Insider Spotlight
Hotels in Metro Manila and Tagaytay are leaning into Lunar New Year travel and dining demand, rolling out elaborate feasts and family-oriented gatherings that blend tradition with experiential hospitality.
From Manila Bay to the cool highlands of Tagaytay, properties are positioning Lunar New Year as a key seasonal driver for food and beverage revenue and staycation traffic.
Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila is centering its Lunar New Year celebration on communal dining at Cyan Modern Kitchen, with curated lunch and dinner gatherings scheduled from Feb. 17 to 21.
The spread highlights classic Chinese roasts, dim sum, noodle soups and symbolic desserts such as tikoy-inspired sweets and tangyuan, reinforcing the importance of togetherness and prosperity during the season.
Why it matters
Lunar New Year continues to be a high-impact period for hotels, driving incremental covers, group bookings and advance reservations.
With Valentine’s Day and long weekends clustering in February, hotels are packaging Lunar New Year as both a cultural and leisure occasion, appealing to families and urban travelers seeking shared experiences.
In Tagaytay, Taal Vista Hotel is tapping into this momentum by offering a Chinese New Year buffet at Veranda on Feb. 17.
Timed for midday family gatherings, the buffet is positioned as a relaxed long-weekend escape following Valentine’s Day, combining festive dining with the destination’s cooler climate and scenic views.
What they are saying
“Conrad Manila consistently creates experiences that spark meaningful connections,” Rupert Hallam, general manager of Conrad Manila, said in a press statement.
“Our Chinese New Year celebration, featuring meticulously curated dining exclusives, honors the promise of new beginnings and invites families to come together in warmth and joy,” he added.
At Conrad Manila, Lunar New Year celebrations extend beyond dining into ritual and spectacle. China Blue by Jereme Leung is offering multi-course set menus, prosperity yee sang and nian gao collections throughout February, complemented by a lion dance and eye-dotting ceremony at the hotel’s porte cochere.
The hotel is also catering to takeaway demand, allowing guests to bring symbolic dishes home.
he big picture
Across properties, Lunar New Year programming reflects a broader hospitality trend toward culturally anchored experiences that encourage group dining and advance bookings.
By emphasizing symbolism, sharing and celebration, hotels are transforming Lunar New Year into a multi-day occasion that supports both occupancy and dining performance during the first quarter. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
