2nd largest nationwide: Go Hotels opens Iloilo branch

MANILA, Philippines - The value hotel chain of property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has started commercial operations of its second largest branch in the country.

The newest Go Hotels branch targets both tourists and participants of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibits (MICE) in Iloilo,  a company official said.

“Our newest property, and our biggest so far among our regional properties, has 167 guest rooms and a hundred-seat function room to accommodate the growing needs of the MICE market,” said Elizabeth Gregorio, business unit general manager for Robinsons Hotels and Resorts.

The budget hotel chain’s flagship and largest branch is the 223-room Go Hotels Mandaluyong that opened in 2010.

“As a premier destination for both tourists and businessmen, Iloilo City offers myriad options every traveler may have in mind,” Gregorio said, adding that the Western Visayas province is a booming business hub.

She said Go Hotels Iloilo offers value proposition whether for business or pleasure, and is an integral part of the city’s first full-service mall, Robinsons Place Iloilo.

The Gokongwei family’s RLC, through Go Hotels, has created an alternative for travelers looking for essential service hotel.

“We continue to provide our guests and patrons with smart reasons to stay in Go Hotels,” Gregorio said.

For instance, the hotel chain offers Windsor beds made of 100-percent cotton sheets, modern bathroom fixtures and complimentary essential toiletries, free Wi-Fi access, and pull-down worktables for businessmen and busy travelers.

It also allows guests to avail of the “service plus” in the form of add-ons like toiletry kits, airport transfer, and/or breakfast sets.

Go Hotels earlier opened the 198-room Go Hotels Ortigas Center and the 102-room Butuan branch. So far, the budget hotel chain has a portfolio of around 1,200 rooms, with other branches  in Tacloban, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Manila.

In 2010, RLC launched the first Go Hotels in the Philippines. RLC is also the company behind luxury hotels Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Galleria.

In December, Singapore-based Vanguard Hotels Pte. Ltd., a franchisee of Go Hotels, partnered with  property developer Roxaco Land Corp. to put up a minimum of five branches over the next two years in key strategic locations.

Vanguard Hotels operates hotels in Southeast Asia while Roxaco Land is the real estate unit of Roxas & Co. Inc. Roxaco Land is the company behind Fuego Hotels, which manages the 88-hectare premiere luxury seaside resort Club Punta Fuego in Batangas; the Terazzas de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas; 7 Stones Boracay Suites and Boracay Gems in Boracay, Aklan; and CamayaCoast in Bataan.