Property giant Megaworld, through its hospitality arm Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, has partnered with world-renowned hospitality group Accor to elevate the profile of its homegrown Filipino hotel brands.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies, combining Megaworld’s stronghold in Philippine real estate and hospitality with Accor’s global legacy of managing over 5,600 hotels and resorts in more than 110 countries. Accor’s iconic brands—Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, Mercure, and Mövenpick, among others—are now poised to bring their operational expertise and internationally acclaimed standards to select properties under Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.
Mercure Mactan Cebu: The First of Many
Leading this transformation is the rebranding of Belmont Hotel Mactan into Mercure Mactan Cebu, located within the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The change represents the first of several Megaworld hotels expected to benefit from Accor’s franchise model, enhanced reservation systems, and guest service innovations.
Guests of the newly minted Mercure Mactan Cebu will also gain access to Accor’s prestigious loyalty program, ALL – Accor Live Limitless, allowing them to earn points and enjoy a host of global perks with every stay.
Elevating the Filipino Hospitality Experience
Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, shared the significance of the partnership:
“We are honored to collaborate with a top-notch hospitality group like Accor. With Mercure Mactan Cebu, we aim to redefine Cebu’s tourism landscape by combining our group’s local expertise with Accor’s global leadership in hospitality.”
Albiso emphasized how the initiative will not only strengthen Mactan Newtown as a prime destination but also stimulate tourism, generate local employment, and increase stakeholder value.
Echoing the sentiment, Andrew Langdon, Chief Development Officer, Asia, Accor, stated:
“The Philippines remains a vital market for us. The signing of Mercure Mactan Cebu reflects our commitment to expanding in dynamic locations and meeting the growing demand for hotels catering to both leisure and business travelers.”
Langdon highlighted Cebu’s growing stature as an international gateway and a hub for bleisure travel—where business and leisure meet.
A Growing Hospitality Empire
Currently, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts operates 13 hotel properties nationwide with about 7,000 rooms spread across key locations such as Metro Manila, Boracay, Cebu, and Tagaytay. Brands under its umbrella include Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Twin Lakes Hotel, Kingsford Hotel Manila, and the newly launched Grand Westside Hotel—the largest hotel in the Philippines by room count, with 1,530 rooms.
Looking ahead, Megaworld plans to open seven new properties over the next three years in emerging tourism hubs like Palawan, Pampanga, Bacolod, and Iloilo. Once completed, this expansion will increase the group’s operational hotel count to 20 and total room inventory to 9,000.
A Vision for Global-Ready Filipino Hospitality
With Accor’s backing, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts is well on its way to scaling its homegrown brands to meet international expectations—blending world-class service with Filipino warmth and ingenuity. This partnership sets a precedent not just for Megaworld, but for the entire Philippine tourism industry as it continues to evolve into a global player in the hospitality sector.
