A Cebuano hotelier returns home
The 23-storey structure nestled between the bustling cities of Mandaue and Cebu is nothing short of stunning. With 668 guest rooms, eight dining options and 12 function rooms, Cebuano-brand Bai Hotel is poised to be the confluence of accommodations, culinary adventures and celebrations this 2017 here at home.
Leading the team of Bai Hotel is vice president for operations and general manager Alfred Reyes, who has returned home after spending years in the hospitality industry in Manila and around Asia Pacific. Cebuano by origin, Reyes declares that Bai Hotel is right on target as the development of another business gateway in the province of Cebu is unfolding, right in the area where Bai Hotel is closely located. And with the opening of the latest terminal of Mactan Cebu International Airport channeling more domestic and international flights to and from Cebu, the timing could not have been any better. Reyes adds it is like your icing on the cake.
A graduate of Hospitality Management from the University of San JoseRecoletos and a recipient of the Certificate in General Manager’s Program from the world-renowned Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Reyes worked his way starting from the ranks when he first joined Cebu Plaza Hotel in 1988. With a positive outlook and tenacity in his field of expertise in sales and marketing as well as operations, Reyes moved out of Cebu to be part of the bigger players in the hospitality industry in Manila like Hyatt, The Westin Philippine Plaza, The Bayview Park Hotel and The Pan Pacific Hotel.
In 1999, Reyes came back to Cebu to join Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as general manager and later joined properties in the AsiaPacific region with stints in Grand Formosa Regent Taipei of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the 1,180- guest room Jakarta Hilton.
But home beckoned and Reyes was more than happy to return to the Philippines in 2003 as general manager for The Linden Suites Manila under Swiss-Belhotel International (Hongkong).
It was during his work in The Linden Suites when Reyes received prestigious recognitions like the 2005 Swiss-Belhotel International General Manager of the Year and the Best Branding and Positioning as well as the 2006 Swiss-Belhotel International Highest REVPAR Performance. In 2008, he was appointed as regional director of hotel operations and business development and Reyes started overseeing the entire hotel operations of SwissBelhotel International in the Philippines.
Reyes took another kind of challenge when he joined Quantuvus Resources Corp. and became owner representative and chief operating officer. Part of his accomplishments included the completion within 24 months and opening of the 42-storey Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center which gained for Reyes extensive experience in all aspects of mixed-use property development, including construction, design, sourcing of operating equipment for serviced offices, restaurant and hotel. Reyes liaised with Oakwood management in operations and finance and with the commitment and dedication that he put into all his work, Joy~Nostalg Center became one of the leading business addresses in the country with 92 percent occupancy in 2010 and 100 percent occupancy in 2011.
In 2013, Reyes joined Widus Hotel and Casino in Clark Freeport Zone as general manager of the 233-guest room leisure property. He took charge of the construction of Widus’ second tower, and the renovation of the first tower, as well as the casino expansion. During this stint, Widus received the highest market share inside Clark and topped Tripadvisor rankings.
Reyes decided to return to his roots in 2016 to join Bai Hotel Cebu. He oversees the ongoing construction and heads the pre-opening team which includes the hiring of seasoned hoteliers in and out of Cebu.
At Bai Hotel, Reyes aims to complete a traveler’s wish list of expectations with a fuss-free, five-star service in contemporary settings. A modern take on Cebuano hospitality but with respect to the local culture for which Reyes is proud of.
Bai Hotel Cebu is a 100 percent Filipino hotel that caters to the business and leisure travelers who value exceptional customer service and memorable experiences. It is positioned to take in various market segments, and strategies are now in place to make Bai Hotel the place to be when in Cebu, another landmark to a must-see destination outside of Metro Manila. And things are off to a good start, with the holding of the 2017 APAC Regional Sales Conference of Worldhotels in August this year. Indeed, Bai Hotel is opening its doors with Reyes and his team greeting guests at the lobby.