What Does It Take To Open A 5-Star International Hotel The First Time?
A look-back at the opening of the first Shangri-La hotel in Manila
The year was 1992.
The hospitality industry in the country was abuzz about this opening. Shangri-La was one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world and it was finally opening in the Philippines.
The other brands that were already operating in the metropolis were Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, Intercontinental, Hyatt, Hilton, Westin, Ramada, Sheraton, Nikko, Holiday Inn and Regent. They all opened their doors to the public between 1968 to 1976.
So what was so special about another hotel opening?
The 16-year hiatus from 1976 until this Shangri-La opening increased the excitement ten fold.
At the same time, the Shangri-La brand was such an attraction to hoteliers that many of them working for the established brands sent in their resumes. I was one of those!
The hotel opened without any hitches. From all the press we received plus feedback from our peers as well as the big bosses from the head office, it was a huge success.
Let me share with you what it takes to open a 5-star hotel successfully, in broad strokes. A critical path for a hotel opening consists of thousands of items…
