A foundation stone laying ceremony was held on March 14 for the newest casino, resort and convention center, called Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino, Inc., in Subic Bay. However, the said complex will be within the boundaries of the Subic Bay Freeport and the entire project is worth $300m.

Multi-phase project:

The developer of the project is ACCOR International Group, which plans to build the said project in subsequent phases, comprising a sprawling 6-hectare property that will include 5-star resort hotels along with an integrated resort casino complex. Additionally, the initial phase of the project will include Ibis Styles and Mercure Hotels.

As for Mercure, it is a French mid-range hotel brand, and as for Ibis Styles, it represents a budget hotel brand which main focus is staying in style. ACCOR International Group is the owner of both of them.

Upon completion, Mercure Subic, which is projected to officially open during 2026, will be the 2nd globally branded hotel in the region and will have 250 rooms. It will be cited next to Ibis Styles Subic. In addition, as for Ibis Styles Subic, it will involve amenities like a gym, meeting space and swimming pool, as well as 175 rooms, according to The Manila Times.

Eduardo Jose Aliño, Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony, which was held at the the Bravo building compound of Subic International Hotel. Commenting on the upcoming complex, Aliño commented: “In a couple of years, the Ibis Styles and Mercure Hotels, which is affiliated with the Accor International Group, will be operating a world class integrated leisure and convention center in Subic Bay, which will be the very first integrated resort casino and hotel complex in the freeport.”

Operations to start in 2025:

Pablo Edgardo Puyat, President and Chairman of Sun Convention Resort and Casino, Inc., commented that operations are expected to officially start by the end of the next year, according to INQUIRER.net. In this regard, he said: “Both the Ibis Styles Subic and Mercure Subic are in the company’s economy and midscale segments, respectively. Ibis Styles Subic is set to open in 2026 and is the first internationally branded hotel in Subic.”

Furthermore, in addition to the exhibition hall and convention center, the area will involve the New Dragon Restaurant, American country club, Americana seaside clubhouse, Americana complex, hotel and recreation center, car park, dormitories and duty-free shops. In addition, the extra facilities found inside the airport will lure more visitors since there will now be a deluxe hotel where they can stay, according to Aliño.

The launch date of the casino, as well as the number of electronic game and tables it would have, weren’t specified in the accounts, according to GGRAsia.

About:

ACCOR International Group is a multinational hospitality firm that franchises, operates and owns vacation, resorts and hotels properties, headquartered in France. It’s currently the biggest firm in Europe whose main field of business is hospitality, as well as the 6th biggest firm across the world.