Philippines' First Radisson RED Property Opens in Mandaue City

Global hotel chain Radisson Hotels has been around for more than a century, with eight properties located in the Philippines at present. Its midscale hotel chain, Park Inn by Radisson, is found in North EDSA, Clark, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Davao; while LIME Resort Bohol, a member of Radisson Individuals Premier, is located in Panglao. In Cebu, they have the more upscale chain, Radisson Blu; and recently added to the portfolio in the Queen City of the South is Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue. It's the very first Radisson RED property in the Philippines.

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue stands tall within Cebu Landmasters Inc.'s (CLI) newly opened Astra Centre on A.S. Fortuna Street. During an overnight visit to the property, Senior Sales Manager Jason Roy Cabuguas explained that the urban complex—that's still being completed in phases—has four components: the mall, the residential space, the offices, and, of course, the hotel. All in all, it's a tech-savvy, art-infused social hub that completely reimagines what a city hotel can be.

To know more about the newly opened property, Esquire Philippines sat down with General Manager Prakash Ganesan to discuss the brand's unique personality, its strategic location, and how it is shaking up Cebu's traditional hospitality scene.

For decades, Mandaue City was primarily recognized as Region VII's industrial district, earning it the moniker "Industrial City of Southern Philippines." It is home to production units and offices of San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola Bottling Corp., Shemberg Ingredients and Gums Corporation, Monde Nissin, Profood International Corp., and 7D Dried Mangoes. But the city is seeing some change, with its factories and warehouses taken over by lifestyle and urban spaces.

As Mandaue transitions into a dynamic urban hub, Ganesan says that the hotel isn't just watching from the sidelines—it aims to actively drive the energy of the neighborhood.

"Mandaue is rapidly evolving from a traditional industrial district into a bold, mixed-use urban destination, and Radisson RED is here to be part of that transformation," the GM shares. "Our role is to bring energy into this shift. We are creating a space where business meets leisure, where locals and travelers mix naturally, and where culture, creativity, and social experiences come alive. This is not just about introducing a hotel into a changing district; we aim to help shape what the next version of Mandaue feels like: vibrant, connected, and full of life."

Adding to the question of why this location and why now, Ganesan notes that the decision by CLI and Radisson Hotel Group was highly intentional:

"Cebu Landmasters Inc. and Radisson Hotel Group choose Mandaue City because it sits at the intersection of Cebu’s business, lifestyle, and tourism districts, making it a highly strategic location for both corporate, meetings and events, and leisure demand."

The timing of its opening, the GM emphasized, is equally important, as there's also a major shift in traveler mindsets. Modern guests are no longer just looking for a place to sleep; they are looking for an experience. He explains:

"The market has evolved and is now ready for a new kind of hospitality experience—one that goes beyond standard hotel stays and focuses on creativity, social connection, and lifestyle-driven travel. Radisson RED is designed for today’s modern traveler, and Cebu provides the ideal platform to introduce the brand in the Philippines."

What exactly separates Radisson RED from other properties under the Radisson Hotel Group umbrella? According to Ganesan, it all comes down to a philosophy of casual and expressive environment, replacing the rigid, traditional hotel structures.

"Radisson RED is the lifestyle brand of Radisson Hotel Group, designed for modern travelers who value bold design, creativity, and social connection. Unlike traditional hotel concepts that focus primarily on formal service and standard amenities, RED reimagines hospitality as a vibrant, expressive experience—blending art, music, fashion, and contemporary culture into everyday stays."

Unlike conventional upscale properties (like its five-star counterpart, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu, operated by SMDC) that lean heavily on formality and corporate protocols, Radisson RED presents a playful twist on the status quo. He talks about this while wearing a red polo shirt and an everyday pair of jeans. The next day, he's sporting a casual pair of denim shorts—proof of how laid-back Radisson RED can be.

"As the first Radisson RED in the Philippines, what truly sets us apart is our personality," Ganesan emphasizes. "We are not a conventional city hotel—we are a social hub. From the design of our spaces to the energy of our public areas, everything is intentionally curated to feel dynamic, playful, and connected to the local creative spirit of Cebu."

"We offer more than accommodation. We create a place where guests can work, meet, dine and socialize seamlessly in an environment that feels alive, relevant, and culturally connected. That is what makes Radisson RED stand out in Cebu’s evolving hospitality landscape."

And speaking of standing out, the color red just screams all over the property: from the entrance, where guests are greeted by their mascot Piggy Boy (a nod to the world-famous Cebu lechon), to the hallways, and, of course, the rooms. Art pieces on the walls are in black and white, with touches of red that, again, stand out.

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue features 144 rooms and suites, all with the standard offerings: high-speed WiFi, mirror-casting TVs, and a toilet and bath with a rain shower. They've gotten rid of single-use plastic, with complimentary water given in refillable glass bottles and toiletries in dispensers.

The heart of the hotel is The OUIBar, its all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor. It is designed to be a social space, with cool, red-themed knick-knacks on the shelves and more artworks on the walls. The poolside, RED Deck, is a quiet hangout by day—read a book or lounge around after a few laps; then a party space for up to 120 people on the weekends, when they also invite a DJ to keep the revelry going.

The same floor also has a 24/7 fitness center, and above it, a yoga space, where they intend to hold regular classes.

Radisson RED is also redefining the corporate environment by replacing stuffy, windowless rooms with its function rooms that have sliding dividers and whiteboards popping up from the walls. They're also equipped with LED/LCD projectors, microphones, and the works.

The Studio—boasting natural daylight—is its biggest one, which can accommodate from 50 to 80 people. The RED Room, on the other hand, is a smaller meeting room for up to 15 people. Their corporate packages involve the distribution of stress balls, just in case of...well, stress.

A core pillar of the Radisson RED DNA worldwide is its deep connection to creative subcultures.

"Music and art are at the heart of the Radisson RED experience, and in Mandaue, we are intentionally bringing that philosophy to life through Cebu’s creative community," Ganesan says. "Throughout the hotel, guests will experience locally inspired artwork and design elements that reflect the city’s energy, culture, and identity."

The hotel plans to continuously engage with local creative talents, turning the property into a platform for expression.

"Beyond the physical environment, we are actively building relationships with local artists, musicians, and creative talents," Ganesan outlines. "Our goal is simple: to make Radisson RED Mandaue a place where local creativity is not only showcased, but experienced—where guests can feel the pulse of Cebu's art and music scene in a fresh, engaging way."

Mandaue City is often treated as a mere pit stop on the way to the breathtaking beaches and scenic destinations scattered across Cebu Province. And, sure, that could very well be. But this hotel may just change your mind about rushing through. For one, we were pleasantly surprised to discover the nearby independent bookstore, Lost Books, and creative hub, Atua Midtown. And who knows what else the next time we fly in?

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue is at Astra Center, A. S. Fortuna Street, Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu.

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