Cebu Grand Hotel’s renovation on track

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Grand Hotel is on track to completing its P50-million renovation by January next year, as it seeks to retain a market share in the increasingly competitive hotel business in Cebu.

The hotel’s general manager, Carlo Anton Suarez, told The FREEMAN yesterday that the 100-room hotel is scheduled to launch in July its rebranding program in time for its 26th anniversary.

He said the city hotel will soon reveal a new facade, set for completion by May, and a logo, as part of its efforts to scale up and compete in the industry.

“We are on track on the renovation. By second quarter, we'll start renovating our rooms,” Suarez said.

Expansion at the facility has started since September last year.

NEW ROOMS

The hotel is building an additional six rooms at a new 4-storey facility it is currently building beside the main seven-storey hotel.

The new building will also have a function room, designed to have a capacity of 70.

The hotel is also refurbishing two -- including its 350-capacity main ballroom -- of the five existing function rooms.

“We're doing this step-by-step,” Suarez noted, adding that a new bar lounge, Above 7, at the hotel's pool area will also be launched in May.

The hotel has invested in renovation at a time of increasing competition in the Cebu hotel sector amid the entry of new homegrown and global hotel chains.

The business hotel has been enjoying robust occupancy from the local market -- accounting for 60 percent -- while getting a fair share from the foreign market at 40 percent, according to Suarez.

Cebu Grand, a member of the Vibo Group, is located at the 2.2-hectare Vibo Place along Escario Street, a bustling commercial area in Cebu City.

Vibo Place, formerly known as the Cebu Capitol Commercial Complex, has seen the rise of new commercial shops in recent years.— JMD