Marriott International looks to lead the imminent burst of hotel openings in Metro Manila, a destination that hasn't experienced much movement in the hospitality scene in recent years.
The low-rise, 342-room Marriott Hotel Manila expects to debut within the next two months, part of the first phase of Resorts World Manila backed by conglomerate Alliance Global Group and Star Cruises.
The 7.8ha complex will eventually consist of a high-end casino – the first to be licensed out by the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation to a private entity – three hotels (Marriott, the all-suite 172-room Maxims Hotel and the budget-type 1,000-room Remington) and a shopping mall.
Star Cruises also intends to set up a training academy onsite to capitalise on the large pool of manpower the Philippines supplies to its fleet. Graduates are to be employed on Star Cruises vessels in the future.
With its range of amenities and location next to the popular Villamor Golf Course, Marriott Hotel Manila can cater to both business and leisure-oriented markets, said general manager Richard Saul. The financial district of Makati and emerging CBD, The Fort are accessible even with the city's well-known gridlocks.
A ballroom for 990 seated, combined with a range of F&B options including Cru Steakhouse and all-day dining Marriott Café plus the chain’s trademark Quan Spa and swimming pool, creates an ideal environment for meeting groups, who don’t want to go out of town but still “be away from it all”. Couples and families will also enjoy these and the shopping experience once the retail area is up and running.
The hotel’s interiors were designed by hospitality veteran Hirsch Bedner, and guestrooms face either the golf course or Manila airport’s Terminal 3 and cityscape beyond. All Marriott features such as the latest in-room technology and “Great Room Concept” in the lobby (the design encourages networking and small meetings) have been incorporated in the property, Saul told Business Traveller.
This is not Marriott’s first foray into the Philippines – Cebu City Marriott Hotel and sister brand property Renaissance Makati City Hotel Manila have been around for several years.
Marriott’s debut in the Philippine gateway kicks off a slew of soon-to-open properties that include Fairmont Manila and Raffles Residences in Makati City and Carlson Hotels’ Regent Manila Bay and Radisson Hotel Manila Bay (next to the Mall of Asia). The Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City is slated for a 2012 launch.
For more details on the hotel, visit www.marriott.com
Margie T Logarta
