MANILA, Philippines - A homegrown boutique hotel chain is fast becoming a showcase for the work of Philippine furniture companies and Filipino designers such as Kenneth Cobonpue and Anne Pamintuan.
Seda hotels, which are under Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts, are now becoming known for their contemporary interiors.
Described by an Asian travel and trade industry expert as an “affordable luxury” brand, Seda now has hotels in Bonifacio Global City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and Nuvali in Laguna.
Aspiring to be the leading Filipino hotel brand highlighting the best of Philippine hospitality in prime urban locations, Seda is also naturally inclined to showcase the works of Philippine furniture makers, many of whom have made a name abroad.
These well-made furniture pieces are now in 665 rooms in the four Seda hotels. By 2019, they will be in at least 1,900 more hotel rooms of Seda, which is projecting to open at least six more hotels in Metro Manila, Palawan and Iloilo City.
Seda’s expansion plans have been welcomed by high-end local furniture makers.
Furniture makers in Cebu, Pampanga and Manila are now seeing an increasing volume of local business from Seda and other expanding hotel chains.
Eileen Escobido, AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts project development head, said the Philippines is known to produce furniture that matches the quality delivered by other key regional players like Malaysia and China.
"In addition to exceptional and consistent service and a great location in an Ayala Land mixed-use community, our brand DNA includes quietly elegant and sophisticated surroundings that make use of straight, clean lines and contemporary design. We’re happy that our Filipino furniture suppliers have the capability and craftsmanship to meet our requirements and achieve that ambiance," she said.
Escobido said guests have praised the locally-made beds now available in its hotel rooms.
"They hold their own against the branded beds used by international hotels here and abroad," she said.
Seda also designed its hotels so that the guest experience will basically be the same whether one is in the Nuvali or Davao property.
Guest satisfaction with the brand is illustrated by its high repeat rate of 50 percent. Seda was being recently named the “Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group” in 2014 by the 21st World Travel Awards in New Delhi, India, besting other Filipino brands.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
