Colorful leisurely comfort

Savoy Hotel Boracay is part of Boracay Newcoast, an integrated development with world-class amenities.

The many colors of leisurely comfort

Hue Hotel Puerto Princesa brings the island’s charming sights right into your room.

By Ruby Asoy-Lebajo Photos By Renjie Tolentino

Among the hotels that recently opened in Palawan, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa is considered by many to be the most stylish with its spectrum of offerings that add color to your leisure getaway. Situated right in the heart of the city, its decor is inspired by Palawan’s lush environment, with wide-open spaces that echo the province’s tag as the Garden City of the Philippines. While it is said that Puerto Princesa City was named after Princess Eulalia of Spain, the daughter of Queen Isabel II, Hue Puerto Princesa in turn is inspired by a modern-day Princess Eulalia, an avid traveler with elegant taste with the hotel as her home, which she designed herself.

A glocal hotel

“The word glocal (a portmanteau of the words global and local) was our foundation in every designrelated decision,” explains Hue Puerto Princesa general manager Chris Guballa. “It has to cater to a global market while staying true to our local roots, and this can be seen in the interiors of the hotel.”

Hue Hotels and Resorts is a brand of hotels under Luana Lifestyle and Leisure Hotel Inc. envisioned to be chic and creative with a forward-looking design and culturally rooted architecture. The property is being managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc. (HII).

“Driven to reimagine the hotel and property management landscape in the country, HII constantly exemplifies high standards of operations with the intention of delighting its partners and guests,” shares Guballa. “Bringing inimitable ideas to life, it creates distinct hotel concepts that are original and one of a kind. This is what Hue Hotels and Resorts is all about.”

With facilities and amenities that fit the needs of a diverse clientele, Hue Puerto Princesa caters to leisure and business travelers alike, whether they are alone or in a group. Since it opened early this year, feedback has been positive, from the online reviews to the comments they received directly from guests.

The hotel GM says it was a challenge to softopen the hotel: “We did not have our pool and spa at the outset, as well as there were still some minor construction. But when it came to service, food and room amenities, we made up in these aspects, and our guests come out being happy with their stay.”

The roof-deck swimmimg pool provides a great view of the city.

Palawan in a nutshell

The hotel’s look is one of its selling points. The lobby floor has a pattern representing the roots of mangrove, or bakawan, which is essential to the island’s abundant marine life. The artworks over the reception area depict birds in flight, and there are more of them around the property. To tie with this motif, beautiful birdcages hang as accents in the ballroom to evoke the island’s splendor.

In fact, he is quite proud of the hotel’s advocacy of sustaining the community through local products and culture.

Apart from its vivid interiors, the hotel’s food and beverage offering is also a draw. Its Matiz Tapas Bar & Restaurant, just beside the lobby area, has classic Filipino and Spanish food with a few Vietnamese dishes that pay homage to Puerto Princesa’s Vietnamese community. Among the dishes of chef Gabby Prats that we were able to try were the Matiz paella, which is based on heirloom Spanish recipe, bagnet, seared Norwegian salmon and Caesar salad.

Puerto Princessa is the jump-off point to the Underground River Hue Hotels and Resorts offer stylish rooms in all categories.

Puerto Princesa is the first home of Hue Hotels and Resorts. The capital city of Palawan, the gateway to almost every other island in the province, it is known for its breathtaking limestone cliffs, secluded beaches, historical landmarks, and pasalubong shopping of delicacies and finds.

Hue Puerto Princesa offers its services to take guests to the province’s many tourist spots, such as the famous Underground River, which was named one of the 7 Wonders of the World and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tintin, our tour guide, took us to Baker’s Hill with its famous bakery and garden, Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village, Rancho Mitra, Elephant Cave, Baywalk Plaza Quartel, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Buenavista View Deck (where you can see the beauty of Ulugan Bay and Tres Marias).

Hard work, skill beget respect

The young general manager has been exposed to hospitality work since his early 30s. He believes in leadership by example—by showing hard work and right skill.

“I opened my very first hotel in Boracay when I was just 34 years old. People will often say that that it is too young to manage a hotel,” says Guballa. “For me, I have been working and handling departments, such as front office and reservations, when I was young. I believe your staff will always respect hard work and skill. If you show them that you work as hard as them or even harder, then they will always respect and follow you.”

His most remarkable achievement thus far is being able to open Hue Puerto Princesa. “As a hotelier, you always want to manage a hotel or product that you can really be proud of,” he remarks. “We want to match the property with excellent service. We’re looking forward to having more visitors experience the unique shade of comfort and leisure Hue Puerto Princesa offers, and how it reflects the beauty of the island right within the comforts of the hotel.”

Hue Hotels and Resorts is opening another property in Boracay. The hotel will also offer the same unique design concepts, as well as Station X. “This is something that people will need to look out for,” he concludes.

Hue Puerto Princesa general manager Chris Guballa and chef Gabby Prats of Matiz Tapas Bar and Restaurant

Try a relaxing massage at Aminah Spa.

The writer and photographer with members of an indigenous group of Palawan at the Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village