SM Hotels provide a window to Filipino stories, flavors and heritage

By Bjorn Biel M. Beltran, Special Features and Content Assistant Editor

Across its portfolio, SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) positions its properties as gateways to the diverse character of the Philippines, connecting travelers to the culture, flavors, people, and landscapes that make every region worth visiting.

For SMHCC, these are more than attractions surrounding its properties. They are essential parts of the travel experience, offering guests opportunities to discover the stories, traditions, and people that make every destination distinct.

From the urban energy of Quezon City to the culinary heritage of Iloilo and the historic character of Bacolod, each property reflects a different dimension of Filipino hospitality. Together, they demonstrate how one hospitality group can offer travelers a deeper appreciation of the country’s many destinations, from contemporary city living and leisure to heritage, gastronomy, sustainability, and local pride.

“Hospitality gives us an opportunity to introduce travelers to what makes each destination distinct. Through our properties, we can help bring greater attention to the places, flavors, traditions, and local initiatives that reflect the character of each region,” said SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. Executive Vice-President Peggy Angeles. “Our goal is to make every stay a starting point for discovery, encouraging guests to look beyond the familiar and appreciate the many facets of the Philippines.”

A convenient start within the Metro

Quezon City, with its sprawling commercial centers, busy thoroughfares, and concentration of restaurants and entertainment venues, is a convenient starting point for visitors exploring Metro Manila. Through this, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, located beside SM North EDSA and the SM North Towers, provides easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, and commercial districts, making it a practical base for business travelers, families, and leisure guests.

There are already various places of interest nearby. Space & Time Cube+, an immersive digital art attraction, represents a contemporary form of creative expression that adds another dimension to the city’s leisure offerings. Dapitan Arcade offers an assortment of handicrafts, home décor, and souvenirs that showcase the appeal of Filipino-made products, while Merced Bakehouse & Restaurant provides a taste of classic bakery favorites and local treats.

Historical and gastronomical adventure through Iloilo

Further south, Iloilo offers a completely different perspective on Philippine authenticity. History is embedded deep into the city’s streets, from the churches and plazas of its old districts to the ancestral houses that recall the wealth and influence of earlier generations.

Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, located within the SM City Iloilo complex in Mandurriao, offers access to both the city’s commercial centers and its historic districts. A visit to Molo, for example, can begin at Molo Church and Molo Plaza, landmarks that reflect the district’s architectural and religious heritage. Nearby, Molo Mansion stands as one of the area’s most recognizable ancestral homes. Preserved by the SM Group, the restored property also houses Kultura, where Filipino-made products, handicrafts, and locally inspired items give visitors another way to encounter the country’s creative traditions.

The heritage trail continues in Jaro, where the cathedral and plaza anchor a district with a distinct historical character. The Agatona Museum offers another look at local history, while downtown Iloilo’s Calle Real retains traces of the city’s prosperous commercial past in its collection of historic buildings. The National Museum of the Philippines–Iloilo provides further context on the region’s cultural and historical development.

But a visit to Iloilo would be incomplete without exploring its food. Recognized as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the city has built a culinary identity around family recipes, local ingredients, and traditions passed down through generations.

At Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Áni All Day Dining introduces guests to Ilonggo flavors alongside international favorites. The hotel’s culinary offerings also reflect its commitment to preserving regional traditions through dishes that celebrate local ingredients and heritage recipes. Among its notable achievements are its award-winning Valenciana and signature Bibingka, which earned distinction at the 16^th National Food Showdown. These accolades highlight the hotel’s contribution to showcasing Ilonggo cuisine while bringing regional specialties to a wider audience.

Exploing Bacolod’s cultural and culinary identity

Meanwhile, Bacolod’s identity is closely tied to the history and culture of Negros Occidental. Its food, ancestral houses, and local artistic traditions offer visitors an introduction to a province shaped by agriculture, trade, and generations of Negrense families.

Naturally, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod directly connects guests and travelers to SM City Bacolod and the SMX Convention Center, giving them quick access to shopping, events, and city attractions. From there, visitors can explore the culinary traditions that have helped make Bacolod a familiar stop for food lovers, particularly the city’s celebrated chicken inasal, a grilled chicken specialty marinated in a distinctive blend of local ingredients and traditionally served with rice, and piaya, a flat pastry typically filled with muscovado sugar.

Bacolod’s cultural identity is also expressed through its architecture and art. The Ruins, the remains of an early 20^th-century mansion, is among the province’s most recognizable heritage sites. Balay Negrense and the Hofileña-Jalandoni House offer further glimpses of the domestic life and architecture of an earlier era. In the city, the Negros Museum and San Sebastian Cathedral provide additional context for understanding the region’s history.

Bacolod also illustrates how hospitality can incorporate more responsible operations. Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod’s initiatives include farm-to-table sourcing, composting, and converting used cooking oil into biodiesel for local fishing communities. The sustainability story extends beyond the property through initiatives such as Bokashi fermentation and farm activities at the Negros Economic Development Foundation, offering a closer look at practices that support more responsible resource management.

The true experience of travel is in immersing oneself in places beyond where one stays. It means understanding the stories behind its landmarks, tasting the dishes that have become part of its identity, and meeting the places and practices that make it distinct. Across Luzon and the Visayas, SMHCC’s properties offer travelers different starting points for doing just that.