The property that is now Mövenpick Resort & Spa Cebu opened to the public in 2005. When Mövenpick took over about a year ago, renovations were in the works – a portion at a time. However, in line with the “international upscale” image of this new management company and with the arrival of a true-blue Mövenpick General Manager, Knuth Kiefer, a thorough overhaul is going to take place starting July 15.
“During any hotel renovation work, our first consideration is to our guests,” pointed out GM Kiefer. “In this case, the scale of the renovation is so ambitious and so transformational that we wanted to focus on creating the best possible environment for work to be completed to our high standards. As a result, we decided to temporarily suspend operations for five months.”
My recent breakfast chat with Director of Sales & Marketing Jun M. Cordova disclosed grandiose plans that will be implemented within the five-month period, for a lavish re-launch on December 15, 2012. Of keen interest to me, being a person involved in arts & culture, is the “innovative new entertainment and event facility.”
Jun did not elaborate but only teasingly quipped: it will be something unique. Indeed, the new management promised to transform the property into an authentic Mövenpick Resort in these parts, something never seen before in the country.
“This is not a conventional refurbishment but rather a completely fresh new approach to the overall guest experience,” GM Kiefer further disclosed.
“We are very excited by the new features we have planned and believe they will offer guests wonderful reasons to visit (us) again and again.”
The Mövenpick brand is carried in 71 hotels and resorts throughout 24 countries. Cebu is its flagship undertaking in the Philippines. In an aggressive stroke, over 30 properties are in the works. Included this year is a resort in Palawan, two in Thailand, one in Paris and more in the Middle East.
But along with the upgrading of facilities must be the hiring and training of the right men and women who must reflect the Mövenpick brand at all times. I for one know that this is the most critical aspect – not the serene eternity pool nor the sparkling spa nor the chic outlets. As a former trainer in Excellent Customer Service (Service Plus), I believe that people – especially the frontline staff -- can make or break the reputation of a service-oriented establishment like a restaurant, hotel or resort. Vamos a ver!
Good news for Cebu Pacific – and all other budget airlines’ – passengers to Singapore. In our last trip there, some weeks ago, we were given this announcement: the Budget Terminal will cease operation by September 25, 2012. All budget airlines will transfer to Changi Airport’s Terminal 2. However, Flights 5J 804, 5J 808 (Singapore – Manila) and 5J 548 (Singapore – Cebu) on September 25 will still check-in and go through immigration at the Budget Terminal on the night of September 24.
5J 801 from Manila to Singapore will be the first flight to use Terminal 2 on September 25.
This is a welcome change as good restaurants, amenities and facilities are wanting in the present Budget Terminal. It is somehow discriminatory to be separately departing and arriving at a building called a Budget Terminal, don’t you think so?
Changes are being done for the better comfort and pleasure of travelers. Cheers!