As the summer season approaches, the travel mindset leads to Baguio. And as tourism in the summer capital gains more luster and bloom, Microtel Baguio gears up for the busy vacation season with its signature no-frills quality service.
Among its six tourist destinations, Microtel Inns and Suites counts on its 60-room hotel in Baguio as a badge on the hotel chain’s goal to be a household name.
In Baguio, the choice for hotel accommodation hinges on two equally important factors: accessibility to tourist destinations — Baguio Cathedral, Wright Park, Burnham Park, Lourdes Grotto, SM Baguio, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club and a myriad of restaurants and shops — and family or barkada orientation to deepen the fun vacation time.
Microtel Baguio hits these two birds with one stone — by being in the “the economy, no-frills sector of the hospitality industry.” When it comes to hotel location, nothing beats the advantage of being strategically located right next to Victory Liner’s bus terminal. Microtel Baguio lies in the heart of the City of Pines, making it accessible to major destinations. The homey feeling also breezes in Microtel Baguio, from the relaxing hues of blue and white, to the friendly staff.
Robbie Gonzalez, Microtel’s area general manager for North Luzon, explains that although Microtel is in the economy sector, its six hotels nationwide excel like five-star hotels.
“Although a bed-and-breakfast, no-frills hotel, Microtel Baguio offers high-quality service and the comforts of a first-class hotel, minus the amenities that a traveler does not actually need,” he says.
Since Microtel Baguio opened its doors in 2003, it has almost always been fully booked. The hotel sets the advantage of having all its rooms air-conditioned, a plus factor during the summer months.
Teddy Lim, Microtel’s vice president and concurrent head of marketing, adds that the hotel chain excels in service and housekeeping.
“We are a family-oriented establishment that excels in safety, cleanliness, good housekeeping, comfort, and efficiency. Consistency in all these factors is what we brag about in all our locations,” he says.
“Sleep well for less” is every tourist’s wish to escape the busy city life and hectic work schedule. For Microtel Baguio, this is not just a marketing strategy, but a testament to its commitment to give customer service a complete meaning. Its ultra comfortable chiropractic-approved bed offers a good night sleep and complete rest. This very relaxing bed is a trademark of Microtel’s being part of an international chain of hotels, the Global Hyatt Group.
Microtel’s sunny breakfast makes the well-rested traveler ready to explore the summer capital. The strong coffee overflows in the hotel lobby, another invigorating treat.
As tourism blooms in the summer capital, Microtel Baguio is considering adding more rooms to accommodate more local and foreign tourists.
Roy Martin, Microtel’s group director for sales, says that 2008 is a milestone year for the hotel chain. “We are excited about our rapid and aggressive expansion of the Microtel brand in key destinations in the Philippines. This year is our 10th year. We are adding four more Microtels, thus bringing the total to 10 Microtels in the country,” he says.
The four new Microtel Inns and Suites will enter the tourism landscape in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Mactan, Cebu; Palawan; and SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. This will add to Microtel’s hotel chain in Baguio, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, Boracay, and Davao.
Martin notes that the 10-hotel portfolio will bring Microtel’s total room inventory to 758 within the year, equivalent to one deluxe hotel. “The good thing is that we have 10 locations. This expansion contributes to the tourism industry. Our thrust is to expand in different key locations in the Philippines,” he says.
Lim adds that Microtel Inns and Suites is eyeing to be a household name in the country’s tourism industry. “We want people to get used to the kind of service that Microtel gives. We would like to penetrate the major cities in the Philippines.”
And for Microtel, bringing the hotel experience in every major tourist destination in the country does not only mean business but national pride as well.
“We also act as ambassadors for Philippine tourism... In Asia, they already know where the Philippines is but not in other countries. In local and international tourism fairs, we brag about our finest beaches in Boracay, fresh mountain air in Baguio, and golf ranges. We have strong faith in the product — the Philippines. We already have an influx of foreign tourists. We are definitely moving ahead,” Lim says.
True to the country’s trademarks of hospitality and natural beauty, Microtel Inns and Suites builds up on the adage that it is “the same great hotel everywhere you go.”
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Microtel Baguio is located at Upper Session Road, Baguio City. For reservations, call (632) 671-7171 or 671-4043, e-mail at sales@microtelphilippines.com or log on to www.microtelphilippines.com.