Motel business still thriving

Special report: Sex, love, rock and roll

MANILA, Philippines — They’re used for a few hours of wild sex, love and even death, but rarely for a good night’s rest or an afternoon siesta.

Whichever one’s purpose is, motels remain resilient in the Philippines, signaling a strong recovery after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business is busiest on Valentine’s Day and the days before and after.

A worker in a motel told The STAR that Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, is reserved for legitimate partners or spouses while Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 are for their paramours.

With their thick walls, mirrors on the ceiling, the privacy they offer and a wide array of themed rooms – Taylor Swift Eras Tour room, anyone? – motels in the country have been the setting for some of the most passionate lovemaking or just hot, sweaty sex.

Motels, whose name originates from the 1925 motor hotel or a hotel for motorists called the Milestone MoTel in California, are mostly for travelers in the United States. It’s a type of hotel with no central lobby and each room is accessed from its own private garage.

In the Philippines, however, this so-called drive-in feature – direct access to rooms from a parking area with a rolling garage door that closes in seconds the moment guests park – provides the privacy some of the forbidden lovers so badly need.

Indeed, according to past surveys, seven out of 10 couples who check into a motel are illicit lovers, among the biggest ironies in this predominantly Catholic country with a history of 500 years of Christianity.

One can’t help but wonder why divorce continues to be met with stiff opposition in Congress despite the prevalence of illicit affairs.

Because of the unique proposition they offer, motels in the Philippines remain resilient and continue to thrive.

Around Metro Manila, the famous motel strips – Malate, Sta. Mesa, Pasig – are still where they have always been, even as property developers have long been eyeing these prime locations.

New themed rooms

These motels, however, also do their part in keeping up with the times by expanding their product offerings.

Hotel Ava, a rebrand of Victoria Court, said business is still thriving despite being in the industry for decades already.

“Even though we rebranded recently, we have many regular guests who keep coming back to us for the price, experience and service,” Erika Christine Balanon, marketing manager of Hotel Ava, told The STAR in an interview.

There are also many motel “virgins” or first-time motel goers, who drive the market.

“The curiosity to try a motel is still there, as we continue to attract many new guests who are first-time motel goers.”

Hotel Ava, which rebranded more than 300 Victoria Court rooms, constantly innovates its products. Led by CEO Angie King, Hotel Ava is a rebrand of Victoria Court motels in Malate, Cuneta and Gil Puyat.

The rest of the Victoria Court properties, which still use the original name, are headed by Angie’s brother Atticus.

“Every year, we strive to offer new themed rooms to the  market that we know our guests will love. For example, we have an Eras Tour-inspired room, complete with a karaoke machine where Swiftie guests can sing their favorite Taylor Swift songs,” Balanon said.

Another popular themed room is the King’s Garage for car enthusiasts and inspired by Angie’s passion for cars.

The King’s Garage features a refurbished car as a bed.

“Our Marvel and Star Wars-inspired rooms are still available to those who want to fulfill their superhero fantasies,” she said, adding that each room is designed to give guests a unique experience.

Through the decades, the biggest market of motels is still couples looking for a romantic and quick stay.

But Hotel Ava also attracts groups of friends or barkadas looking for a private party space, to celebrate a birthday, a bachelor or a bachelorette party or just a karaoke night.

Focus on sustainability

As a business, Hotel Ava also focuses on sustainability.

“In addition to these, we also have sustainability projects that we believe will help the community and make our operations more efficient for our guests. Our employees are also sent to various training programs to improve their skills and better serve our guests,” Balanon said.

The motels business, indeed, continues to thrive, despite the times, despite inflation and despite the elevated prices of goods.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2022 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry published in September last year, revenue from short term accommodations which include motels amounted to P110.85 billion in 2022, from P66.12 billion in 2021. The PSA defines this class as hotels, motels, resort hotels, condotels, inns, guesthouses and youth hostels.

But it’s not all about love and sex in motels.

In some of the cheaper motels, abortionists perform abortions to those in need, despite the practice being illegal in the country; some journalists who need to interview a source or a key witness do it in motels, together with their recorders or camera. In the past, there were police interrogations too in these dingy rooms.

Unfortunately, in some instances, there are also suicides.

Once upon a time, in January 1986, a 21-year old “checked into a downtown motel, ordered a beer and then fired a bullet into his temple, according to a Reuters report published on May 21, 1989.

“We learned later it was his birthday and he and his sweetheart had quarreled,” the report quoted a waiter in the motel as saying