Summit Circle converts into dormitel

CEBU, Philippines —  The 38-year-old Summit Circle Hotel in Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City will be converted into a dormitory facility, commencing Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) entry to “dormitel“ accommodation service.

Originally known as Cebu Midtown Hotel, about 40-50 rooms of the total 200 will initially be offered to students, employees, or bed-space dwellers with an affordable charge of at least P33 a day.

Some of the rooms accommodate two people, other rooms have king-size beds and one single-size bed can house three people. Three people in a room could share the P10,000 a month charge, including already the charges for water, electricity, and wifi. Unlike the usual hotel room set-up, the dormitory accommodation has no air conditioning. But good ventilation will be provided.

According to Joy de Mesa, Group Director of Sales and Marketing of RHR, the company is now preparing two floors of the Summit Circle for conversion into dormitory setups.

De Mesa said that part of the group’s plan is to enter the “dormitel” accommodation category in the hospitality business. “Hopefully, this [Summit Circle] will work.”

Targeted only for long-staying renters, the company requires a minimum stay of one month, with a one-month deposit requirement.

In 2011, Robinsons Land Inc., (RLI) president and chief executive officer (CEO) Frederick D. Go announced the change of Midtown Hotel name to Summit Circle along with the change of brand name. The company also invested in renovations of the iconic hotel in Fuente Osmeña, which is the first hotel established by the Gokongwei group in Cebu.

Today, RHR operates a growing number of hotels and resorts in Cebu, including the Summit Galleria Cebu, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, Nustar Resort and Casino, Nustar Hotel Cebu, Fili, and Grand Summit.

RHR is the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) and is on the path of becoming the Philippines’ biggest and best hotel group with the widest variety of formats and brands and the most diverse geographic reach.

RHR also operates international deluxe category brands, such as IHG-managed Crowne Plaza Galleria, Holiday Inn Galleria, and the upcoming The Westin Sonata Place Ortigas.

For its homegrown brands, there are the Summit Hotels and Resorts brand and the essential service hotel chain Go Hotels located in the metro and in key cities nationwide.

Its latest development is the ambitious NUSTAR Resort & Casino, poised to become Cebu’s first integrated resort development. NUSTAR Resort & Casino will be home to three exceptional hotels: NUSTAR Hotel Cebu (the only ultra-luxury hotel outside of Metro Manila), Fili (a five-star resort offering genuine Filipino hospitality), and Grand Summit (a lifestyle celebrations hotel).