Sofitel closes after 51 years, citing ‘safety issues’

MANILA, Philippines — The 51-year-old Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City will close its doors starting July 1.

“We will cease hotel operations on July 1, 2024, so our last day of business will be on June 30,” Esteban Peña Sy, president of the luxury hotel’s owner Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc. told The STAR by phone yesterday.

According to a statement allegedly from the hotel management that made the rounds on social media, the closure of the luxury hotel was “part of our ongoing commitment to providing our guests and colleagues with the best possible experience.”

Sy pointed out five-star Sofitel would close its doors to guests due to safety issues, possibly wear and tear of essential equipment like water pipes and electrical wires.

He recalled firefighting personnel of Pasay City had to respond to “27 fire incidents” in the hotel so far this year, and praised the hotel employees and firefighters for quickly suppressing them.

“In September 2023, we had to evacuate all our over 1,000 hotel guests because our water pipes busted,” he added.

International consultants and the Department of Labor and Employment also came up with reports that declared the integrity of the hotel, as well as working conditions, was no longer safe, according to Sy.

Shutting down Sofitel would “avoid any casualty,” he emphasized.

He also assured the hotel’s hundreds of employees, including its labor union, that they would be given “very good” separation packages, which he even called “better.”

They would also undergo seminars and training, with the hope that Accor – a multinational hospitality firm serving as the hotel’s manager – would absorb and send them to its other properties, he added.

Sy pointed out Sofitel’s upcoming closure has nothing to do with the ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay – which reportedly blocked its view of the famous Manila Bay sunset – as well as the lease agreements with the hotel’s land owner, Government Service Insurance System, contrary to earlier reports.

“The shutdown has nothing to do with GSIS. Our landlord and tenant relationship is very cordial,” he said.

On the issue of Manila Bay reclamation, he said, “Luckily we are not totally