Five years since its inception, Privato Hotel Group’s runaway success can only be attributed to the careful guidance and leadership of its founder and president, 31-year old Gab Perez. From breaking ground to its first location in Ortigas, it has since opened its doors to more booking options in other sites in Quezon City and Makati City.
Perez oversaw the construction of two Privato hotels from the ground up, while the other is an acquisition. Privato Quezon City came by chance, when Perez received an offer from the Max’s Group to acquire its property (formerly the Meranti). Designed by the renowned firm of Budji Layug and Royal Pineda, then featuring furniture by Kenneth Cobonpue, the space already has Privato’s streamlined aesthetic. By June 1 of 2019, roughly six months after the talks started, they took over operations.
As an emerging hotel chain and with Perez at the helm, Privato is determined to leave an indelible mark beyond that thumbprint of trendy spaces and contemporary design. Five years into the business and he is due to hand out a couple of loyalty awards to a number of people he has worked with since day one.
“You can replicate a property, but you can’t replicate the people – that’s the unique thing about the hospitality industry and a major takeaway I’ve continued to apply in the business,” says Perez. “Training the staff and ensuring the team has strong morale are key because these translate to the level of service we offer guests in any Privato Hotel.”
Perez believes that hotels in general are trying to emulate the warmth and hospitality of most Filipino hosts. “I always tell my staff that what we do is not just a job. It’s very reflective of our culture as Filipinos. Despite having all these departments, the basic core of the hotel industry is providing what the guest wants – a good night’s sleep, a hot shower, and a hot breakfast to start the morning with,” he explains.
Since they’re located in business districts, Privato hotels’ main clientele remain to be corporate accounts or business travelers, but there are many staycationers too, who enjoy the well-designed spaces, reasonable rates, and great service.
To actualize his vision and goals for Privato, the young hotelier collaborated with “the best in the industry.” Perez has tapped Casas+Architects, Jose Aliling Construction Management, and Enderun Hotels for the design, construction management, and day-to-day operations of the hotels.
Perez believes this balance between accessibility and topnotch service is where Privato shines the brightest. “Our sweet spot is that we serve champagne for the price of beer,” he says. Privato is realizing its huge potential and carving its territory in the competitive hospitality industry.
For more information about Privato, visit www.privatohotels.com or contact +63 (2) 376 6340 to 42.