The first AC Marriott hotel in the country opened on May 15 in Ortigas with a spectacular launch.
The hotel, located in the Glass Tower in Ortigas Center, occupies approximately 25,000 square meters with eight floors (including the roof deck) from the building’s 60 (all floors are offices).
Currently the hotel has 160 keys, spread over nine categories: Superior King (80 rooms), Superior Double (40), Deluxe King (eight), Large Room (eight), Junior Suite (six), Deluxe Suite (six), Studio Apartment (three), and 1- and 2-Bedroom Apartments (six each).
While BusinessWorld we didn’t stay for the press preview, we were able to have dinner at their all day restaurant, AC Kitchen. There we were given a large chicken inasal (half a chicken) and all the trimmings, with extra zest from the lemongrass. We were also able to try some of their signature cocktails in the AC Lounge, as well as the AC Bar upstairs (with its signature g&t).
AC Hotel is part of Marriott International’s Select Brands, a separate category from its premium and premium brands. “Marriott Select Brands is driven by innovation,” the website says. “Through the use of new and varied construction types, such as modular construction, market-oriented design options and prototypes and innovative F&B solutions, we are designing the future of hospitality.”
AC Hotel takes its name from its founder, Spanish architect Antonio Catalán. Marriott acquired the brand in 1999, and the brand has spread to more than 175 locations around the world, from Chengdu, China to Melbourne, Australia.
“AC’s philosophy is about detail, efficiency, and experience in its design,” said Melvyn Angeles, general manager of AC Hotel by Marriott Manila. Mr. Angeles described the hotel as pet and family friendly, with amenities including a lounge, library, indoor pool, and fitness center.
They also have meeting and event facilities, including a ballroom. Complementing the ballroom are executive meeting rooms, a dedicated wedding room, a media salon, and expansive pre-function areas.
“There is still a need here (for) business and injury,” said Mr. Angeles in a group discussion. “There is a huge demand for companies, even for events,” he said.
While the hotel only officially launched in May, it has been in soft opening mode since December. Although this is the first AC hotel in the Philippines, Mr. Angeles revealed that there is one in Cebu, which broke ground in 2025 and is yet to be completed.
What we noticed from the first floor to the roof was the attentiveness of the workers. There is a bit of confusion in the layout (due to the mixed-use nature of the building): one has to navigate two or three banks of elevators to get from the first floor to the restaurant, then another bank of elevators to the roof deck, another bank of elevators to the rooms (we peeked into our partner’s rooms; they are clean and nice). Throughout the trip, the staff guided guests (media and non-media alike) patiently, and always had time to notice personal details (we heard a conversation between a guest and a staff member about raising toddlers; another guided an elderly couple, who got lost in an elevator jumble).
Mr. Angeles said, “Our culture is about taking care of people. That’s what Marriott is all about as a company.”
There are 13 Marriott properties in the Philippines, including Manila Marriott Hotel in Newport World Resorts, Clark Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila Bay, Westin Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel in Newport World Resorts, and Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan.
AC Hotel by Marriott is located at Glass Tower, corner Ruby and Opal Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City. For questions, visit acbymarriottmanila.com or call 8372-8888. – Joseph L. Garcia
