THE ERAWAN Group PLC, Thailand’s leading hotel investment company, is ramping up the expansion of its Hop Inn hotel chain in the Philippines this year.
The Erawan Group last week opened its third Hop Inn Hotel in the country, and plans to open two more this year.
“We have two more coming up this year: one in Alabang and one in Tomas Morato. Outside Metro Manila, we also have a big project in Cebu which is Hop Inn and Holiday Inn. This will open in 2020,” Petch Krainukul, the newly appointed president of The Erawan Group, told reporters after the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the hotel last May 7.
Hop Inn Hotel Alabang is expected to open in July, while Hop Inn Hotel Tomas Morato will open in December 2018.
The company is partnering with the Intercontinental Hotels Group to build the dual-brand hotel development to be located in Cebu City’s IT Park.
Mr. Krainukul said the company aims to have 10 to 12 hotels by 2020.
“Philippines is our second home. This is our biggest investment outside Thailand… I think the country’s economy is growing very well, the middle class income is increasing as the economy is growing, and we’re seeing that there’s a gap in this segment that we think we can serve,” he said.
The Hop Inn Hotel Aseana is the third one to open in the Philippines, after properties in Ermita, Manila and Poblacion, Makati City.
Hop Inn Hotel Aseana caters to both corporate and leisure travelers, as it is located at the heart of Aseana City in Parañaque and a few minutes away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, malls and casinos.
The 14-storey hotel offers 196 rooms. Each standard room, around 16 square meters (sq.m.), is equipped with staple amenities including air-conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi connection, cable TV, hot and cold shower, a workstation, and a hair dryer. Free parking is available as well.
Hop Inn Hotel Aseana also offers deluxe rooms. A deluxe room, which is around 22 sq.m., has a queen bed, a spacious bathroom, a sofa, as well as coffee and tea.
“We opened December 2016 for the first time in Ermita, and last year in Makati in August. We did quite well,” Mr. Krainukul said.
He noted that they received good feedback from both local and foreign guests since the first Hop Inn hotel was opened in the Philippines.
“I think the key of the Hop Inn brand is we provide the basic needs that customers want. The reason we don’t offer more or too much is in order for us to keep the rate affordable for everyone. It is clean, comfortable, safe, and reliable,” Mr. Krainukul said.
The Erawan Group currently owns 52 hotels ranging from luxury to budget. The company has partnerships with hotel operators such as Hyatt, Marriot, Accor, and Starwood.
According to Mr. Krainukul, the group started its own brand Hop Inn in Thailand about four years ago. To date, there are more than 30 Hop Inn Hotels in Thailand. — Romsanne R. Ortiguero

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