Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City have emerged as standout stars within Accor’s Asia portfolio, earning top honours at the prestigious Asia Leadership Conference 2026 an achievement that places the Philippines firmly on the region’s hospitality map.
Hosted at Novotel Manila Araneta City, the annual gathering brought together more than 300 General Managers and Accor’s global leadership for three days of forward-thinking dialogue and strategic
exchange. Framed by the theme “THRIVE,” the conference explored the future of hospitality through the lenses of performance, purpose, and people; setting the tone for a new era of growth across Asia’s dynamic travel landscape. This also marks the first time the Philippines has been selected as host venue, spotlighting the country’s world-renowned Filipino hospitality while shining a light on Araneta City as the “City of Firsts.”
Yet it was during the much-anticipated Asia Leadership Awards that Manila, specifically the Araneta City, truly took the spotlight.
This year Novotel Manila Araneta City was honoured with the Brand Excellence Award for Midscale & Economy, a distinction reserved for properties that exemplify consistency, strong market presence, with an elevated brand experience earned through an exceptional 91.54 brand audit score, the highest in the Asian region a clear affirmation of brand integrity, consistency, and guest promise delivered at scale.
Notably, this latest win builds on its strong track record, following its recognition at the Accor Awards in 2023. Its legacy of excellence extends even further. In 2023, Novotel Manila Araneta City secured its position as a regional culinary leader, having been hailed as the Best Food & Beverage (F&B) Performer at the Accor Asia Awards. The property also earned key nominations across five major categories, including Best Loyalty Performance and Hotel of the Year, a testament to its well-rounded strength across both guest experience and commercial performance.
In a further testament to the team’s culture and service ethos, both Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City were jointly recognized with the Work of Heart Award, a celebration of genuine hospitality, emotional connection, and the kind of intuitive service that defines
memorable stays. The hotels proudly took home the said award, with ibis Styles Manila Araneta City achieving an outstanding 9.8 and Novotel Manila Araneta City an even higher 9.9 in employee engagement survey results among the highest scores in the network. These results reflect a culture built on trust, ground-level engagement, and genuine care for Heartists, brought to life every day on the hotel floor.
Novotel Araneta City named finalist for Hotel of the Year 2025, a distinction that honors holistic performance from rigorous brand audits and operational excellence to exceptional employee engagement and guest loyalty. Further reinforcing their commitment to responsible growth, the property was also recognized as finalist for the Responsible Hospitality Award 2025, underscoring meaningful progress toward Green Key Certification and a deep-rooted dedication to reducing environmental impact while delivering memorable, eco-conscious guest experiences.
“These recognitions are a proud moment for our entire team,” said Maria Manlulu-Garcia, Cluster General Manager of Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City and Area General Manager, The Philippines Premium, Midscale, and Economy. “They reflect the passion, consistency, and genuine care our Heartists bring to every guest interaction. To be acknowledged on a regional stage among our peers across Asia reinforces our commitment to delivering both exceptional performance and meaningful guest experiences.”
Beyond the accolades, the conference itself offered a curated blend of high-level insights and collaborative exchange bringing together senior executives, industry experts, and strategic partners to unpack emerging travel trends, evolving guest expectations, and the growing importance of responsible hospitality. For the Heartists of Araneta Hotels Inc, representing Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City,
the wins signal more than operational success they mark a defining moment of recognition within one of the world’s most competitive hospitality regions. As Accor continues to sharpen its focus on innovation and guest-centricity, these Manila properties exemplify how heart, culture, and performance can come together to create something truly exceptional.
