THE ASCOTT Ltd. is aiming to attract not just corporate clients but also millennial travelers as it opens Citadines Millennium Ortigas, the international serviced operator’s new property that was developed in partnership with CDC Holdings, Inc.
“The millennial market is very strong… We’re banking on a 30-40% millennial market, that why we have this kind of look, it fits the bill on our clients. The remainder 30-40% will be for the corporate segment. We want to make sure that we have that balance,” Ascott Director for Sales and Marketing Casey V. Faylona told reporters during the soft opening of the property in Pasig on Tuesday.
The 32-floor tower offers 293 serviced residences under the Citadines brand of the Ascott, 96 residential units, and 11 commercial spaces for lease across 32 floors. With its soft opening, 90 units are now open to the public, while the rest will be available by September.
Units in Citadines Millennium range from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom, with sizes ranging from 35 to 140 square meters, located from the 4th to 24th floors. The 25th to 29th floors will be exclusive for residential spaces, which will have a separate entrance and lobby to ensure the privacy of the occupants.
The rest of the floors will be dedicated for amenities, which include a residents’ lounge, a fitness gym, and a lap pool.
While serviced residences usually attract clients who stay longer than a month, Citadines Millennium is also looking to capitalize on the rising popularity of “staycations.”
“It’s not always on a long-term basis, but we have to look on a bigger perspective. Everyone is very much welcome… people now love to stay in hotels, do staycations, we’d love to have that more,” Mr. Faylona said.
The Ascott is further banking on the presence of the Asian Development Bank’s main office and big companies such as San Miguel Corp. within the vicinity of the Citadines Millennium to attract corporate clients.
Citadines Millenium marks The Ascott’s second partnership with CDC Holdings, the first being the Somerset Millennium Makati in Legaspi Village which started operating in 2000.
The Ascott is currently expanding to reach 25 properties by 2020. Its three brands include Ascott The Residence, Citadines Apart’Hotel, and Somerset Serviced Residences. Over the period, the company will also be introducing new parts catered to the younger generation, namely The Crest and Lyf. — Arra B. Francia
