AccorHotels Opens First Novotel in the Philippines

Novotel Manila Araneta Center Debuts in Manila’s Largest Lifestyle Hub of Quezon City 

AccorHotels will launch the Novotel Manila Araneta Center in October  12 this year, bringing the world’s most recognized international business class hotel brand to the Philippines. Located within the Araneta Center, the premier lifestyle hub of Quezon City, the 24-storey hotel features 401 contemporary rooms and suites and an executive sky-lounge with a 360-degree view of the metropolis. The hotel will offer the largest number of rooms in Quezon City to date.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is part of a massive development plan in the Araneta Center which is bustling with life and activities including weekend night markets, food festivals and street performances. The hotel opens at a time when tourism to the Philippines is growing fast, with visitor arrivals up 7.65% for the first half of the year, and just one month before the city hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Summit in November.

Makati begins campaign to be ‘Business Tourism Hub of the Philippines'

Makati city Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay will lead the covenant signing in its bid to promote Makati as the business tourism hub of the Philippines. Witnessed on the opening day of the first HoReCa Makati Festival on September 15 / 11am at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center.

Touted as one of the biggest tourism events to happen in Makati, the Makati Tourism Foundation, Inc. or MTFI will open the historical festivity dubbed as “HoReCa Makati Festival 2014: Finest Footprint at its First” to be attended by foreign diplomats, industry practitioners, academe, high-profile business and government figures and other stakeholders.

The MTFI, a non-profit organization composed of hotels, restaurants & bars, apartelles & inns, travel agencies and cafes represented by its general managers, owners, managing directors and CEOs have joined forces to build a strong and solid bloc to promote Makati as the business tourism hub of the Philippines to local and international tourists. Similarly, the MTFI is a staunch advocate in promoting business tourism in Makati as one of the sustainable drivers of economic growth.

LAKBAYAN: Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN

New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google’s year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.

Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu awarded TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Cebu, Philippines - The Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence last May 22, 2013.

TripAdvisor.com, presently considered one of the most popular travel websites among online netizens around the world, is renowned for providing its readers with key travel information. It features reviews and opinions of individuals who aim to share their unique travel experiences with the rest of the world. TripAdvisor showcases wide-scale reviews about hotels, restaurants, and much more.

Solaire Movie Promo: The Hangover 3

Another Solaire Movie treat to fans and followers, and this this its time to go back to Las Vegas to end the well loved trilogy of the misadventures of the wolfpack!

Solaire Resort & Casino is giving away tickets to a special screening of The Hangover Part III. To join, participants must follow the official Solaire Twitter account (@solaireresort) and send out tweets with the hash tag of the day provided in the account. Each winner is entitled to two tickets to the special screening to be held on the movie’s opening day May 29, Wednesday, at the Greenbelt 3 Cinema.

Solaire Resort & Casino is located at Aseana Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque City (near Mall of Asia).

Upcoming Events At Solaire

Solaire Resort & Casino will be giving away tickets to a special screening of Star Trek Into Darkness. To join, participants must follow the official Solaire Twitter account (@solaireresort) and send out tweets with the hash tag of the day provided in the account. Each winner is entitled to two tickets to the special screening to be held on May 16, Thursday, at the Greenbelt 3 Cinema. Solaire Resort & Casino is located at 1 Solaire Boulevard | Entertainment City (near Mall of Asia).

Solaire Resort & Casino presents TOKYO-MANILA JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL 2013.

Indulge and unwind with music from Japan and the Philippines' finest Jazz Superstars.

Comedy Night at Solaire!

It has been more than a month since Solaire Hotel and Casino opened to the public as another entertainment, gaming, and leisure destination in the Philippines. And with a growing economy, tourism, and infrasturctures in the country, people do want to experience fun and excitement in their (and our) lives.

Solaire recently had a Comedy Night held in one of suites of Solaire which have great sunset view of Manila Bay in the afternoon and going into the golden sunset. I actually wanted to go to Solaire just to see this scene unfold before my eyes. And like the majestic sunset, the hotel and casino is indeed one of a kind in the world.

LAKBAYAN: Gran Prix Hotel Manila

As a thrifty yet practical traveler like me, I'm not usually a fan of hotels when travelling because I get weary with the location, the amenities and even the price. These factors hold me back and makes travelling stressful rather than relaxing. Well I'm glad that there is an "econotel" like Gran Prix Hotels and Resorts. They are actually exists in high traffic places like bus stops and main roads which is a great advantage above other hotels.

Grand Prix Hotels are located in key areas like in Ermita, Pasay, Cubao, and have provincial branches in Tarlac, Boracay and Cebu. Soon they will also have a branch in Palawan. We took a look at one its (biggest) branch in Ermita which is just a few steps away from Robinson's Place Manila and also nearby shops, money changers and restaurants. It is within the building where Tesoro's shop is located. 

Marriott Manila Appoints New General Manager

From Marriott USA , Canada , UAE, South Korea , to the Philippines , Marriott Manila is proud to announce the appointment of a seasoned general manager to take over Manila , Mr. Scott Sibley.

With his almost six years of stay at Marriott Guam Resort and Spa , American native Scott is now ready to assume leadership to one of the most progressive Marriott properties in the world, “I am deeply honored and excited to be working with Filipinos where the best of the industry can be found. Marriott Manila has taken leadership in the market by storm and we aim to be at the same spot for the many years to come”, announces Scott.

An industry veteran, Scott takes pride that he started his career in the kitchen.  Boasting a strong background in food & beverage, Scott won an executive chef of the year award in 1990. He also published a cooking tour book with his stellar recipes, entitled “Tour Southeast Asia with Scott”.

Born and raised in the USA , Scott graduated Hotel Apprenticeship at The Culinary Garden & Inn and took up a special course in accounting in 2009 at Universal Class Accounting 101. His passion in the kitchen and unique culinary talent gave Scott a passport to Marriott and paved way in jumpstarting a dynamic hospitality career.  For fourteen years, he was the hotel operations manager and executive chef before the opportunity came in to become a general manager at the Renaissance Dubai Hotel, his first property to hold the highest position. After more than two years, he was assigned at Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Center where he received his first most coveted Mustang award. Came 2004, he was transferred to Renaissance Seoul Hotel Korea where it houses fourteen famous F&B outlets.  During his term, the hotel amazingly garnered $51 million total of sales, commended as the 4th highest rated guest satisfaction for the Renaissance brand.

First Pinoy Junior Masterchef To Grace the PIFBEX

This March 1 (Thursday), 10 am at the PICC, Kyle Imao, hailed as the first Pinoy Junior Masterchef will be in the midst of major players in the food and beverage industry. The 12-year old champ will do the ribbon cutting for Tradecon as it launches its 5th annual Food and Beverage Expo and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Caterers Expo) which will run until March 4. Over 300 exhibitors will be present at the expo, including both local and international suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers. International exhibitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and the United States will also showcase their products .For more information, log on to pifbex.com or call 395-5009.

LAKABAYAN: San Juanico Golf Hotel - A Holiday Paradise Beckons

Enjoy Christmas and vacation trips at a holiday paradise with families and friends. The San Juanico Golf Hotel is a 30-room hotel surrounded with breath-taking verdant landscape of flat and gently sloping greens, panorama of endless rolling hills and mountains offers world-class amenities and accommodations to those visiting Eastern Visayas. 

Guests at the hotel get an exquisite view of the San Juanico Bridge, a historic structure and an engineering marvel that spans two kms across the strait that connects Samar and Leyte provinces.  It is considered the most beautiful sea-spanning bridge in the Philippines. 

Legend Villas Crystal Wedding Helps You Plan that "I DO"

June is just weeks away and we all know that its the wedding month. And with couples still confused on how to plan that day. Budget is also the main concern for anyone. However, you don't need to go further to have that dream wedding because there is the Crystal Wedding Packages from Legend Villas at Pioneer. You can choose from their magical Quartz or sophisticated Onyx - Bridal themes which makes truly unforgettable weddings.

"Our Cyrstal Weddings packages guarantee luxury of service, stylish set-up and stumptuous feast. The Legend Villas is your perfect venue as we take care of all fine details of your special day," said Ginger King Villavicencio, Cheif Operating Officer of Legend Villas.

The Quartz Package is ideal for couples who prefer a fairytale-themed wedding. The classical table setting reflects timeless elegance while the luminous decor accentuates an aura of magical merriment.

Stylish and Chic, the Onyx package is meant for couples who want to veer from the traditional wedding motifs. The Black and White set-up evokes a hip atmosphere of drama and high class.

Complementing the impressive venue set up is a mouthwatering array of dishes. Served buffet style, guests will certainly enjoy lip smacking food prepared by the hotel's well-trained chefs.

Thioe who wish to hold their nuptials within the hotel may do so in The Legend Villas's tastefully decorated ceremonial hall. The intimate setting is ideal for the couple's solemn exchange of vows.

The starting package rate for 100 persons cost only Php 155,000.00 Depending onf the client's chosen package, this is inclusive of a buffet meal with freshly baked breads, your choice of soup and fresh salad, four main courses, pasta and carving stations desserts and botmless beverages.

All tables will be styled with crytal trees and floral centerpieces, candles in pedestal votives, mint-filled jars and personalized menu cards. Aside from the usual registration, souveneir and cake tables, a special wish table will be provided complete with note cards, pencils and apothecary jars.

Also there are exhibitors like wackypix photobooth, Leonard Co Tailoring, Remedy All Natural Soaps and Events by the Friday Club. And with the location near EDSA yet the hotel has Filipino Inspired designs and fixtures that makes you feel your not in the crowded city. And for those who love connection, there is free WIFI, which you can share the moments and happenings in the web instantly.

It is a OPEN HOUSE event from May 13-15, 2011 from 10 am to 7 pm with food tasting and in house promo. For further inquiries call 702-2712 or visit their site www.legendvillas.com.ph.