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.

Hospitality is often seen through the lens of warm smiles and flawless guest experiences, but behind every welcoming gesture is work that demands both physical endurance and emotional strength. A career in the service industry means long hours on one’s feet and the ability to show genuine care. It requires an unwavering commitment to serve others well, no matter the circumstance.

“Hospitality is demanding work, and we recognize that excellence cannot be sustained without a culture that genuinely cares for its people. Being recognized as a Great Place To Work affirms what we have always believed—that when employees feel respected, included, and inspired by purpose, their passion naturally translates into meaningful guest experiences. Our culture is built on the Circle of Happiness and the Sampaguita brand of service, reminding us that caring for our people is at the very heart of caring for our guests,” Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

At Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), passion is what sustains the work and gives it meaning. It is the driving force behind a workplace culture that values people as much as performance, and the reason the organization has earned recognition as a Great Place To Work. The award reflects a deeply ingrained belief that when employees are inspired and supported, genuine love for work naturally follows.

The Circle of Happiness and the Sampaguita Brand of Service

At the heart of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ success lies its distinctive Circle of Happiness (COH) framework, which is a guiding philosophy that shapes the company’s culture and values. This holistic approach fosters a workplace where individuals are inspired to thrive not only as employees, but as people. Centered on five pillars—Love for Self, Love for Work, Love for Family, Love for Country, and Love for God—the Circle of Happiness encourages employees to find deeper purpose, joy, and meaning in their daily work.

A key expression of this culture is through MHR’s signature Sampaguita brand of service, a symbol of warm, heartfelt hospitality deeply rooted in Filipino tradition. It embodies the Filipino spirit and national pride, grounded in the symbolism of the Sampaguita flower’s five petals: love, honor, dignity, healing, and the Philippine flag. These values serve as guiding principles for every associate, shaping the way they engage with guests with kindness, sincerity, and a deep sense of purpose.

Building a Culture of Inclusivity

From the Circle of Happiness and the Sampaguita stem initiatives that translate values into action. One of the most defining is inclusivity, the belief that a great workplace thrives when everyone is given equal opportunity to grow, lead, and succeed.

A recent employee survey revealed that 95 percent of employees affirmed that individuals are treated fairly, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. What was once a leadership team composed of 80 percent men has evolved significantly; today, women make up 51 percent of total decision-makers across the organization. Since 2019, 74 women across MHR’s 14 properties have been promoted into larger roles.

Moreover, MHR is the first Philippines’ hotel chain to achieve 100-percent accreditation as a Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment from the Department of Tourism (DOT). MHR ensures that both guests and employees are supported in practicing their faith with dignity and ease.

By championing inclusivity, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts fosters better collaboration across departments and encourages diverse perspectives that fuel innovation. The result is a workplace where individuality is respected, voices are heard, and leadership reflects the diversity of the people it serves.

Investing in the Future Through the Next Gen Leadership Council

Driven by passion for long-term growth, MHR also invests heavily in developing future leaders from within. The Next Gen Leadership Council (NGLC) is a forward-thinking development program designed to prepare young associates for greater leadership roles and responsibilities as the organization continues to expand.

From an initial pool of 70 applicants, 25 associates aged 23 to 34, representing various departments and properties, were selected to undergo an intensive eight-month leadership program. The program combines curated lectures with cross-property exposure to all facets of hotel operations and corporate strategy, offering participants a macro view of the business.

Through direct mentorship and collaboration with current leaders, NGLC members gain practical insights into decision-making, innovation, and leadership in a real-world hospitality setting. The program creates a strong pipeline of capable professionals ready to step into key roles, bridging the gap between available leadership positions and qualified talent. This initiative reflects MHR’s commitment to cultivating leaders who are not only skilled, but also values-driven.

Ultimately, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts does what it does because of passion. For its people and for love of country. Through the Circle of Happiness, the Sampaguita brand of service, inclusivity, and leadership programs like the NGLC, MHR proves that even in an industry defined by hard work, it is possible to build a workplace where people feel inspired to stay, grow, and lead.

The post Driven by passion: Inside the culture that makes Megaworld Hotels & Resorts a great place to work appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

The Philippines’ largest homegrown hospitality chain, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), was recognized as a Tourism Industry Excellence Awardee at Department of Tourism’s (DOT) first Philippine Tourism Awards held in Parañaque City on September 8, 2025. The group was honored for its Muslim-friendly initiatives and Sampaguita brand of service, reaffirming its role as a leader in shaping Philippine hospitality.

“Each of us has a role to play in moving the tourism industry forward. We are truly humbled that the Department of Tourism has recognized our efforts. This award reflects the close collaboration we had with the DOT, from championing inclusivity through our Muslim-friendly initiatives and in our vision to creating the Sampaguita as an iconic representation of Filipino hospitality that sets us apart from the rest of the world,” Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

“This award is not just for Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, but for every member of our team who continues to serve with heart. This recognition inspires us to create meaningful experiences for every guest who walks through our doors,” she added.

The Philippine Tourism Awards is envisioned as the highest and most prestigious citation in Philippine tourism, recognizing creativity, professionalism, and service that strengthen the country’s position as a top global destination.

Inclusive tourism efforts

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts proudly partners with the Department of Tourism in advancing Muslim tourism in the Philippines. Within just seven months of signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MHR successfully transformed all 13 of its properties into Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments—a pioneering move that reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and global competitiveness. This achievement follows its earlier recognition at the 2025 Halal in Travel Awards in Singapore, where CrescentRating, the world’s leading authority on halal-friendly travel, named MHR as the Philippines’ first-ever Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain. Strengthening this commitment, MHR continues to train its associates with in-depth market knowledge, enhancing their understanding of Muslim cultures and practices to better serve a diverse and growing market.

Cultural preservation and representation

In support of the Department of Tourism’s Filipinization efforts, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has pioneered the Sampaguita brand of service across its properties—an initiative that embraces Filipino culture, upholds core Filipino values, and celebrates the nation’s unique identity. This distinct brand experience engages all five senses, creating meaningful and memorable guest interactions at every touchpoint.

More than just a service philosophy, the Sampaguita brand has become MHR’s dedicated advocacy. To date, MHR has planted over 6,000 seedlings across four Megaworld townships and partner communities, diffused more than 18,000 liters of its signature Cool Sampaguita scent across its 13 properties, and incorporated over 30,000 grams of food-grade sampaguita buds into its curated menu offerings. Through its collaboration with Dwellbeing and Project PEARLS, over 8,200 families have received nourishing meals as part of its community outreach efforts.

Anchored in Megaworld’s MEGreen program, the Sampaguita brand of service has evolved into a powerful advocacy for nation-building, sustainability, and cultural preservation. This meaningful work has earned industry acclaim, winning Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign at the 10th Virtus Awards and securing a Silver Anvil Award in 2024 for the Sampaguita Project.

More recently, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, Megaworld’s Estate Management and Development team, and collaborators from the Rotary Clubs of Biñan, San Pedro, Laguna, and Marikina, along with local farmers, planted 2,500 Sampaguita seedlings at the 4,300-sq.m. Sampaguita Park. This landscaped space is being developed by MHR in partnership with Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) and the Rotary Club of Biñan, with full support from the National Parks Development Committee.

Accepting the award were Cleofe Albiso and Art Boncato, MHR’s Group General Manager, in a ceremony attended by tourism leaders, private stakeholders, and media.

The Philippine Tourism Awards, organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), honor the outstanding efforts of industry players and local government units (LGUs) in advancing the country’s tourism. Reinventing the former KALAKBAY Awards and Tourism Star Philippines.

Through these awards, the DOT also seeks to instill a culture of Filipino hospitality and excellence, foster innovation and competitiveness, and pay tribute to the individuals and organizations whose contributions drive the growth of Philippine tourism.

The post Driving PH tourism forward through culture and inclusivity appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the largest homegrown hotel operator in the Philippines, is cooking a rich collaboration with Chef Nouel Catis, the original creator of the viral Dubai chocolate. United by a shared vision on Filipinization and cultural sustainability, both are exploring the creation of an iconic food or beverage offering that not only delights taste buds but also champions Filipino heritage on the global stage.

The possible partnership was revealed during MHR’s Media Huddle at Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay on August 13, 2025, where discussions hinted at a signature creation designed to resonate deeply with local pride while appealing to international markets.

“This collaboration is deeply aligned with our strong advocacy for Filipinization, which supports the Department of Tourism’s mission to celebrate local culture, cuisine, festivals, and crafts. At the heart of this advocacy is our Sampaguita brand of service, our heartfelt expression of Filipino hospitality that we proudly share with every guest,” said Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.

“We want something that lingers. We want something that would go viral for a long time,” Chef Nouel said.

“Beyond commercial success, I’ve always been about leaving a legacy. I wanted to re-enter the Philippine market not just to sell, but to pass on knowledge and skills to future chefs. When I learned about MHR’s Sampaguita service and this year’s theme of the Culinary Conference, ‘Celebrate Your Roots,’ I knew this was the right vessel for my return,” he added.

Chef Nouel was a featured speaker at MHR’s 4th Culinary Conference, held August 11–14, 2025, at Twin Lakes Hotel. The annual gathering brings together MHR’s executive chefs and F&B leaders to explore culinary trends and strengthen their craft.

Albiso added, “We launched the Culinary Conference in 2022 right after the pandemic to reinspire our chefs. The ultimate goal is to do better each year as our culinary leaders grow in number and vision. This year, the theme ‘Celebrate Your Roots: Rooted in Tradition, Inspired by Innovation’ honors the Philippines’ diverse culinary heritage while looking ahead to new flavors, stories, and techniques.”

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