Hotel aims to please well traveled middle managers

MIDDLE managers travel much more extensively than the top company executives yet there is a shortage of hotels that suit their budget and business requirements.

Richmonde Hotel, a member of the Megaworld group of companies, tries to fill the gap in the market by offering adequate amenities and facilities but at rates that suit the travel budget of these executives.

"What we offer is value for money. We decided to focus on this segment of the market because most companies are more budget conscious these days and they want a hotel that offers competitive rates but has adequate facilities," says Melissa Ledesma, Richmonde sales and marketing director.

Like most business hotels, rooms at the Richmonde have the basic facilities businessmen need such as computer and fax data port, automatic message handling system and national and international direct dial access.

One of the highlights of the Richmonde is its heated indoor pool complemented by a pool bar. Other facilities include a health and fitness club, sauna and steam rooms and special massage service.

"The business hotels in Metro Manila normally have the same set of amenities; it is in the value and the service that makes one hotel different from another," Ledesma says.

A deluxe room at the Richmonde Hotel costs $140 while the premier bedroom for single or double occupancy costs $150. A one-bedroom suite, on the other hand, is worth $200 a night and up to $500 a night for the top-of-the-line Richmonde Suite.

These are full service suites that are ideal for long staying guests.

Local residents, on the other hand, can avail of a P2,000++ a night for the deluxe room which already includes buffet breakfast for two.

Richmonde targets business travelers in Asia but it is also strong in the local market. Its main clients include the Asian Development Bank and other large corporations in the Ortigas-Mandaluyong-Pasig areas such as food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

Its guests stay for an average of three days although it also has suits open for long-staying guests or those who stay for a minimum of 14 nights. These suites located at the 11th and 12th floors have kitchens where guests can cook their own food. Each suite also has a complete set of cutlery and chinaware.

"We are different from other serviced apartments in the Ortigas area because we provide full hotel services even to long staying guests. This means that it is our room attendants who wash the dishes and clean up after the guests," Ledesma says.

Another attraction to the Richmonde Hotel is its complete office facilities available for use by the guests. Ledesma explains that the amenities were installed with the business traveler’s requirements in mind.

Richmonde Hotel, for instance, does not have a ballroom but it has five conference rooms that can comfortably sit about 40 guests in a seminar or a meeting. It also has a business center that includes six small offices with Internet access and the basic secretarial services.

"Many of our clients lease the office space for a month or two while they are setting up their permanent office. These are usually business people who are in the Philippines for the first time so they need immediate office space. We try to provide this for them," Ledesma says.