As a new year begins, it offers a moment to reflect and set direction for what’s ahead. At Mingle with Ascott 2026, held on February 26 at Centro de Turismo in Intramuros, The Ascott Limited Philippines gathered its leadership team, partners, and media to look back on its 2025 milestones while unveiling its 2026 development roadmap and new campaign theme, “At the Confluence.”

Rooted in the Philippines’ history as a crossroads of cultures, the theme highlights Ascott’s vision of bringing together diverse people, stories, and experiences in one space, guiding the brand’s direction moving forward. This idea carried into the evening through a subtle nautical thread, with design cues inspired by the San Diego shipwreck, reimagined in modern line art of Filipino scenes and landmarks.

Further grounding this direction, the event was led by Country General Manager Patrick Vaysse and Director of Brand and Marketing Loven Ramos, who reflected on the company’s 2025 milestones and outlined what lies ahead. Ramos shared that the “Confluence” campaign was shaped by a visit to the National Museum of the Philippines, where the San Diego pouring vessels and their blue-and-white iconography sparked the idea, grounding the theme in history while connecting it to Ascott’s direction for the future.

This forward momentum reflects Ascott’s broader scale and presence. Ascott is a global hospitality group with over 1,000 properties across more than 230 cities. In the Philippines, its portfolio includes over 32 properties and around 6,000 keys, with continued expansion through new openings, dining concepts, leadership appointments, and initiatives such as the Ascott Star Rewards airport lounge at NAIA Terminal 3. This growth sets the stage for its 2026 development roadmap, highlighting its next phase across key cities.

Leading this next phase is Somerset Valero Makati, now on soft opening, offering a central location near major malls, Rockwell, Poblacion, and Bonifacio Global City, with convenient access to the airport. In Ortigas, Joy~Nostalg Hotel and Suites is undergoing a full refresh and will reopen in the fourth quarter as Ascott Ortigas Manila, with upgraded rooms, shared spaces, and dining concepts.

Expansion continues in Cebu and beyond, with Somerset Gorordo Cebu set to open in the second half of the year, adding 155 units near Cebu Business Park, along with a pool, gym, and residents’ lounge. The upcoming Oakwood IT Park Grand Gateway Cebu, developed with Grand Land, will be the brand’s first Oakwood property outside Metro Manila and its largest in the country, featuring around 400 rooms, upscale amenities, and flexible event spaces designed for Cebu’s growing MICE market. Looking ahead, Ascott has also broken ground on Balai Dajao in Siargao, a 60-suite retreat under Preference Hotels set to open in 2028, while Citadines Paragon Davao signals its entry into the expanding Mindanao market.

Beyond developments, Ascott Philippines also introduced a refreshed lineup of food and beverage concepts across its properties, reinforcing its focus on lifestyle-driven hospitality—from Scott’s, Scott’s Corner, and the Al Fresco Pool Bar at Ascott Bonifacio Global City; to Bay City Café in Citadines Bay City Manila; and Bugsay Pool Bar in Citadines Amigo Iloilo. In Quezon City, Citadines Roces features Alejo Restaurant and Bar, and Aqua at 8th, while Citadines Bacolod City offers Pureza Lobby Lounge; Fuego Bar + Lounge; Namit; Tam-is; and Adlao Pool Bar, with Somerset Alabang Manila set to introduce The Veranda and Soluna this year. The event reflected this direction, with dishes by Citadines Bay City Manila, and cocktails crafted with Destileria Limtuaco.

As the evening closed, Ascott Philippines made its direction for 2026 clear, focused on growth and stronger connections across its network. With the launch of its “At the Confluence” campaign and a year-long accommodation offer, the brand continues to bring people and experiences together, guided by its message, “Where worlds meet, journeys begin.”