New feel, new look at New World Manila Bay Hotel

MANILA, Philippines - The newly rebranded New World Manila Bay Hotel reaches new heights in providing guests with a modern hospitality experience in line with its expansion and renovation programs.

From the welcoming lobby to spacious guest rooms, the deluxe hotel has embraced a new look and feel under the management of New World Hotels Asia.

General manager Mark Heywood, who spearheaded the hotel’s smooth transition and rebranding, explains that the New World Development Company has owned the property ever since, but the hotel was managed by Hyatt Corp. The New World management decided to take over when Hyatt moved to the City of Dreams. Full transformation is expected to be completed by the end of next year.? Phase one of the renovation will include redesigning The Lounge, the executive floor’s Residence Club and the Market Café, while phase two will focus on the guest rooms, function rooms and grand ballroom.

Among those covered by the initial changes implemented early this year are the signage, employee uniforms and registration and legalities of the rebranding.?

New World Manila Bay boasts of 376 guest rooms, including 246 superior and deluxe rooms, 102 Residence Club rooms and 28 suites equipped with plush amenities.?To complete the lavish experience, visitors can take a dip in the hotel’s magnificent outdoor pool, work out in the fitness area or pamper themselves with spa treatments.

Heywood is enthusiastic about doing business in the Philippines because “the response of the tourists coming to the country has been very encouraging.” He says the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board have been doing a “fantastic job” overseas promoting the Philippines.

He recommends a “city-beach combination” package for tourists, wherein they stay at the hotel upon arrival and come back after traveling to the best beaches in the country, notably in the islands of Boracay, Palawan and Bohol.

Most of their guests are Americans, Japanese and Koreans who visit the Philippines for business or leisure. Local tourists booked at the hotel, on the other hand, attend conventions or conferences.

The New World Manila Bay Hotel is a convenient venue for business meetings and social gatherings because of its accessibility and large function rooms. It has a 629-square-meter ballroom, six-meter high ceiling and large foyer that can accommodate up to 500 guests in a banquet set-up and 700 guests for a cocktail event. If the event requires more space, the Le Salon, Residence Club board room and two meeting rooms are also available.

Beyond excellent facilities, Heywood stresses the importance of modern oriental hospitality, the core philosophy the group adheres to in providing their guests the “best of Philippine culture and values.”

We want our guests to talk about the employees. We want them to recognize that the reason people come back is the service. What is expected in every hotel is a comfy bed, clean bathroom, fast Internet. But what we want to market is the interaction among the employees, that’s why we focus on the hospitality relationship. Because it is the employees that win the day, they can make the difference,” Heywood says.

Management inspires their employees to be engaging, natural and perceptive and maintain a genuine relationship with the guests for them to have a reason to come back, again and again. In terms of hospitality, the British hotelier finds it easy to work with his Filipino associates and employees because they are naturally engaging and responsive.?

Turning a new leaf, our guests can anticipate experiencing what New World Hotel’s brand DNA of being a ‘provider of modern oriental hospitality’ is all about. We are an Asian company with Asian values and we are proud of our Filipino associates, who epitomize these values. They are among the best professionals in the hotel industry, whether here or abroad. They understand the value of great service with genuine care in a contemporary setting. Combining great service with world-class facilities and services, we shall provide our guests the time and space to focus on what is important for them,” he explains.?

“We are fortunate to have a great team of about 300 executives and associates who are well-trained and committed to work together and be part of the change process. Through proper planning, our team was able to reflag the previous brand as a New World Hotel in all signage, collateral, operational systems and procedures. With the support of the entire team, we experienced an efficient transition and low turnover of associates,” he adds.?

Heywood has been managing high-end hotels since the 1990s and joined the New World Manila Bay Hotel in January of this year. He returned to the Philippines after 22 years and his stint at the New World Manila Bay Hotel is his fourth assignment in Manila.

Looking forward, the new management hopes to create greater awareness of the New World brand in Manila and plans to launch joint promotions and offers with their strategic partners to tap a broader base of the market. Photos by FERNAN NEBRES