True Filipino hospitality has always extended far beyond the walls of a grand lobby or a beautifully appointed bedroom. It is found in our rich history, our bustling streets, and the vibrant communities that form the heart of our culture. Capturing this very essence, Seda Hotels officially launched Roots by Seda, an immersive 2-day experience specially crafted to connect travelers to the authentic soul of the Philippines.
Our very own Kister Morata and Sharmaine Rodriguez of Team Orange had the privilege of joining this exclusive journey, experiencing first-hand how the premium hotel chain is seamlessly weaving local heritage into the modern staycation.
A Sanctuary at the Center of it All
The curated journey began with a relaxing overnight stay at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City. Serving as the perfect urban anchor for the event, the 438-room hotel wrapped guests in its signature modern comfort while setting the stage for deeper exploration.
Far from a standard weekend getaway, Roots by Seda is designed as a gateway to both discovery and relaxation. The 2-day experience balances the hotel’s premium amenities with carefully guided explorations across Metro Manila. These excursions are meticulously planned to highlight local culture, heritage, and regional communities both within the immediate vicinity of the property and out in the wider historic landscapes of the metro.
Through these community-centric itineraries, guests are given rare, meaningful opportunities to engage directly with local artisans, cultural landmarks, and neighborhood storytellers.
Reimagining Hospitality: Voices from the Launch
During the launch events, key leaders shared the vision driving this heartfelt initiative. Olivier Foucke, Cluster General Manager, emphasized that travelers are looking for deeper meaning and unique stories when they choose where to visit.
”All of this is kind of coming together because we all want like that authentic experience,” Foucke shared during her presentation. “It’s an experience that we want for ourselves, we want to make sure it’s memorable and it’s something that makes our holiday—it puts the story in our holiday, it puts a destination forward.”
Foucke explained that Roots by Seda grew directly from understanding the evolving role of a hotel in a guest’s journey. “At Seda, we’ve always believed that a hotel shouldn’t simply exist within a community; it should be part of it. And part of it is sharing those stories with our guests, letting them experience the stories of the city, but also bringing a little bit of the community back to the hotel as well.“
He noted that this includes integrating local craftsmanship directly into the guest experience, like offering native items in their grab-and-go stations so visitors can take a piece of the community’s story home with them.
Rosh Nandwani, Head of Marketing and Commercial at Ayala Land Hospitality, further highlighted why Quezon City served as the perfect backdrop to kick off the initiative, prompting guests to look beyond the hotel doors. Nandnwani encouraged everyone to “engage wherever it is people, engage wherever it is product that is made locally” and learn from the people who know the area best.
”Our roots is good for local people to discover Quezon City, but is also very good for foreigners,” Nandwani remarked, adding that local treats like taho and ube are great ways for international travelers to quickly taste and understand the local food culture.
Putting Down Roots Across the Philippines
Quezon City marks just the beginning of a grander vision. According to Foucke, this launch is merely “chapter one for Roots by Seda.” Seda Hotels plans to implement this community-centric philosophy across its entire portfolio.
”This is the first of 12 where we’ll be building Roots,” Foucke revealed. “The rest of the destinations will continue to have the same kind of framework… because we believe the best way to experience a destination isn’t simply to visit it, it’s to put down roots. It’s about building your own little space there, being able to connect and getting to the depths of each destination.“
The Ultimate Staycation Blueprint
For Team Orange, the experience underscored a growing trend among modern travelers: the desire for purposeful travel. Roots by Seda skillfully delivers on this by showing that you don’t need to fly out of the capital to find a deep, culturally enriching escape. By bridging luxury accommodations with grassroots community tours, Seda Hotels has created a beautiful blueprint for what local tourism can—and should—look like.
Whether you are a local looking to see Metro Manila through a fresh lens or an international traveler eager for an authentic introduction to the country, Roots by Seda offers an elegant, deeply rooted answer.