09/23/2011 [ tribune.net.ph ]
One of Asia Pacific’s top hotel operators Marco Polo Hotels will expand its presence the Philippines, looking at the Metro Manila area, noting that the hotel industry in Manila has a very stable market which makes it very attractive to hotel management.
Marco Polo Hotels president Steve Kleinschmidt said the company will put up a new hotel in the Ortigas Business Center, and is looking at another one in the Manila Bay area.
He said the company recently completed the foundation for the Ortigas project and is now constructing the podium, noting that the hotel will start operations in late 2013 or early 2014.
Marco Polo Ortigas will be its third chain in the country, with its first two hotels located in Davao City then in Cebu City. Located in Ortigas Center, the contemporary five-star hotel offers spectacular view of the city center and direct access to Meralco Avenue.
The hotel will feature 313 rooms and suites including Marco Polo’s signature Continental Club Floor, extensive meeting facilities with a Ballroom and eight function rooms, while dining options include an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a lobby lounge and a Sky Bar. The recreation area will feature an indoor swimming pool, health club and spa.
Marco Polo Ortigas will be developed by Xin Tian Ti (XTT), a development corporation established by First SLP to manage the hotel and tourism-related businesses. First SLP Holdings is a duly registered company in the Philippines, headquartered in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Meanwhile, Kleinschmidt said they are in continuous talks to potential hotel owners for a new hotel in the Manila Bay area, a rising destination for tourism in the country. He said they are already talking to some groups that are planning to open new hotels in the area although none of them can be disclosed yet.
The company official added that they see the Bay area as having the right fit for their brand, noting that Makati is already too competitive although they are more into a mixed-use development than into gaming.
The Marco Polo Ortigas will not include residential component. Recently, the hotel chain signed a trademark loyalty agreement with Federal Land, Inc. to build a luxury condominium development, Marco Polo Residences in Cebu.
Located beside Marco Polo Hotel Cebu, Marco Polo Residences is an extension of the brand and in Cebu and will be the first in the Philippines. It will be developed by Metrobank Group real estate arm Federal Land, Inc. while Marco Polo will provide their management expertise where the hotel and residences are interconnected in some sort
Meanwhile, Marco Polo Lingnan Tiandi Foshan China, Marco Polo’s eleventh hotel in Asia, is scheduled to open in December 2011.
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