(Published in Hospitality News Philippines, Issue 89, Page 5)
SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) adds another sterling property in its growing enclave at the MOA complex with the expected opening of Lanson Place Mall of Asia in the second quarter of 2023 to serve the needs of an increasing client base needing stylish contemporary hotel and serviced suites.
Located in the heart of SM Mall of Asia, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, the first Lanson Place property in the Philippines that will feature 247 rooms hotel and 143 serviced suites, providing guests with direct access to extensive retail, food and beverage and entertainment facilities. Lanson Place is in close proximity to the flagship SMX Convention Center Manila as well as the iconic eCom office buildings, making it ideal not only for leisure guests but for business travelers and MICE delegates as well.
“It is a very exciting time for us being approximately 6 months away from opening, as it’s our first operation in the Philippines,” said Michael Hobson, Chief Executive Officer of Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited, during the roundtable media briefing recently.
With the tagline ‘Make Yourself at Home’, its deep-rooted philosophy, Hobson related that welcoming guests can be compared to what is traditionally done when receiving visitors at home.
“I would probably go down to my home and meet you. I will make sure that you’re comfortable, you have everything you need. Understand you as well as I can, try to please you. I will escort you on the way out also.”
“This tagline is powerful and we want to inculcate that to all our colleagues. We want to be sensitive to what pleases our guests because some would want more attention than others, It is not just a throw away line. The tagline is carried into our designs from a design standpoint, technical services standpoint, and most importantly, a service philosophy,” he added.
As specialists in extended stays, having been in the business since 1995 managing 11 properties in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Australia, and Singapore, Hobson said that understanding what it is to have people for long periods of time, strong relationships are built, a community spirit is then developed along the property.
Features
“Fronting Manila Bay is the best feature,” remarked Laurent Boisdron, Vice-President and General Manager of the upcoming property.
Boisdron is no stranger to the country as he was formerly General Manager of Conrad Manila, another SMHCC property, from 2018 to 2020.
Besides the breathtaking view, he enumerated the Lanson Place advantage: All serviced residences will have a balcony; the 11th floor will have the Edge pool bar, a bar with the view, and a fitness center; the 10th floor will have a resident lounge exclusively for the serviced apartments; Half of the hotel would be for hotel guests and the rest will be for residents; There will be a 155-seat all-day dining restaurant called Cyan; and, a Tapas Bar helmed by Chef Dennis Peralta, known for his culinary prowess at Pico de Loro, will be different and competitive as well as the buffet’s different offerings that will feature an Indian station curated by an Indian chef.
“On the 3rd floor, Lanson will have a dedicated co-working space,” Hobson continued, “Guests, residents and walk-ins are welcome. The 2nd floor is a ballroom with a 350 sit-down capacity, and can be divided by three. Then there are 7 meeting rooms. The ground floor will have a coffee shop in the morning that will transform into a bar in the evening,” he added.
A health and wellness focus
Wellness will be a significant experience for Lanson guests as it will open a grand spa. Add to this the fact that all its employees will be 99% Filipino to complement the inherent welcoming touch.
“We purposely set out not to employ expats for the executive committee or positions. All other employees are Filipino and we are very proud of that, I think SM is giving us a tremendous asset to manage and we are giving ourselves the best chance,” Hobson said.
