The Mansion: Iloilo’s rebranded heritage hotel redefines customer value

“Our hotel (The Mansion) will redefine customer value, where comfort is premium and everybody is relaxed and at ease; where engaging service is synonymous to an all-around pleasant and singular experience,” said Mr. Noel Sinclaire P. Sy, Chief Operating Officer of Brightside Properties and Resorts, Inc.

The new brand of the heritage hotel formerly known as Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, which was wholly acquired by Brightside Properties and Resorts, Inc., was unveiled last Thursday, August 17, 2017, as The Mansion. 

Owners and executives of Brightside Properties and Resorts, Inc. welcomed at least 300 guests at the unveiling and launch - mostly personalities in government service, Iloilo’s business leaders, members of Ilonggo civic societies and the hotel’s partners and suppliers who were treated to a sumptuous dinner and entertainment.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (front-leftmost) led the toast to officially welcome  THE MANSION in Iloilo City.
Ms. Nena Sy-Lim (center) and Mr. Noel Sinclaire Sy (rightmost) , President and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, receives the welcome in behalf of Brightside Properties and Resorts Inc.

Potentials of a landmark destination

Acquired in the first quarter of 2017, The Mansion’s owners considers Iloilo City’s rich blend of Chinese-Spanish-Filipino cultural heritage, locally-inspired cuisine, and emerging locale as major attractions for businessmen and tourists looking for a landmark destination.

 “The charm of Iloilo is that, although it is one of the most progressive provinces in the country today with such a great potential for increased economic growth, it has largely remained rooted to its heritage,” said Ms. Nena Sy-Lim, President of Brightside.

On the other hand, observing that many Ilonggos reminisce about the hotel, Brightside’s Chief Financial Officer Viviane S. Sy added that the hotel will continue giving its visitors “good and memorable experiences” by establishing three guiding pillars to help preserve the heritage value of this hotel which are “Renovation, Restoration, and Preservation.”

Renovation to make existing structures look and feel new will be done in phases in the next three to five years while facilities and services will be upgraded in such a manner that they are at par and eventually the best in Iloilo.

Ms. Viviane added that restoration of facilities is already in progress together with the upgrading of The Mansion’s equipment, rooms, and amenities.

The place to be for conventions and events

Even as The Mansion is currently refurbishing and renovating the hotel, General Manager Ruben Alcoriza said Ilonggos would be the first to experience a unique blend of hotel service with the coming together of the new hotel team that is backed up by years of expertise in the hotel industry.

“We have better service in terms of our food offerings, the look and feel of our rooms, the improvement of our convention hall and function rooms, to include the upgrading of our facilities that address both our guests’ business and pleasure needs,” said GM Alcoriza.

The Lobby Cafe

The Mansion is fully equipped to cater to various events with fully air-conditioned rooms ranging from 39.96 square meters to 104.05 square meters. 

Guests can opt to stay in the hotel’s 98 spacious corporate rooms or the manor wing’s 89 rooms that give value for money for those attending conventions and seminars.

The Mansion has seven function halls and three boardrooms that can sit from 10 to 1,500 persons and has international restaurants and a mini Olympic-size swimming pool and poolside café.

COO Noel said that in terms of hotel experience, The Mansion brand will work on being exciting, delightful, and surprising to the senses.

“We want to make our guests feel special, we meet and exceed our guests’ expectations, making their lives easier from the moment they check-in at our hotel,” said the COO.