By Princess Faith Argosino
As it celebrates it’s fifth year, Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila continues to bring consistent and excellent service for its guests in the metro and those from around the world.
As the first international brand to set foot in BGC, Ascott was able to establish itself in the burgeoning urban center in 2014. And in 2019, five years after it first open its doors, Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila (Ascott BGC) has won multiple awards and recognitions—living up to its motto of being one’s “home away from home.”
According to Ascott BGC and Citadines Bay City Manila general manager Sue Ponnudurai, the “home away from home” concept covers two important aspects. “First it is the product, which includes fully equipped kitchens, well-appointed dining and living areas, and rooms that have everything one needs in an apartment and a home. Secondly, there’s the service component, the passion that the staff displays to deliver an excellent experience for guests,” she says.
On that same note, The Ascott Limited, Philippines’ country general manager, Daniel Wee, shares that steering Ascott BGC in the right direction was relatively easier since the metro has already grown familiar with the Ascott brand over the past years. Now, The Ascott Limited, Philippines is on its 20th year, soaring high and maintaining its success.
While the market’s familiarity with the brand worked in their favor, Ascott BGC still had their work cut out for them, especially when it comes to differentiating a serviced apartment from a hotel. “People use to not understand what a serviced residence is and what a hotel is, and they would come to a serviced residence expecting the same as hotel,” Sue explains before adding, ”We are more than a hotel. For starters, we have a fully equipped kitchen.”
Daniel, on the other hand, noted that ensuring Ascott BGC’s success entailed a lot of effort when it comes to keeping up with the advancements in technology and fierce competition.
Things were elevated to the next level when Ascott BGC finally created its in-house food and beverage (F&B) department in 2018. This move, according to Sue, is a crucial step in adding that “Ascott touch” on the services they deliver; it also allows them to further understand their guests on a more personal level, based on their dining preferences, for instance.
Thus, Scott’s, a restaurant located on the second floor of Ascott BGC just below its units, was born. The restaurant serves a variety of comfort food, as well as a plethora of local and international dishes, and Mexican dishes served at the pool bar on the seventh floor. Prices are also competitive, giving Ascott guests the advantage of enjoying hotel-quality meals.
To spice things up, The Ascott Limited have also started offering the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), a loyalty program designed to make a guest’s stay even more rewarding. Through this, guests aged 16 and above may earn points that can be used to offset his or her room rates, airport transfers and more. The Loyalty program also enables members to enjoy the lowest rates, along with a string of other rewards such as birthday discounts, additional bonus points and complimentary room upgrades for its loyal members.
A tale of giving back
Today, The Ascott Limited, Philippines has 25 properties, 9 of which are operational, while the other 16 are under development. Furthermore, they are open to franchise operations and currently looking for properties to invest in and partner with.
With success, of course, comes social responsibility. A sizable donation was made by The Ascott Limited, Philippines to Gawad ng Kalinga, Kusina ng Kalinga during Ascott BGC’s tree lighting activity. This comes on top of the constant support Ascott has extended to the organizations in the last four years, to help in its housing and community feeding program.
Whether in terms of service or offerings or even when it comes to giving back to the communities it serve, Ascott BGC is set to conquering greater heights. “Every Ascott proper has set its own set customers Some cater to long-term guests, some to shorter stays. Regardless of the difference though, all our staff always manage to uphold the same quality of excellent service that we are known for,” concludes Daniel.
