By MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN
Photography by DIX PEREZ
The woman on top of premier business and leisure hotel The Bellevue Manila cites several top-of-mind considerations among today’s guests who now seek more meaningful and immersive stays.
As efforts to revitalize Philippine tourism continue, the hospitality industry is being recalibrated to accommodate the revenge traveler, who now seeks more meaningful, immersive and unique experiences that go beyond traditional packages.
Mavic Recio, The Bellevue Manila’s general manager, notes that other top-of-mind considerations for guests are health, security and safety protocols, along with trust and transparency.
“Guests want to be sure that their hotel stays are not only enjoyable but also safe,” she says. “This is important for them because their safety is at stake when they venture beyond their homes. Guests whose companies are affiliated with sustainability initiatives also check our sustainability efforts, a journey which we started some five years ago.”
Thinking green
Recio proudly states that the hotel’s urban garden, the first in the city of Muntinlupa, is a showcase for other establishments in the area as well as other local government units. In fact, The Bellevue Manila and the city government have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the office of Mayor Ruffy Biazon and the Department of Agriculture Extension Services Office (DAESO) of Muntinlupa to further develop their urban garden facilities.
“It currently supplies us with fresh vegetables and herbs such as bok choy, lettuce, mint leaves and coriander, to name a few, for our restaurant outlets. This urban farm-to-fork initiative offers our diners richer and stronger flavors that result in better-tasting dishes, as the freshness of our ingredients is not affected by packaging and transportation.”
The hotel likewise offers refillable water bottles in their rooms to minimize plastic waste from single-use items. It was the hotel’s managing director John Patrick Chan, along with chairman Johnny Chan, a farmer, who championed this move towards sustainable stays.
Changing industry landscape
Another shift in the hospitality industry that The Bellevue Manila warmly welcomes is the rise of multigenerational guest stays. Local guests want to be able to enjoy a staycation with their entire family in tow, as a way to build more happy memories together.
“While it is the older generations that choose where to book their stays, Gen Z and Gen Alpha also have a say on where they want to go,” says Recio. “We want everybody who stays with us to have a good time. This is why we offer varied activities and bonding opportunities for the entire family. The hotel has two pools to choose from, one at the Main Wing and another at the Tower Wing.”
The hotel is also building a kids’ playroom so that parents can relax while their kids play in a safe space. Fur parents need not feel left out, as the hotel has introduced its pet staycation at one of its floors.
“Now, fur parents can enjoy their staycations without having to worry about leaving their pets behind,” she says.
Their signature suites have spacious common rooms that enable families and friends to gather, catch up, or to simply enjoy each other’s company as they watch their favorite movies and series, with their choice of snacks and drinks at hand.
Those who want to bond over family-style meals don’t have to go elsewhere, too, as its dining outlets offer some of the best and most innovative dishes in the city.
“They can savor local and international cuisine at Café De Asie, which will soon be rebranded into Qsina,” Recio informs. “We also have authentic Chinese flavors at Phoenix Court, which is considered as a dining destination in Muntinlupa, along with the Japanese restaurant Hanakazu.”
The hotel also features Cellar 22 and Vue Bar for those who want to unwind with a brew or crafted cocktail in hand, and the Pastry Corner to satisfy their sweet-tooth cravings. “Over the summer, we had a successful Swim and Grill package. It was a hit with families and groups of friends who enjoyed the outdoor casual party-like atmosphere that we were able to create. We hope to do a repeat of this by year’s end,” she shares.
Discerning guests can also avail themselves of the Bellevue Premiere and Signature Club privileges, which include personalized check-in and all-day coffee and tea service at the hotel’s exclusive Signature Lounge. There, guests can enjoy a relaxing vista of the wide-open spaces that mirrors the unhurried pace of southern living.
For bigger parties, the hotel offers the largest ballroom in the south, with a seating capacity of 700 people, coupled with the bespoke service of The Bellevue Manila’s dedicated events team.
“Our ballroom banquet facilities and events spaces are suitable for different occasions — from dazzling corporate gatherings to significant milestone events such as weddings. We are committed to providing delightful experiences by closely working with clients, attending to different details, towards the seamless execution of their event requirements,” Recio offers.
At home in the south
Recio has already spent 11 of her 28 years as a hotelier at The Bellevue Manila. She started her journey in the hospitality industry at EDSA Shang Manila in 1994. From there, she worked her way up to become assistant director for events management.
At The Bellevue Manila, she was hired as director of events, and was later promoted to the position of group director of sales and marketing for The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts (BH&R) group.
“Before I was appointed as general manager in January last year, I was the hotel’s resident manager. This journey, if I may say so, is a colorful one. Far from being a cookie-cutter type rise to the top, I literally rose from the ranks and witnessed how the industry has evolved.”
What makes her corporate journey remarkable is her sure rise to the top regardless of whatever industry she takes on. “My first job was in a pizza chain, as a crew member. By the time I left, I was in charge of the store. I think this path in both my fast-food job and the hotel industry gave me the experience and the background in all aspects of operation, something that I apply even to this day,” she says.
She feels at home in the south and wants her guests to feel the same way, too. For Recio, genuine hospitality should come from the heart. And, as the Department of Tourism constantly reminds them, it should also be coupled with impeccable service.
And what sets her hotel apart from the already crowded hospitality scene? “At The Bellevue Manila, we promise a superior guest experience, with exceptional hospitality, fantastic accommodations and modern amenities. We take pride in our dedication to excellence in every aspect of guest service. As a result, we have become a premier destination for travelers who are seeking comfort and laid-back luxury,” she concludes.
Hair and makeup by EDDIE MAR CABILTES
