Monday, May 19, 2008 The 'bed and breakfast' experience gets nearer By Ana Felicia Dulay
FOR most Filipinos yet to travel abroad, the experience of staying in a "bed and breakfast" inn is unheard of. Most can only boast of staying at either a high-rise hotel or a spartan lodge with communal bathrooms.
The dichotomy is disparate where no middle ground exists. Now thanks to Microtel Inn & Suites Davao, there is a new option for travelers.
According to Rose Brillantes-Gabas, Microtel resident manager, the concept of Microtel is that of a no-frills hotel.
"We offer basic amenities that travelers need. Aside from clean rooms, we also offer regular or heavy breakfast, depending on a traveler's choice," she said in a recent interview at her office.
She says that the word "Microtel" is a US brand and the first in Mindanao with Davao City being the pilot area.
"We had our soft opening last September 2007. And since then, we had about 50% occupancy rate. From January to March this year, we had 70% occupancy rate," she said.
Microtel is an international chain of limited services hotels under the Global Hyatt Group. Microtel Davao is a franchise of Damosa Land Inc. owned by Anflo Group.
In the Philippines, the master franchise of Microtel is handled by Jose Maria del Rosario.
Gabas said Microtel buildings follow the style and architecture of all buildings all over the world. There are more than 300 Microtel Inns across the globe and the number continues to grow.
According to Gabas, three more Microtel Inns will open: Cabanatuan in June, Cebu in July and the ongoing project in Palawan. This brings the total number to 10 inns in the country.
Microtel Inn & Suites has 51 rooms, offering double and suite accommodations. The hotel is located at Damosa Gateway Complex along Mamay Road, Lanang, Davao City.
Its facilities and amenities can rival that of an upscale hotel, with its cable TV, IDD and NDD access, electronic key card entry system, speed Internet connections, among others.
Its function room can seat up to 180 to 200 persons, which is great for seminars, forum and conventions.
"Marami din kaming bookings ng corporate accounts. Our function room is convenient for conventions and seminars," she said.
With Gabas at the helm, Microtel Inn & Suites Davao can go no wrong. With her 10 years of experience in the hotel industry and another eight years in an international six-star cruise line, Gabas feels at home with Microtel Davao.
"When I was offered the job as resident manager here, I did not hesitate to say yes. I have considered Davao as my second home already," she said.
"While working my way up the ladder, I remember my mentors would always tell me that part of being a great leader is being able to motivate or inspire loyalty from our team. And the best way to do that is to support and recognize their efforts," she said.
"I also believe that guests are most deserving of our 'personal approach,' nothing less. I always want the guests to feel like they never left their homes and they can be as comfortable as when they stay in Microtel. I ensure that I am mostly visible to guests and if need be, personally attend to their concerns," she added.
Under such able hands, truly, guests at Microtel Inn and Suites need not ask for more.
