NEWLY-OPENED Hilton Manila is implementing sustainable practices in its operations, as part of the global hospitality company’s commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.
“We are really directed now to reduce our impact on the planet,” Paul Hutton, vice president for operations in South East Asia at Hilton, told reporters at the sidelines of the Hilton Manila’s formal opening last Oct. 24.
To reduce waste, Hilton Manila is limiting the use of plastics in its operations. Instead of plastic straws, the hotel will provide customers with paper straws or metal straws.
Guests are also provided with water in glass bottles, not plastic. The hotel will also have an in-house water facility that will help them promote the reuse of the glass bottles.
Also, the Do-Not-Disturb and Make-Up-Room signs are already electrically installed in each room. Guests would just have to press the switch for either of these.
“There are a lot of usable commodities that we are very conscious of. …We have taken out nearly every piece of plastic that we can… there are glass bottles in the room and certainly are far more recyclable and friendly products… and within weeks we will start bottling our water… This is a pilot program that Hilton is running within the Southeast Asian region to ultimately remove the small plastic amenity,” Simon McGrath, general manager of Hilton Manila, told reporters at the same event.
Hilton Manila still uses some plastic items, such as the Nespresso machine capsules and toiletry items.
Also, Hilton Manila is looking into recycling used hotel soap, in partnership with Don Bosco.
“The soap that we use in hotel rooms that we use once and then we check out… We are about to kick off a program… with Don Bosco… in regards with working with them on soap recycling. Providing them with the used soap, which is then cleaned and repurposed,” Mr. McGrath said.
Hilton Manila, located within Resorts World Manila, formally opened last week, marking the global company’s entry in the Philippines.
The hotel has 357 guest rooms and suites, with sizes ranging from 40 square meter (sq.m.) to the 180 sq.m. suite. Rooms will have Hilton’s signature Serenity bed, and a digital key “direct-to-room” technology that allows guests to use their devices as their room key, exclusive for Hilton Honors members.
Hilton Manila also has three dining outlets, two bars, meetings and events spaces, ballroom, resort-style free-form pool, fitness center, and a kids’ play area.
The said eco-friendly hotel was developed by Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc., a joint venture of Andrew L. Tan’s Alliance Global Group, Inc. and Genting Hong Kong Limited. Travellers International is the owner and operator of Resorts World Manila. — V.M.P. Galang

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