Dwell Lifestyle to open boutique hotel in 2021
DAVAO CITY — Dwell Lifestyle is investing about P100 million for a boutique hotel here to cater to the growing tourist market.
Stifanny Guira-Falconi, business development officer of Dwell Lifestyle, told BusinessWorld last week that her family is building a five-floor hotel with the first two floors to be opened in 2021.
“The concept, in terms of design, is more of modern yet minimalist,” Ms. Guira-Falconi said, noting that they want customers “to experience Dabawenyo feel of hospitality,” with the hotel set to offer a family-oriented vibe to clients.
Ms. Guira-Falconi said when the project was conceptualized, there was a proposal to have the property managed by another group, but they decided against this as it could “compromise the personal touch of the service that it will offer.”
On the funding for the hotel, Ms. Guira-Falconi, whose family also has restaurants and hair salons, said there will be a loan component in the planned P100-million investment.
The hotel, she added, will also have serviced apartments and commercial spaces where a second branch of the family’s restaurant Mossa Restaurant and Bakery will also be located. The first branch was opened in August in Damosa Land, Inc.’s compound in Lanang.
She added that the plan for the project is to target middle-income visitors who want to enjoy the city.
She said she hopes to open at least the first two floors of the hotel by its target date.
At present, the company is finalizing the permit for the project.
Ms. Guira-Falconi said they are targeting to start construction within the last quarter of the year.
Jose Raymond R. dela Paz of the Davao Tourism Association said the entry of new players in the hospitality industry is necessary because of the growing number of local and foreign visitors.
“We need more rooms to serve the growing market and that we in the industry also need to upgrade our offerings,” Mr. Dela Paz said. His family also owns hotels, a resort and restaurants in the city.
Based on the report of the City Tourism Operations Office, there were about 1.2 million visitors to the city in the first half of the year, 8.6% higher than the previous year. The city government’s target for the year is three million visitors.
Based on projections from property consultant Prime Philippines, the number of rooms in the city will grow by about 1,400 next year from about 8,000 at present. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
