Tune Hotel Group to have 7 PHL branches by 2013, Ermita unit opens doors

The expansion program of Malaysia-based Tune Hotel Group—expected to cost $35 million to $70 million—will have seven branches of  its “limited service” budget travel accommodations in key cities of the Philippines by next year.   “The Philippines is a priority market for Tune Hotels. With the rise of budget travel packages from airlines and increase in business travels, there is a high demand for no-fuss hotels that would provide affordable, safe, clean, convenient, and comfortable accommodation,”  said Tune Hotels chief executive officer Mark Lankester.   Ortigas Center in Pasig, Makati City, and Quezon City are the next expansion areas lined up after Tune Hotel Ermita opened Thursday.   Lankester said each branch costs about $5 million to $10 million to build and get started. According to the Tune Hotel website, its "limited service" concept means the bare essentials. "Sometimes, all you really need from a hotel is a hot shower and a good night's rest. That's why, our limited service hotels offer beds at very affordable prices by getting rid of costly full service extras (pools, spas, saunas, room service or the like) that you just don't need and shouldn't have to pay for," the hotel group's website said. The first two branches have been operating in Cebu City and in Angeles City, Pampanga since February. Both outlets are near the local airports. Tune Hotels’ sister company in the country is AirAsia Philippines.   “We are very excited with the opening of Tune Hotel Ermita, our very first hotel in the capital city. With three more Tune Hotels coming up in Manila this year and next, Manila will be a very important growth centre for our regional expansion,” Lankester also said.   Tune Hotels has 10 branches in Malaysia, two outlets in Bali, Indonesia, and one in London. It is also expanding to Thailand and add more branches in Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.   The Ermita branch is the third in the country and has 167 rooms, 117 of which are double rooms, 48 are twin sharing and two are “wheelchair-friendly”.   Tune Hotels’ regular rate would range from P600 to P700 per night.   The seventh branch in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao is scheduled to open next year. — ELR, GMA News