By Mike Baños
Barely a year before Cagayan de Oro is projected to become the Philippines fourth metropolitan center, the tourism and hospitality industry appears to have the inside track to being first on the finish line with three international chain hotels, an international branded apartment hotel, and a resort hotel by a local brand with a decades track record being rolled out in the next few years.
Last June 21st, Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy revealed plans for a Sheraton hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is an American international hotel chain owned by Marriott International. Marriott International, Inc. is an American multinational company that operates, franchises, and licenses lodging brands that include hotel, residential, and timeshare properties. Marriott International owns over 30 hotel and timeshare brands with 8,785 locations and 1,597,380 rooms across its network.
As of 2024, Marriott International operates Luxury (6), Premium (12), Select (10), and Longer Stays (7) hotels, resorts and other branded properties internationally. Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is one of its listed Premium brands.
Dusit Thani
Probably the first to actually start construction is Dusit Thani hotel to be situated in an upcoming 15-story development in a prime location along Rosario Limketkai Avenue.
Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, branded as Dusit International, is a Thai multinational hospitality company headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Dusit International has 55 hotels and resorts in 16 countries.
As of 2019, Dusit International has 36 properties in Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, United States, China, Bhutan, Maldives, the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt and Kenya. Its brands include Dusit Thani Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Princess Hotels and Resorts, dusitD2 Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Devarana Hotels and Resorts, and ASAI Hotels.
The company currently has six properties in the Philippines: Dusit Thani in Manila and Mactan Cebu, Dusit Thani Residences in Davao, DusitD2 in The Fort, Taguig and Davao, and Dusit The Beach Club at Lubi Plantation Island in Davao.
Radisson Blue
More recently, Cebu-based property developer AppleOne Group, Inc. announced it is expanding its portfolio beyond Visayas by partnering with Radisson Hotel Group to build the first 5-star hotel and internationally-branded residences in Cagayan de Oro City. AppleOne is known for bringing luxury hotel and residences development and amenities into regions outside Metro Manila.
The company is the developer behind Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort in Cebu, the Mahi Center where Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan is nestled. In December last year, the company broke ground for JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort and Residences in Panglao, for the first 5-star luxury hotel and residences in Bohol. The Group also owns and operates the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
By introducing Cagayan de Oro’s first 5-star hotel and residences, President & CEO Ray Go Manigsaca said the company will help pave a transformative economic and social impact in the region.
“We intend to replicate in CDO what we have successfully started in Cebu and in all other areas where we operate—which is to contribute to the local economy and further boost the region’s tourism sector. We will be able to do this while we remain truthful to our commitment to elevate the living standards in the areas where we operate. This time, in CDO, and it is our pride to be the one to open the first 5-star hotel and residences in the city,” Manigsaca said.
The co-located development Radisson Blu Hotel and Residences, Cagayan de Oro will rise in CDO’s upscale Uptown area. It will accommodate guests and tenants with approximately 717 room keys.
“This is a proud moment for us at AppleOne. Our partnership with a globally recognized company like Radisson Hotel Group is perfect for our landmark expansion of a 5-star property in Cagayan de Oro. Our values align as we share a mutual vision for elevating hospitality standards in the country. This further shows our dedication to establishing lasting partnerships, and enhancing VisMin regions’ appeal for tourists and stakeholder investors,” Manigsaca added.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro introduces the city to meticulously designed guestrooms with dining, meeting and leisure facilities. It will feature a choice of diverse accommodation styles, two restaurants, a rooftop pool, pool bar, a spa and fitness center. Meeting planners can take advantage of six event spaces, and residence owners will be offered exclusive access to a private clubhouse.
Radisson Hotel Group’s expanding portfolio in the Philippines includes six operating hotels, including one Radisson Blu branded hotel in Cebu City, and five Park Inn branded properties in Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Quezon City and Mabalacat City, and five other hotels under development.
“We are honored to collaborate with AppleOne Group to develop our Radisson Blu brand in Cagayan de Oro. This will help enhance our strategic presence in the region and provide an opportunity to showcase the personalized services of Radisson Blu. We eagerly look forward to welcoming guests and residents alongside AppleOne Group,” Ramzy Fenianos, Radisson Hotel Group Chief Development Officer – Asia Pacific said.
Manigsaca added that this is only their first partnership with Radisson Hotel Group, as they are currently in talks for another project with the brand that is worth-looking forward to.
(Courtesy of Italpinas Development Corp).
Citadines by Ascott Ltd.
Another upcoming property is the Citadines by Ascott Apart|Hotel at the Primavera City, also at Pueblo de Oro Township.
IDC Prime a subsidiary company of Italpinas Development Corporation recently signed a Serviced Residence Management Agreement and Technical Advisory Agreement with Scotts Philippines, Inc., which is the Philippine subsidiary of Ascott, the world’s largest international serviced residence operator. Scotts Philippines manages the Ascott, Citadines and Somerset hotels and serviced residences in the Philippines.
Billed as the Premier International Brand of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, it will be located in Città Alta (“high city” in Italian) the tallest of the seven buildings of Primavera City, a flagship project of Fil-Italian developer Italpinas. This will be Ascott’s eight Citadines apart-hotel in the Philippines.
Designed as a high-performance green building which prioritizes comfort and environmental responsibility, Città Alta is a 32-story mixed use condotel featuring efficient water and energy usage, integrated passive cooling designs, and a facade that shields residents from excessive heat.
Primavera City, as a master-planned development, has garnered numerous accolades, including Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines by the Asia-Pacific Property Awards, Highly Commended Green Project of the Year by Lamudi, and a recipient of CREBA’s Best of the Best Developers of the Decade Award in the Vertical Residential Category.
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