Planning a wedding is a journey of turning dreams into reality, and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is setting the perfect stage for modern couples as they begin their “happily ever after.” Last June, the hotel lobby was transformed into a haven of style and local creativity with Richmonde showcasing the stunning bridal fashion exhibit of renowned Iloilo-based designer Peter Gagula, under his celebrated brand Peach Garde.

Running until July 15, the display features an extraordinary collection of wedding gowns and Barong Tagalog reimagined through contemporary design. Every piece celebrates Filipino craftsmanship, heritage, and creativity, utilizing the rich textures of locally sourced fabrics to bring timeless glamour to modern weddings. Beautifully styled by Events by Tanz, the exhibit serves as an invitation to couples planning a dream wedding that blends tradition and unique style.

The perfect prelude: “Ready, Set, I Do!” pre-wedding stay

The artistry featured in the lobby is just a glimpse of the seamless experience Richmonde offers to soon-to-be newlyweds. Recognizing that the journey to the altar should be filled with joy rather than stress, the hotel presents “Ready, Set, I Do!”—a simple and straightforward pre-wedding stay package designed for chic comfort and effortless preparation.

Couples can enjoy a relaxing night’s rest before the big day in any of the hotel’s spacious, well-appointed accommodations. Whether choosing an executive deluxe room, premier room, or a luxurious one-bedroom suite, the generous floor areas easily accommodate the bride’s glam team, supportive bridesmaids, and photo/video crews.

Best of all, bookings are highly accessible, priced at the hotel’s current best available rates, with no extra charges for in-room bridal preparations, and use of the hotel’s most picturesque public spaces—including the lobby, driveway, guest floor hallway, atrium, and pool deck—providing a convenient and splendid backdrop for the couple’s pre-nuptial shots and videos.

Refined and exclusive banquets: Promise to forever wedding package

Beyond the preparations, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo offers an idyllic location for intimate wedding receptions that do not compromise on prestige or charm. The Intimate Wedding Package offers the perfect solution for couples seeking a more private celebration for up to a maximum of 150 attendees.

Couples can choose the backdrop that best fits their love story: a sleek, temperature-controlled indoor function room, or the breezy, alfresco pool deck that overlooks the cityscape and presents a magnificent sunset view. Providing meticulous and professional assistance in planning and executing every dream wedding is the hotel’s banquet events team.

To complement the celebration, the hotel’s expert culinary team crafts an array of delectable buffet selections. The curated menu bridges cultures and flavors, featuring international dishes alongside traditional and modernized heirloom Ilonggo recipes—ensuring a feast that guests will remember for years to come.

From the first sketch of the gown to the final toast of the night, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo weaves style, heritage, and heartfelt hospitality into every detail of each wedding journey.

For inquiries regarding Richmonde’s wedding packages, contact (+6333) 328-7888 or log on to www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph for more information about ongoing promotions. To contact Room Reservations directly, call (+63) 917-5809642 or email stay@richmondeiloilo.com. For Banquet Bookings, call (+63) 917-5633973 or email sales@richmondeiloilo.com.

The post Say ‘I Do’ to heritage and style: Richmonde Hotel Iloilo inspires engaged couples with bridal collection exhibit and wedding offers appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

There are places you visit, and there are places you discover. Iloilo has always been the latter.

A city where heritage churches stand alongside modern skylines, where age-old recipes are lovingly preserved and reinvented, and where a gentle rhythm of life encourages travelers to linger a little longer. As the newest destination within Iloilo City, Belmont Hotel Iloilo invites guests to experience the city not merely as a stopover, but as a story waiting to unfold.

Officially opening its doors on June 24, 2026, the 405-room Belmont Hotel Iloilo introduces a fresh perspective on hospitality through its opening campaign, “Come Find Your Iloilo,” which is an invitation to discover the city through travel experiences.

“At Belmont Hotel Iloilo, we believe travel is about creating meaningful connections with a destination. Whether guests are here for business, leisure, or a special occasion, we want them to experience Iloilo beyond the usual itinerary, which is to discover its people, flavors, and traditions. We invite everyone to come find their Iloilo, savor the city, and savor every moment with us,” says General Manager Joy Alonte.

Spirit of discovery

The hotel’s 405 guestrooms are designed to complement the unhurried pace of Iloilo. Comfortable and contemporary, the accommodations create spaces where guests can recharge between adventures or simply enjoy quiet moments overlooking the city’s evolving skyline. Accessible rooms, family-friendly themed accommodations, and spacious suites ensure that every kind of traveler feels at home.

Nestled within Iloilo Business Park, the hotel sits at the crossroads of business, leisure, and culture. The vibrant township has emerged as one of Western Visayas’ most exciting urban communities, where contemporary art, lifestyle spaces, shopping, and the Iloilo Convention Center come together in a walkable district. Here, travelers can immediately move from meetings to museum visits, from café hopping to evening strolls along Festive Walk Parade.

For those balancing work and wellness, the hotel seamlessly integrates both. Meeting spaces and the Northern Islands Ballroom cater to business events and celebrations, while the BFit Gym, sauna, massage rooms, lounge pool, and prayer room encourage guests to maintain their own routines while away from home.

Modern Ilonggo diner

Iloilo tells its story through the senses. The comforting bowl of La Paz Batchoy, the lively conversations at local markets, and the timeless architecture of its heritage districts create a destination that reveals itself slowly and sincerely.

The journey continues through Belmont Hotel Iloilo’s culinary spaces, where Belmont Café redefines the local dining scene through its Modern Ilonggo Diner concept. Inspired by the city’s rich culinary heritage and its distinction as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the restaurant reimagines beloved Ilonggo flavors for today’s traveler. Classic regional dishes are served in a warm bistro-style setting that is equally suited for leisurely meals, business lunches, and casual gatherings. Balancing comfort with creativity, the café also embraces a convenient dine-and-dash culture, offering thoughtfully crafted fare for guests on the move without compromising authenticity or quality. At Zabana Bar, locally inspired beverages blend Filipino ingredients with international influences, while Float Bar offers a relaxed poolside escape for sunny afternoons and casual evenings.

Come find your Iloilo

At the heart of Belmont Hotel Iloilo are the Ilonggos who have chosen to come home. Many of the hotel’s associates built their careers in hospitality destinations across the Philippines and abroad, bringing with them valuable experience and global standards of service. Guided by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Sampaguita brand of service, their warmth and dedication are expressed through the values of love, honor, dignity, and healing, creating genuine connections that transform every stay into a meaningful experience.

As the newest addition to Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio in Iloilo Business Park, Belmont Hotel Iloilo strengthens the city’s growing appeal as a destination for tourism, meetings, and meaningful travel experiences. More importantly, it offers a gateway to understanding what makes Iloilo unique—not through a checklist of attractions, but through the everyday moments that leave lasting memories.

To celebrate its opening, Belmont Hotel Iloilo is introducing special introductory room rates starting at Php4,000, inviting travelers to experience the newest lifestyle destination in the City of Love. Each stay comes with thoughtfully curated inclusions, including overnight accommodation with breakfast for two persons at Belmont Café, and complimentary use of the swimming pool, BFit Gym, and other facilities.

At Belmont Hotel Iloilo, every journey begins with the same invitation: Savor the city. Savor the moment.

The post Come find your Iloilo at Belmont Hotel Iloilo appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) reinforces its commitment in championing regional pride and progress by celebrating Iloilo’s rich cultural and culinary legacy through Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo.

As the Philippines’ first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo continues to gain national and international momentum as it takes center stage through two landmark initiatives: the launch of the “Beyond the Plate” program and the “Kusina de Ilonggo: Mga Panubli Nga Sabor.” These efforts reflect SM Hotels’ broader vision of driving innovation while championing local identity among its properties across the region.

“At SM Hotels, our success grows with the communities we serve,” said SMHCC Vice President for Quality and Sustainability Leah Magallanes. “Through Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, we proudly stand as a tourism partner in celebrating heritage, empowering local talent, and opening doors to authentic Filipino experiences.”

At the heart of this culinary showcase is Ani Restaurant, where the “Kusina de Ilonggo: Mga Panubli Nga Sabor” transforms every meal into a cultural journey. Inspired by heirloom recipes and the culinary traditions of distinguished Ilonggo families, each curated menu brings time-honored flavors to life, while bridging generations and introducing Iloilo’s gastronomic story to a wider audience.

Recognized by UNESCO as a best practice, “Beyond the Plate” underscores SMHCC’s advocacy to sustainable tourism. In collaboration with the Iloilo MICE Center, the initiative invests in skills development and professional growth for local talent to ensure that the community flourishes alongside the region’s expanding tourism landscape. In particular, through the “Beyond the Plate” program, journalists and vloggers are given the opportunity to elevate their craft through specialized training in food and wine storytelling. The initiative responds to the increasing demand from MICE groups and visiting delegations for more informed culinary coverage, in order to provide media practitioners with the skills they need to remain competitive and relevant in today’s dynamic content landscape.

The program was led by a stellar roster of master teachers drawn from the fields of culture, hospitality, culinary arts, and digital storytelling.

Dr. Hazel P. Villa, Associate Professor from Western Visayas, is a respected writer and an academic whose work highlights Iloilo’s arts, culture, and gastronomy. Her contributions appear in landmark cultural publications. In 2024, she was named one of the Ten Outstanding Ilonggos for her achievements in journalism, education, and public service.

Leah Magallanes, Vice President for Quality and Sustainability at SMHCC, brought more than three decades of expertise in food and beverage, culinary operations, and sustainability. A certified working chef with experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, she guided participants in understanding flavor, taste profiles, and the language used to describe food.

Rouel Guanzon, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, is a seasoned hospitality executive and respected educator. A founding professor of Enderun Colleges and Southville International School, he has long shaped the next generation of hospitality professionals. During the session, he shared his expertise in wine appreciation and sensory evaluation, helping participants understand how to thoughtfully experience and describe wine.

Kris Cruz is an award-winning mobile phone photographer recognized for his exceptional storytelling through smartphone imagery. He received the Best Travel Photo award at the International iPhone Photography Awards and has been featured by global brands such as Apple and Lufthansa. In the program, he demonstrated how content creators can capture compelling food photography and videos using only a mobile phone.

Chef Cidj Jalandoni, Executive Chef and Business Development Chef for Western Visayas at Nestlé Philippines, contributed his deep culinary expertise and industry experience. A graduate of the Academy for International Culinary Arts, he has built a career in professional kitchens while supporting culinary innovation and development across the region. His insights provided participants with a deeper appreciation of culinary craftsmanship and industry standards.

Strategically located in Mandurriao and seamlessly connected to SM City Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo serves as a gateway to the city’s vibrant cultural and culinary scene, where heritage, hospitality, and innovation converge.

The post SM Hotels advances Ilonggo culture and heritage with UNESCO-recognized programs appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

Iloilo’s grandest and most-awaited festival is back—and it’s set to be more vibrant, flavorful, and unforgettable than ever!

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo invites travelers, families, and festivalgoers to fully experience the energy and excitement of Dinagyang 2026 through a thoughtfully curated selection of room packages and festive food and beverage offerings, perfectly positioned at the center of Iloilo City’s most iconic celebration.

From now until January 25, 2026, guests can enjoy a comfortable and convenient stay that places them close to the city’s colorful parades, cultural performances, and street revelry. Peak festival dates from January 23 to 25 are offered at Php14,500 nett for room-only stays and Php15,000 nett with buffet breakfast for two. Each package includes accommodations for up to two adults and two children aged 12 years old and below, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and use of the hotel’s swimming pool and fitness center—ensuring both comfort and convenience throughout the festivities.

Complementing each Dinagyang stay is the hotel’s dynamic lineup of food and beverage events, celebrating both local heritage and modern indulgence. From January 20 to 25, guests can unwind at BizBar with Beers, Grills & Cocktails, featuring a bucket of six beers with a platter of assorted grilled meats for Php999 nett, along with a buy one, get one offer of Zabana cocktails priced as low as Php225 nett per glass.

Different tribes from all over the country will paint the Iloilo skyline with bursts of color as they illuminate it with their lighted costumes!

The culinary celebrations come alive on January 23 with Ilomination Night: Heritage Flavors Aglow, a multi-venue dining experience inspired by the colors, energy, and traditions of Dinagyang. Perfectly timed with the much-anticipated ILOmination Parade at Iloilo Business Park, the evening offers guests a chance to enjoy great food while witnessing illuminated performances, vibrant street spectacles, and a dazzling fireworks display just moments away.

Guests may dine at The Granary for Digamo: Flavors of the Archipelago, a LuzViMinda classics dinner buffet served from 6 PM to 10 PM for Php1,450 nett. For a more casual, festive setup closer to the parade action, Fiesta Parilya: Sugba at Iba Pa offers an all-you-can grill experience with one round each of Heineken draft beer and house blend iced tea at the porte cochere from 5 PM onwards, priced at Php1,000 nett. As the night winds down, celebrations continue at Zabana Bar with Radiance at Dusk, a cocktail party from 7 PM to 10 PM featuring an open bar and panoramic views of the parade and fireworks, available at Php1,500 nett, with 50-percent off for diners of Digamo and Fiesta Parilya.

On January 24, guests can further savor the festival spirit with Dagyang Kag Sinadya!, an interactive festival buffet at The Granary from 5 PM to 10 PM, showcasing live action stations and Ilonggo specialties for Php1,850 nett.

Celebrate Dinagyang 2026 with Richmonde Hotel Iloilo—where festive stays, heritage flavors, and unforgettable moments come together in one remarkable destination at the heart of the city.

For inquiries, room bookings, and table reservations, contact Richmonde Hotel Iloilo at trunk line (+63 33) 328-7888 or email stay@richmondeiloilo.com for room accommodations; or call or message (+63) 917-5633558 (mobile/Viber) for dining reservations. You may also visit www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph for more details and follow @RichmondeHotelIloilo on social media to explore more of the hotel’s offerings.

The post Dagyang Kita Sa Richmonde: Celebrate Dinagyang with Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s Signature Festival Experiences appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, in a successful partnership with the Iloilo City (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) MICE Center, recently hosted “Beyond the Plate: A Masterclass in Gastronomical Storytelling.” The full-day workshop, held at the hotel, brought together local content creators, students, and media to celebrate and elevate the art of food writing and content creation, reinforcing Iloilo’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

With SMHCC’s various Park Inn hotels around the country, this project is only the beginning of the company’s series of initiatives for authentic Philippine cuisine to genuinely be appreciated by the world, as part of the company’s contribution to promote food tourism. It is SMHCC’s thrust to be a catalyst in showcasing the rich culinary heritage of every region and discovering rich gastronomic traditions.

The event kicked off with a unique urban farm tour led by Chef Cidj Jalandoni, providing participants a hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation understanding that knowing and valuing the origins of food is fundamental to authentic and meaningful gastronomy. The official program opened with a special welcome message from Iloilo City Mayor Hon. Raisa Treñas.

“This initiative highlights not only our culinary treasures but also our role as storytellers of Iloilo’s rich food heritage,” she said. “Food is not just food—it is culture, memory, and identity.”

The masterclass featured a distinguished lineup of experts who shared their knowledge and experience. Dr. Hazel Palmares Villa, an esteemed writer and academic, guided attendees through the Elements of Food Writing and Sensory Storytelling. Her session laid the theoretical foundation for how to craft compelling narratives. This was immediately followed by a practical, hands-on session with Leah Magallanes, Vice President for Quality and Sustainability at SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation. Her topic, on breaking down flavor, directly supported Dr. Villa’s talk by allowing participants to put theory into practice, exploring textures, and identifying tastes in an actual tasting session.

This was followed by a session with Rouel Guanzon, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, who delivered an engaging discussion on wine appreciation. He not only covered the fundamentals of tasting and evaluating wine, but also explored the fascinating art of wine pairing with everyday food, making the topic both accessible and practical for a media audience. The visual aspect of food storytelling was highlighted by Kristian “Kris” Cruz, an award-winning phone photographer and iPhone photography ambassador. He shared his expertise on mobile food photography and content creation, a crucial skill for media professionals who need to pair compelling writing with equally stunning visuals.

Media participants, including enthusiastic students from West Visayas State University, applied their new knowledge in an Output Challenge. They were tasked with creating an article and photos for a featured dish from Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo’s Ani Restaurant’s Heritage Menu, putting their newly honed skills to the test.

The successful event underscored Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo’s commitment to not only provide exceptional hospitality but also actively participating in the cultural and creative development of the community. As General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Guanzon shared his insights on this shared commitment in his closing remarks.

“This workshop is more than just a gathering; it is a clear testament to our shared commitment to Iloilo. As the city proudly wears its distinction, we at Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo are honored to be a proud partner of the local government in its mission to upskill and empower our local talent and resources. We believe that true progress is built on collaboration, and this event is a powerful symbol of what we can achieve together.”

The Beyond the Plate workshop series in partnership Iloilo MICE Center will continue to have more installments in the future, with the aim of upskilling relevant talent and potential communities as the city journeys to uphold its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy title.

The post SMHCC Park Inn Hotels: Gateway to the City of Gastronomy appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.