While I relate to Miranda in a lot of ways, her dislike for all the hassles of traveling is something that I can live with, mainly because it means I am actually traveling. That’s why I find it hilarious and absurd that she had a holiday in the city she lived in.
Now here comes Seda Hotel Vertis North inviting me to stay over for the weekend. I figured, I have to take it and see if it really is fun to have a vacation in the city I live in.
About Seda Hotel
Seda Hotel Vertis North is one of the growing chain of Seda Hotels popping up all over the Philippines. This is their first hotel in Quezon City, and is touted as one of their largest in the city with 438 rooms. It caters to both business and leisure travelers — on the weekdays the rooms are filled by corporate-sponsored guests, while on the weekends, the rooms are filled by families and groups of friends wanting a weekend holiday.
The hotel is located in the newly created Vertis North, which is right beside Trinoma and spans all the way to Quezon Avenue. It’s right beside the newest mall in the block, Ayala Malls Vertis North, and just a short walk to Trinoma Mall.
A proudly Filipino brand, Seda Hotel showcases Filipino talent with iconic pieces by global Pinoy furniture designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma and sculptress Ann Pamintuan, as well as art pieces by Jaime Zobel de Ayala, prominently displayed in the hotel’s lobby.
Club Room
I was given a Club Room, which is a Deluxe Room with Club privileges. This means that instead of checking-in and out at the lobby, I get to check-in at the 23rd floor Club Lounge, and enjoy the Club Lounge facilities.
Consistent with the Seda brand, the room has a contemporary design, and aims to provide guests with the comforts they need. We had a very comfortable sleep on their beds, and I was able to get some work done thanks to their fast wi-fi and the work desk in the room.
My favorite amenity though, is the chargers they have available in all of the rooms. Very convenient, specially for those who left their chargers at home.
The en suite toilet and bath features a spacious stand-in shower stall with a hand-held shower head with a very lovely and strong water pressure. It was heaven. Guests who prefer to have a bath tub have to book a Premier Room.
Club Lounge
The Club Lounge on the 23rd floor offer complimentary refreshments throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea and cocktails. While all guests can enjoy breakfast at Misto, guests with Club access can have breakfast on the 23rd floor if they want to avoid the crowds. Though the selection is not as extensive, there are dishes in the lounge that is not available at Misto.
The Club Lounge offers a sweeping view of Quezon City, and on a clear day, you can see the Sierra Madre mountain range. There are plenty of seating for groups, a TV, magazines, and a meeting room that you can reserve.
Straight Up Bar
For a different drinking experience, head up to the Straight Up Roofdeck Bar, where you can unwind in air conditioned comfort, or enjoy your drinks al fresco as the sun goes down.
Make sure to visit during their happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, where they offer specials like unlimited wine for Php 880, or pica-pica buffet with any drink order.
The Straight Up Bar also offer their original cocktail called Four Elements, which is four different shots of cocktails to represent earth, wind, air, and fire.
Misto
Misto on the ground floor offers all day dining, with buffet offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a very varied selection of cuisine and dishes for every taste, craving, and diet.
Our favorite: their taho station, seaweed salad, charcuterie, their signature sisig, and the free-flowing detox water.
Chef’s Table
Level up your dining experience and amaze your family and friends with a Chef’s Table dinner. This is a pre-arranged dinner, where you dine literally at the chef’s table: inside the kitchen.
You’ll see first hand how they prepare your meal and served in a beautiful (and edible) table setting.
Facilities
Seda Hotel Vertis North has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness gym with a small studio for yoga, and a spa.
The spa offers very competitive rates, with treatments for as low as Php 1,000 (as of September 2017) for a one-hour massage.
Holiday Offers
Looking to treat yourself or the family this Christmas? Seda Hotel Vertis North is offering great deals for their rooms this holiday season, going as low as Php 5,700 for an overnight stay in a deluxe room with buffet breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids (12 and below), holiday amenities, late check out (subject to availability), treats for the kids, including passes to the Christmas Crafts and Cookie Making activity. If you feel like welcoming the new year in luxury, the rate is still at a reasonable Php 6,600 for December 31 to January 1. You can also opt for the complete New Year’s Countdown Package, which includes passes to the Straight Up New Year’s Countown Party for Php 8,700.
Click here to view Seda Hotel Vertis North’s Holiday Catalog 2017.
To book online, visit their website at vertisnorth.sedahotels.com.
Would you have a holiday in the city you live in?
Frankly, I would. For the longest time, a staycation for me meant spending the weekend in Makati or Manila. Staying in Quezon City wasn’t an option, until Seda Hotel. The biggest draw for me, aside from the comfortable and relaxing stay, is it proximity to the malls. Let’s get real — the malls are where everything is. Whether you want to pass the time by watching movies, run errands, have a quick bite or a long lunch with friends, it’s there. Considering how bad the traffic situation in Manila has gotten, it’s great to be in a place where you can just walk to everything you need. It doesn’t hurt that the ride home would only take you 30 minutes.
Thank you so much to the wonderful people of Seda Hotel Vertis North for the invite, and for the unforgettable weekend.
]]>Here’s another list of things I use in my recent travels. I’m pleased to note that there are now great Filipino-made travel gears and accessories that highlight the local crafts and provides jobs in their communities.
Woven Banig Laptop Cover
I used to have a nondescript laptop sleeve, and would have continued using it if I hadn’t seen this very cute laptop cover from Woven.ph. I’ll be the first to admit that this is not a necessity (especially if your current laptop cover is still in good condition), but I just could not pass up having a banig (woven mat made with local dried leaves) for a laptop cover!
SO PRETTY
Products like this showcases the local crafts, and create jobs and opportunities in rural communities where skills for making banig are not seen as a viable income stream.
The case costs Php 944 (including shipping within Metro Manila), and can be purchased by sending them a private message on Instagram.
Wanderskye Backpack Cover
I’ve been seeing Wanderskye luggage covers for a while, and they became really popular at the height of the laglag bala scare a couple of years back. I have a pair of bright red suitcases, which, even with my terrible eyesight, I can spot from a hundred meters away, so while the designs are really cute, I wasn’t keen on them.
The lovely people of Wanderskye though, graciously sent me a backpack cover, and I find it to be a good addition to any backpacker’s gear. Not just for the amazing designs by Filipino artists, the cover protects your bag from the elements (very important if you are traveling with a laptop that you need to be able to work), and discourages (or at least makes it harder) shady characters from nicking things from your bag (or worse, sneaking questionable items in).
The Wanderskye backpack cover retails for Php 895. Wanderskye has a kiosk in SM North, and their products are also available in Travel Club. Or if you’re like me who don’t like going out, you can also purchase from their online store.
[Disclosure: Wanderskye provided the backpack cover for free]
Wanderskye Luggage Strap with Weighing Scale
So while I was looking through Wanderskye’s website a couple of years ago, it was the luggage strap with weighing scale that really caught my eye. While I’m not quite sold on luggage straps, I was on the market for a digital weighing scale for traveling, since I am notoriously overpacking all the time.
I was flip flopping about buying it, until my waiting paid off: they held their anniversary sale, and I was able to get the combination luggage strap and weighing scale at a discount. I quickly bought and used it almost immediately for my trips to Thailand, Japan, and Australia.
The cute strap and the combination TSA lock is just a nice bonus to the digital weighing scale, to be honest. I like how I can make sure that my check in baggage is within the limits, and how I don’t have to think about where to cram the scale in my bag after using it.
The combination luggage strap and weighing scale costs Php 1,995, and I was able to get it on sale for about Php 1,400. Wanderskye is having their anniversary sale until September 30. If you’re thinking of buying any of their items, this is the time to buy!
Hammock Republic Duoyan
When fellow Pinoy blogger James introduced Hammock Republic, his own brand of travel hammocks, I was ambivalent about it. Sure, it looks nice, but given as I am a humongous tub of lard, you can understand how I have qualms about trusting it to be able to carry my weight.
My default go-to place when the power goes out
Last March, on a trip to Balabac, our tour operator gave us two choices: sleep on the tent, or on a hammock. I opted to sleep on the ground and woke up sore all over. The following night, I relented and got on the hammock. Not only was I able to sleep comfortably, it convinced me that I need to buy one.
I’ve been staying here in Bulusan for the last couple of weeks, and the occasional power outages have driven me out of the house and into my hammock for some fresh air. Definitely one of the best buys I’ve had. The fabric is cool to the skin, it’s very sturdy, and the built-in mosquito net is godsend.
The hammock also rolls and fits in a case shaped as a neck pillow, so you can still use it even in transit. Duoyan is a very clever name for it, indeed!
The Douyan is priced at Php 1,400. You can purchase online through the Hammock Republic Facebook page.
Hammock Republic Travel Organizers
When I purchased my Duoyan, James includes a set of travel pouches for free. The pouches are actually made with the extra material from making the hammocks, so very little of the production materials go to waste. Pretty smart, eh?
For some reason, on this trip I decided I should travel with my scrapbooking kit
The pouches has a mesh back, so you can see what’s inside even without opening them. They also have loops in them, so you can hang them on a carabiner when you run out of space in your backpack. Of course, if you’re packing toiletries and electronics, make sure that the liquids are packed in watertight containers
These pouches are sold in sets of three for Php 200.
Uniqlo Pocketable Parka
Uniqlo is a great place to shop if you want good quality travel clothes without shelling out too much money. They have the Airism line, which are really great, breathable fabrics that are great for layering, and Heattech for when you’re traveling to really cold places.
My favorite though, is their pocketable parka, which is very light and packs really small. I used to hate waterproof jackets, because it tends to get really hot when you’re wearing it, but this is very thin and breathable, yet it keeps you dry (well, your head and your torso anyway).
The parka comes with a small bag where you can stuff your jacket in, but of course, I lost it immediately. However, even without the pouch, you can stuff the parka into its own left pocket for easy storage.
The Uniqlo Pocketable Parka retails for around Php 1,490, but I was able to get mine on sale for Php 1,100. Depending on the design (if they’re phasing it out), you can even get it for Php 950.
Uniqlo rain parka on the left, Sea to Summit day pack on the right
Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack
This is one of those things that I’ve thought about buying, but eventually give it a pass because it’s not really a necessity. So when I got the chance to have a mini-shopping spree at ROX, this was one of the things I picked up.
I’m so glad I did. While I bring a backpack when I travel with my laptop, it is too cumbersome to bring out that backpack when I’m just going around town. The backpack packs into this really tiny ball, but I can actually fit my 13″ laptop inside, along with my water bottle and my packed lunch.
The backpack material is really light, so there’s no added weight when you have it on your back. Of course, you can’t expect the same support as a “real” backpack, but for day trips, this is perfect.
The Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack is available at Travel Club and ROX. It sells for around Php 1,100-1,300.
]]>Since I work from home, and have enrolled all my bills to online banking, there is very little reason for me to leave my house. When cabin fever hits, I venture out of my cave, and make sure to schedule everything in one day, so that I won’t have to go out again until the following week (or at least I try to). That’s why for the past couple of dinner invites from friends who work and live in Makati, I opted to book an apartment in Makati to save the hassle of having to rush back home to work. I also made sure that it’s right before I’m flying out, so I’m nearer to the airport.
As luck would have it, the kind people of KL Tower Serviced Residences reached out to me as I was looking for a place to book last March 14th. They booked me for an overnight stay in their One Bedroom Loft.
Overview
Owned by the Kalaw Ledesma family, the KL Tower building is a mix of guests, residents, and long-term renters. The property is managed by Hotel Innovators, Inc., which also manages Exchange Regency in Ortigas and Y2 Residence Hotel in Makati Avenue.
Location
KL Tower is located in the heart of Legaspi Village, Makati, right across the Legaspi Active Park and the Washington Sycip Park. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the Ayala MRT Station (depending on how long you’ll windowshop as you pass through the malls), 10-minute walk to Little Tokyo, and 5-minute walk to Greenbelt 1. If you’ve been wanting to go to the Legaspi Sunday Market, but was never able to wake up in time to make it before the vendors leave, this is perfect, because it’s only a 2 minute walk.
Gamboa is a fairly busy street, and there are plenty of taxi passing. An Uber to Salcedo Village on the other side of Ayala Avenue cost Php 111 at 7:30 PM, and Php 66 at midnight. Going to the airport, it cost us Php 202 at 12 noon (Php 137 + Php 65 surge).
One Bedroom Loft
The main floor features a toilet, living area, dining area, and a kitchenette. I wasn’t able to use the kitchen facilities much, but I was impressed that they provided a full knife block, which includes a scissor. Coffee lovers will also rejoice at the inclusion of a coffee maker with a complimentary packet of ground coffee.
The couch is very comfortable, though the placement of the TV under the stairs is a bit weird. Still, it’s not bad enough that you can’t enjoy conversation among friends. There is a huge floor to ceiling window, which gives you an expansive view of Makati and Pasay. There is a balcony, though access is restricted.
The bed is on the loft, along with a 2nd TV, working desk, closet, safe, and ironing board. The bed’s really comfortable, and comes with four very soft and fluffy pillows.
There is also a toilet and shower, which is fantastic — no need to stumble down the stairs if you wake up in the middle of the night to pee. Toiletries and other amenities are generously provided.
Whether you’re using your mobile devices on the main floor or working on your laptop at the loft, you’re guaranteed to have good wifi reception. Each room has its individual wifi, and a wifi extender is placed on the loft to guarantee that you have uninterrupted connectivity.
For such a huge space, the One Bedroom Loft is well lit. There are no shortage of light fixtures, from lamps to under cabinet lights to recessed ceiling lights to personal bedside reading lights. There’s also no shortage of light from the window as well, when you pull back the curtains.
Facilities
Guests can use the indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna. There is also a small play area for the kids. All of these are on the 7th floor.
Breakfast
Breakfast is provided at Kitchen 1B, located at the Ground floor of the building. For breakfast I had the tapa, while my friend Cla had the crispy chicken adobo. Serving is generous, and it comes with eggs cooked to your preference, fresh fruits, and coffee or tea.
Promos
KL Tower Serviced Residences is aimed towards business travelers, and is often booked during the week. For local residents, they offer a weekend rate of Php 3,900 for a Studio Premier (for 2 pax), Php 4,900 for a One Bedroom Premier (for 2-3 pax), Php 6,000 for a Two Bedroom Suite (4 pax), and Php 7,900 for a Two Bedroom Penthouse (4 pax). Not a bad offer, really, specially for a weekend staycation in the city.
Thank you to KL Tower for hosting me for this overnight stay, specially Ms. Trina, who made it possible.
KL Tower Serviced Residences
117 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Phone: (632) 845-0084
Email: reservations@kltower.ph
Website: wwww.kltower.ph
When World Bites reached out and asked if I want to try one of their subscription boxes, I was game: this is my chance to do my own taste test, sans the video.
Here’s the box they sent me, a mix of snacks, candies, and chocolates from all over the world:
I have to admit I wasn’t able to try all — I gave away the Eiffel Bonbons and the Sour Patch Kids mainly because I’m not fond of candies. Other than those two, I was able to manage a couple of bites or handful of each.
One of my favorites would have to be Herr’s Jalapeño Poppers Flavored Cheese Curls. I’m a big fan of the Cheetos Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño, and the flavor is very similar, except it’s a cheese puff, which I prefer.
The Barcel Takis Fuego from Mexico is spicy, with an explosive hit of lime, which makes it an amazing snack to have while drinking some ice cold soda. From the UK they have the Nik Naks Scampi ‘n’ Lemon, which is frankly more lemon than shrimp, with an interesting/odd aftertaste of Froot Loops. Bissli from Israel is a tad to crunchy, but I love the strong hit of parsley and cilantro.
There are three chocolate bars in the box: Milka Oreo Chocolate Candy Bar (Germany), Prince Polo Premium (Poland), and Nestle Violet Crumble (Australia). Of the three, my favorite is the Prince Polo, since it’s my favorite combination of white chocolate, wafer, and coconut. While I’m fond of chocolate honeycomb, I have to say there are other brands that does it better than Violet Crumble. Milka’s combination of Oreo cream and milk chocolate was just too sweet for me.
There’s one other candy included, which is the Japanese Hi-Chew. I’ve tasted Hi-Chew before, and it’s a soft chewy (often) fruit candy. Again, good, but not a fan of candy.
Overall, it’s a pretty interesting mix. There’s something for everybody, and it’s a great box to share with friends.
World Bites offers monthly subscription of snacks from around the world, delivered right at your doorstep. It’s a great thing to try, or if you’re not into it, an amazing gift for loved ones who love trying different kinds of junk food. They have two box sizes, the Mini, which comes with just 5-6 different kinds of snacks, and the Classic, which comes with 10-11 kinds of snacks. Monthly plans starts at Php 499 and Php 998 respectively.
Want to give it a try? Join my giveaway and receive your own World Bites Classic box!
Giveaway mechanics:
- This giveaway is open to all Philippine residents. You must have a Philippine address that they can deliver the box to.
- Comment on this blog post, answering the question: Which snack are you most excited to try?
- Follow me, @NinaWanders and @WorldBitesPH on Twitter.
- Visit and like our pages, Just Wandering and World Bites, on Facebook.
- You get extra points for following us on social media.
- This giveaway is from January 27 to February 1, 2017
- Winner will be chosen randomly.
At the launch, we had the chance to use the GetGo Unionbank Debit Card (which comes in a very cute aquamarine color) at R.O.X. If you’re not a big fan of credit cards (or can’t apply for one yet), this is a good alternative. Think of it as a prepaid card: just load it up, and use the amount you loaded to shop in physical stores or even online. You can also use it as an ATM card to withdraw cash, when you need it. For every Php 88 you spend, you get 1 GetGo point.
For faster point accumulation though, you can earn faster with the Gold and Platinum GetGo Unionbank VISA Credit Cards — you get 1 GetGo point per Php 30 spent. What’s more, all points accumulated within your billing cycle automatically gets transferred and converted to GetGo points at the end of the cycle. No more hassle of calling the bank to convert points, or worry about them expiring.
What’s even better is that if you use your credit or debit card to pay for your Cebu Pacific flight, you earn GetGo points from that purchase, not just the points from the ticket itself.
For example, if you booked a round-trip flight to Bangkok, you earn GetGo points not just from the base fare and add-ons, but also from the total amount (including taxes).
Using this mock booking, you earn 1,809 GetGo Points (3,899 + 3,899 + 1,250 divided by 5). If you use the GetGo debit card to book this flight, you get an additional 124 GetGo points (10,934.06/88), or 364 GetGo points if you used your GetGo credit card.
As with the rest of the bloggers and writers who attended the launch, I was given both the debit and credit cards. I have only used the debit card twice: first at ROX, and then at lunch the following day. I continue to use it only to access Unionbank’s online banking facility so I can pay for the credit card.
The GetGo Unionbank VISA Credit Card is widely accepted worldwide, and since it’s PayWave ready, it’s so easy to use. If you’re shopping at a merchant that has the PayWave NFC reader, paying for your goods is just a matter of tapping your card on the console. No more signatures, no PIN needed. If you’re worried about the security of your card, Unionbank sends out an alert email every time the card is used, so if you received an alert for a transaction you did not make, you can contact the bank immediately (without having to wait for your account statement at the end of the billing cycle).
I am in Melbourne right now, and will be here for the next couple of months. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to fly with Cebu Pacific and earn GetGo points from flights, so it’s great that I can still earn while I’m here. Since I arrived last July, I never had the need to exchange money or withdraw from the ATM, since credit card payments are widely accepted. Since I arrived, I have already managed to earn more than 1,000 GetGo points!
If you’re worried about ballooning debt, here’s what you do: don’t spend more than what you can afford and always pay the balance in full.
GetGo Unionbank Platinum card holders also get additional perks: they get early alerts for all Cebu Pacific seat sales and exclusive sales priority check-in for Cebu Pacific flights, free 5kg extra baggage allowance on Cebu Pacific flights (provided you buy baggage allowance), and complimentary access to the MIASCOR Sky View lounge in Terminal 3.
To apply for either the GetGo Unionbank debit or credit card, visit their website at getgo.unionbankph.com/how-to-apply.
]]>
Just a couple of days after that, I received an email from Deal Grocer, asking me to choose among their hotel deals for an overnight stay. I was still in Bulusan that time (September), and won’t be back in Manila until the end of October, so I thought, why not use the voucher for a stay on my birthday, during our Bohol trip?
The Deal
The deal we got was for an overnight stay at a Premier Deluxe room at Ocean Suites Bohol. The deal price is Php 3,700 for an overnight stay with buffet breakfast for four. It’s a pretty good deal, since if there are four of you sharing the room, you’ll be paying less than Php 1,000 each per night. Not a bad deal when you’re looking to indulge with good accommodation, but not wanting to spend your entire bonus on a hotel room. The deal also includes one-way airport or seaport transfers, so we scheduled our stay at Ocean Suites on our last day in Bohol.
Location
Ocean Suites Bohol is located right beside the Blood Compact Site. Literally right beside it. It is perched on the side of the island looking towards Panglao Island, and the view is amazing any time of the day.
Premier Suite
Despite the name, the suite is actually a room with a balcony. The architecture of the building is great — we love the modern and minimalist look of the hotel. However, our room is both spacious and cramped at the same time.
There is plenty of open space between the door and the glass door to the balcony, plenty of space on the side of the desk and TV, but the area where the beds and toilet is cramped.
There are two double beds — one is practically pushed right up to the glass balcony doors, and one has about a 10-inch gap with the closet and minibar.
The toilet sink is situated right beside the door — it’s actually nice since at least you can brush your teeth while someone’s taking a shower.
I couldn’t get a decent photo of the bathroom, so here’s a close up photo of the sink.
Maybe we just got used to the huge toilet and shower in the resort we stayed at prior to Ocean Suites, but their bathroom feels miniscule. But the water pressure in the rainfall shower head is strong, so it’s not so bad.
Facilities
Ocean Suites has two infinity pools that looks out towards the sea and Panglao, and we really enjoyed swimming there after our countryside tour and before we checked out of the hotel. The other guests had the same idea, but at no point did the pool felt crowded.
If you don’t feel like swimming and don’t feel like using your gadgets, you can also pick a book from their mini library and read it at the lounge or by the pool. They also have a ping-pong table, and some comfortable couches if you want to play board games.
The resort has four floors and no elevators, so if you have mobility problems or difficulties with using stairs, this may not be the place for you.
Dining
For our dinner and lunch, we didn’t bother venturing out of the Ocean Suites and opted to try their restaurants.
The Azure Restaurant offers a barbecue buffet every weekend for Php 499 each. There are marinated pork belly, pork barbecue, chicken skewers, fresh fish, and fresh squid available for grilling, and you just pick out what you want to have and their chef will cook it for you. While I’m a big fan of all things pork, the squid is the clear winner here — perfectly cooked and very very tender.
Forget the meat, go for the squid!
Grilling time was about 15 minutes, and it is served at your table with their dipping sauce
Carrot cake from Ocean Cafe <3
Depending on the volume of people, your grilled goodies might take some time to reach your table. While waiting, you can whet your appetite with soup, rice, noodles, veggies, and dessert, which is also included in the buffet.
Breakfast is also at Azure, and the selection is pretty okay. There was soup, fried rice, pancakes, fried danggit, tocino, cereals, fruits, and an egg station. They were very accommodating at the egg station, and the chef was quick to cook our requested egg white omelette.
All yolk scramble in one pan, egg-white omelette in the other
Our flight back to Manila isn’t until 2pm, so after check out and while waiting for our transfer to the airport, we had lunch at the Ocean Cafe (since we know the options are limited at Tagbilaran Airport).
We had pizza, some kind of baked pasta with shrimp, and fish and chips. The pizza was so-so, the baked pasta was really tasty (and surprising considering its presentation), and the fish and chips was fantastic, mainly because it’s a huge, meaty chunk of fish that is not cream dory.
If you have your own alcoholic drinks, they charge a Php 500 corkage fee.
Would I stay here again?
Why would you stay in Tagbilaran when the beach resorts of Panglao is just a ride away? If you’re like Bea, who is allergic to salt water, or if you’re not fond of sand, this would be a good option for you. The hotel is also 15 minutes away from the airport, so you can also consider Ocean Suites if you have an early flight the next day.
Spectacular sunrise on my first morning as a 35-year old.
It’s actually a pretty good place with reasonable prices. The food at the restaurants are also pretty good, so I count that as a point for the hotel. That view though? I can spend hours in the balcony just staring out into the horizon.
Among all the coupon sites that sprung up in the past years, it’s Deal Grocer that I really liked. The quality of the deals on offer are really good, and they feature good brands and properties. I’m headed back to Bohol next year, and I’m definitely watching the Getaways page on Deal Grocer!
Thank you to Deal Grocer for the complimentary voucher!
]]>Buffet Breakfast at Next2
Next2 Cafe is on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, where guests can have their buffet breakfast. They are also open for lunch and dinner, and an ala carte menu is also available.
Cereals, dried fruits, nuts, and cheeses
The Asian food stations
If you have a weird craving or want to try natto, here’s your chance
The breakfast buffet offers a varied selection of breakfast fare. No matter what diet you’re following, and whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast or something light, there’s something for you at Next2.
Here are some of the dishes you can try at Next2:
Fresh greens and smoked salmon
Different kinds of cereals and milk
Noodle soup with your choice of noodles and toppings
Veggies and lots of meat
Cheese, crackers, fruits, and nuts
Dimsum and fried noodles. If you see their shrimp dimsum, go for it! It’s sooo good!
Room Service
On my first evening at Shangri-La, I was too full from my afternoon snacks and enjoying watching the boats from my balcony, that I just opted for room service.
For dinner, I ordered the French onion soup, and a magherita pizza from Angelini’s, the hotel’s Italian restaurant. My meal arrived in less than 30 minutes, with a beautiful place setting. The soup was also contained in a thermos to keep it warm.
It was a great and comfortable dinner, and I found out later on that it was too heavy. I called room service again to request for some containers for my leftover pizza, and I was so happy that they have something ready for such occasions.
Pink Afternoon Tea
Shangri-La Hotel’s afternoon tea is really good, so when I was preparing for my trip, I knew that this is something I need to do while in Bangkok. I invited my friend Mica, who was also in town to share this meal with me, because I know from experience that it can be too much for one person.
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Lobby Lounge offered a special Pink Afternoon Tea. Everything included in the set are pink. So cute!
The afternoon tea set comes with both savory and sweet treats, one pot of Dilmah tea (or coffee), and a mocktail.
Chocolate Boutique
In the Lobby Lounge is the Chocolate Boutique where you can buy different kinds of chocolates made in house, as well as order decadent cakes and signature beverages.
This is the best thing ever! It was so good, but also so rich that I can only eat a small portion each time I open it. This huge bar lasted me a week!
If you can only order one thing at the boutique, let it be the Homemade Fudge. It is the best, most chocolatey thing ever! If you love chocolate, you must try this!
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road
Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
Website: www.shangri-la.com/bangkok/shangrila
To easily differentiate between the two Zenfones in this review, I shall refer to my Zenfone 2 as Miss Satsuki.
First Impressions
I was given another red colored unit, and upon first sight, I thought it was identical to Miss Satsuki. The Laser is just slightly smaller though, measuring at 5 inches. Though I have gotten used to Miss Satsuki’s 5.5 inch screen, I have to admit the Laser is a more comfortable fit for my hands.
The Zenfone 2 Laser features the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which was developed for better performance when the phone is dropped. This was a huge relief to read, since clumsy idiot that I am, I dropped Miss Satsuki (which has the Corning Gorilla Glass 3) just 10 days after receiving the unit, cracking the screen.
Dual sim
Miss Satsuki was my first dual sim phone. Since I travel often and stay longer in foreign destinations, I prefer to buy a local sim card. Since the Zenfone can handle two sims, I was able to keep my Globe sim on the second sim card slot, so I can send and receive calls and SMS (and SMS spam) on my Philippine number, without having to worry about accidentally incurring roaming fees, as the second sim card only has 2G connection.
Last September, when I was using two different local sims, and had to switch between networks for a data connection, I had to pry open the back cover and switch the two sim cards. I was grateful that I can easily pry open the back cover to switch the cards, but it’s still a small hassle having to do that several times in the course of the week.
It’s a minor grievance, but I was ecstatic when I found out that the Zenfone 2 Laser allows for a data connection on both sim slots. However, it only allows for one sim card to have a data connection, but that can easily be set through the Dual Sim Settings.
ZenUI and Android
After six months of using the Zenfone, I’m quite happy with the Asus ZenUI. The interface does not feel clunky, and there are plenty of ways you can customize the phone based on your usage.
What I do miss from using a Nexus 4, is the quick updates when a new Android version comes out. The Zenfone 2 Laser is still using Android 5 Lollipop, but I read that there are plans for an update to Marshmallow.
Bloatware is present in the phone (and it seemed that there are more now than when I first started using Miss Satsuki), but I was happy that though you can’t uninstall, where was an option to disable them.
Laser-autofocus and 8MP PixelMaster Camera with f/2.0 aperture
The phone’s name comes from the super fast autofocus feature of the camera. It is really fast — it focuses in less than one second, which is great if you’re wanting to take a stealthy photo of a cat before they notice you and run away.
The 8MP camera has a f/2.0 aperture, which means that it’s good for low light conditions, and if you’re a sucker for bokeh and shallow depth of field, you’d like this feature.
Here are some shots I took using the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0. Apart from some cropping (my shoddy composition is not the camera’s shortcoming), and image optimization for faster loading, these images are unedited.
Flourescent lighting over my amped up arroz caldo (cilantro, spring onions, fried garlic, and a squeeze of lime)
Under a harsh fast food lighting
Direct sunlight, 8 am
Shaded natural light, 9 am
Natural light
Bunnies!
Partially cloudy, 1 pm
Natural light, 4pm
Natural light, 5pm
Mix of natural and indoor lights, Depth of Field setting
Mix of natural and indoor lights
Mix of natural and indoor lights
Night setting
Low light setting
Unless otherwise stated, all photos are taken in Auto mode, Standard quality at 6 Megapixels.
Price
The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser retails at Php 7,295, which is not a bad price for the phone’s features and capabilities. Not a bad Christmas gift for yourself, eh?
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Location
The Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is located at the banks of the Chao Phraya River. On my first visit to Bangkok, I was enthralled by the busy activity in the river — while it’s not the prettiest river to look at, I love how the locals use the river as part of their daily commute. It’s a river that’s teeming with life.
Though I often stayed in places away from the river, I love going there and riding the river express to Khao San Road or to visit the temples. I suppose as someone who lives in the city where the river is underutilized, this is somewhat a novelty that I indulge in when I travel.
It was my first time to stay in Bangrak, and right after checking in, I was eager to explore the area, specially after reading that there’s a great restaurant that serves duck nearby. The area behind the hotel has plenty of shops that caters to the needs of the locals, rather than the tourists, and restaurant and food stalls frequented by office workers. It wasn’t a posh neighborhood, and the main road is really very busy, so you get a real feel of the local vibe.
Transportation to and from the hotel
For first timers to Bangkok, the hotel’s location by the river is ideal: it is right next to the Saphan Taksin BTS station, and within comfortable walking distance to the Sathorn Pier, which is the central pier of the Chao Phraya River Express boats.
The proximity to the BTS station means that you can conveniently go to the city center via the SkyTrain, while the pier means that The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun, and Chinatown are just one boat ride away.
One note about the BTS though: there is no elevator going down to the ground level (at least, not near the Shangri-La exit), so if you took the train from the airport, you’ll have to lug your bags down the stairs. Also, it’s the Krungthep wing that is nearest to the BTS, so if you are staying at the Shangri-La Wing and are just about to check-in, they can arrange to have their tuk-tuk bring you to the Shangri-La Wing lobby. It was a really nice way to experience riding the tuk-tuk in Bangkok without having to worry about getting charged an exorbitant amount for a short ride.
If you’d rather take the taxi though, the concierge can arrange for a taxi to come pick you up at the lobby. I was told that the hotel has its fleet of taxis, which means you won’t have to wait long for a ride. When a car comes, whether it’s a taxi or an Uber, the bellboys would talk to the driver to make sure that they know where your destination is. It’s a simple gesture that I really appreciate.
Deluxe Balcony Room
My room was a Deluxe Balcony Room on the 20th floor. Like all my previous rooms at the Shangri-La, it was spacious, has everything I needed for the short stay, and have a very luxurious bed.
The bathroom, as always, was equally spacious, with a separate shower and tub. The shower stall has both the hand-held shower nozzle, which I prefer, and the overhead rain shower head, which others like, so it’s a victory for both camps.
In this room, however, my favorite is the balcony. I had a beautiful, unobstructed view of the river and the surrounding Bangkok skyline. I can see the sun as it rose from the horizon, and had a glimpse of the splash of colors in the sky as it sets. I spent hours just sitting out at the balcony, munching on fruits and fudge as I watch the busy river traffic below. There was even a constant breeze, so it was pretty pleasant sitting outside.
Horizon Club and the Krungthep Wing
The Horizon Club rooms of the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is from the 21st floor up in the Shangri-La Wing. Guests staying in these rooms have access to the Horizon Club Lounge, and have the option to have their breakfast there. They can also enjoy whole day access to the lounge, and evening cocktails and canapes.
The Horizon Club Lounge
All the rooms and suites in the Krungthep Wing have a river view balcony, and guests have access to the exclusive Riverside Lounge, and enjoy complimentary breakfast, afternoon high tea, early evening cocktails, and refreshing beverages all throughout the day, whether at the lounge or by the poolside.
Krungthep Wing Room
Shangri-La Hotels recently launched their Love Journey Deals where you can enjoy up to 40% off the published rates for certain months of the year. I checked the rates, and you can get a room in the Krungthep Wing for THB4,000+ per night, which is a pretty great deal! This is a limited online offer: you can get this rate only until November 11, 2015!
Coming up: Dining at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
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If you’ve been reading my blog long enough, you know that I travel for lesser reasons than that. In the next seat sale (which was about a week after our conversation), I booked my flights.
Laguna Phuket
The Angsana Hotel is located in the Laguna Complex, an area in Bang Tao, along with other resorts like the Banyan Tree, Dusit Thani, and the Outrigger Resorts. It is also the venue for the annual Phuket International Marathon.
If you are staying at a resort in Laguna Phuket, and have arranged for an airport shuttle, you can wait at their lounge located right outside the international arrivals gate.
Laguna Phuket is huge. Regular shuttles between the resorts are available, both on land and in the lagoon. Shuttles are also required to get to the Laguna gate, and to get to our villa.
Villa
Our villa is located in Laguna Fairways. This is about a 5-minute drive from the resort lobby, and is about 2 kilometers away. You’ll have to get through the guard at the gate to enter the small community of villas.
As the name suggests, the villas are practically in the golf course. The villa’s backyard only has a small picket fence that separates it from the green. Not once during our five-days stay at Angsana did we get any golf balls in our patio or in the pool.
The villa is huge. It is listed as good for 6 people, but you can actually host a party for 20 people, and it would still feel comfortable. There’s a garage, which is great if you rented a car (public transport in Phuket is practically non-existent). There are bikes, however, which you can use to get around Laguna, if you’re so inclined.
Upon entry, the door to the kitchen is immediately to your right, followed by the door to the downstairs toilet.
The living area has a huge flat screen TV with digital cable signal, and some comfy sofas. There’s a huge open area behind it, which only has a working desk and a day bed on the opposite side of the room. Right after the desk is the dining table, which can fit 6 people.
The dining area opens out to the patio, which also has a table that can accommodate 6, a gazebo with a fan and some cushions, the pool, and four lounge chairs.
Rooms
The villa has three rooms on the second floor: the master’s suite, a bedroom with a queen bed, and a bedroom with twin beds. All rooms have their own balconies, but only the master’s bedroom has patio furniture for watching the golfers or the sunset.
All the rooms have its own closet, personal safe, TVs, vanity, and side tables. The master suite, however, has a huge walk-in closet, and an ensuite toilet and bath. There are two sinks, and a separate shower stall and bath tub.
The beds are heavenly, and with the window shades down, it’s all too easy to oversleep and miss your alarm in the morning.
The second toilet that is shared by the two rooms only has a shower, toilet, and one sink. Bottles of water are available and restocked daily. There are mounds of towels available in all the bathrooms (the downstair toilets has the huge beach towels for swimming), along with toiletries. Instead of using small bottles, Angsana Laguna Phuket uses custom-made ceramic containers for their shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and hand wash.
Kitchen
The kitchen is fully equipped and spacious enough that even if there are three of you inside, you are not intruding in each other’s space. There is an induction stove, a microwave, and even an oven. There is also a toaster and a coffee maker.
Crockery and cutleries are also on hand, as well as cooking utensils. Even the dishwashing soap is provided. There are two complimentary 2-liter bottles of water, along with other items for the mini bar.
Resort Facilities
The resort proper itself is huge. Just walking to the breakfast restaurant every morning seems like a warm up. The highlight of the resort is its huge pool. In one area, it has a “beach” area, with sand if you don’t feel like taking a dip in the sea. There is also a net for those who want to play volleyball while in the water. The pool winds through the resort, so you can pretty much go from one end to the other without having to get out of the water.
If you love swimming, the resort also have rooms that is right by the pool, so you can just slip out to the water as soon as you wake up.
Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort is right at Bang Tao beach, which is a pretty quiet beach on the western side of Phuket island. Several lounge chairs are available right on the shore for the guests of the resort.
There is also a gym, a gift shop, children’s playground, a spa, and non-motorized water sport equipment.
Breakfast
Breakfast for all the guests is at the Market Place. It baffles me though, that for such a a huge resort, the breakfast place is so small. On our first morning there, we were very early, so there’s only a handful of people inside the restaurant. On our second morning, however, we were there about an hour later, and just as we were tucking in, the line outside has started to form.
The selection is all right — a good mix of local dishes and international breakfast fare. They do have an impressive selection of fruits.
Guests staying in the apartments and villas has the option to have their breakfast at the Bodega & Grill. The Bodega & Grill offers plated entrees, and a small buffet selection. There’s not as much variety, but they do have smoked salmon, sushi rolls, and a variety of cheeses.
Restaurant
There are seven restaurants and cafes inside Angsana Phuket, but we were only able to eat at Bodega & Grill. After a morning of swimming in the pool beside the restaurant, we decided to just stay there for lunch. They offer Western fare, we were quite happy with the pizza, pasta, and deserts we ordered.
If you want to try out the restaurants in the other Laguna resorts, you can take the free shuttle, dine there, and charge it to your room or villa in Angsana.
All in all…
Staying at the Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort was a great introduction to Phuket. I’m beginning to develop an aversion to crowds, and I prefer my beaches to be quiet, so staying at Bang Tao was a good choice. It’s a lot pricier than Patong, but if you’re looking to indulge yourself with a relaxing holiday, you can’t go wrong with Angsana Laguna Phuket Hotel.
If you’re traveling as a group, look into staying in the villa, as it gives you privacy and your own space for better bonding. Angsana is also near the starting and finish line of the Laguna Phuket Marathon, so if you’re running, this is a good place to stay, if you want to mix some holiday with your run.
Get the best rates
Location
The hotel is located on Lebuh Farquhar, right in between the Eastern & Oriental Hotel and the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. While it’s in the buffer zone, its location is still pretty optimal — the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is within walking distance, yet it’s far enough that it’s in a quieter neighborhood (though the streets around it are quite busy with speeding cars).
From the Georgetown Bayview Hotel, we were able to walk to the Purrfect Cat Cafe in Jalan Muntri, Dewan Sri Pinang in Light Street, and Kapitan Restoran in Lebuh Chulia in the historic core.
Taking a cab to Pengkalan Weld would cost between RM 8-10, which already includes the surcharges. Going to the airport would cost between RM 40-50, depending on the traffic.
Room
We were assigned to a Premier Deluxe room on the 15th floor. Though the hotel is showing its age, the rooms are recently renovated and are quite modern. Our room looks out towards Butterworth, with a partial view of the E&O, the esplanade, and the docks in the distance.
It’s a pretty big room, more than enough space for up to four people. There is a separate desk, a dresser, and a small coffee table, which came in handy when we had friends come over to play Cards Against Humanity.
The beds are firmer than I would like, but they’re comfortable enough that you’d still want hit the snooze button more than a couple of times. We had twin beds, and each bed had two fluffy pillows, which is always welcomed.
The toilet and bath is spacious. The shower is separate from the tub, which is fantastic. I have to admit though, that the thing that I remember most about this bathroom are their non-slip floor tiles. I think it’s the first time I’ve encountered it in a hotel bathroom, and I’m really happy with that.
Facilities
The premier rooms have complimentary Internet access, whether through wireless or wired connections. There is a unique login for each room, and it is limited to two devices only. Switching off your device’s wi-fi does not disconnect it from the network though, so if you’re wanting to connect a different device, you’ll have to call the front desk to have them manually disconnect it for you.
The hotel also have a swimming pool (with an terrifyingly deep end, especially when you see it from the 15th floor), a children’s pool, and an outdoor jacuzzi. There’s also a tailor onsite, Internet center, gym, prayer room, and a concierge where you can arrange for a babysitter, or buy postcards (they’ll also mail it for you). Guests who have cars can park for free at their car park. Just present the parking pass at the front desk for validation before you exit.
Premier Lounge
All the rooms from the 14th to 16th floor are Premier rooms and have access to the Premier Lounge on the 16th floor. You can have breakfast at the lounge from 7:00 am until 10:30 am, afternoon tea and cocktails from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and complimentary non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
We had breakfast at the lounge everyday. Though the selection is so much more limited compared to the buffet at Kopi Tiam, there is a lot less people dining at the lounge, which appealed greatly to us.
The lounge also has a reading room, a board room, and a computer room, in case you need to get some work done, but haven’t brought your laptop.
The Premier Lounge access pass for each room is for two people. Any additional guests would have to pay RM 80 for entry and use of the lounge.
Kopi Tiam
Kopi Tiam Coffee House is the hotel’s all day dining restaurant, which serves the daily buffet breakfast. There is a good variety of local and western dishes available for breakfast.
They also have an ala carte menu available for lunch and dinner. I tried the Roasted Chicken Rice for dinner on my last night, just to compare it to the chicken rice at the Bayview Beach Resort. The chicken is as flavorful and tender, though the hotel’s version comes with beansprouts (my favorite) and chili sauce.
Since I had dinner early, I was hungry by the time I came back to the hotel after watching 100% Penang at the Dewi Sri Pinang. I ordered the Char Kway Teow, which came loaded with chilies. It was spicy, but not overly hot (I painstakingly took out all the chilies), and very filling, as it was a pretty big serving.
Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant and Sky Bar
At the time when Bayview was built, it was the tallest building in Penang, and the only one with a revolving restaurant. The rooftop al fresco bar also gives you a sweeping view of the city, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set and look out at the twinkling lights of Georgetown when the night rolls in.
Drinks at the Sky Bar is a nice way to cap a day of sightseeing in Georgetown.
Bayview Beach Resort
If you are staying at the Bayview Hotel in Georgetown, and want to take a break and relax by the beach, you can head to Batu Ferringhi and use the facilities at the Bayview Beach Resort
The Bayview Beach Resort has three pools, a sprawling garden, a tennis court, and offers watersport activities at the beach front (though a third party operator). If you get hungry, do try the roasted chicken rice and the nasi goreng at the La Veranda Coffee House in the ground floor.
Thank you so much to Lawrence of Bayview Hotel Georgetown and Kumar of the Bayview Beach Resort for the warm welcome and accommodation during our stay in Georgetown!
Bayview Hotel Georgetown
25-A Farquhar Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia
Website: www.bayviewhotels.com/georgetown
The Golden Sands Resort is a four-star property, and is geared more towards families on holiday. Much like many of other Shangri-La properties, the huge freeform pool dominates the outdoor area.
Rooms
The resorts has 14 suites with panoramic views of the coast or the surrounding hillside, and 373 deluxe rooms. The rooms are design with the same elegance of the Shangri-La brand hotels, but with the family in mind. Some rooms come with a Murphy Bed, which can be pull-down and retracted back into the wall to accommodate an extra person in the room.
All the rooms come with the standard features: LCD television, DVD player, satellite television channels, USB, iPod and modem ports in an audiovisual panel, coffee and tea making facilities, and of course, complimentary Wi-Fi.
The bathroom has the shower in tub configuration, and comes with two sinks, so if one kid is hogging one, there’s another you can use.
Like Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, many of the guests staying at Golden Sands (and Rasa Sayang) are regulars, and stay for an extended periods of time.
Facilities and Activities
Golden Sands Resort is one of those places that you don’t stay in just to sleep. The resort tries to anticipate their guest’s needs and offer them within the property — there are tailors, hair salons, and even laundry facilites for long staying guests.
Aside from the lagoon pool, there are also pool and futsal tables near Sigi’s bar, two pétanque courts, tennis courts, beach soccer court, Par 3 Pitch and Putt Gold Course, kid’s sand patch, and a beach volleyball court.
Guests who arrive early or need to kill time after check-out before heading to the airport can hang out at the Cool Lounge, where they can play board and card games, surf the Internet, read books, magazines, and newspapers, and watch movies.
Adventure Zone
The Adventure Zone Family Entertainment Centre is a huge indoor playground spanning more than 10,000 square feet. The center has three zones for different age groups, including toddler-safe play area for kids four years and under, thrilling slides for older kids, and game consoles for teenagers and adults.
Parents who need some alone time can also arrange for a baby sitter to watch their kids while they relax.
Sigi’s Bar and Grill
Sigi’s is located right at the edge of the garden and the beach, and is a lovely place to watch the sun set over the Andaman Sea.
They offer a variety of continental dishes and drinks that can be enjoyed inside the restaurant, by the pool, or on the beach.
We started our dinner with Wild Mushroom Soup and Calamari Fritti. Not wanting to fill up too much, we asked to split the soup. It was hearty and creamy, and the truffle oil brings it to another level without overpowering the flavor of the mushroom. The calamari was crunchy breading on the outside, tender on the inside, just the way it’s supposed to be.
Since we were by the sea, we had to order the Grilled Seafood Platter. This is Sigi’s signature dish, and they are right to be proud of it! Each piece we bit into was juicy and tender, and the individual flavors coming out perfectly.
The highlight of the meal though, was the Durian Cheese Chicken Burger. While Cla and I were not bid durian fans, we were intrigued when Suleiman told us about it over breakfast at the Ferringhi Grill.
July and August is the peak month for durian harvest in Penang, so it is the perfect time to offer this unique burger. The durian is cooked into a savory custard and added into the cheese to make this amazing cheese melt. Paired with the grilled chicken burger, this is the match made in heaven. This burger costs RM 45 (inclusive of taxes), and is only available until the end of August 2015.
Family Fun Package
Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La is offering a RM 660++ Family Fun Package for two adults and two children. This rate includes daily buffet breakfast at the Garden Cafe, complimentary bed for one child under 12 years old, daily dinner with free-flowing drinks at the Garden Cafe, and four-hour complimentary access to the Adventure Zone for two kids. Children from 5-12 years old can also join the Cool Zone Kid’s Club fun activities from 9:30 am to 9 pm. For more details, visit the resort’s website.
Thank you once again to Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts for accommodating us in Penang!
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Spice Market Cafe
Spice Market in the Garden Wing is the resort’s buffet restaurant. This is open for all guests of the resort. The restaurant has a diverse offering in its breakfast buffet. Various Asian cuisine is present, including the local Nyonya-Baba, as do western and other international cuisine.
The entrance of the cafe looks like a spice shop of yore with its display of spices and sauces. They’re actually more than just decoration — you can actually buy spices here!
Ferringhi Grill
Similar to Shangri-La Hotel’s Horizon Club Lounge, the Ferringhi Grill is the breakfast venue exclusive to Rasa Wing guests. Though the buffet selection is much smaller than that of Spice Market’s, there are still enough choices to whet your appetite or craving. You can order from a selection of entrees and order eggs done however you want.
As I’ve been having some mad craving for murtabak, I was delighted when I spotted it in the menu and promptly ordered it. It comes with a bowl of dal, pickled onion, and chutney. Heaven.
FIP Lounge (Fun, Interactive, and Play)
The FIP is actually a fairly recent addition to the resort. This is a lounge open the while day, and well into the night. They feature fun items in their uniquely presented menu, like tic-tac-toe macarons, chicken and crab sliders checker board, and beer in solid ice mug.
There are several cushy seats around the lounge, and guests can also borrow board games to play. There is a pool table, a dart arcade game, a trick eye wall, a gorilla popping out of a doorway, and a big screen TV tuned in to the sports channel.
We went to FIP for dessert and drinks, and it’s a really chill and unpretentious place. Since many of the resort guests are families, the vibe is really wholesome. To be honest, I find it refreshing to see parents hanging out with their kids at the lounge and playing pool.
Activities
The focal point of the resort is its gorgeous free-form pool. There is a small wading pool for the little ones, and a really deep section for those who, I don’t know, like to dive deep? Like all the other Shangri-La properties I’ve been to, there is also a jacuzzi. Parched? Ice cold water is available for all guests at the towel station.
Like all other resorts in Batu Ferringhi, Rasa Sayang Resort has a third party handling the beach activities. At the beach, you can ride horses, jet ski, or parasail, which is very popular among the beachgoers.
There is also an indoor gym, as well as hair and nail salon (which I guess is popular among guests who are there to attend a wedding).
Shangri-La’s Chi, The Spa is also in a secluded corner of the Rasa Wing. There are 11 spa villas, a yoga villa, and the Chi Boutique, where you can buy the products used in your treatment, including their unbelievably soft cashmere robe.
The resort also offer daily activities like golf putting competition in their Par 3 Pitch and Putt Golf Course, yard games, water volleyball, sand castle competition, and a cooking demonstration at the Spice Market Cafe.
Around Batu Ferringhi
While the main attraction of Batu Ferringhi is its beach, you can also check out some nearby attractions like the Tropical Spice Garden (do have lunch at the Tree Monkey Restaurant!), and the Batik Factory. There’s also ESCAPE, which is an eco-theme park, Penang Butterfly Farm, and the Penang National Park.
Georgetown Shuttle
If you want to explore Georgetown, Shangri-La offers a complimentary shuttle to Hotel Jen Penang in Georgetown. The shuttle from the resort leaves at 10:10 am, 12:10 am, 2:40 pm, 4:40 pm, and the shuttle going back to the resort leaves Hotel Jen at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. This shuttle is shared with guests of the Golden Sands Resort, so seats in the bus needs to be booked in advance at the concierge.
Batu Ferringhi feels like a world away from Georgetown despite being just 30 minutes away. If you have five days to spend in Penang, I highly recommend that you stay at least overnight in Batu Ferringhi. A day trip is fine, but to get the full experience of the town, it’s best to stay a night or two to get you into full relaxation mode.
Once again, thank you so much to the lovely people of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for this wonderful opportunity!
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Thanks to the lovely people at Shangri-La, they made my plans come into fruitition. I reached out to my contacts, and was offered a two night’s stay at Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa at the start of my trip. It was the perfect timing, as the resort was a beautiful welcome to the island after a long night of traveling.
History
The Rasa Sayang Resort is the first Shangri-La property in Malaysia, and it’s also the first 5-star resort. Built in 1973, the resort was designed around the eight majestic rain trees that was already in the property.
The majestic rain trees
Like other Shangri-La properties, the Rasa Sayang Resort incorporates the ethnic architectural style of the region. The resorts has the distinct minangkabau roof, and Malaysian arts and crafts are visible all around the resort, and in the rooms.
The Rasa Wing and the Garden Wing
The resort has two wings: the Rasa Wing and the Garden Wing. While the two wings are interconnected, make sure to tell your driver which wing you’ll be staying at, so you can be dropped off at the correct lobby.
The Rasa Wing offers elegant and spacious accommodations for its guests. If you love soaking in the bath as much as I do, go for the Rasa Premier room, which has a private balcony with a soaking tub overlooking the garden or the pool.
The Rasa Wing can be likened to the Horizon Club — guests have an exclusive lounge where they can have afternoon tea and cocktails, and have breakfast at the Ferringhi Grill, away from the crowds. The wing also have an exclusive pool for guests staying at the Rasa Wing, and it is for ages 16 and up only.
The Garden Wing is also quite elegant, but it is more fitting for families with kids in tow. It was recently renovated, and all rooms are now equipped with energy saving features.
Our Room
We we billeted in a Garden Wing Deluxe Seaview Room, with a balcony that looks out to the Andaman Sea. The balcony is the perfect place to watch the sunset, or to hang out after taking a dip in the pool while you’re waiting for your friend to finish in the shower. Since swimming and watersports are the prime activities in Batu Ferringhi, each balcony is fitted with a retractable clothesline.
The room itself is spacious — more than enough space for two adults. The beds, as always, were very comfortable, and the pillows for each bed has both the very soft and fluffy variety and the soft-yet-firm kind.
One thing I really love about Shangri-La is the separate shower and bath tub. While I’m a very big fan of relaxing in hot water, I’m not too keen on showering while standing inside a tub. In Malaysia, it’s common to have see a hand spray bidet in the toilets. In the renovated Garden Wing Rooms, the bidet are now built into the toilet seat, similar to the Japanese kind, but without the extra functions. It’s something this this Filipino is happy to find in any toilet.
Instead of a desk, there is a small dining table. Since many of the resort’s guests are there on a holiday, this makes much better sense, as it’s easier for them to eat together or use their laptops at the same time. There’s also a universal socket right by the table, so no need to bring your adaptor (though there are a couple of type G plugs).
Aside from the welcome fruits, there were also some Spicy Treats waiting for us in the room. These chocolate treats were not spicy hot, but has hints of spice, probably as a tribute to Penang being known as the “Spice Island.” There were also local snacks delivered to the room daily, and put under the tujung saji in the room.
Say YES to glass bottles!
This may seem really silly, but what made me really happy with our room are the glass bottles of water. More than just the size of the bottles (because they’re 1 liter, instead of the usual 500ml or less), I’m happy that Shangri-La has opted for this green alternative. The bottles are sealed with the date it was bottled, so you’d know that the bottle you’re getting is fresh, and they are replenished daily. Since we both have our own water bottles, we just refilled them whenever we are headed out of the room.
Still to come: What to eat and do at Rasa Sayang Resort
Much love and gratitude goes to Bonnie Ang of Shangri-La, and Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman and Fiona Lee of Rasa Sayang Resort.
]]>The last part is what endeared me to the Nexus line. It’s Android as Google intended it to be, and it does not have bloatware: apps that you don’t use, but cannot uninstall. The interface is clean and straightforward, and it’s very easy to find your way around it. After my experience with other Android phones from other manufacturers, I wasn’t too excited to finding a phone to replace Miss Satsuki.
The problem was taken out of my hands when I was given an Asus Zenfone 2 to review. I love you, Universe.
First impressions
The Asuz Zenfone2 in the midst of my desk clutter
Like most smartphones coming out in recent years, it’s sleek and shiny. It has a curved back that makes it comfortable to hold, which is a feat, since it’s a huge phone. The back cover comes in four colors: black, grey, red, and gold. There was a bit of a struggle taking the cover off, which may or may not be because of my short nails. I was able to finally pry it off, and was elated that there are two slots for sim cards: I won’t have to bring an extra phone when I travel! If I’m buying a local sim at my destination, I can just slip it into the first slot, and move my Globe sim to the second sim card slot.
Aside from the size difference, the power button control for the Zenfone2 wasn’t on the sides, like it was in other phones I’ve used. It’s right smack in the middle, which actually makes sense, since it’s easier to reach, no matter which hand you’re using to operate the phone.
Set up
Tap & Go
Upon turning on the phone, I was informed that the Zenfone can copy any Google Accounts set up in another Android phone simply by tapping the two phones together (possibly via NFC transfer). It’s a nifty tool, but since I’m starting from scratch, this wasn’t an option for me.
When I was trying to resurrect my Nexus 4, I did a factory reset (after making sure my phone is backed up). After the phone has been set up again, I just tapped on Restore, and all my apps are downloaded and installed on the phone.
While there is no such option in the Zenfone2 (the most it can do is to restore the backed up settings and data once you have installed an app. Good enough. I can live with that.
User experience
My homescreen. You can see my priorities
The ZenUi is very clean, and does not feel clunky at all. Less is more for me, so I’m very happy with the interface. If you love customizing your phone, you can select from their preloaded themes (or buy additional themes). You can also change the font faces and the font sizes, which I know some appreciate. Personally, I’m happy with it as is.
There are of course, preloaded Asus apps, but I’m not too bothered with them, and some are actually quite nice to use. I especially love the Calculator, Flashlight, and their Weather app.
Reduced screen size for easier use
Since it’s a big phone, most of the time, you need two hands to use it (unless you have giant hands). However, if you’ve no choice but to use it one-handed, you can just double tap on the home button, and the screen with shrink down, making all buttons within thumb reach. Similarly, you can also set the Recent apps button to take screenshots, so you wouldn’t have to do the awkward Power button + Volume Down press, which does not work for me all the time.
There’s also an extended menu when you swipe down twice from the top of the screen. Here you can easily switch off the wifi, switch to airplane mode, or turn on the flashlight.
Extended menu
Asus also boasts of their screen’s sensitivity, which claims that you can use the phone, even if you’re wearing gloves. I dug up a pair of gloves from storage, and tried it out. It works! It’s not as smooth, but at least you can still use it to take pictures without having to remove your gloves and risk frostbite just for a selfie. It might be better with a glove designed for touchscreen phones, or maybe it depends on the glove’s material as well.
Camera
Since I travel with a laptop again, I try to limit the gadgets I have because it’s just too heavy. I gave up my DSLR, because it’s too bulky and cumbersome to bring, so I’m limited to a point and shoot and my phone for the blog and social media postings.
The Asus camera app comes with some really nice presets, so you can just select the mode you need for the photo you’re taking, and it will adjust the settings for you.
Some photos from Intramuros Pasyal last May 17. Aside from resizing, cropping, adding the watermark, and optimizing the file size for web viewing, the photos are left as is, straight from the camera. Flickr may have further degraded the quality.
Ayuntamiento de Manila
Plaza Maestranza
Tug life. Auto shooting mode.
Manila sunset. Auto mode.
HDR Mode
Night mode
Close up mode
For social media postings, the camera is good enough. Then again, I just found out that I was only shooting at 10MP, so it might be a different story if I was shooting at 13MP.
Price
The Asus Zenfone2 comes in three variants: the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The specs are all the same, except the 16GB only runs at 1.8 GHz, has 2GB of RAM, does not come with the BoostMaster fast-charging adapter and only has a 7W adapter, while the 32GB and 64GB runs at 2.3 GHz, has 4GB of RAM, the BoostMaster fast-charging technology, and a 18W BoostMaster adapter. The 16GB model costs Php 9,995, while the 32GB is priced at Php 13,995. Just add Php 1,000 and you get the 64GB model for only Php 14,995. If you feel that 64GB isn’t enough to contain all your selfies, there’s an SD card slot for extra storage.
Thoughts for now
It’s a pretty nice phone — I love using it, and I love that it’s red. I’m really liking the interface and the ease of use. Two days of usage isn’t really enough time for me to completely test it, but so far, I enjoy using it. The size takes some adjusting, especially if you’re coming from a smaller phone. I do love the bigger screen though, which lets me put more shortcuts in the home screen and have bigger widgets.
Setting up my Google Drive on the Asus Zenfone also gave me 100GB of free space for 2 years! After seeing 80% full on my Gmail inbox for the better part of 3 years, this was a relief! Of course, two years is just enough time to get you addicted to all that space, and would probably encourage you to pay Google to pay for extra storage. Still, not a bad deal.
For the price this phone is going for, it’s a pretty good buy, and I would have considered it for my next phone purchase (nothing over Php 20,000 for me…I can buy a plane ticket that can take me far far away from here for that price).
Thank you so much for Asus and Stratworks for this opportunity!
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