New hotel opens on Beach Road

From left, Li Dong Long, TF Seaside Hotel director Li Dong Xu, Queenie Wu-Cabrera, and Li Hai Dong (BEA CABRERA)

The former Cabrera Building on Beach Road is now a hotel.

The hotel, called TF Seaside Hotel, officially opened its doors yesterday. It is expected to somewhat ease the lack of tourist accommodation in Saipan.

The hotel, owned by the Shenzhen Tang Fu Group Company from China led by the director Li Dong Xu, offers 60 rooms: VIP, executive, standard, and ADA rooms.

Xu first came to Saipan in May 2016.

“I experienced how beautiful the island is—perfect weather, the people, the history and the sights. I noticed that many tourists come and enjoy the island and the numbers kept increasing. I also noticed the lack of places to stay here so that gave me an idea to put up a hotel,” Xu said.

His company started the building’s renovation in October 2016, with the help of Queenie Wu Cabrera and the rest of the Cabrera family on Saipan.

“We have a very good location for the hotel. It’s on Beach Road so it is in the middle of everything,” Xu said. “It is close to the sea and the property where the hotel stands is a very quiet place. We prefer that our guests are able to relax, rest, and still have access to everything.”

The hotel’s opening was attended by Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan), and Hotel Association of the Mariana Islands chair Gloria Cavanagh.

According to Hocog, this is a very positive step for CNMI.

“We are excited with TF Seaside Hotel’s addition to the hotels on island. We welcome the economic contribution of TF Seaside Hotel as tourists have more options on island where they can be accommodated. We also welcome the hotel’s plans to hire locals and train them,” Hocog said.

He assured the new business that the government is ready to give it assistance, provided it complies with CNMI laws.

“I hope that the management of the hotel will always be in [compliance with ] our laws here in the CNMI so we do not encounter problems we have had in the past. If they have any difficulties, I encourage them to come to us and see how we can mitigate the problems because that is the reason why we are all here, to help each other,” Hocog added

Apatang encourages other investors to see the many potentials of the CNMI.

“We thank…TF Seaside Hotel…for investing in the CNMI. We want to encourage other investors to follow. They built a beautiful building and everybody knows that we need more rooms so they can enjoy their stay here on Saipan,” he said.

Demapan shared the same outlook.

“Anytime we add more rooms to our inventory is a positive step for our tourism industry. Today, we have 60 new and beautifully done rooms. We are very excited as many visitors will be able to experience the treasures of our Commonwealth and we are grateful to our investors who have chosen to invest in a project of this magnitude on Saipan,” he said.

According to Xu, he wants the hotel to be known for its good accommodations and service and that his company made sure that everything about the hotel is new—the bedroom designs, air-conditioning, beddings, towels, WiFi signal, and good service.

Cavanagh said, “I am really encouraged that Queenie Cabrera (lessor) will encourage the [Shenzhen Tang Fu Group Company] to join HANMI and the Marianas Visitors Authority. This is something really needed in the CNMI.”

Xu said his company is committed to promoting Saipan. “In the future, we plan to add more rooms in the hotel and continue to hire locals to further help in the economic development of the CNMI,” he added.