The Homes of Zee

We’re Psyched for Seda’s Fifth Year Anniversary

AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corporation’s hotel chain Seda announced on its fifth anniversary this December that in line with its objective to be the leading Philippine hospitality brand, it will continue expanding and winning market share by using its agility as a homegrown player.

Senior group general manager Andrea Mastellone disclosed that its current 1,409 rooms in seven locations (BGC, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Nuvali in Laguna, Iloilo City, Quezon City and Bacolod City) is set to increase to 15 hotels totaling 3,500 rooms by 2019. “Being a wholly-owned Filipino company, we have a deep understanding of opportunities in the market. We were the first to bridge the gap between the luxury and budget hotels by offering a modern facility with efficient service at competitive rates. Solid demand for our hotels continues to steadily grow.”

In addition to service excellence, the other Seda brand pillars of a high-energy location close to restaurants and retail outlets within an Ayala Land development and great value have allowed the brand to establish its own network of corporate and leisure clients. “Guests now have the option of finding the same standard of service and facilities all across the country through the Seda chain,” said Mastellone. He revealed that in 2016, all Seda hotels had become the market leader in their respective destinations.

He added that Seda’s two-year old Guest Loyalty Program which has 20,000 members is an essential part of its business. “It has facilitated recognition and rewards for loyal clients. It has also become a channel of communication between the hotels and our guests.”

Members earn points with every qualified stay and can redeem upgrades, Club Lounge access, overnight stays, and other privileges. Better yet, the program allows guests to deal with only one Seda hotel for bookings as they travel through the country. An added bonus, is that the loyalty system keeps tabs of guests’ preferences which can easily be tracked by Seda front-liners in every location.

In the next few years, Mastellone expects tourism and traditional firms on expansion mode to be Seda’s growth drivers and to fill the more than 2,000 rooms coming onstream. Studies by the Department of Tourism support the brand’s optimism citing projected room gaps in popular destinations by 2022, including Metro Manila with 69,185 and Cebu-Mactan, 14,931.

Following the launch of Seda Lio in El Nido, Palawan in the first half of 2018, new Seda hotels will be inaugurated in the next two years in Circuit Makati; Arca South, Taguig; the Cebu Business Park; Ayala North Exchange, Makati; Bay Area, Paranaque; and the Cebu IT Park. In response to the Bonifacio Global City’s sustained expansion, an additional 342 rooms will also be added to Seda BGC in Taguig, the brand’s flagship hotel.

Mastellone assured that the brand’s service culture focusing on meeting people’s needs will remain its cutting edge. Seda’s training courses ensure that the hotel’s core values are prioritized in every

new recruit. “Once a new employee has embraced our culture, we then proceed with the technical training to improve skills. Training and development have been key to our success and we will continue to invest resources in this area so staff are empowered to create memorable guest experiences.”

He adds that certifications and trainings from respected institutions like the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, the leading hospitality training provider worldwide, have also complemented in-house courses. “We are proud that many of our managers have risen from the ranks. We will continue to grow and develop talent from within.”

Melissa Carlos, group director of sales and marketing, notes that Seda has been able to scale up quickly from 179 rooms in 2012 to the current 1,409 rooms because “we are in constant conversation with our clients.” Consequently, it has begun offering new formats — such as bigger hotels that will have at least 250 rooms from the 150 rooms of its first generation hotels — serviced apartments and resorts. Carlos disclosed: “We want to be known as the hospitality chain synonymous with Filipino hospitality and the Philippines.”

Related Topics:AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corporation Seda

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The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 12

Christmas House No. 12 – Heart-felt Holidays at the Hofers’

Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!

Nestled in Banilad, Cebu City, the George Hofer residence stands as testament to enduring elegance. Constructed in the late sixties to early seventies, the mansion exudes timeless charm with warm brown molave wood panels and pristine white marble floors.

Stepping into this grand abode during the Christmas season unveils a journey into a beautifully storied past. This season, Molave wooden entance, intricately carved with the Hofer couple’s monogram, are adorned with opulent yuletide garlands. White velvet poinsettias and persimmon peonies alongside mother of pearl camellias are interspersed with pearlescent berries. Archangel Michael showers the guests with blessings from above, while a macassar ebony wooden effigy of Saint George (slaying the dragon) pays homage to the house owner’s namesake.

Adjacent to a private elevator, a grandiose Christmas tree stands tall, welcoming guests into a sprawling waiting hall. Here, an angel in teal and gold lamé cloth grouped together with exotic blooms gracefully plays the lyre; seemingly entertaining those who await entry.

Further down the hall is an ecru grand piano, where the lady of the house, a skilled pianist, performs Monti’s Czardas, Schubert’s Ständchen, and other rhapsodies on special occasions. A commissioned portrait of George and Dulce hangs on a wall above a console table that separates the hall from the formal dining area.

The Hofer home exudes old-world elegance that is seldom found today, yet its true charm lies in the joyous laughter and warm greetings of the Hofers, who gather annually to share Christmas cheer and delightful yuletide stories in this vibrant space.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 11

Christmas House No. 11 – Christine Pelaez

Designed by the noted Cebu architect Teng Jacinto, this expansive residence stands as a testament to the artful curation of Jun Pelaez. Over the years, he has meticulously assembled a collection of artworks, transforming the home into a gallery that reflects his discerning taste and appreciation for the aesthetic.

As the holiday season graces the air, the residence undergoes a festive tone under the artful touch of Jun’s wife, Christine. Embracing tradition, she bathes the home in the classic Christmas palette of reds and greens, infusing each corner with warmth and seasonal charm. The interior becomes a canvas for the holiday spirit, adorned with wreaths, ornaments, and the timeless glow of twinkling lights.

However, the true heart of this home lies in its welcoming spirit. There are two dining rooms, with chairs adorned with red bows and festive centerpieces, where family and friends converge for an equally sumptuous meal.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 10

Christmas House No. 10 – The Hudsons’ Christmas Chronicles

The Hudson’s household buzzes with enthusiasm each time the holiday season unfolds. The heart of their Tokyo home, the Hudson Christmas tree, stands tall and proud, adorned with tinsel and cherished trimmings that span the years of their family’s growth. Each ornament tells a story, marking the arrival of a new family member with the annual addition of baubles bearing their names: Mary, George, Victoria and Charles.

Charles, the youngest Hudson at twelve, beams with joy as he proudly places the Christmas star atop the tree. No longer reliant on his father’s shoulders, Charles revels in his newfound height and the welcomed responsibility that comes with it.

In addition to the twinkling blue lights, the festive icons and the white-and-silvery ornaments, another cherished tradition had been completed at the beginning of the joyful season. The Hudson’s much-anticipated Christmas cards, an exciting accountof the family’s adventures, had been creatively crafted by Rose and Karl. The lively narrative chronicles the milestones and quests of each family member, with Karl’s animated storytelling and Rose’s artistic touch bringing the tales to life.

Rose shares, “by mid-November we print two hundred post cards of the Hudson family chronicles. The entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, gathers around to sign each card. Envelopes are lovingly addressed, and the kids lend a hand in labeling.”

In a heartwarming shift of roles, the Hudson parents, Karl and Rose, prepare to pass the baton. The careful planning and distribution of the Christmas cards are soon to become the responsibility of the eager younger generation.

With laughter, love, and a touch of adventure, the Hudson family embraces the season, creating and sharing memories that they and their friends treasure for life.