The Araneta Hotels Inc (AHI) Heartists of Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City celebrate their Asia Leadership Awards wins, marking a proud moment of excellence in Filipino hospitality.
Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City have emerged as standout stars within Accor’s Asia portfolio, earning top honors at the prestigious Asia Leadership Conference 2026. This achievement firmly places the Philippines 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 the host country, spotlighting world-renowned Filipino hospitality while showcasing Araneta City’s legacy as the “City of Firsts.”
A Nnght of regional recognition
The Araneta City properties truly took center stage during the much-anticipated Asia Leadership Awards. Novotel Manila Araneta City was honored with the Brand Excellence Award for Midscale & Economy, a distinction reserved for properties that exemplify consistency, a strong market presence, and an elevated brand experience. The hotel earned an exceptional 91.54 brand audit score—the highest in the Asian region—offering a clear affirmation of brand integrity and guest promises delivered at scale.
This latest win builds on a formidable track record. In 2023, the property was hailed as the Best Food & Beverage (F&B) Performer at the Accor Asia Awards. This year, its well-rounded strength across guest experience and commercial performance earned it nominations across five major categories, including Best Loyalty Performance and Hotel of the Year.
Hospitality with a “work of heart”
In a testament to the team’s service ethos, both Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City were jointly recognized with the Work of Heart Award. This accolade celebrates genuine hospitality and the intuitive service that defines memorable stays. The hotels secured the award with staggering employee engagement scores: 9.8 for ibis Styles and 9.9 for Novotel—some of the highest in the network. These results reflect a culture built on trust and a genuine care for “Heartists” (Accor’s term for its employees) that translates directly to the hotel floor.
Furthermore, Novotel Manila Araneta City was named a finalist for:
- Hotel of the Year 2025:
- Responsible Hospitality Award 2025:
A defining moment for Filipino hospitality
“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 for 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 reinforces our commitment to delivering both exceptional performance and meaningful guest experiences.”
Beyond the accolades, the conference provided a curated blend of insights into emerging travel trends and the growing importance of sustainability. For the team at Araneta Hotels Inc., these wins signify more than operational success; they mark a defining moment of recognition within one of the world’s most competitive hospitality regions. These Manila properties exemplify how heart, culture, and performance can unite to create something truly exceptional.