Hotels & Accommodations
World Travel Awards: Manila’s Luxury Hotels Earn International Recognition
Monday, August 4, 2025
Manila, the busy capital of the Philippines, has some of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels in Southeast Asia. Two of these, Conrad Manila and Lanson Place Mall of Asia, both under SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), have received significant recognition at the 2025 World Travel Awards. Conrad Manila, known for its high-quality service, and Lanson Place Mall of Asia, a new player in the luxury hotel market, have both been nominated in several categories.
These nominations highlight SMHCC’s commitment to offering excellent hospitality and luxurious accommodations in Manila. As a top destination for business, leisure, and long-term stays, Manila strengthens its role as a center for world-class hospitality, with these hotels playing a big part in this growing reputation.
Conrad Manila: Consistently Leading the Way
Conrad Manila, SMHCC’s flagship hotel, has been nominated in three important categories: Philippines’ Leading Conference Hotel, Philippines’ Leading Hotel, and Philippines’ Leading Hotel Suite. For the past six years, the hotel has been recognized as the Philippines’ Leading Conference Hotel, thanks to its top-notch conference facilities and outstanding service. Its Forbes Ballroom has significantly contributed to Manila’s rising profile as a prime destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
Guests at Conrad Manila enjoy a luxurious stay, with panoramic views of Manila Bay and easy access to the Mall of Asia and other popular sites. The hotel’s focus on excellent service and personalized guest experiences has attracted a loyal clientele among business travelers, conference attendees, and leisure visitors.
As the hospitality landscape evolves, Conrad Manila stays ahead, setting the standard for luxury hotels in Manila and the Philippines. Its consistent high level of service meets the diverse needs of travelers, establishing it as a leader in the region’s hospitality sector.
Lanson Place Mall of Asia: A Newcomer With Big Ambitions
Lanson Place Mall of Asia joins the luxury accommodations in Manila, having already made a splash with its nomination in the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Residences category. Designed for both business and long-term travelers, Lanson Place offers a modern urban escape by the bay, combining contemporary design with the comfort and convenience that today’s travelers want.
Lanson Place Mall of Asia is conveniently located near the Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, making it a perfect spot for those who want to explore Manila. The hotel’s simple yet elegant design offers a comfortable stay, with peaceful bayfront views that create a calming environment. It has quickly become a preferred choice for guests seeking an upscale and comfortable extended stay experience in the heart of Manila.
The nomination for the Leading Hotel Residences category reflects the hotel’s excellent service, luxurious amenities, and unique offerings tailored to long-term guests. With its prime location and dedication to personalized experiences, Lanson Place is rapidly becoming a top pick for travelers in Manila.
SMHCC: Committed to Excellence and Filipino Hospitality
Both Conrad Manila and Lanson Place Mall of Asia showcase SMHCC’s dedication to its service culture of “We Go Beyond,” which focuses on delivering personalized, guest-focused experiences. This approach is rooted in Filipino hospitality, known for its warmth, attentiveness, and commitment to making every guest feel at home.
Eugene Naughton, president of SMHCC, stated that these nominations are not just about awards but about doing the right thing for the guests. “We provide the best guest experience in the country not to win awards but because it is the right thing to do,” Naughton said. His words underline the company’s commitment to maintaining high service levels and building a solid reputation in the hospitality industry worldwide.
The World Travel Awards: Recognizing the Best in Global Hospitality
The World Travel Awards are among the most prestigious in the global travel and hospitality sector. Nominations and winners stem from votes by travelers, industry experts, and consumers, who assess various aspects of hotels, resorts, and hospitality businesses. Being nominated for these awards signifies excellence, and both Conrad Manila and Lanson Place Mall of Asia have proven themselves worthy contenders.
Voting for the 2025 World Travel Awards is now open, with winners set to be announced later this year. The recognition of SMHCC’s hotels underlines their ability to provide exceptional service and world-class amenities that compete with the best globally.
Dollywood’s Success as a Model for Excellence
While the World Travel Awards cover many categories, the recognition of Manila’s luxury hotels highlights the growing importance of unique, guest-focused experiences. The influence of properties like Conrad Manila and Lanson Place Mall of Asia extends beyond just providing accommodations; they are vital in shaping Manila’s tourism and hospitality environment. By consistently exceeding guest expectations, these hotels raise the Philippines’ profile on the global travel scene, much like other renowned international attractions.
As travelers continue to come to Manila for both business and leisure, the focus is now on the city’s top hotels, which are celebrated for their unique offerings, customer service, and overall guest experience. Whether on a short business trip or a longer vacation, visitors can now enjoy luxurious stays at some of Asia’s finest establishments.
Conclusion: Manila’s Hospitality Shines Bright in Global Rankings
With its prestigious nominations at the 2025 World Travel Awards, the success of Dollywood in the Philippines remains a guiding light for global hospitality. As hotels like Conrad Manila and Lanson Place Mall of Asia lead the way in improving luxury hospitality standards in Manila, the city’s recognition as a leading global travel destination is set to rise even higher. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication of SMHCC, along with the lasting charm of Filipino hospitality that welcomes travelers from around the world. Whether for a quick escape or a longer stay, Manila’s luxury hotels are ready to provide an unmatched experience.
(Source: SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., TripAdvisor, Philippines Department of Tourism, 2025)
Hotels & Accommodations
Sinclairs Hotels Faces Evaluation Shift Amid Declining Profits and Stock Performance
Sinclairs Hotels, a microcap player in the Hotels & Resorts industry, has recently undergone an adjustment in its evaluation. This revision reflects a shift in the technical landscape surrounding the stock, moving from a mildly bullish stance to a more neutral position.
Key financial metrics indicate that the company has faced challenges in recent quarters. For instance, the latest quarter reported a significant decline in profit before tax, which fell by 31.19%, while profit after tax decreased by 28.9%. Over the past five years, net sales have grown at an annual rate of 3.29%, and operating profit has seen a modest increase of 2.33%.
The stock’s performance relative to the Sensex shows a return of -5.50% over the past year, contrasting with a 3.15% gain in the index year-to-date. Additionally, the company’s return on capital employed (ROCE) has reached a low of 14.26%, and its return on equity (ROE) stands at 12.1%.
Despite these challenges, Sinclairs Hotels maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio, which may provide some stability in its financial structure.
Hotels & Accommodations
Cindrella Hotels Faces Mixed Market Sentiment Amid Evaluation Score Adjustment
Cindrella Hotels, a microcap player in the Hotels & Resorts industry, has recently undergone an adjustment in its evaluation score. This revision reflects a shift in the technical trends observed in the stock’s performance metrics. Notably, the technical indicators have transitioned from a bullish stance to a mildly bullish outlook, suggesting a nuanced change in market sentiment.
The stock’s current price stands at 67.69, down from a previous close of 71.25, with a 52-week high of 81.58 and a low of 50.00. Over the past week, Cindrella Hotels has experienced a stock return of -7.90%, contrasting with a -1.06% return from the Sensex. However, on a year-to-date basis, the stock has shown a return of 4.14%, slightly ahead of the Sensex’s 3.15%.
Despite the recent positive financial performance reported for Q4 FY24-25, including a notable growth in net sales and an increase in profit after tax, the company faces challenges with long-term fundamental strength. The average return on equity is recorded at 6.38%, and the ability to service debt remains a concern, as indicated by a low EBIT to Interest ratio of 0.14.
Overall, the adjustment in evaluation for Cindrella Hotels highlights the complexities of its market position and performance indicators, reflecting both short-term achievements and long-term challenges.
It used to be one of those unwritten laws in travel – accommodation companies did accommodation, tour companies did tours.
Intrepid’s Daintree Ecolodge.Credit:
That was before tour operators broke the mould with expansion into river and small ship cruising, a common synergy these days.
One shining exception is Abercrombie & Kent, with its A&K Sanctuary division, comprising 15 African safari camps, lodges and five Nile riverboats with plans for further expansion internationally.
Australia’s famous tour company Intrepid Travel has also made a splash into the accommodation market, recently buying a resort in Tasmania and a riad in Morocco.
Edge of the Bay – Intrepid Travel’s recent purchase on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula.Credit:
This follows its 2023 acquisition of the Daintree Ecolodge in Queensland, and lease of a property in Hoi An, Vietnam.
It basically means cutting out the middle man – the company plans to own 20 such sites within the next three years.
Intrepid’s Australian purchase is of The Edge of the Bay, a previously family-run property on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula that will now see Intrepid Foundation partner Greening Australia at the property, introducing new nature-based guest experiences, as well as fundraising for the NGO.
In Marrakesh, Morocco, its guesthouse was also acquired from a private owner. Guests will be able to enjoy culinary experiences in the medina and onsite, with chefs recruited via another foundation partner, the Amal Association, which provides culinary training to women in Morocco.
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