Marriott Manila takes the lead

Marriott Manila is in the midst of an exciting, aggressive expansion that will bring its signature grandeur, scale, and innovations across the country in the next three years.

And clearly, it’s not just optimism talking as Marriott Manila has aptly proven over the last nine years that it is more than well poised to sustain growth, while continuing to offer new opportunities for all its stakeholders.

“Combined with the success of the Manila Marriott over the past nine years, developers have become more and more excited about partnering with Marriott brands and we look forward to opening up to 15 more hotels in the country within the next three years,” explained Marriott Manila cluster general manager Bruce Winton.

Significant contributions

By this time, much can already be said about how Marriott Manila has significantly contributed in helping shape the local hospitality and tourism landscape since it first opened its doors to the Philippine market.

And this is evident, from its luxury accommodations and wide range of culinary choices, to its world-class facility that is the Marriott Grand Ballroom, which aims to put Manila on the map as a coveted MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination.

Winton would like to call it as “opening the doors of opportunity” for their guests, associates and business partners.

He explained: “For our guests, the launch of the Marriott Grand Ballroom was a new benchmark for Philippine hospitality offering grandeur, scale and technology enhancements not available in many countries in Asia.”

“With the focus on further developing the MICE market due to the multiple economic benefits it provides, having a showpiece like the Marriott Grand Ballroom and all the supporting elements within Resorts World as the gateway to the country has changed the game entirely,” Winton added.

Growth opportunities

For their associates and business partners, Marriott Manila’s continued growth offers opportunities for them as well.

“For our associates, we have provided continuous growth. Our low turnover rates are testament to the growth and development opportunities we provide. We will open three more hotels within 2018 in Iloilo, Clark and Manila. Two of those have Filipina general managers and our focus for the next three years is developing 100 percent local talent,” Winton said.

“For our business partners, our growth is exciting. I like to tell the story of our seafood providers. At this point they are always nervous when Marriott calls as our needs have grown so much. While we have raised our usage of only sustainably sourced seafood from 17 percent to 85 percent in the past three years, our partners’ businesses have grown exponentially with ours,” Winton further noted.

Hence, there is much reason to believe that the “future is indeed bright if you are doing business with Marriott in the next three years.”

Latest addition

Part of the hotel’s expansion plans was the opening of the West Wing in December 2016.

This added 228 premium rooms and suites, giving Marriott Manila a total of 570 guest rooms, and likewise raised the hotel’s room categories to nine, as the West Wing offers premium rooms, a deluxe one-bedroom suite, the 212-sqm Presidential Suite, and its biggest, the 260-sqm Chairman Suite.

According to Winton, the opening of the West Wing was meant to complement the Marriott Grand Ballroom, which captured Asia’s attention as a truly competitive MICE facility. It was also targeted to address the demand for rooms, food and beverage choices and recreational options for its guests.

“Manila’s business travelers are constantly increasing year on year, and our expansion will be the country’s asset to accommodate big international and local events. This world-class facility aims to put Manila on the map of a coveted MICE destination alongside Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. Not to mention, the high level of service we give is another huge investment that comes with the West Wing,” Winton shared.

Indeed, there seems to be no stopping Marriott Manila from raising the bar in every new expansion plan it rolls out. Its unparalleled offerings and distinct service all the more make Marriott Manila the perfect hotel choice for business travelers and tourists alike.

“The service we give to each guest is dynamic, polished and inventive. From our technologically advanced amenities like the mobile app, we make the experience swift and convenient. [Being] located steps away from the airport and other central business districts makes us attractive to foreign travelers,” Winton pointed out.

“Our rooms are designed for business travelers to mix both work and play seamlessly. And the various facilities we offer complete the discerning travelers’ need for leisure and luxury,” he concluded.