New hotel featuring water theme park to rise in Clark

by Jacob Cunanan
Published by Clark Philippines on January 22, 2010

CLARK FREE PORT—A Korean company is set to invest at least $70 million for the development of a condominium-type hotel, water-theme-park resort and casino complex at this sprawling free port.

Widus (pronounced “With Us”) International Leisure Inc. (WILI) has poured in an initial $13 million for the first phase of the Ananda Hotel after signing an agreement with world-renowned hotel management firm Fuego Hotels & Properties Management Corp.

Widus chief executive officer Daesik Han said Ananda is the first hotel being built by WILI, adding the two Ananda Hotel Towers with a combined 270 rooms will occupy 1.9 hectares of the 5.2-hectare prime property leased to Widus.

The construction of the first Tower started on March 1, 2007 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“Widus envisions a one-of-a-kind resort-hotel here in Clark which boasts of amenities that will appeal to every member of the family, a hotel where quality dictates every aspect of its operations. With Fuego Hotels’ expertise, guests are assured of luxurious service and accommodations,” Han said.

Fuego Hotels & Properties Management Corp. is a management company with an established expertise in managing hotels, resorts and full and limited service companies.

Priding itself as a company that strives to achieve the highest standards of hospitality and efficiency, the properties Fuego Hotels manage are not only luxurious but are market leaders in their respective destinations.

Fuego Hotels manages famous resorts in the country such as the Pearl Farm in Davao, the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay, Club Punta Fuego and the Terrazas de Punta Fuego, both in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“Ananda will be the new haven in the Clark Free Port Zone, as Widus International takes luxury to the next level. This development project aims to give our clients the vacation experience they deserve,” Han said.

“Like its name, that in Sanskrit means ‘bliss,’ and its palm tree logo that symbolize victory, peace and fertility, its employees will be ready to embrace and cater to the needs of every guest and offer immeasurable quality service and the best facilities for guests to enjoy,” he said.

Designed to provide the ultimate vacation experience for the whole family this side of the Asia-Pacific, Han also said Ananda will be the home of the Widus Vacation Club.

The Widus Vacation Club is Widus International’s timeshare program where club members get to own a unit from Ananda’s remarkable hotel, studio, one-bedroom, suite and two bedroom units.

“At a very reasonable price, members get to stay for free at their chosen unit for seven days a year for the next 25 years and avail themselves of exciting privileges only a Widus Vacation Club member deserves,” Han said.

At the same time, Han said Ananda is only the first phase of the Widus development project. The second and third phases will include the development of a vast water theme park, a state-of-the-art casino, and another five-star hotel tower.

Having only visited the Philippines a few times to play golf, the 38-year-old professional businessman from Chungbuk, South Korea, fell in love with the beautiful sights and tranquil environment of Clark.

Being a regular tourist himself, Han noticed the need for deluxe and five-star hotels in the area, especially with the influx of his fellow Koreans coming in through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

From then on, Han became the person behind Widus, a 100-percent foreign-owned corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2006.