Upcoming Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines 4

Century eyes Palawan resort

Property developer Century Properties Group is venturing into tourism sector with the launching of an integrated resort development in Palawan, according to a report by Manila Standard Today.

Century Properties chairman Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio said the company would launch either by the last quarter of the year or the first quarter of 2014 its first tourism-related project.

He said the company has acquired 100 hectares of land in Palawan and is now finalising the masterplan for the property.    The company’s venture into tourism sector is part of its diversification plans.

“We are going strong in tourism because I feel this is a sunshine industry in the Philippines,” Mr. Antonio said.

Century Properties last year also has entered into joint venture partnership Developers Inc., Caylaway Development Corp. and Batulao Bio-loop farms Inc. to develop a 142-hectare prime property in Batulao, Batangas into a leisure and resort community estate.

Century Properties said the leisure and resort community estate will target both local and foreign tourists.

Aside from resort development, Mr. Antonio said the company is also lining up projects, like office, hotels, medical centres, and commercial developments that would boost its recurring income.

Anvaya Cove sets grand opening

The grand opening of Anvaya Cove, the first leisure residential project by Ayala Land Inc., has been tentatively scheduled for November 2013, according to a report by Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The highly anticipated Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club, a members club with an 18-hole Golfplan-designed course, is considered by aficionados as a “coming of age” golf project for the Philippines and its fast-growing economy.

Located two hours west of Manila, on picturesque seaside property south of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club was developed not only to be the nation’s best course, but also as the first world-class Filipino course.

Anvaya Cove property’s 3.5 kilometres of coastline, 130 metres of elevation change and long, sweeping views across Subic Bay to the mountains of Bataan are reputed to meet or exceed elite standards.

SBMA approves new resort

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has signed an agreement with Resom Resort Philippines, a company led by Korean investors, for the construction of a PhP20-billion tourism project in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Subic Bay chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia and Resom chairman Sang So Shin signed the lease development agreements that would pave the way for the construction of the project.

The first phase of the project involves the development of a prime waterfront property previously designated as a mini-golf course with a gross area of two hectares and a buildable area of 6,000 square metres.

Resom committed to invest PhP1.2 billion for the construction of a luxury hotel in the area with 300 rooms, convention facilities, pool, spa, restaurants and other support facilities.   The hotel project will be constructed to serve the expected surge in room requirement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in November 2015.

The second phase will cover the development of the Resom City tourism complex involving several properties in the Naval Magazine area encompassing 300 hectares.    This will include the construction of a world-class resort complex that will have hotels, condominiums, a theme park, luxury pool villas, casino and gaming operations, a waterpark and spa, health and wellness centre, duty free shopping and a golf course. 

Discovery plans IPO

Discovery World Corp., a high-end property developer owned by the Tiu family, plans to hold a PhP1-billion initial public offering (IPO) soon.  Discovery World, based on the final prospectus approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, would offer 306 million common shares at a maximum offer price of PhP3.28 per share.

Discovery, the operator of high-end resort Discovery Shores Boracay, plans to absorb other hotels and resort developments owned by the group, after the PhP1-billion initial public offering.

Discovery World president John Tiu said Discovery Suites Hotel in Ortigas, a seven-room bed and breakfast hotel in Tagaytay, and another high-end hotel in Makati might be included in the company.

“There is possibility to include other hotels and resort development into the company to make it a truly resort development company,” Mr. Tiu said.  He said the IPO might happen by mid-August or September depending on market conditions.

The company allotted P575 million for new businesses including a resort in Coron, Palawan.  The leisure development firm is looking to enter the resort hotel business in Palawan that will feature world-class, five-star facilities targetting the upper class market.

The company also allotted P100 million to invest in a cruise business and PhP250 million to acquire a 20-percent interest in Enderun Colleges, which offers degrees in hotel and restaurant management and culinary arts.  Discovery World is also spending PhP125 million to build another 12 villas in Discovery Shores Boracay.

Amanpulo as luxury island

Online boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith has come up with 10 exotic locales where tourists can feel as though they are the king of their own small world.  The list includes Amanpulo in Palawan.

Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji topped the list, followed by Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia.  Amanpulo boutique hotel on private Pamalican Island was cited for its 40 rooms and 11 villas, 29 of which are Beach Casitas just steps from the water where reefs harbour jewel-bright coral and flitting fish.

Holiday Inn changes skyline

The Makati skyline is ever-changing, with new building developments and commercial establishments sprouting up. The newest hotel on the block is the Holiday Inn & Suite that was officially launched at the heart of the Ayala Centre and with direct access to Glorietta Mall, according to a report by Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The 20-storey hotel is the first purposely-built Holiday Inn in the Philippines. With an energetic and contemporary vibe, it appeals to corporate and leisure travellers alike.

The Holiday Inn & Suites Makati offers a variety of rooms to suit every guest, including generous 48-square-metre Junior Suites, large 63-sqm executive suites and even a 93-sqm Makati Suite. All rooms feature thoughtful touches, such as chocolate eggs and character-themed juices inside the mini bar and activity kits for children.