Movenpick Mactan re-opens December 15

CEBU, Philippines - After the completion of its transformation,  Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu will be re-launched as a unique resort destination and a lifestyle hotel for leisure and business travellers on December 15.

Rebranded from Hilton in April 2011, the hotel is the flagship property in the Philippines of the Swiss upscale hotel and resorts management company, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts.

After announcing its temporary closure in July of this year, the resort will be re-opened  with brand new facilities, enhanced amenities and improved services. 

Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu General Manager Knuth Kiefer said in an interview that Cebu as a resort destination with a big city background needs something new every now and then to make it more attractive to the market.

Compared to standard hotels, he added that Movenpick aims to provide more than just an ordinary stay hotel and a whole new package of experiences tailored fit to what the guests want. 

“Our strategy is to completely transform the resort as to what the market demands and requires. What Cebu needs as a strong market for hotel and leisure is something new. People stay in Cebu many times. Why not give them something different? Give them a choice as to what they want to do.  And that’s what we’re arriving at,” he stated. 

Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu  has invested P500 million for the major transformation of the residential and resort complex located in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island.

“We are completely changing the looks of the hotel to a futuristic, sophisticated, modern and European-inspired ambience. The new concept is envisioned to let people enjoy life as it is,” he added. 

One of the highlights of the transformation includes the Ibiza Beach Club which is a wood-decked, ocean-front entertainment venue, featuring all-day guest engagements, shows, live bands, and evening entertainment programs designed for adults and children.

For its dining services, Movenpick has engaged a Mexican Spanish executive chef to offer its famous breakfast buffet, themed-dinner buffets, international a la carte, a Brazilian Churrasco grill, a Mediterranean Tapas restaurant and a cocktail bar. 

From the concrete construction to rosewood flooring, Movenpick has three towers of 243 modern rooms and suites overlooking Mactan Island and three multi-purpose function rooms for events and conventions.

It will also have four private cabanas, bigger outdoor leisure pool, in-house marine sanctuary, water sports center, fitness center and spa facilities.

Kiefer said that the resort has also enhanced its services to a more personalized and individualistic approach with a touch of Swiss hospitality.

David Jamieson, vice president for sales and marketing, said that Movenpick aims to be a mixed-use hotel catering to Koreans, Russian, Japanese, Australian, European and Philippine travel markets. 

He cited that these markets have expressed interest with the re-opening of the resort as 70 percent were recorded for advanced bookings from December 30 to January 1, followed by 20% booking rate for the whole month of January next year. 

Movenpick is definitely bullish with Philippine tourism but further suggested the improvement of connecting flights, accessibility and more campaigns for the country to take full advantage of its vast potentials, he added.

He further noted that the total transformation of the Cebu-based hotel has set the benchmark for the company that is currently aggressive with its expansion programs in the country. 

A hotel and resort complex in Coron, Palawan is nearly finished and will soon be launched in the second quarter of 2013. 

Another Movenpick hotel would be built and developed in Makati along Kalayaan Avenue to be opened in 2014, Jamieson said. (FREEMAN)