A landmark return is on the horizon for luxury hospitality in the Philippines. The Mandarin Oriental brand, absent from the Makati skyline since 2014, is poised to reopen its doors this year with a stunning 276-room hotel.
Located in the heart of Ayala Triangle Gardens, at the bustling intersection of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue, the new Mandarin Oriental Makati is strategically positioned to capture both the corporate and leisure traveler. Despite current challenges in tourism numbers, the opening remains firmly on track, contingent on evolving market conditions.
The hotel anticipates a strong influx of international business travelers, catering to major corporations and multinational companies. However, it will also offer a compelling array of leisure amenities, aiming to become a destination in its own right.
The Philippines currently lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in tourism arrivals – with 6.48 million visitors compared to Malaysia’s 38.2 million, Thailand’s 32.9 million, and Vietnam’s 21.1 million. This context underscores the importance of attracting high-value travelers, a segment Mandarin Oriental specifically targets.
Beyond the Mandarin Oriental, Ayala Land Hospitality (ALH) is actively expanding its portfolio. Plans include a 400-room Canopy by Hilton and a 260-room Moxy Hotel, both developed in partnership with Marriott International.
Existing ALH brands, such as Seda Hotels in Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod, are demonstrating strong performance. This success fuels the company’s ambitious five-year investment plan of $500 million, aiming to double its room capacity to 8,000 by 2030.
Currently, ALH boasts over 4,000 rooms across a diverse collection of properties, including homegrown resorts like El Nido and Huni Lio, alongside prestigious international brands like Raffles and Fairmont.
Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), the parent company, is also actively pursuing strategic acquisitions. The company is currently eyeing two government assets – a portion of the Food Terminal, Inc. complex in Taguig City and The Atrium condominium in Makati City – slated for auction.
ALI has successfully secured a billion dollars in sustainability-linked financing, reflecting strong investor confidence and a growing recognition of the financial benefits of environmentally responsible practices. This funding will support the company’s continued growth and development.
Despite a recent slight dip in share price, closing at P21.60 on Wednesday, ALI remains financially robust. The company reported P21.4 billion in earnings for the first nine months of the year, with its leasing and hospitality portfolio contributing a significant P35.1 billion in revenue.
