Hotels and Resorts

[the_sailor_977]

If we don't attract a lot of tourists, Manila's hotel occupancy rate will still be low. But, can you consider Manila as a touristic city? I don't think so. Manila has a lot of potentials but the city government don't value this. Manila has a beautiful bay (one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, but actually guys, I don't like the Reclaimed areas in the bay because it spoils the natural beauty), a river (ano ba ang nangyari sa Ilog Pasig ngayon?) and canals. Manila also has a lot of history and architecture but nobody preserves this as a treasure.

[kryptonite]

I also don't like the reclaimed areas in the bay.

Mas maganda sana kung yung mga building sa Makati eh nasa gilid ng Ilog Pasig. Katulad sa Singapore.

[cropher]

Rockwell's buildings are near the Pasig River banks

It would have happened if there is a continuous wide avenue complemented with beautifully landscaped river walk spanning the stretch of Pasig River like Roxas blvd. perhaps . Maybe , we could have taken care of the river much more because it could be a tourist spot but it did not happen , only broken span of narrow roads are there and factories line up in that river , but it still can happen , its not that impossible.

[tyronne]

they (reclaimed areas) don't look good yet because they're still empty. when the planned developments are put into place im sure the bay, with the developed reclaimed areas will definitely look nice. other cities have reclaimed areas too and they turn out to be nice. i personally like buildings built just beside the waters, like what kryptonite said.

[stephencua]

kryptonite, i dont think anybody would want to build anything beside the Pasig river especially with the sorry condition that it is in right now.. remember the piso para sa pasig campaign? i dont think it even made a dent on the condition of the river..

kiretoce, i agree that fort ilocandia is very very impressive.. ive been there just once but the whole are was massive and quite breath-taking.. ang layo lang kasi from manila.. about 10 hour drive or so.. hehhe

[JudeD]

Actually, if you look at the Pasig River now and compare it to how it was 12 years ago, there's really a marked improvement. Before it was really mostly garbage floating around and the river was a thick murky brown-black. Now it's mostly water lilies and it's a more natural-looking brown color. Several stretches along the river have already been converted into parks. And they've really become stricter about dumping waste into the river. I know several firms that have been fined big amounts for breaking the rules.

[JudeD]

Actually, if you look at the Pasig River now and compare it to how it was 12 years ago, there's really a marked improvement. Before it was really mostly garbage floating around and the river was a thick murky brown-black. Now it's mostly water lilies and it's a more natural-looking brown color. Several stretches along the river have already been converted into parks. And they've really become stricter about dumping waste into the river. I know several firms that have been fined big amounts for breaking the rules.

[ryanr]

Originally Posted by tyronne

they (reclaimed areas) don't look good yet because they're still empty. when the planned developments are put into place im sure the bay, with the developed reclaimed areas will definitely look nice. other cities have reclaimed areas too and they turn out to be nice. i personally like buildings built just beside the waters, like what kryptonite said.

I agree...surely the reclaimed area will look amazing once it is developed. Roxas Blvd looks really nice since there are highrises along the shoreline.

@ stephencua - The Pasig river has improved significantly in the recent years. Yes, it is still quite dirty but it is much cleaner than lets say 10 years ago. And the piso para sa pasig helped a lot.

[XetraDAX]

Marami nang "linear parks" along Pasig River. Well, actually, sa Manila part lang.

Then before maraming cargo ships that are "docking" sa banks ng Pasig River. Ang pangit tignan, i swear. Now, wala na.

Then yung color ng river, thats right. Now its more of natural-looking brown, compared beofre na super dirty.

[jbkayaker12]

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[kiretoce]

Originally Posted by stephencua

kiretoce, i agree that fort ilocandia is very very impressive.. ive been there just once but the whole are was massive and quite breath-taking.. ang layo lang kasi from manila.. about 10 hour drive or so.. hehhe

Well, if you're the jet-setting type, you can get to Laoag by plane in under an hour flying time from Manila. But the scenic and long winded route is also great if you're time is flexible and not in a hurry to get there and back.

[stephencua]

ok, so i stand corrected.. the Pasig river's condition has improved already.. but do you guys think that it would return to a clear colored water where fish can live?

it would be really great if it could return to its former glory.. businesses could thrive along the riverbanks again.. and it could provide another means of transportation for city dwellers..

[jbkayaker12]

sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said, by right you should be bludgeoned in your bed....The Smiths

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[jbkayaker12]

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[sandrin]

Baguio opens newest hotel for tourists and travelers

With the scorching summer heat already upon helpless Metro Manilans, escaping from the Big City to a cool destination to rejuvenate is just like a manna from heaven.

No exaggeration — the temperature is so hot that practically everyone is sweating profusely these days. Coupled with the impending water shortage, then we really have a big problem.

To get away from it all, majority of us will become instant tourists and travelers starting this week. And when looking for a cool, perfect place, Baguio is still the place to be.

The City of Pines recently opened a new and elegant five-star hotel, the Hotel Elizabeth.

Nestled in the heart of Baguio City, Hotel Elizabeth is just a stone’s throw away from Wright Park and a five-minute leisurely walk from Mines View Park and the Good Shepherd Convent.

Elegantly decorated and meticulously built, each one of Hotel Elizabeth’s 60 guest rooms has a balcony where guests will be greeted by a breathtaking view of the green mountains.

The facilities are available for guests’ convenience and pleasure. Relax at the spa or work up a sweat in the gym. Unwind at the Piano Bar, where guests can order drinks while listening to good music. The Lobby has wireless Internet capabilities for laptops, while the Business Center offers a comprehensive range of services.

For families and big groups, the deluxe suites and penthouse units have living rooms with kitchen dining areas for a homey ambience. Then, visit the outdoor gazebos which are perfect for daytime picnics for the whole family.

Staying at Hotel Elizabeth will not be complete without visiting and dining at the Flora Café. Enjoy delicious cuisines from all over the world while feasting your eyes on the abundance of flora and fauna surrounding the restaurant.

What else can you ask for? A Mediterranean boutique is also available at Hotel Elizabeth.

Hotel Elizabeth is the newest venture of the Fersal Group of Hotels. It is located at the corners of Gilbraltar Road and Julian Felipe St.

[renell]

I reckon it's about time we put less pressure on Baguio... maybe a new Baguio or something Helps Benguet or one of the CAR provinces, and decreases pressure on Baguio's ecosystem.

[ryanr]

Arroyo leads groundbreaking of Shangri-La resort in Boracay
Posted 03:03pm (Mla time) April 15, 2005
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Kalibo, Aklan
Inquirer News Service

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday led groundbreaking rites for the 60-million-dollar Shangri-la Resort and Spa here at Yapak village.

The President lowered a time capsule symbolizing the project, whichwill be operational in the middle of 2007.

The resort, the hotel chain's fifth property in the country, will feature 170 rooms and 50 villas as well as function rooms for conventions and other events.

The resort will be designed by the Hawaii-based architectural firm WATG while its interiors will be crafted by Singapore-based designer Dan Bube. It will feature a 1,350 square meter spa built on a rock peninsula overlooking a bay at the northern end of island.

The development comes amidst concerns raised by Boracay residents and resort owners that the famed resort island is in danger of being overdeveloped.

[jbkayaker12]

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[ThisFire]

Originally Posted by renell

I reckon it's about time we put less pressure on Baguio... maybe a new Baguio or something Helps Benguet or one of the CAR provinces, and decreases pressure on Baguio's ecosystem.

THANK YOU RENELL! You said it. I see the situation like like a sports team only using their one top star player in order to win, rather than getting the whole team to seek victory.

Baguio is so beautiful and always has been but a part of keeping something beautiful and preserved is by making sure it's not the only thing focused on and overused.

[ryanr]

Robinsons Land Corp. to open upscale hotel



This June, Gokongwei-controlled realty developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) is set to hold the soft launch of its newest hotel, the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila.

Located in the Robinsons Galleria compound in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, the first hotel in the Philippines that will carry the Crowne Plaza brand will have 32 storeys, of which the lower 12 levels would be the hotel portion and the upper 20 levels will all host condominium units.

The new hotel has 265 guest rooms and boasts of extensive meeting facilities, upscale amenities, and a convenient location to satisfy the business and leisure needs of its guests.

During RLC’s stockholders’ meeting last week, Frederick Go, RLC executive vice-president, said that the new hotel will be managed by the Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc.

The United Kingdom-based group owns, manages, leases, or franchises more than 3,300 hotels and 515,000 guests rooms in 100 countries and territories worldwide.

Included in its portfolio are respected hotel brands like Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts, the Crowne Plaza brand, and Holiday Inn.

"We have a management agreement with the Intercontinental group for Crowne Plaza. RLC is the owner, the group will manage it," Mr. Go said.

The group also manages RLC’s Galleria Suites, which was re-branded as Holiday Inn Hotel last year.

The group, Mr. Go said, will get a portion of the revenues of the hotel.

He said Crowne Plaza will cater primarily to big groups that are looking for a venue for meetings and conventions as well as business travelers.

For such a market, the hotel has a state-of-the-art grand ballroom which has a floor area of 1,272 square meters and can accommodate up to 1,500 people. The ballroom is 53 meters long and 24 meters wide, according to the hotel information.

Mr. Go also said that the ballroom is equipped with intelligent lighting and audio video equipment, and could be "conducive for concerts."

The hotel also has several function rooms which could host cocktails, banquets, conferences, and other events. All 265 guest rooms will also have ample work space.

Besides the big group market, the hotel also seeks to tap the "weekenders," or those who visit for a weekend of rest and relaxation, Mr. Go said.

Aside from a café, the hotel also has a bar and a restaurant called Xin Tian Di, which specializes in roast duck and features an Asian noodle bar.

It also has recreational facilities, including a fully equipped gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, spa treatments, a beauty salon, a travel and tour service, and a limousine service.

Despite its proximity to the Holiday Inn Hotel, Mr. Go said that RLC is not worried about Crowne encroaching on the former’s market. "It [Crowne] will complement Holiday Inn. If you have a big booking, you get to accommodate the entire market."

Combined, the two hotels will have a total of 553 well-appointed guest rooms.

For its first three months of operations, the hotel will be charging $110 ++ a night for foreigners. Filipinos will have a special rate of P4,500 ++ a night during the same period.

Crowne Plaza is RLC’s fourth hotel. The company also owns Manila Midtown Hotel and Cebu Midtown Hotel. It also owns an apartelle.

A publicly listed company, RLC is the Gokongwei group’s corporate vehicle in the property sector. It is currently the largest domestic hotel owner with a combined capacity of 1,140 rooms.

It also develops and operates the Robinsons shopping complexes, and has embarked on high-rise development with the Robinsons-PCI Bank Tower.

The company also has a diversified portfolio in the housing sector which caters to the upscale, mid-market and mass housing. It has broad range of residential housing development, including socialized and low-cost housing provided under government programs that encourage home ownership.