuing locators in the area by regularly visiting them and offering promos and participating in events.

Among the packages offered to corporate clients include the long-stay package of at least seven days where a 30-to-40 percent discount from the published rate is negotiated depending on the total length of stay.

She continues, “So far, we’re also receiving other inquiries not just for South Forbes but also other Microtel branches.”  She also noticed that they have also started attracting other segments such as the leisure market.

“We’re surprised with the response from the leisure segment (includes online bookings, weddings, sports events).  Every day, we have bookings coming from other market segments,” she says.

MICROTEL South Forbes is an international brand known as a no-frills hotel. MA. ESTHER SALCEDO

She recalls one instance when they hosted American guests for an upcoming Adventist wedding and it was their first time to encounter Filipino customs such as the practice of the bride and groom not seeing each other on the eve of the wedding.

Braña reveals that they are about to offer a new promotion.  For a P5,499 package deal, a hotel guest is offered the usual overnight stay and breakfast plus a choice between four possible activities around the nearby towns.

“What’s unique with Microtel South Forbes are the activities in the area.  We’re coming up with this foursome thrills where guests can enjoy access to the South Forbes golf course, Enchanted Kingdom amusement park, Sky Ranch Tagaytay, and nearby sports facilities in Nuvali.”

Braña thinks that the golf course in the area is a difficult one.  “The South Forbes golf course is an 18-hole course.  It’s a very challenging course and the driving range is just beside the hotel.”  She also mentions that the area around the hotel is known as Westborough that is a partnership between Ayala and Cathay Land.  Hotel guests may be able to expect a commercial center rising within two to three years’ time.

Microtel South Forbes is part of the Microtel Inns & Suites hotel chain.  Under the leadership of  Jose Marie Del Rosario, Microtel Inns & Suites is the master franchisor in the whole of Asia and they grant franchising licenses in the region.