By Loreen Espejo
As the Philippines sustains the momentum of its tourism resurgence, property giant Megaworld is helping enhance the country’s appeal as a top tourist destination, elevating hospitality and the overall guest experience to global standards through innovation and expansion, while championing inclusivity and its signature brand of Filipino hospitality.
Through its hospitality arm, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the company is transforming key destinations nationwide with a growing portfolio of homegrown hotel brands. With 13 operational properties and seven more opening within the next three years, Megaworld is helping fuel tourism development in strategic locations such as Boracay, Cebu, Manila, Palawan, Pampanga, and Iloilo.
THE PHILIPPINES’ BIGGEST HOTEL DEVELOPER AND OPERATOR
Some of Megaworld’s hotel properties are set against breathtaking natural landscapes, such as Twin Lakes Hotel in Batangas, which offers sweeping views of Taal Lake and the iconic Taal Volcano — the world’s smallest active volcano and one of the country’s most picturesque landmarks.
Named the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group for 2024 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts currently operates 13 hotels under seven Filipino homegrown brands. The Savoy Hotel brand has three properties: Savoy Hotel Manila in Pasay, Savoy Hotel Mactan in Cebu, and Savoy Hotel Boracay in Aklan. The Belmont Hotel brand also has three branches: Belmont Hotel Manila in Pasay, Belmont Hotel Mactan in Cebu, and Belmont Hotel Boracay. The Richmonde Hotel brand includes Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City, and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. Other brands include Kingsford Hotel Manila and the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel, both in Parañaque; Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila; and Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas.
Megaworld is targeting to expand its hotel portfolio to 12,000 hotel room keys by 2030 with new hotels set to open in more key areas including Metro Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Iloilo, and Bacolod.
In the next three years, the portfolio will expand with the addition of Chancellor Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Iloilo, Kingsford Hotel Bacolod, Savoy Hotel Palawan, Paraguay Sands Palawan, ArcoVia Hotel in Pasig, and Savoy Capital Town in San Fernando, Pampanga. With 20 properties and around 9,000 rooms in total, Megaworld is firmly positioned as the largest and most expansive hotel operator in the Philippines.
DRIVING INCLUSIVE TRAVEL WITH HALAL-CERTIFIED EXPERIENCES
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) is the Philippines’ first Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain with six properties — Kingsford Hotel Manila, Grand Westside Hotel, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, and Belmont Hotel Mactan — having Halal kitchens certified by the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines.
In a milestone moment for Philippine tourism, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts was named the country’s first-ever Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain at the Halal in Travel Awards 2025 in Singapore. Conferred by global authority CrescentRating, the recognition highlights the group’s commitment to inclusive tourism and its efforts to create welcoming spaces for Muslim travelers.
This recognition follows the certification granted by the Philippine Department of Tourism, officially acknowledging Megaworld’s compliance with national standards for Muslim-friendly tourism practices. From Halal-certified kitchens and designated prayer rooms to Qibla direction indicators and culturally sensitive guest services, Megaworld’s hotels are now equipped to serve the evolving needs of this growing travel segment — resulting in enhanced guest satisfaction and broader international market reach.
FORGING A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH GLOBAL LEADER, ACCOR
Megaworld’s partnership with Accor boosts the company’s tourism thrust, with the prestige of an international hotel chain helping enhance the appeal of its townships and elevate the attractiveness of the Philippines as a tourist destination.
Leading the signing ceremony between Megaworld and Accor were Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, president and chief executive officer, Megaworld (seated, 2nd from left) and Andrew Langdon, Chief Development Officer, Asia, Accor (seated, 2nd from right). Joining them were Cleofe Albiso, managing director, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (left) and Chris Cho, vice-president for development – Singapore, Philippines, Korea, and Maldives, Accor.
Megaworld recently announced a landmark partnership with Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups with a portfolio of over 5,600 hotels in 110 countries. The collaboration will bring Accor’s operational expertise, global service standards, and the ALL Accor loyalty program into select Megaworld properties.
In 2024, Megaworld launched the Grand Westside Hotel, the Philippines’ biggest hotel with 1,500 room keys. No less than Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the opening ceremonies along with Tourism secretary Christina Frasco.
The first phase of this partnership will see Belmont Hotel Mactan rebranded into Mercure Mactan Cebu, set to open later this year at The Mactan Newtown in Cebu. More Megaworld hotel properties are expected to follow suit in the coming years, as both groups explore further rebranding opportunities under Accor’s global portfolio. This integration marks a significant step in Megaworld’s hospitality evolution — bridging local identity with international excellence and offering guests enhanced access, consistency, and rewards on a global scale.
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