Business has been tough for the global hospitality industry over the last year, with hotels and accommodations among the hardest hit. After 10 months in community quarantine, the Shangri-la Group in the Philippines has announced it is temporarily closing the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
Located on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, the five-star Shangri-la hotel opened in 1993 with 28 storeys, over 700 rooms (now at 696), and one presidential suite—it was one of the biggest luxury hotels in the country, particularly renowned for its ballroom, now known as the Rizal ballroom.
At the time of its opening the, group only operated one other property, the Shangri-La EDSA Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong (440 rooms). Now, the Makati Shangri-la Hotel is now one of six luxury hotels managed by Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines. It’s home to six restaurants and bars, including the Lobby Lounge and Circles Event Café.
Its temporary closure will take effect on February 01, with no date as of yet for its return.
The newly announced closure comes as part of the luxury hotel chain’s decision to “reorganize [its] workforce and operations” in the Philippines due to uncertainties amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Despite our best efforts, the prolonged recovery timeline has resulted in increasing financial pressure on the company here in the Philippines,” said a company spokesperson in an official press release. “As part of the reorganization exercise, we will sadly be parting ways with a number of colleagues and we will be temporarily closing Makati Shangri-La, Manila.”
