Written for Federal Land, and the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, following a media familiarization tour.
The Grand Dame has a New Name
She towers majestically over Metro Cebu in Nivel Hills, Lahug, an unmistakeable landmark in a remarkable city. Formerly the Cebu Plaza, she is now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.
Acquired by a consortium led by Metrobank and Federal Land in 2002, Chairman George Ty takes a personal interest in this landmark project, carefully overseeing, along with Federal Land General Manager Reynaldo Villar, the Grand Dame's P800 Million renovation.
Marco Polo signed on as the hotel's operator in July 2005, the group's second hotel venture in the Philippines and eighth worldwide. Marco Polo, based in Hong Kong and one of Asia's fastest growing hotel chains, brings international hospitality standards to Cebu.
Most of the exterior structure remains intact, including the hotel's signature scenic elevator--a tribute to the original architects' forward looking design. Elegant furnishings from Cebu Plaza were spruced up and retained, and where needed, new pieces contracted from Cebu's leading furniture manufacturers.
The refurbished Grand Lobby ranks among the country's most elegant, and is certainly above anything else in Cebu. The hotel's Grand Ballroom and function rooms, lavishly upgraded to modern standards, remain a favorite for Cebu's premiere business and social events. The hotel's 329 rooms have been upgraded to Marco Polo standards, with central airconditioning and modern amenities, including broadband Internet.
For business travellers, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers the Continental Club, an 81-room virtual hotel within a hotel. Guests at the Club avail of extra perks at the exclusive Club lounge on the 24th floor which offers all day snacks, wireless Internet access, a boardroom with multimedia facilities, and express check-out.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a major host in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in December and several countries are competing to book their delegations at the hotel. Given the size of each delegation and their unique requirements, the hotel can only accommodate three or four countries during the summit, "but we're glad to know that we're the first choice of several countries." says PR Manager Carlo Borromeo.
Gearing up for the ASEAN Summit is what's kept the hotel's 368 person staff busy since it opened for business in January 2006. It has since hosted several important functions: Metrobank's International Conference, the Philippine Anaesthesiologists Convention, and its own Inauguration on April 27, with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cutting the ribbon.
The main market of the hotel, in line with the President's SONA program for tourism is the MICE market, or Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, and Exhibits, but it also has a generous share of the leisure travel market, says General Manager Hans Hauri, who ensures that Marco Polo's standards of service are maintained.
The hotel boasts three F&B outlets: The trademark Cafe Marco, the Lobby bar, and Garden Terrace beside the pool. The Garden Terrace, with its outdoor stage, is a popular venue for Cebu society's outdoor events.
Overseeing the hotel's food service is Executive Chef Luke Gagnon, a Canadian with over fifteen years experience in Asia's best hotels, from the Excelsior in Hong Kong, to the various Shangri-La Hotels (including Mactan), Sutera Harbor in Malaysia, and now, the Marco Polo Hotel Cebu.
Chef Gagnon enjoys cooking in Cebu where he can find the freshest ingredients and organic vegetables from a contract supplier. He loves the Cebu Mango, "the best in the world," and incorporates it into many dishes from appetizers to salads and entrees, and of course, desserts.
Walking into the Cafe Marco, one could easily proclaim this Cebu's best hotel buffet, but be careful not to let the Chef hear you: "This is not a Buffet!" proclaims Chef Gagnon, "In a buffet, you get food which is several hours old, at the Cafe Marco, food is cooked on demand by our chefs, and always served fresh and delicious."
There are many exciting things in store for the hotel's 7.5 hectare property. Federal Land, owner of the hotel property, foresees further development of the area into a premiere business, leisure, and residential complex within the city. "This is in line with our main business as a quality property developer," says General Manager Villar, "We are currently fixing up the low-rise area, formerly a sports complex and apartelles, and studying redevelopment possibilities."
"But rest assured," Villar adds, "...the Grand Dame, now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, will always be the property's flagship and a prestigious Cebu landmark for decades to come!"
