ILOILO City – International hotel Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo officially opened in Mandurriao district on Wednesday, marking a milestone as the first of its kind in the Philippines.
While carrying a world-renowned brand and catering to a high-end market, Courtyard brings to the fore the locality – where its personnel and much of its offerings are rooted.
Executives from the management and owner Megaworld Corp., government officials, the media, and other guests gathered at the hotel on Megaworld Boulevard at the mixed-use development Iloilo Business Park.
Courtyard is “dedicated to the ‘trailblazers,’” general manager Cleofe Albiso told the press. “These are the influencers, the decision-makers, people [living] fast-paced lives.”
It brands itself as one that “provides flexibility and choices,” with guestrooms – among numerous other facilities – built for “working, sleeping, relaxing, and getting ready.”
“We are a venue for their stay, for their business travels, and we provide the amenities that make their work possible, that make their work easy,” said Albiso.
Top executives led the ceremonial cutting of ribbon that started the grand launch at around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday (the hotel had its “soft opening” on May 1).
They were Albiso; Kevin Tan, first vice president for Commercial Division of Megaworld Corp.; Bruce Winton, cluster general manager of Marriott International; Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III; Kingson Sian, president and CEO of Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.; and Victor Clavell, area vice president for Asia-Pacific of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company.
Cleofe said Courtyard wanted to highlight what the locale has to offer – particularly through the food served at the hotel.
All guests at the grand launch were treated to a five-course meal at the Iloilo Ballroom, a 3,000-square feet function space.
The food served at the luncheon were infused with “local flavors … local made upscale, given a different touch in terms of preparation,” Cleofe said, as she also referred to what in Courtyard would best suit local guests.
Distinctly local dishes like batchoy and pancit molo – which “the Ilonggo community is very proud of” – are readily available at their restaurant, Runway Kitchen, she said. “The local feel is there.”
Courtyard also intends to “sell Iloilo first,” the general manager said when asked what the hotel can contribute to local tourism.
The establishment is banking on its personnel who are “75-percent Ilonggos” to create for guests an experience that would reflect what it feels to be in Iloilo, Cleofe said.
Department of Tourism Region 6 director Helen Catalbas and Iloilo provincial administrator Raul Banias were among the guests. Actress Ruffa Gutierrez hosted./PN
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