There’s another reason Filipinos should see and experience Discovery Shores Boracay: It has been nominated in the World Luxury Hotel Awards (WLHA) 2015.
WLHA is a prestigious award-giving body for luxury hotels; it recognizes service excellence and exceptional facilities. It is said to be the pinnacle of success for luxury hotels worldwide and the highest honor a property can obtain in the international luxury hotel industry.
Discovery Shores Boracay is nominated in three categories: Luxury Beach Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Wedding Destination.
Discovery Shores Boracay is under the management company of The Discovery Leisure Company Incorporated (TDLCI). It opened in 2007, and was the first luxury resort built in Boracay Island.
“We are so proud of the nomination and being nominated for three categories at that,” says Jose Parreño Jr., chief operating officer of TDLCI. “Of course this is also for the Philippines. A nomination or award of Discovery Shores is always a nomination or award for the country.”
For this year, Discovery Shores is the only property nominated from the Philippines. Last year, Crimson Hotel and Spa Mactan in Cebu bagged the Luxury Thalasso and Spa Resort, while Amanpulo won the Luxury Beach Resort.
Invitation
Parreño recalls receiving a letter from WLHA last year asking for the property profile. Soon after, the resort was checked out. The confirmation of the nomination came about two months ago.
“We are happy that as a homegrown property, we are being recognized for our effort,” says Parreño. “We started small, from 240 employees now we’re 800. It’s not bad in our 15-year journey with five properties.”
The five properties are Discovery Shores Boracay Island, Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay, Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center, Club Paradise Palawan and Discovery Primea in Makati.
“We must admit that every time we open a property in the Philippines, we become a benchmark leader,” says Parreño. “We pioneered service apartments in Ortigas and everyone followed. When we opened Country Suites in Tagaytay, we fashioned the bed and breakfast in a different level. Then, Discovery Shores brought luxury to Boracay. There was an instant buzz on the design, concept, floating bed, white walls, personalized services and butler services on the beach.”
Its Boracay resort has already won several awards and recognition in the past including the Travellers’ Choice Award and Travel + Leisure. The new nomination simply adds another feather in its cap.
“We were not expecting it. In fact, we find the title, ‘luxury,’ quite intimidating, says Parreño. “However, we see the nomination more as an encouragement to entrepreneurs, big and small alike, who would like to build hotels and resorts. It’s more than just building. It entails vision—a vision for world-class facilities and service.”
The awarding ceremony will be held in Hong Kong in September.
To win in WLHA requires voting from guests, patrons, friends and satisfied customers of the hotel online. To vote for Discovery Shores Boracay, just click the vote button in the resort’s official Facebook fan page, DiscoveryShoresBoracay, and website www.discoveryshoresboracay.com.
Voting runs until July 19.
“We need your support and votes. Together, let’s make the Philippines proud,” Parreño says.
E-mail the author at vbaga@inquirer.com.ph