CAMINO REAL
A hotel chain with over 40 years of experience in the tourism industry, Camino
Real Hotels operates 26 hotels throughout the Mexican Republic and one in the US, including beach, colonial and urban destinations, at Acapulco, Manzanillo, Veracruz, Zaashila Huatulco, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Puebla, Mexico City Airport, Pedregal, Perinorte, Santa Fe, Polanco (Mexico City), Guadalajara, Guadalajara Expo, San Luis Potosí, Monterrey, Sumiya Cuernavaca, Ixtapan de la Sal, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Villahermosa, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Tampico, Tijuana, Torreon, Saltillo, and El Paso in Texas.
A 100% Mexican company, Camino Real Hotels has over 5,500 guest rooms and operates more than 70 restaurants and bars.
From 2000, when Grupo Empresarial Angeles took control over the
administration of the group, Camino Real has been enjoying increased growth year-on-year and it is committed to delivering actual benefits to its guests, whilst ensuring that the services it provides are second to none.
Each of the group’s hotels offer great locations and incomparable sceneries, representing within itself the service and quality culture that characterizes the chain. “Our hotel Camino Real Polanco Mexico City, for example, was conceived to offer a sculptural site which may allow its guests and visitors to rejoice with our excellent service inside a living museum,” explains Vice President Ignacio Pérez Cárdenas. “Its design evokes dually the symbols of pre-Hispanic Mexico and those of the clarity of contemporary Mexican architecture, majestically interpreted by Architect Ricardo Legorreta, an outstanding representative of this style.”

With 712 rooms, including 35 suites, the Camino Real Polanco Mexico City hotel first opened its doors to the public in1968 and combines modern architectonic profiles with clear reminiscences of pre-Hispanic pyramids. It has been the host of two World Soccer Championships and of the Olympic Games, as well as of over 210 presidential and aristocratic visitors from all over the world.

This emblematic hotel boasts an incomparable gastronomic offer with international cuisines such as world famous Le Cirque, an acknowledged gathering point for the most demanding gourmets; China Grill, known for its remarkable atmosphere and ‘sharing’ concept; Bice Bistro, offering the best of Italian and seafood cuisines; the Centro Castellano, with its traditional Spanish cuisine; and the Mexican Cantina, María Bonita, where fun is part of the tradition.
“Our development plan involves a continuous investment on those cities which may qualify with our growth feasibility to establish new Camino Real Hotels around the Mexican Republic,” says Cárdenas. “We constantly assess our options whilst researching new markets for future short- and long-term openings.

“It is always interesting to keep our eye on new markets, for example Central and South America, as it is essential for our chain to keep reinforcing the brand, strengthening our image in different countries.”
So how does the brand ensure that remains attractive to the customer?
“We conduct a lot of marketing research,” explains Cárdenas, “and from the results, we design our promotions for the season and for each segment. Moreover, we keep a close eye on our competitors to ensure that we maintain an attractive profile.”
The brand is targeted at the Mexican business traveller and offers regular guests reward points or extra advantages for their stays, such as free holidays, dinners and other complimentary services.

“We also target companies who are looking to fulfil group needs or hold events,” adds Cárdenas.

The industry is of course facing a number of economic challenges, how does Cárdenas feel that the brand is addressing this?

“More than ever we have our shirts on,” he says, “and we are taking full advantage of our resources, aware that it is unavoidable to face the impact of the economic slowdown. However, we are prepared to deal with its effects.

For the full article please see the RLI April 09 issue
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