Shangri-La Mactan completes final phase of major renovation

Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa recently completed the final phase of its major renovation program with the launching of its new Italian restaurant Acqua in the newly refurbished Ocean Wing.

Soon, the newly renovated Ocean Wing will be formally launched. It houses 180-state-of-the-art rooms designed by team of Hirsch Bedner and Associated Limited in Hong Kong.

Last year, the Resort has spent US$500 million for its renovation program, and another US$7 million was spent for this year.

The huge investment is meant to sustain the supreme quality standard of Shangri-la brand and meet its guests' expectations, as one of the top premier resorts in Asia, said Shangri-La's Mactan general manager Timothy Wright.

Wright said the Hong Kong-based Shangri-La International noted the strength of the Philippines, specifically Cebu in tourism, and spending huge amount of property improvement is a worth move.

Shangri-La's Mactan has practically undergone major facelift in the last three years, including the investment of the largest spa facility called "Chi Spa Village" within the 10-hectare property in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island.

The resort will be one of the biggest resort hosts in the upcoming ASEAN Summit in December this year.

In 2004, the 547-room five-star resort has completed the US$700,000 renovation of fine dining restaurant Cowrie Cove, now accommodating a sitting capacity of about 160, from 120 sitting capacity prior to the renovation.

The new Acqua Italian restaurant, which was officially opened over the weekend is situated at the garden of the Ocean Wing, which overlooks the infinity pool and the ocean.

"In Acqua, everything is personalized, we will endeavor to cook something with only the freshest ingredients to respond individual tastes," said the resort's executive Italian chef Marco Anzani.

The resort's move in spending the multi-million dollar investment to refurbish the entire Shangri-La Mactan property is also in time of Cebu's dire need of five-star resort and hotel accommodation brought about by the increasing awareness in the international market for Cebu as a preferred leisure and vacation hub in Asia.

As of this moment though, the company has no plan to invest for additional room capacity and fully utilize the 10-hectare property saying Shangri-La is highly considering its space factor because it is a garden resort.

"If we build more structures, we will lose the landscaping beauty of the resort. Space factor is very important for us," Wright said.