Ayala Land Hotels & Resorts: Explore the joy of travel

There is a ubiquitous joy that is synonymous with travel. When we explore different places and synergize with various cultures, we acquire life-changing lessons that incite inspiration, creativity and productivity. If there is one trusted company that understands this more than anyone else, it is Ayala Land. Since 2010, the company has been keeping up with the growth of the hospitality industry via its subsidiary, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. Starting with its very first five star hotel, InterContinental Manila, AHRC has grown its portfolio to impressive proportions in just two years. AHRC now offers a variety of hotels and resorts that cater to different types of travelers. AHRC spells the difference between living and living well. Affable AHRC group head Junie Jalandoni proudly announced that in addition to the cornerstone hotel whose location is pivotal to the business and commerce industry, InterContinental Manila today has several sister hotels under the AHRC portfolio — global hotel brands like the Fairmont Raffles Makati, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first AHRC hotel line Seda Hotels in BGC in Taguig, Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro and Seda Abreeza in Davao and the pristine eco-luxury resorts El Nido Resorts that include Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Apulit Island Resort in Taytay and the newest portal to paradise, Pangalusian Island Resort.

The best of Filipino hospitality and excellent customer service is embodied in all their properties for both global and local branded hotels and resorts. Worthy to note, Ayala Land’s core value is its customer orientation and this value is reinforced in all its hotels and resorts.

Way back in 1969, there was the InterContinental Manila and everything revolved around it. I remember my siblings and I would tag along with our grandfather Patrocinio Dayrit who was a member of the enduring 365 Club that would regularly converge at the Jeepney Coffee Shop. Like many other families, our family has celebrated several milestones in this hotel. Ayala Land indeed sees beyond generations. Forty-four years later, InterContinental Manila continues to offer the same familiar Filipino hospitality. Manny Rofel, who is in the concierge team of the hotel, shared that he and around 20 colleagues have been with the hotel for almost three decades. He vouches that the InterContinental Manila continues to be a legacy in the hotel industry with an established clientele of loyal patrons from here and abroad through the years.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. To prove this, Jalandoni added: “From 2009 when AHRC decided to focus on aggressively expanding our hotels and resorts in a variety of market segments, we now have 2,000 rooms and envision to have 4,000 more by 2016 or earlier. It was a leap of faith for us to venture into this direction for our hotels and resorts in 2009, but the results are definitely worth the pursuit.”

I was blessed with the opportunity to experience all these unique hotel offerings and declare that to appreciate each hotel and resort’s brand promise, you must try them for yourself.

Walking into the ultra-luxurious Raffles Makati (as one is warmly welcomed by its charming director of communications Monique Toda) is akin to being transported back to the time of regal opulence and elegance reminiscent of the famed Raffles hotel in Singapore named after the illustrious explorer Sir Stamford Raffles. The Long Bar patterned after the original Long Bar in Singapore and The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati surrounded by leather-bound books remain my favorite oases. The hotel is a living museum with 1,800 commissioned artworks by Filipino artists.



Traipsing down nearby Fairmont Makati sweeps one to the iconic enclave of old-world class with modern touches. Embark on an intimate retreat of relaxation and rejuvenation at its luxurious Willow Stream Spa. Fairmont Makati offers an exclusive lifestyle experience called “Fairmont Gold.” Designed for the most discerning business and leisure traveller, guests are known by their name and room preferences are honored.

My recollection of past visits to the Fairmont Vancouver located conveniently near the cruise terminal, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, which is a stunning UNESCO heritage castle and the Fairmont Hotels in Ghirardelli and Knob Hill in ritzy San Francisco made my heart skip a beat in excitement knowing that this privileged chain has a property in our shores that is known for stellar world-class amenities and service.

From The Fairmont Raffles, I walked a few blocks to the Holiday Inn & Suites and tried the Citron Lobby bar, which features a unique menu based on flavors and your specific blood type. The contemporary themed bar by the relaxing pool at the roof deck is an impressive nook of eclectic colors. The hotel’s lobby and public areas are tastefully styled by the country’s only floral architect Rachy Cuna, whose first job was as a museum volunteer at Ayala Museum before becoming its curator in the ‘80s. Even the floral installations at the lobby of InterContinental Manila are ingeniously done by Rachy.



To cater to the local market, AHRC has introduced Seda hotels at the heart of the country’s most dynamic destinations. AHRC Chief Operating Officer Al Legaspi announced that the company is planning six more hotels under its four-star Seda brand and will diversify its portfolio with the addition of Seda suites, Seda resorts, and larger properties with 400-500 rooms. At the moment, Seda hotels offer between150 to 200 keys. “That’s the model for Seda. We want to be in Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments where we maximize synergies with our malls, office buildings and residential properties.” Legaspi added.

Truly, AHRC values moments that perpetuate through time. My niece Christel Boncan and her fiancé Mike Constantino are exchanging vows on Nov. 15 this year. Their wedding celebration will unfold at Seda Bonifacio Global City. Mike proposed to Christel at Straight Up, Seda’s breathtaking roofdeck bar. Since then, this charming, cozy, Filipino inspired hotel with complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and inspiring interiors by Ann Pamintuan and Kenneth Cobonpue has been their preferred hotel. Seda’s rooms are fitted with ports for gadgets and electronics that ensure guests stay connected.

Jetting down to the south, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel is ready to let its guests experience the AHRC welcome. It is nestled next to Ayala Center Cebu, a sprawling shopping complex that has since been the lifestyle center of the South. Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first international hotel brand in Cebu City, had recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February. It has a newly renovated grand ballroom and meeting spaces, making it the newest event space in the city. The hotel also refreshed its menus and banquet service. Through the years, Cebu City Marriott Hotel has continued to offer genuine hospitality and care – always going the extra mile, finding brilliant ways to serve guests.

Travel + Leisure magazine recently proclaimed Palawan as the best island for international travelers, besting even the Maldives. AHRC has four properties in El Nido, Palawan that include Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit and Pangalusian. All these properties are designed to bring out the natural beauty of the location and are a testament to AHRC’s commitment to sustainable practices. In this paradise, one can surely feel God’s omnipresence as the divine designer of all creation. Once you step into these tropical sanctuaries, you will be graciously greeted: “Welcome to the most beautiful place in the world.”

El Nido Resorts president Laurent Lamasuta shared, “Miniloc and Lagen resorts are globally recognized for embracing nature-based guest activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and island hopping. The Apulit Island resort is a retreat back to the essentials as the place commands a sense of serenity and reverence. Pangulasian Island is the most luxurious among the eco-island resorts of El Nido Resorts. All the years of sustainable operations and best practices from the other resorts are put in place here. Having an 800 meter stretch of white sand, it’s an all villa resort that has views of both sunrise and sunset,” Lamasuta adds.

With the expansion of hotels and resorts in the country comes a serious commitment for sustainability. Legaspi shared that even the orientation of the buildings, the kind of materials used and the way they built their properties were taken into consideration right from the project planning stage.

As we continue to pursue the joy of travel, AHRC provides the choice venues where these memories and milestones will unfold. It seeks to send guests home with the intangibles like emotional and blissful memories, not just tangible souvenirs. More significantly, it doesn’t just build edifices — it builds priceless dreams and memories.

Every choice you make creates a statement about who you are. Though AHRC properties are profoundly different from each other, they all possess an aesthetic sense of place. Ayala Land goes beyond amenities by providing Filipino hospitality and service that match the unparalleled beauty of the destination.

AHRC holds true to its promise, “We see beyond hotels and resorts, we see the joy of travel.”

source: philstar.com

Live and play at Marriott Hotel Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Combining the best in luxury hotel accommodations and a prime location, Marriott Hotel Manila is the ideal place to stay for either work or leisure.

This exquisitely appointed five-star hotel sits perfectly beside Manila’s most lavish entertainment complex, Resorts World Manila at Newport City, just across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Being a few steps away from a host of dining and entertainment options plus the convenient proximity to a bevy of transport options makes Marriott Hotel one of the must-stay destinations in Metro Manila.

According to Scott Sibley, general manager of Marriott Hotel Manila, people can expect a lot more from the hotel in the next couple of years. Ongoing is the construction of the Marriott Convention Center which is expected to open in January 2015. Located adjacent to the hotel property, the convention center will be linked to the main hotel via a walkway.

“It’s 6,900 square meters of meeting space and another 2,000 square meters of lobby space,” he says. “It’s three storys, an entire city block. You cannot miss it.”

Aside from this, Sibley says the Marriott will have an additional 200 rooms constructed on a separate building which will also be linked to the convention center. All three structures will be connected by the planned walkway.

Sibley adds: “This will make us the largest five-star convention center in the Philippines. This will be a one-stop shop — you come in, book your wedding, your event, your function, your car show, whatever it is, and then it will be dressed up like a five-star hotel and ballroom with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. You will be able to do whatever you want and we will service it.”

The addition of the convention center is expected to generate 600 new jobs for the hotel. As one of the largest hotel chains in the world, Marriott’s fastest growth has recently been in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sibley says Marriott Hotel Manila is poised to join the ranks of its sister hotels. He predicts: “In the next decade, the Philippines will be our next hottest spot, not just in Metro Manila, but in the whole nation.”





Stationed in Manila for almost a year now, Sibley had his start as an executive chef at Marriott 29 years ago. Last stationed at the Marriott in Guam, he reveals that 98 percent of his staffers back there were Filipinos. So, it was not as hard a transition as one would expect.

“Marriot’s known for its service,” Sibley enthuses. “The takeaway here is the Filipino hospitality — how great and fun it is to be in the Philippines, how friendly Filipinos are and how much (guests) enjoy the service here. The hospitality of the Filipinos is outstanding; it’s probably the best in the world. The natural resources here are amazing. Three of the beaches are probably some of the best beaches in the world. For people who like to dive there are some of the best diving spots in the world here.”

Although he heaps praise on the Philippines’ inherent wonders, Sibley is quick to add that Metro Manila is often taken for granted by many foreign tourists. “An hour away from here there’s so much to do,” he says. “I think it’s been overlooked for decades. In the future, I think you are going to see more and more people staying longer in Manila to see more of what it has to offer. This entertainment complex here itself is one of a kind in the Philippines. There’s nothing like Resorts World in the Philippines. You can stay here for three days and never leave the building.”

No truer words have been said. If you are not staying in one of Marriot Manila’s exquisitely appointed guest rooms, you will be spending time at the hotel’s many dining options and leisure facilities. There’s the Marriott Café, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. For relaxing there’s the Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and nearby, the Newport Mall and Cinema.

A Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms also make Marriott Hotel Manila the must-go destination for company meetings and group events from weddings to any kind of celebration.

As if being one of the world’s most successful hotel brands was not enough, Marriott Hotel Manila also engages in the “Spirit to Serve (STS)” campaign which the hotel’s founder started over 60 years ago. Sibley explains: “Mr. J.W. Marriott Jr., who is chairman of the board, has always said that we need to make places that we work in better places to live, work, and play. So we have always tried to give back to the community, in whatever country we are in.”

As it turns out, the STS efforts of Marriott Hotel Manila have impressed Sibley deeply.

“This hotel here does an outstanding job. I have been with Marriott about 29 years now, worked in 16 different countries. The job that the team does here is amazing.”

Marriott Hotel Manila’s STS partners include the Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Pasay City.

Sibley adds: “Last year we were able to raise P170,000 for Habitat for Humanity. We are doing that again this Christmas.” Chefs at the hotel have also fed about 4,000 kids this year in partnership with the Red Cross.

Marriott Hotel Manila has proven itself to be more than just one of the top luxury hotels in the city. It has shown its heart and spirit to serve, literally, that reflects deeply in the area it resides in. With the upcoming convention center, guests are given assurance of not just a luxury stay but also the experience of the best in Filipino hospitality.

source: philstar.com