Carlson Hotels is expanding its portfolio of hotels in Asia Pacific with the signing of management contracts for two new hotels under the Regent and Radisson brands in Manila Bay, the Philippines.Built by developer Hotel Specialists Inc of SM Investments Corporation and designed by architects KKS International (S) Pte Ltd, the two hotels will give Carlson a strong foothold in the capital of the Philippines, one of the markets targeted in the hotel group’s expansion strategy.

This special development will also showcase a unique hotel-within-a-hotel design, with the 80-suite luxury Regent Manila Bay housed within the Radisson Hotel Manila Bay, but with its own driveway, entrance, lobby, guest facilities and staff.

Expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2009, the hotels will be situated on Seaside Boulevard in Mall of Asia Complex, a 60-hectare shopping, entertainment, leisure and business development that includes a convention centre, offices and the expansive SM Mall of Asia, a destination shopping complex that attracts up to an estimated million people on weekends.

The Radisson Hotel Manila Bay will have 500 guest rooms and suites along with a business centre, gym, swimming pool, yoga deck, spa and extensive function facilities.

The Regent will include 69 executive suites of 60 to 80 square metres each; 10 suites of 120 square metres each; and a presidential suite of approximately 400 square metres. It will have a separate lobby lounge and a specialty restaurant along with a health centre and feature pool for the exclusive use of Regent guests.

Guests of both hotels will enjoy a view of Manila Bay, famous for its iconic sunsets, and easy access to the nearby commercial hub of Makati and Ermita and Malate districts, popular for nightlife and entertainment.

Martin Rinck, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific, said, “The Regent Manila Bay and Radisson Hotel Manila Bay represent a strategic management opportunity for Carlson in the Philippines, with Manila being a key commercial hub and gateway to the rest of the country. We are delighted to have found a great partner in SM and hope our collaboration will lead to further development opportunities for expansion in this country.”
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