Written by: Marge C. Enriquez
When you buy this residence in North Bonifacio Global City, you are not only getting a grand suite with curated amenities . It opens you up to a world—quite literally—of perks and conveniences.
Luxury hotel-branded residences that serve up a seamless lifestyle experience have earned a renowned reputation within a niche market worldwide. They offer impeccable living standards with diverse services to its distinguished residents, and make good investment for the buyers.
Federal Land’s Grand Hyatt Manila Residences (GHMR) is the first condominium development in Southeast Asia to carry the legendary Grand Hyatt brand. While other luxury hotel-branded condos simply promote their in-house services, GHMR takes their hospitality offering further with a complimentary membership to the World of Hyatt. This loyalty program has been known to offer exceptional privileges and awards even among other hotel rewards plans.
“Homeowners are automatically awarded with the Globalist membership to the premier loyalty program, World of Hyatt. Globalist is the highest tier in the loyalty program of the Hyatt group and a gateway to various posh privileges with Hyatt hotels and resorts around the globe,” says Hans Hauri, president of Bonifacio Landmark Hotel Management Corp. These points can be used for hotel facilities, spa services and tickets from Hyatt’s partner airlines.
Buyers of two-bedroom units earn 25,000 to 50,000 base points (depending on the purchased unit size) while buyers of three-bedroom units earn 75,000 points. Their membership status entitles them to exclusive perks such as select room upgrades, additional nights, and more points earned while availing services from all Hyatt properties worldwide.
Investors of three-bedroom units with a den automatically rack up 100,000 points. They attain the highest membership status, the Globalist, which provides premium benefits such as even more free nights and meals, suite upgrades, free internet and late check-outs in any of the Hyatt hotels and resorts across the globe.
“The World of Hyatt points are more adaptable, and they don’t expire like airline miles,” says Gottfried Bogensperger, area vice president and general manager of Grand Hyatt Manila. He cites a member who enjoyed the equivalent of an all-expenses trip to Hawaii by consuming the points earned from this prestigious loyalty program.
Homeowners earn more membership points when they enjoy meals at Grand Hyatt Manila, get a relaxing massage at the spa or when bookings special functions at the hotels many fabulous event venues that offer unobstructed 360-degree views of the city.
Worthy investment
But to most people, GMHR’s attractions are the location, lifestyle, and connectivity. GHMR is situated at BGC’s Grand Central Park, the emerging masterplanned mixed-use center of developer Federal Land. GHMR comprises two residential towers that are seamlessly connected to Grand Hyatt Manila. The newest addition, The Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower is scheduled for turnover in 2023 and will be linked by an exclusive tunnel to the hotel. Moreover, these residences are close to the much-anticipated Japanese mall and supermarket, Mitsukoshi, located at the podium of The Seasons Residences.
This mixed-use development on 8th Avenue is easily accessible to the BGC-Ortigas Link Bridge. Likewise, it is a few blocks from other lifestyle centers—Bonifacio High Street and Uptown Bonifacio.
In the past decade, the number of of luxury hotel-branded condominiums have doubled because of the allure of the lifestyle, says the Wall Street Journal. Hauri says buyers feel they have maximized their investment with the partnership between Grand Hyatt, ORIX Corporation of Japan and Federal Land’s two signature residential towers.
“There is not just a single standard for the hotel but it permeates into several dimensions across all components of the development including both residential towers. Grand Hyatt Manila hotel as the centerpoint, covering ancillary services, is the recipe for success,” says Hauri.
Despite that BGC and Taguig City were merely open spaces in the aughts, buyers purchased riding on the confidence of this international luxury brand.
“I can see their money grow through real estate appreciation in the neighborhood. If foreigners are looking at Singapore, Ho Chi Minh and Hong Kong, they realize that they get more value per square meter here as this has the potential to rise faster than in other communities,” says Hauri.
“Brokers tell me that the higher-priced apartments will always be the first to go. They are happy when a prime product like GHMR comes up. Now comes the quality,” he adds.
Grand proportions
The 50-story South Tower with 188 residential suites only have few units left, as discerning buyers recognize the value of investing in well-built living spaces with distinct hospitality services as the country moves forward with its economic rebound. Conveying the resplendence of a Grand Hyatt, the units range from 120 sqm to 394 sqm. The three-bedroom units provide the luxury of space. The master bedrooms are as large as the suites found in deluxe hotels, replete with a walk-in closet and a huge bathroom with a shower and a sculptural tub.
The more expensive condos are built with a den that functions as an additional flexispace that can be converted into a home office, fitness studio, or library. These units come with a show kitchen with a natural stone finishes and European-branded appliances.
When the first tower was turned over in 2018, residents have been availing of the hotel a la carte services. At the height of the pandemic, there’s even a station where you can get your antigen tests instead of having to visit a clinic. Visitors can be swabbed at the hotel before they enter your residence.
The hotel assuages the stress of home entertaining. A chef from any of Grand Hyatt’s specialty restaurants can prepare the repast at the condo. “Flying to Hong Kong to eat Peking duck is expensive. You can have it at your home,” says Bogensperger. The ducks are raised in Laguna, according to the hotel’s standards, and are baked in the hotel’s mango wood fire oven that lends its aroma.
The florist can bring up arrangements for the table centerpiece while the waiter sets the table, serves the guests—and even washes the dishes afterward.
Residents can request professional sanitizing and sterilizing services aside from the basic cleaning services.
Frequent and on-the-go travelers can leave their cars in their appurtenant residential parking spaces. The hotel’s limousine service can drop them off and pick them up at the airport.
“Our à la carte services offer a different lifestyle. While it’s cheaper to get a taxi, people, who buy into our residences, don’t worry about costs. They are more concerned about safety and comfort. They want to make sure that there is someone to take care of them,” says Bogensperger.
Bubble environment
If you get sick, the hotel’s nurse is on call 24/7. “Residents who don’t want to go out of the building can use the pool and sauna or practice golf in the golf simulator. The personal trainer can work with them at the gym. There are function rooms and a playground for kids. That’s the idea of leading an uncomplicated life at Grand Hyatt Manila Residences,” says the hotelier.
The inhabitants at the first tower of GHMR fully appreciated the services during the lockdowns. “Many people took to home catering because they couldn’t go out or they were afraid to make connections with the outside world. We brought them their groceries, cakes, tomatoes, and cooked meals,” says Bogensperger.
Beyond the perks of hospitality, Hauri points out that the brand name is an assurance of quality and safety. “No drawing is left without a stamp of approval from Hyatt especially for the back of house (technical services) such as fire safety, water preparation, approval of materials used in construction, renovation and design works. The South Tower will not be open for operation unless a specialist from Grand Hyatt does the necessary tests and is convinced that everything works.”
Bogensperger adds that most people only see the building finishes but take the technical standards for granted. “The Grand Hyatt name means that the technical standards have to pass the global benchmark. This puts you at peace that the construction has been safe and sound.
Ultimately, condo residents, especially those who live alone, can feel security with Grand Hyatt’s level of hospitality. “You can live in another apartment, but you have to run to the mall and pick things up yourself. Nobody serves you. The hotel services such as these are crucial for people who can afford value lifestyle and convenience,” says Bogensperger. Hauri chimes in, “Life is good. So live it grand.”
To know more about this project, visit their website.
ADVT.
