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The Hotel of the YEAR
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: -
Date: 2008-08-19
 
The award-winning Marco Polo Davao is marking its 10th year in the hospitality business with a splash. Aside from this milestone, the hotel has a lot of other reasons to celebrate.

In its 10 years as Davao City’s first and only International Deluxe Hotel, it has gained recognition as one of the finest hotels in Asia. It has also become among the most popular hotels of the Marco Polo chain.

So many elements have contributed to the landmark success of the Marco Polo Davao. One of them is its location. The city of Davao is a melting pot of diverse cultures and people. The city is bordered by swamps, jungles, sandy beaches, and high mountain ranges, the most significant of which is Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak at 10,311 feet above sea level. It also boasts of vast agricultural lands where huge fruit plantations and ornamental flower gardens are located. Davao is also the home of the Philippine’s eagle.

Rich in natural resources and a typhoon-free city, it has ranked second in the Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines for five consecutive years. It has also consistently made it to the Top 20 for four consecutive years as the Most Livable City based on annual surveys made by Asiaweek on the 40 Best Cities in Asia.

The city has also been competitive in terms of attracting investments and introducing new foreign markets. In fact, it is identified by the Asian Institute of Management as the most competitive city in doing business. Set for further development, the city serves as Mindanao’s center of commerce, trade, and services. Budding businesses are expanding, and the city has opened doors to new technology and world-class utilities.

Playing a significant role in the city’s development is Marco Polo Davao being a trailblazer of innovation. Celebrating its 10th year, the hotel stands with towering height. It is Mindanao’s first and only International Deluxe Hotel with 245 elegant rooms and suites ranging from Superior and Deluxe rooms, Continental Club rooms, Cabana rooms, Deluxe and Continental Suites, the signature Marco Polo Suite, and the majestic Presidential Suite.

Situated at the heart of the city, Marco Polo Davao has become a measurement for standards in the hospitality industry aside from also being the city’s landmark. The hotel has risen above every challenge despite the number of rooms it has to fill and the challenges surrounding the region. Its long-lasting high occupancy as compared to other hotels of its type is a testament of guests’ satisfaction on the hotel’s quality of service. The hotel was positioned among Asia’s best hotels and resorts in the year 2007 by The HotelClub.com, a leading online accommodation provider.

The hotel continuously ranks highest in the guest satisfaction survey showing that Marco Polo Davao continues to be the best performing property of the hotel chain in terms of overall staying experience. This, in effect, paved way to its winning the Hotel of the Year award among the Marco Polo Hotels Group, claiming the highest percentage in all the categories. The hotel is rated excellent not only in terms of reservations, check-ins, and accommodations, but also on food and beverage.

A HAVEN FOR FOOD CONNOISSEURS

While much credit is given for the hotel’s efforts in bringing fresh flavors to the Davao market, it has garnered a Hall of Fame award from the Mindanao Culinary Festival for its achievement as over-all champion in the competition for three years in a row. Adding prestige are the Gold and Silver medals won at the 2008 Cebu Goes Culinary competition. Over the years, the food and beverage outlets have gained a reputable identity in quality food and service.

The sumptuous buffet of Café Marco offers a variety of Filipino, Asian, Mediterranean, and international cuisines. Authentic Cantonese cuisine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Lotus Court gives a distinct flavor to every bite. The hotel raised the level of appreciation for fine dining among the locals with the birth of its Polo Bistro Pool Lounge that is perfectly situated at the city’s newest attraction called The Deck.

A PLACE FOR WELLNESS

The Deck is a fusion of natural surroundings and modern settings that gives new meaning to leisure and wellness. Dubbed as a Modern Paradise, it also includes the Sarangani Function Room, Fitness Center, and the most upscale spa in Davao called Lazuli Spa. A stunning two-storey structure overlooking the pool, Lazuli Spa includes state-of-the-art amenities and exquisite spa services.

Completing the Deck are 12 newly developed and refurbished Cabana Terrace rooms, which display a distinctive look different from the usual business rooms with the fusion of modern and organic materials as its interiors. The patios are extended frontward to give guests a perfect view of the Deck. This sets off an ambience with the natural scenery of the Zen-like garden, the color play of the 25-meter pool, and a panoramic view of the city. Not only can these be enjoyed at the fourth level but at the fifth level as well. This expansion includes a Cabana Suite and Honeymoon Suite as perfect recluse for the newlyweds.

BUSINESS HUB

For a long time running, the hotel has also been a hub for businesses. To meet the demands of functions and events, it has persistently improved and developed facilities to answer the need for space for national events and conventions which then aided the advance of all service-oriented businesses in Davao. It also gains yearly recognition from the city government being one of the highest tax-paying corporations in the city, contributing to as much as P 84.44 million worth of taxes since it opened—this representing real property taxes, business sales taxes, permits, and licenses.

A CHAMPION FOR TOURISM

Now on its 10th year, Marco Polo Davao takes tourism as its prime interest. The hotel has subsequently worked and participated in travel and trade expos, business missions and conferences here and abroad to uphold Davao City. That resulted to the sizable return of local and international guests, including foreign diplomats, slowly eradicating the notion that the city is not a safe place to visit.

"The hotel is gearing towards building up the image of Davao as a principal destination for wellness. The owners believe so much in the potentials of Davao City, even investing substantially in construction for The Deck, the newest and most advanced venue for pampering and relaxation. This is just the first of the various movements the management has lined up this year to fulfill its commitment to the city tourism in enticing foreign guests to visit and experience Davao," notes general manager Stanley Lau.

The Marco Polo Davao is situated at C.M. Recto Street, Davao City 8000, Philippines. For reservations and inquiries, call (63 82) 221-0888 or fax (63 82) 225-0111. You may also e-mail davao@marcopolohotels.com.
 

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