With the continuous arrivals of foreign and balikbayan tourists, especially this Christmas Season, real-estate developer Century Properties Group Inc. said they are taking advantage of this with the formal opening of Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua in Mandaluyong City this 15 December.

"December is an opportune time for Novotel Suites Manila to open as Century Properties can actively participate and address the demand surge for tourism and leisure travel, which is also in line with the government's thrust to promote the industry," according to CPGI president and chief executive officer Marco Antonio.

Besides tourist arrivals, Antonio said the increased number of multinational companies based in Taguig and Makati also gives their company the chance to accommodate the demand for intimate gatherings and meetings given our strategic location.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported in the second quarter of 2022 that "the Department of Tourism is forecasting the recovery of the country's domestic travel sector by 2022 at the earliest when demand returns to 90 percent of the 2019 level, and by 2024 at the latest. The DoT is focusing on the recovery of the tourism sector through the promotion of domestic travel, with many overseas source markets still closed."

On the other hand, the DoT stated in November that the Philippines saw a total of 2 million visitor arrivals since the relaxation of border restrictions in February early this year. Of this number, 1.5 million (73.43 percent) are foreign tourists, while 538,000 (26.57 percent) are overseas Filipinos.

"We are excited to welcome tourists, as well as residents and their guests at Acqua Private Residences so that they can enjoy the hotel's food and beverage offerings," Novotel Suites Manila general manager Raul Aquino said.

The hotel is accessible via various points in Makati and Mandaluyong cities, mainly via the Estrella-Pantaleon and Makati-Mandaluyong bridges that cross the Pasig River. A few minutes away is EDSA, which has a direct link to the airport via Skyway.

Novotel Suites Manila marks the first hospitality venture for CPGI, a company historically known for its high-rise condominiums. Recently, Century forayed into affordable housing, through PHirst Park Homes, and premium low-density developments with Century Nuliv.

Conceptualized in partnership with hotel powerhouse Accor and wholly operated by CPGI, the hotel is housed in the sixth and final tower of Acqua Private Residences.

"We are proud to carry the Novotel name, along with other 500 establishments globally. It's a trusted brand, known for excellent rooms and service. It's our pleasure to work with Accor," Antonio said.
The 152-room mid-scale hotel is owned by CPG and its subsidiary Century Acqua Lifestyle Corporation, which handles CPG's fractional ownership business. The tower's upper floors are allocated for residential condominium units, which have been sold out.

Aside from rooms with floor areas ranging from 32 to 87 sqm, guests will be able to enjoy a pool, a restaurant and bar, a lounge cafe, a pastry shop, and a fitness center once the hotel opens. Meeting rooms are also available for small-scale business events.

In the interest of the guests' well-being and in keeping with industry-wide practices, the hotel will implement standard health protocols.