Victoria Court reinvents itself

MANILA, Philippines - Companies often reinvent themselves not just to keep up with the changing times but to lure more clients and simply stay afloat. Some companies employ and change business tactics to open up opportunities and grow profit.

Victoria Court is one of the companies that has reinvented itself to cater to a wider and diverse clients.

The longest-running chain of hotel/motel business in the country is opening up as a premiere party/events destination and has stopped being an exclusive place for couples who wants to have a private time.

For so many years, Victoria Court has been stereotyped as a “romance motel.”

While it has gained a steady stream of customers through the years,Victoria Court carried a certain stigma and a negative image.

Its emblem of a woman with a shushing finger on her lips has stereotyped Victoria Court as a venue for illicit affairs. In a predominantly Catholic country, motels do not sit well with the bishops and Church pundits.

Still, even with the stigma and all, clients continued to patronize Victoria Court because of its classy amenities, clean and safe surroundings and personalized service.

Today, all that is about to change as Victoria Court announced their new business thrust as a party/function venue for its corporate/family/group.

Since last year, the company has opened its doors to their other clients.

“We opened up Victoria Court in 2010 as a party place for companies celebrating their Christmas party, anniversaries. Likewise, families, clans and barkadas celebrating their birthdays and other momentous occasions have celebrated here.We also held bridal showers and stag parties. We have expanded,” says Operations Manager Darlene Alvarez.

“We want to tell people that we are beyond just being a motel. We’re trying to remove the stigma because for some time, Victoria Court has been known as a place for couples only, We’re changing all that,” she says.

But Darlene clarifies Victoria Court still caters to couples looking for a “romantic moment.”

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“Definitely, we have rooms for couples to have their private time and we make sure they get the privacy they need. All the rooms have their own garage and sound–proof. We’re not saying no to couples,” she adds.

 What exactly lures the spectrum of customers to Victoria Court?

“It’s the theme rooms, everyone loves the theme rooms,” Darlene says.

Victoria Court spent millions of pesos building its three special theme rooms like the Oval Office which was patterned after the real one at the White House in Washington, the Venice Suite which boasts of a real Gondola, a fountain and a hand-painted mural of one of Michael Angelo’s most famous painting on its walls. It also built the Moulin Rouge theme room complete with a French Boudoir bedroom, satin and silk-dressed beds, crystal drop chandeliers and scented candles.

 “As you can see, we are not a typical motel/hotel, we have world-class rooms and these are what makes people come back,” she says.

They’ve also invented in building rooms like the Matrix, X-Men, Playboy penthouse rooms, to name a few in their 10 branches all over Metro Manila.

The rooms, designed by top Filipino interior designers, have ambient lightings, plasma TVs, Jacuzzis, wall and ceiling mirrors.

Victoria Court is also now is being managed by Robert Atticus King, son of motel king Archimedes King.

Darlene furthers that Victoria Court, true to its pursuit of quality and good service has earned the distinction as the first-drive-in hotel with ISO 9002: 1994; ISO 9001:2000 certification by TUV Management until October 2006.

In 2003 and 2004, it has been awarded as the Cleanest and Safest place in Metro Manila by DOH. In the same years, the Consumers Union of the Philippines acknowledge it as The No.1 Drive Inn Hotel in the Philippines.

In every step they make, Darlene says they try to provide the highest quality of service, which is why people, not just couples want to stay at Victoria Court, she says.

“Our business thrust right now is to really make Victoria Court a versatile venue for everyone, not just couples. We want to change people’s mindset that Victoria Court is just a motel, we are beyond that,” says Darlene.