SMIC set to open Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the investment holding firm of the family of retail tycoon Henry Sy, said its 400-room Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu will open its doors to the public in the second half of the year to take advantage of the strong demand for high-end tourist accommodations in the Visayas.

In a statement, SMIC said the hotel project, under wholly-owned unit SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., will be managed by Carlson Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel companies encompassing more than 1,060 hotels including Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn, Park Plaza and Regent.

The property is Carlson Hotels’ first Radisson Blu hotel in the Asia Pacific and will be positioned as Cebu’s leading international upscale hotel. It will feature 10 function rooms, two ballrooms, a spa and fitness center, restaurants, and the largest outdoor swimming pool in Cebu City.

“The upcoming opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu further enhances SM’s range of tourism products and services. It is also our timely response to the country’s growing demand for first-rate accommodations for tourists and business travelers. Upon the hotel’s opening, its guests and patrons will be assured of world-class service and hospitality, which are strengthened by and benefit from the synergies created within the SM Group,” Elizabeth T. Sy, president of SM Hotels, said.

Situated on the city’s North Reclamation Area, Radisson Blu Hotel is envisioned to be one of Cebu’s leading international upscale hotels and the destination of choice for leisure activities, corporate events, conferences, weddings and other social gatherings.

The hotel is also ideally situated right beside the SM City Cebu shopping mall complex. With a gross floor area of 265,832 square meters over 700 tenants, more than 1,700 parking slots, and an average daily foot traffic of over 100,000, SM City Cebu is one of the leading and largest shopping malls in the region.

Last year, Cebu attracted more than 1.6 million foreign and domestic tourists, which is more than that of any other major Philippine tourist destination.