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Where History Meets Hospitality

For many Metro Manila residents, Tomas Morato means good food, live music, and nights out after dinner. Few stop to think about the man behind the name.

Team Out of Town Blog recently joined a small group of media guests at Tribute Hotel for a familiarization tour of the property and the launch of the expanded menu at Don Tomas Restaurant. The gathering marked one of the hotel’s first media engagements as management began introducing the property to the travel and lifestyle community.

Located on Scout Gandia Street, Tribute Hotel has 150 guest rooms, meeting and function spaces, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and Don Tomas Restaurant. Before dinner, guests toured the hotel’s rooms and facilities, which cater to both business and leisure travelers.

The property’s location also puts visitors within easy reach of the restaurants, cafés, bars, and entertainment spots that have made Tomas Morato one of Quezon City’s best-known lifestyle districts.

The group later gathered at the Valencia Conference Room, where Chris Guballa, Managing Director of Approche Hospitality Management Corp. and Acting General Manager of Tribute Hotel, shared the story behind the property. Built on the former Morato family estate, the hotel pays tribute to Don Tomas Morato, Quezon City’s first mayor after the city was established in 1939. Guballa also spoke about the partnership between the Morato heirs, Sta. Lucia Land, Inc., and Approche Hospitality, which manages the hotel. He pointed out that Tribute Hotel is the only hotel with a Tomas Morato address, placing guests at the center of the district’s dining and nightlife scene. Plans are also underway to display Morato family memorabilia throughout the hotel.

From there, the evening moved to Don Tomas Restaurant, where cocktails were served before dinner. Group Executive Chef Erwin Rarugal introduced the restaurant’s expanded menu, adding new dishes alongside its existing offerings.

The Soft Taco Mussel Sisig was my favorite appetizer. Rich without being heavy, it packed familiar sisig flavors into a soft taco.

The Squid Bombs followed with a crisp exterior and a tender filling that nodded to Japanese takoyaki.

Among the entrées, the Beef Rendang delivered layers of spice, while the Braised Pork reminded me of my grandmother’s painstakingly prepared pata tim.

Dessert came in the form of Matcha Tiramisu, Basque Cheesecake, and Ube Langka Mochi, each finishing the meal on a balanced note without being overly sweet.

As dinner progressed, diners were treated to live music by Ara during the hotel’s weekly Tribute Acoustic Sessions, held every Friday evening. Some guests stayed for dessert and coffee, while others ordered another round of cocktails. A younger crowd soon headed out to explore Tomas Morato’s bars and live music venues, all just a short walk from the hotel.

That mix of guests summed up Tribute Hotel’s appeal. Some come for dinner and live entertainment. Others use it as a base for exploring one of Quezon City’s busiest neighborhoods.

For travelers planning a staycation, a food crawl, or a weekend in Quezon City, Tribute Hotel offers more than a convenient address. Built on the former estate of Don Tomas Morato, it connects visitors to the history behind one of Metro Manila’s most familiar streets while placing them within steps of the district’s dining and nightlife.

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