APO View Hotel relaunches on Thursday, October 19, under a new management as they target to infuse the modern lifestyle of the millennial while maintaining the hotel's cultural heritage.
As more and more competitions had arrived in the city, Apo View marketing manager Geminiano said Apo View had lagged behind in terms of tourism.
With this, they plan to upgrade the facilities, amenities, and food served gearing towards the modern lifestyle standards of the millennial while still keeping the culture that Apo View had been known for since its establishment in 1948.
Three years ago, the management of the oldest hotel in Davao City, Apo View Hotel, was transferred to Eurotel Hotel and by 2016 was transferred to Icon Hotel. All of these however, according to Apo View Hotel marketing manager Sue Geminiano, are under the mother company Global Comfort Group Corporation (GCGC). The company has about 65 different hotels distributed nationwide, of which Apo View Hotel is included.
"Being up to date means we will be upgrading the cuisine that we will serve at our Entrée, the coffee that we serve will be at its premium quality. At the same time, the facilities and amenities inside the rooms - from the projector to having it available to business meetings, business conferences, and other functions," said Geminiano.
About P280 million had already been spent in upgrading the hotel, which includes renovation and construction of additional rooms. Currently they have around 185 rooms which they target to be more than 200 by the beginning of 2018. Renovations were also made for the Entrée and the ballroom while the jazz room is still undergoing renovations.
Aside from the refurbishing and construction of new rooms, Apo View Hotel will also introduce new infrastructure specifically three towers to be constructed at the background of the hotel. These buildings will be used as residential and business center units and would still be under the management of GCGC. They target to start construction of the first tower by the first quarter of 2018. She clarified that these buildings are to be strategically located that would still allow for the view of Mt. Apo to be visible in a specific area of the hotel.
When asked how they plan to keep the cultural heritage of the hotel while marrying it with the modern lifestyle standard, Geminiano said they are going to maintain the physical appearance of the hotel specifically its furniture and fixtures and the façade of the garden.
"Of course, we want to maintain it historically. We would like to maintain the cuisine that the Dabawenyos had known the hotel for, at the same time add to the menu that is suitable to the millennial," she said adding, for one they plan to keep their chef who had been working at Apo View for about 20 years already.
Complementing the maintained culture of Apo View Hotel and the modern, fast-paced lifestyle of the newer generation, Geminiano said they envision the new Apo View to be seemingly be a "reunion of generations" with its relaunching. They are also going to partner with the Tourism regional office as well as other regional groups in promoting the new Apo View.
She said the overall renovations of the hotel target it to be finally be a five-star hotel.