Photo courtesy of Novotel Manila Araneta City
In its tenth year, Novotel traces the big and small gestures and its evolving spaces that make guests feel instantly at home
A quick mention of Araneta, conversations tend to begin the same way: “Which concert are you watching?” or “Which sports team are fighting for a spot in the finals tonight?” or “Which artists are doing a pop-up at Cubao X?” The commercial and cultural district moves with the energy of events and daily crowds. Within this steady flow, Novotel Manila Araneta City has also become a waypoint: a meeting place before a show, a pause after work, a venue for a celebratory meal with family, or a stopover on the way to the next destination.
As the first Novotel in the Philippines under Accor’s Premium, Midscale, and Economy portfolio, the 24-hour hotel uses natural light, broad glass panels, open interiors, and a façade lined with a distinct pattern.
That idea of pattern extends to the hotel’s own story. In the decade since they became a fixture of Araneta City, the hotel has observed a similar rhythm in the way people use the space: guests returning for milestones, gatherings, and steady routines. “The hotel goes beyond the meaning of hospitality,” says Erwin Dona III, cluster director of marketing and communications of Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City. “[It] offers comfort that feels personal, familiar, and thoughtfully anticipated. Many of its devoted ‘Novo-fans’ have marked life’s sweetest moments here. [It’s] a place that has grown to be part of their story.”
Dona notes that this quality appears in the hotel’s daily operations and how they maintain consistency across guest experiences. “Over the past decade, the Novotel Manila Araneta City team has mastered the art of making every guest feel like they belong, no matter their culture, generation, or purpose of travel.”
To mark its tenth year, the hotel invited loyal guests, local tourism partners, and executives from Accor and the Araneta Group to Forever Novotel, an anniversary gala at the Monet Grand Ballroom. The evening featured visual narratives shaped by the hotel and its surroundings, accompanied by a 13-piece live orchestra and a menu created by the hotel’s director of culinary, Massimiliano Pauletto.
“They say the best stories are those shared with the people who matter,” says Novotel and ibis Styles Araneta City cluster and area general manager of Accor Philippines for Premium, Midscale, and economy brand, Maria Manlulu-Garcia. “From our humble beginnings to our rise as a vibrant landmark in the heart of Araneta City, we have grown, learned, and cherished every chapter along the way. As the first Novotel in the Philippines, this hotel is more than a structure; it’s a home built on passion, resilience, and the countless memories we have created with all of you.”
Dona’s reflections point to a clear motif: guests return because the hotel’s approach evolves with them. “This blend of thoughtful service and inviting ambiance is what makes the hotel feel like home, not just for one type of traveler, but for generations who return with new milestones to share,” says Dona.
For more information, visit Novotel’s official website.
