The Philippines is getting its first taste of Marriott’s edgy, millennial-minded Moxy Hotels brand—and it’s landing in the heart of Makati’s rising creative district.
Ayala Land Hospitality (ALH) has partnered with Marriott International to launch Moxy Circuit Makati, a 260-room property set to rise within the 21-hectare Circuit Makati estate—formerly the site of the iconic Sta. Ana racetrack.
“Moxy Hotels is celebrated worldwide for its playful, high-energy vibe that makes travel feel exciting and different,” said Kevin Iranzo, director of Hotel Development – Philippines, Marriott International. “It’s the perfect fit for dynamic urban destinations filled with culture and entertainment.”
The launch comes just months after ALH unveiled plans to double its room inventory to 8,000 by 2030—signaling a more aggressive push into lifestyle and experience-centric hotel segments.
“Our vision remains steadfast: to bring Filipino hospitality to the global stage by crafting experiences that connect guests more deeply with each place and its culture,” said ALH president and CEO George Aquino. “With Moxy Hotels, we offer travelers a playful and vibrant hotel experience. We’re excited to collaborate with Marriott to create what we believe will set a new benchmark for authentic, dynamic, and imaginative urban destinations.”
Designed to blend work and play, the property will feature multifunctional rooms, vibrant communal areas, and seamless check-ins at Bar Moxy—where guests receive their room key along with a signature cocktail.
Additional amenities include a fitness center, swimming pool, event spaces, and flexible co-working areas tailored to the socially engaged, always-on traveler.
In a tribute to Filipino culture, the hotel’s interiors will feature vibrant visual storytelling by local comic book artists, drawing inspiration from the country’s iconic komiks tradition.
“We are excited to design something truly lifestyle-driven, while beginning to tell the story of a different kind of art form, an ode to the illustrators and komiks artists who have long shaped a powerful visual narrative in the Philippines,” said creative director Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala. “Moxy is set to be our guests’ backstage pass to the city’s creative pulse.”
The hotel joins a growing roster of Marriott properties in the Philippines. The U.S. hospitality giant currently operates 12 hotels across six brands in the country, with a strong pipeline of projects underway.
With the new partnership, both Marriott and Ayala are positioning themselves to tap into the rising demand for immersive, culturally grounded travel experiences—especially as the Philippines regains ground as a competitive tourism destination in Southeast Asia.
