End of an era, dawn of a new age

The Philippine property landscape, much like the country’s own history, has gone through quite a number of drastic, significant changes, of extreme highs and lows, and saw the rise and fall of many structures, some of which were even considered then as iconic.

One specific sector that has gone   through just as much change would be the hotel and hospitality industry.

Even before, the Philippines has already been a favored layover area by many travelers thus paving the way for some moneyed investors to build transient homes, apartelles and eventually, five-star hotels.

In recent years, however, some of these had unfortunately closed down to give way to newer structures and foreign brands wanting a slice of the local travel and tourism industry. This new wave of hotels rising over the past decade has not only redefined the cityscape, but has promised to offer an even more unique hotel experience.

To give you a preview of what transpired over the last decade, Inquirer Property has listed some of the hotels that have closed down to give way to the more contemporary structures and new brands that have seen how valuable a market the country is.

End of an era

MANDARIN HOTEL

Located along Makati Avenue, Mandarin Oriental first opened its doors for business  in 1976 as Manila’s pre-eminent hotel. A much-loved icon in the city, the hotel was managed by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin.

The 18-storey building—with its 413 rooms, 29 suites and seven restaurants and bars—was highly known for its colorful celebration of the Chinese New Year and for opening one of the first luxury spas, which was The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

However, after almost 40 years of being in service to guests, the hotel had its final day of operations on September 9, 2014. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group explained then that the hotel and its facilities were no longer in line with the company’s well-recognized, luxury hospitality offering.

The goods news though is that a new and a more impressive Mandarin Oriental, Manila is scheduled to open in 2020. It will feature 275 spacious rooms and a range of elegant and contemporary facilities, including a number of restaurants and a signature spa.

The hotel, which will be owned and developed by Ayala Hotels & Resorts, will be positioned as the leading luxury hotel in the city upon opening.

INTERCON HOTEL MAKATI

Adjacent to the Ayala Museum and Glorietta Mall, this innately sophisticated hotel was well known for its 332 rooms with Filipino-inspired prints and for the topnotch customer service that it provided.

Hotel Intercon also offered to its highly discerning guests, Club rooms and suites that included butler service and access to a lounge with free cocktails.

Designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, the Intercon started operations on April 11, 1969 and was thus regarded as the longest operating international chain hotel in the Philippines. However, after 46 years of providing guests that famed Filipino hospitality, the hotel closed its doors last December 31, 2015 to pave the way for the ongoing redevelopment of the Ayala Center.

Dawn of a new age

RAFFLES, FAIRMONT MAKATI

Global luxury hotel brands Raffles and Fairmont opened with much anticipation its doors to the Philippine market  on December 3, 2013. This was the first time in 18 years that a new luxury hotel rose in the heart of Makati’s central business district.

Raffles Makati is a striking 30-floor masterpiece that serves as home to three sophisticated addresses in one tower: the 32-suites Raffles Makati; Raffles Residences Makati, with 237 one- to four-bedroom residences for private ownership; and Fairmont Makati, a hotel with 280 deluxe rooms.

Raffles Makati owns a contemporary look that fuses the timeless quality of old world charm with new world sophistication. Each of the hotel’s 32 large suites had been designed to be an understated oasis of calm, while every suite has large floor-to-ceiling windows and mesmerizing views of the Makati cityscape.

The Fairmont Makati City hotel is meanwhile an urban sanctuary where guests can enjoy luxury and privacy at its finest. With 280 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites with unparalleled views of the stunning Makati skyline, each accommodation is remarkably spacious, that comes with premium amenities essential to both business and leisure travelers.

MAXIMS

The six-star, all-suites Maxims Hotel first opened its doors to a highly impressed market in December 2010, sending the signal that a different kind of experience awaits the local hotel and hospitality industry.

From the upscale Asian lodging brand of the Genting Group, the first all-suite luxury hotel in the Philippines is equipped with 172 spacious and lavishly-furnished suites.  Complementing the hotel’s premium amenities was the impeccable, personalized service as each room is assigned a butler to attend to the guests’ every need.

For the VVIPs meanwhile, three royal villas were made available. The Villa offers over 500 sqm of leisure space, is equipped with a pool, has an impressive patio, and an elegant kitchen and dining room.

However, the pinnacle of luxury at Maxims Hotel is The Mansion—a 652 square-meter suite with two pavilions, its own lush garden and a private swimming pool. The Mansion also features a private massage room, visual room, bar and other top-of-the-line amenities that will surely make your stay a one-of-a-kind experience.

RICHMONDE ILOILO

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo opened in 2015 just in time for the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings. This helped send out the message that Iloilo was well poised to become the next destination of choice of investors and travelers.

A perfect addition to the quaint yet bustling City of Love, 149-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is located right in the heart of the budding economic district and cultural hub of Western Visayas, providing guests a signature warmth, gracious and efficient service, and remarkable hotel experience.

It has banquet facilities that make the hotel an ideal venue for corporate and social events, and also offers a unique dining experience given its wide array of international cuisine.

CONRAD HOTEL

The six-star hotel Conrad Manila is the latest landmark to open within the sprawling Mall of Asia Complex, offering a panoramic view of the picturesque Manila Bay.

The stunning architecture of the 347-room Conrad Manila makes strong connections to the immediate waters in front, and the skyline of Makati’s central business district behind the hotel.

This was the first Conrad Hotels & Resorts-branded property in the Philippines and is positioned atop S Maison, a high-end retail complex on the edge of Manila Bay. The visually striking Conrad Manila offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Makati while enabling guests to enjoy easy access to the airport and to a variety of shopping, dining, recreation establishments in MOA.

Conrad Manila also boasts a luxury spa, 24-hour fitness center, infinity swimming pool and pool bar, a number of restaurants, a bar, and a lobby café/chocolatier.

The Conrad Hotel was recently awarded the Best in Hotel Development, Best Hotel Architectural Design and Best in Hotel Interior Design at the fourth annual Philippines Property Awards.

SHANGRI-LA AT THE FORT

Shangri-La at the Fort, which opened early this year, is a landmark, mixed-use development located at the heart of the bustling Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

It features Shangri-La Hotel and Residences; Horizon Homes, a collection of distinct homes situated on the top floors with unhampered views of the metropolis; retail shops; and Kerry Sports Manila, a comprehensive lifestyle and leisure club that spans across 8,000 sqm and two dedicated floors of fitness facilities.

The hotel features 576 contemporary and spacious guestrooms and suites as well as unparalleled city and bay views. The complex meanwhile features 97 residences, with unit cuts ranging from 90 sqm to 124 sqm.

Shangri-La at the Fort has also become one of the favored destinations for conferences and meetings with its pillarless Grand Ballroom that measures 1,650 sqm and which can accommodate up to 1,200 guests at any given time.

SEDA CENTRIO

This was a brand created by Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. to pay tribute to the Filipinos’ remarkable hospitality and unique brand of service.

Thus the birth of Seda, a Filipino word for “silk”, a lustrous yet strong fabric that perfectly represents the hotel and its management’s commitment to providing a seamless hotel experience.

And one of the locations where Ayala had decided to put up a Seda hotel was in Cagayan de Oro.

Seda Centrio started operations on December 29, 2013, giving tourists and residents in the province a new holistic experience in hospitality, which was matched with the hotel’s contemporary design and modern local vibe.

Located right at the center of one of the most progressive hubs and the gateway of northern Mindanao Island, Seda Centrio offers an excellent location, and outstanding customer service that make for a highly memorable stay.