CONRAD MANILA OPENS: Upscale hotel Conrad Manila, a partnership between the SM Group and Hilton Worldwide, opened its doors to the public yesterday. The group celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by (from left) Conrad Manila general manager Harald Feurstein, Hilton Worldwide Asia Pacific president Martin Rinck, Hilton Singapore general manager Peter Webster, Sy matriarch Felicidad Sy, SM Hotels & Convention Corp. president Elizabeth Sy, SM Prime Holdings chairman Hans Sy and SHCC senior vice president for operations Ma. Luisa Angeles. MIKE AMOROSO
MANILA, Philippines – After a 10-year hiatus, global hotel operator Hilton Worldwide is now back in Manila with the opening of its luxury hotel brand, Conrad Manila, to be operated by the SM Group.
SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. president Elizabeth Sy said the company invested P6.5 billion in the 347-room Conrad Hotel within the Mall of Asia complex, in the heart of the 42-hectare Bay City development.
“The country is ready for a luxury brand,” Sy said in a press briefing yesterday after the formal opening of the hotel.
She said prospects for the hotel industry are rosy given the booming tourism industry with tourist arrivals hitting a record 5.4 million last year.
Martin Rinck, Hilton Worldwide Area president for Asia-Pacific, said Conrad Manila is the 15th in the Asia Pacific and puts to at least 27 the number of Conrad Hotels around the globe.
Hilton left the Philippines 10 years ago when the business and political environment was difficult.
SM Prime executive president Hans Sy said SM would have only one Conrad hotel but is planning on bringing in more luxury brands.
Conrad Manila is positioned atop the high-end retail complex “S Maison.”
“We are delighted to establish Conrad Hotels & Resorts in this vibrant capital of Manila. The award-winning Conrad Manila, which enhances our portfolio, underscores our commitment to delivering best-in-class hotels in key gateway locations that meet the growing needs of global luxury travelers,” said John Vanderslice, global head of Conrad Hotel & Resorts.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/06/16/1593278/conrad-manila-opens-sm-moa