Citadines Roces: For the love of Quezon City
THE image of cultural icon and traditional tattoo artist Whang-od and a wall art installation she inspired, plus coffee brewed in the Italian Rancillio coffee machine, welcome guests at the 8th-floor lobby of the recently opened Citadines Roces Quezon City (CRQC).
These features enrich the guest experience, from the very moment one enters the hotel, says Thea Peregrino, the hotel’s assistant residence manager. Coffee is very much part of the international Citadines brand culture, and Whang-od provides a connection to Filipino heritage and artistry.
A sense of place is further created through the building’s design and architecture. Customer experiences are crafted to build memories and appreciation of the property as well as the city beyond its walls. A sense of place, sociologists say, refers to the emotional connections humans form in particular locations. It delineates the unique characters of these locations, fostering feelings of comfort, identity, and belonging among its inhabitants. Designers and architects create it through design that appreciates the physical space and the intangibles associated with it.
Looming over Roces Avenue, CRQC, which has its lobby reception on the 8th floor, offers sweeping views of the Quezon City landscape, allowing guests to survey the lay of the land and appreciate the width and breadth of the largest city in Metro Manila.
CRQC sits in an area where streets are named after the Boy Scouts who died in a plane crash in the Bay of Bombay in 1963 while on their way to the 11th Boy Scout Jamboree in Greece. It salutes the fallen scouts by naming its six function rooms after Scouts Albano, Gandia, Limbaga, Tobias, Rallos and Tuason.
Landmarks and attractions
Paintings of Quezon City landmarks — the UP Oblation, the Cry of Balintawak, the Quezon Memorial, and Boy Scouts Memorial Rotonda—inform guests of the cultural heritage and history of the city. They invite guests to learn more about the city and to explore these landmarks.
CRQC, Peregrino said, is committed to enhancing the urban experience in Quezon City. Its design, amenities, and activities are “aimed at showcasing the city’s unique culture and attractions.”
Bikes are ready on the ground floor for guests wishing to explore the city environs. The hotel website features City Hacks and a Cycling Map that encourages them to discover dining spots, cafes, routes for running, scooting, providing them with multiple touch points to get to know the city more intimately.
CRQC offers more than 180 well-appointed suites, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, with modern amenities. It features an all-day dining restaurant, function spaces for meetings and events, a swimming pool, a 24-hour fully equipped fitness center, and a resident’s lounge for both relaxation and socializing.
CRQC is the latest serviced residence property in the Philippines of The Ascott Limited, the pioneer of serviced residence properties in Asia-Pacific and a trusted hospitality company with a presence in more than 40 countries around the world. In the Philippines, Citadines is present in Manila, Makati, Pasig, Cebu and Iloilo, with Davao to open in December this year.
Ascott’s decision to open Citadines in Quezon City underscores the company’s strong confidence in the Quezon City market and its broader hospitality industry. Peregrino cited significant developments that signal the potential of the Quezon City hospitality market.
First, the recent completion of the Skyway extension has greatly improved accessibility to the city from southern parts of Metro Manila. Second, Quezon City is increasingly becoming the preferred venue for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions).
Two months since CRQC opened its doors, Peregrino has observed demand from the government sector and corporate clients involved in infrastructure projects.
In catering to “a range of visitors, from business travelers attending meetings or conferences to tourists exploring local attractions,” according to Peregrino, CRQC is poised to be a haven for those seeking a genuine city living experience, blending comfort and convenience in Quezon City.