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.
]]>When people talk about traveling to Japan, the first place that comes to mind is Tokyo, followed by Kyoto. Naturally, for those flying into the country, the point of entry that comes to mind is Narita, Haneda, and Osaka.
Of the four airports that Cebu Pacific flies to in Japan from the Philippines, Tokyo Narita would probably be the most popular, followed by Osaka Kansai, and trailed by Nagoya and Fukuoka. Naturally during seat sales, the first two cities would be the first to run out of cheap seats, but if you’re watching your budget, fret not, because you can get cheaper fares if you are flying to Nagoya, even if you are aiming to travel to the Kanto or Kansai regions.
Friends who regularly travel to Japan book flights to Nagoya when the fares to Tokyo have gone too high, and even with the cost of the overnight bus from Nagoya to Tokyo, it still comes out cheap. Likewise, the proliferation of low cost carriers offering domestic flights means you can fly out to as far as Sapporo without breaking the bank (and not losing any precious travel days traveling by train).
In the four trips I’ve made to Japan in the past years, I’ve found myself in the Chubu region for each one. It was not until my last trip that I was able to explore Nagoya city.
When in Nagoya, make sure you try the tebasaki or Nagoya-style fried chicken wings at Sekai no Yamachan
Downtown Nagoya is vibrant and bustling, without the frenetic energy and massive crowds of Tokyo that can be overwhelming. Whether you are eager to go restaurant or bar hopping, singing your hearts out in karaoke until the wee hours of the morning, or looking for great shopping deals, you can do them all in Nagoya.
If up for a cultural activity to round up your itinerary, a visit to the Nagoya Castle is a must. The castle grounds and the museum inside is impressive as it is, but if you can, time your visit on a Sunday morning, when a samurai show on the grounds is held. It’s all in Japanese, but it’s quite entertaining, and you can even have a selfie taken with the cast afterwards.
Catch the samurai show at the Nagoya Castle grounds!
Beyond the city, there are a number of attractions you can visit. You can take a trip out to the Toyota factory and have an old-school type field trip to learn how Toyota cars are made. It’s a fascinating tour, not just for kids, but also for adults who nuts about supply chain management and logistics.
If shopping in Nagoya’s huge malls, 24-hour Don Quijote, and the Osu shopping street is not enough, you can venture out to the Toki Premium Outlet for some discount shopping. Whether you’re looking for clothes, accessories, cookware, or even if you’re not looking to buy anything, you’re sure to find something to spend your money on.
You can continue your shopping at Laguna Ten Bosch, and take a break by exploring the nearby Lagunasia themepark. Though not as grand as Disneyland or Universal Studios, it also does not have the swarm of people that flock the parks even on a weekday. Think of it as a theme park for people who hate crowds (hello fellow anti-socials!)
The Thousand Sunny at Laguna Ten Bosch
Laguna Ten Bosch is also where the Thousand Sunny is docked. For fans of the manga and anime One Piece, this is a must visit. The ship replica is exactly how it looks in the anime, and you’ll be so occupied taking pictures in all the nooks and crannies of the ship that you’ll hardly notice that you’ve already cruised around the bay.
On the subject of anime, did you know that there’s an actual replica of the house in the animated movie My Neighbor Totoro in Nagoya? It’s about an hour away by train from the city, in the Aichi Expo Park.
Excellent lunch at the Gamagori Orange Park. Our one of many amazing meals during the trip
Japan grows excellent produce, and fruit picking is actually a popular tourist activity in the country. One of the nearest in Nagoya is the Gamagori Orange Park, where you can go into the orange grove, pick as much oranges as you can eat. Aside from the fruit picking, make sure to also try having lunch at their restaurant, which serves set meals that are not just filling, but also quite delicious. Like other tourist attractions in Japan, they also have a sizable gift shop that offers the area’s specialties (my favorite were their cured fish).
What better souvenir than a plastic sample of mix tempura that you made yourself?
There are plenty to explore in the Chubu region from Nagoya that you won’t feel like you’ve missed out even if you don’t go to Tokyo. There’s Gujo Hachiman, that’s known as the place to go for those realistic plastic food replicas you see outside restaurants. You can learn how to make them, or you can learn how to dance as the locals do during their summer festival. But really, even without those, I am drawn to Gujo Hachiman because it’s a very quaint and charming little town.
Make sure you time your visit to Takayama to the weekend morning market!
Another favorite in the Chubu Region are the towns of Shirakawa-go and Takayama. Even though I’ve been to both three times already, I am not complaining of I am to visit them again in the future. Takayama offers a wide range of accommodations to fit any budget, and is very nice to walk through the town, especially during the weekends when the weekend morning market is in full swing.
One of the oldest houses in Shirakawa-go.
Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not just a joy to explore, but I find myself wanting to go back again and again just to see how it looks in different seasons. It’s magical when under a heavy blanket of snow, and still quite charming in the autumn.
Further on, there’s also the post towns of Magome and Tsumago, the bustling city of Matsumoto and Nagano, the onsen towns of Gero and Jigokudani… So if you find yourself during a Cebu Pacific seat sale with only fares to Nagoya fitting your budget, don’t worry not because there’s so much to explore!
Cebu Pacific flies every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to Nagoya from Manila. Much love to Cebu Pacific for giving me this opportunity to see more of the Chubu region!
]]>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
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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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
That’s why when I got the invite from Cebu Pacific to visit Hanoi, I jumped on the chance to really see what Hanoi has to offer.
Cebu Pacific flies to Hanoi three times a week from Manila. The flight arrives in Hanoi just past midnight, and flies back at 1 am, giving tourists an entire day to explore the city after and before their flight. Perfect for a weekend getaway.
Though the trip was just a tad longer than my previous trip to Hanoi, I was able to see and do a lot more. Here are the things I loved about this city:
Four seasons
It’s rather gray in November, but it’s a bit nippy and I love that.
Located in the northern regions of Vietnam, Hanoi has four seasons in a year, unlike in Ho Chi Minh. It was June when I first went to Vietnam, and the weather was hot and humid, not the perfect combination when traveling (for me, anyway). So when we went there last November, I was ecstatic, because it meant Autumn weather! It was in the low 20°C during the day, and dips down to around 15-18°C in the evening. That is bliss.
Cyclo Tour
That’s Hanoi traffic for you.
When I travel, I like walking around to get to know a city. I remember my frustration in 2010, when walking in Hanoi’s Old Quarter meant dodging motorbikes and squeezing through narrow sidewalks.
But at least you get to see this
I found out that the best way to get an overview of the city and and have a literal front row seat to the crazy Vietnamese traffic is to ride the cyclo. These are one-person rickshaws where the drivers are seated right behind you, and you have a wide view of oncoming traffic. It’s scary at times, but it really is a fun way to familiarize yourself with the Old Quarter.
Temple of Literature
The inner couryard
We went around the usual attractions of Hanoi — Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Water Puppet Show — but the one place that really stood out to me is the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070 as a temple of Confucius, and played host to the first national university in the country.
It’s a good place to people watch in November
In November, it’s where graduating students flock in their finest ao dai and suits, and have their graduation photos taken. Though I’m not fond of crowds, seeing and feeling the excitement of the students was enough to propel me to join the crowds heading into the inner courtyards. Also, the place is big enough that there are pockets of empty space if you want to take breather and people watch like a creeper.
Hoan Kiem Lake
I’d love to live close to such a beautiful lake
In the Old Quarter lies the Hoan Kiem Lake, which has the Turtle Tower in a small island, and the red Huc Bridge that connects Jade Island where the Temple of the Jade Mountain is. It’s a popular place for the locals to hang out in, and a very lovely place to take photos, or just to relax if the chaos is starting to get to you.
Hidden cafes
Egg coffee and chocolate
Vietnam has some pretty great coffee places, but if you’re looking for something different, try the egg coffee at Cafe Pho Co on Hang Gai street in the Old Quarter. It’s a very creamy and foamy drink, which pairs well with the strong espresso it’s served with. For non-coffee drinkers, there’s also a hot (or cold) chocolate version, and fresh fruit shakes.
IGNORING YOU
Apart from the coffee, part of the appeal, I think, of Cafe Pho Co is its location and premises. It’s tucked inside a building, so you’ll have to enter through a very narrow and a bit dark lane to enter. You’ll come into a small courtyard where you’ll have to give and pay for your order. Afterwards, you’ll make your way up to their three dining areas. The most popular is the one at the very top, where you have a very nice view of the lake. Also, if you’re lucky, the family cat will be there (though he’ll probably ignore all your attempts at friendship).
Vietnamese food
Streetside eats
A trip to Vietnam, of course, meant eating lots of their delicious cuisine. There are ladies walking around peddling snacks, or you can grab a quick bite from the many street-side stalls.
Always pho bo
My favorites for this trip though, was the custom pho station at the Crown Plaza West Hanoi Hotel, where you get to pick what goes into your bowl. Their breakfast buffet spread is pretty extensive, so you can probably assemble your own banh mi as well.
Don’t look at them as vegetables — they’re yummy herbs that will give your tongue the best flavor explosion.
If you’re ready to venture beyond pho and banh mi, go for bun cha. This is a noodle dish served with grilled pork, spring rolls, pickled vegetables and mounds of herbs. It’s glorious. The one we went to was Nha Hang Dac Kim Bun Cha in Hang Manh road.
Halong Bay sans the crowd
Junks lined up at Halong Bay
When I took the day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi in 2010, the tour bus picked me up from my guesthouse in the Old Quarter at around 8 in the morning, and had me back in the city by 6pm. A lot of tourists do this same tour, so expect Halong to be crowded when you get there.
Hanoi Red Tours, our tour operator during our visit, had us driving to Ha Long in the afternoon. It’s a 3-hour bus ride, and we arrived just in time for dinner. We stayed in a hotel with a view of the bridge, and set off early for Halong Bay.
Selling fruits in the middle of the bay
The great thing about this, is that even if there are other tours doing the same thing, it’s still not as crowded than if you arrive later. By the time you dock back in the port, the groups from Hanoi are just arriving.
Entering the lagoon
This trip is similar to the one I took back in 2010, but with one big difference: we boarded a smaller paddle boat that took us to see the lagoons hidden in the karst formations. It’s really nice and relaxing. Other tours offer kayaking trips, but I like this one better since there’s somebody else doing the paddling.
Flamingo Dai Lai Resort
Our cabin for a couple of hours
Right before we left, we dropped by the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort. It’s about an hour from Hanoi and about 30 minutes from the airport. It’s a sprawling estate in the Vinh Phuc province and offers serenity in nature and luxurious accommodations.
Beautiful room
The cabins come with their own private dipping pool, and a humongous tub carved out of stone. It was too cold for a dip in the pool, but a hot soak in the tub is just perfect. There was even a cabin with the tub outside, so you can just image how fantastic that’d be in the colder months. There’s also a couple of bikes in the cabin, should you wish to explore the resort (or even to just go to the restaurant). If you can’t ride a bike, you’d need to call the front desk to request for a shuttle to take you around.
Imagine it’s winter, and you’re soaking in hot water in this tub. Hmmmmmmmm.
This is the kind of place that once you enter, you don’t want to go out anymore. There are outdoor activities available, and a spa for those who just want to take it slow. It’s certainly a beautiful end to our trip to Hanoi.
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to fully appreciate Hanoi, Cebu Pacific!
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I found out about Harolds Hotel when Agoda arranged for me and my friend to stay there before we leave Cebu. Our flight was fairly early, and we felt much comfortable staying overnight in the city, instead of traveling all the way from Badian.
The lobby
The hotel is located on Gorordo Avenue. It’s close to the I.T. Park, Ayala Center is nearby, homegrown cafes and restaurants are within walking distance, and the Capitol Building is a short jeepney ride away. The Mactan airport is about 40 minutes away on light to moderate traffic.
Welcome chocolates!
Though there’s only two of us staying in the room, the maximum capacity for each room is four guests. Though it’s not the biggest hotel room, it is spacious enough that you are not bumping into each other. The room has the standard amenities: wide desk, cable TV, wireless and wired Internet connection, personal in-room safe, iron and ironing board, wooden hangers, coffee making things. They also provide hotel slippers, as well as flip-flops, which you can purchase from them for only Php 50.
Long desk to put all your clutter
The toilet was clean (and smells clean!), and comfortably sized. The shower is in the tub in our Deluxe room, though separate shower stalls are available in their Executive suites.
The best thing about our room though are the beds. The mattress was comfortably firm, the pillows were plush, and the linens and duvet have a high thread count, which makes you just want to stay cocooned inside.
Super comfy beds!
Harolds Hotel has two restaurants: the Highlights Lounge and the H Cafe. The H Cafe offers all day dining, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. They offer a nice selection of local and international cuisine, and also have themed lunches or dinners. When we arrive there, they were offering barbeque at the lunch buffet. This is great if you want to have the Larsian experience, but don’t have the time to go there (or cannot stand the thick smoke inside). You can choose different types of meat, which includes the Cebuano chorizo, and they will deliver it to your table once cooked. For the complete experience, there’s even puso! The buffet rates start at Php 388 per person. Not bad, eh? They also have Coffee and Cakes in the afternoon, where you can get one slice of cake and unlimited brewed coffee for only Php 88.
Sugba!
Here’s a little tip when you have breakfast at H Cafe: ask for danggit or bacon. They are not served in the buffet, but they’re available upon request. This ensures that they are freshly cooked and perfectly crispy when served (with pinakurat on the side, even!). They also have native tsokolate, and it’s GOOD!
So yummy and crispy!
It’s a pity that we only stayed for such a short time at Harolds. Though it’s a bit far from most of the tourist attractions, the Ayala PUV terminal is nearby, and there are plenty of public transport that pass in front of the hotel. It’s very comfortable, and considering the price, it’s a good value accommodation option in Cebu. Also, there were chocolate pralines waiting for us in our room when we arrived. Best welcome ever.
More photos of Harolds Hotel available at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Thank you once again to Agoda.com for this opportunity, and to Harolds Hotel for the wonderful stay!
Harolds Hotel
Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal St., Lahug
Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Phone: +6332 505-7777
Website: haroldshotel.com.ph
Book now or see rates
Edsa Shangri-La all decked out for Christmas
Checking in
Check-in, was a breeze, as it always has been. It’s really nice to see the tablets on the counter, instead of having to fill out a paper form. Since the booking was done electronically, all my information was already in the form, and all I needed to do was to present my valid ID. I was headed up to the 9th floor in no time.
My Deluxe room at the Tower Wing
The room assigned to me in this stay was a Deluxe Room in the newly renovated Tower Wing. The new decor is bright, with cool accents that help you get right into relaxation mode.
The divan and the desk
My room was right at the end of the hall, which is markedly different from the usual hotel room layout: it’s a U-shape. Instead of having the closet and the bathroom adjacent to each other in the entryway, there is just a full length mirror and an alcove with a small counter space, right beside the light switch, the key slot, and the air conditioning controls. The immediate view is of the desk, the side of the TV, and the sideboard right below, which houses the minibar. There is also a partial view of the divan and the center table with a bowl of fresh fruits.
Once you get past the left wall, you see the bed, and you’ll have to make a U-turn to get to the closet and the bathroom. It’s actually quite nice to have this floor plan, as it give you the feeling that you have clearly separate areas for work, for rest, for primping, and for doing your private business.
Love the new colors!
Similar to other Shangri-La hotels, there is a separate shower stall, which I absolutely love. There’s also an added extra: a shower bench, which will delight those who have problems standing up after a certain period of time, or even those who want to really clean between their toes.
The toilet is fitted with a bidet, which while not as fancy or complicated as the Japanese toilet, is enough to get the job done. The hairdryer is also affixed to one of the drawers in the bathroom vanity, which spares you the search for a power outlet and a suitable place to dry your hair.
Geeky priorities
Wi-fi signal is strong throughout the whole hotel, and Internet speed is very impressive indeed. Aside from the wi-fi, another thing that I really loved about the room are the power sockets. All of them are universal sockets, and there’s even two USB sockets, which is perfect for those who just cannot leave all the gadgets at home.
The stress melts away at the Chi spa
Before I can fully appreciate the fast Internet, I had to head down for my spa appointment at Chi. The spa is located at the Garden Wing, and the reception is temporarily at the 4th floor, and not in the hut near the swimming pool, which is where the gym currently is.
The waiting area at Chi, The Spa
The Chi spa offers different kinds of treatment, and vary slightly per country. At Shangri-La Guangzhou, the massage I got there included some Wushu-style stretching. At Edsa Shangri-La, natural products have been incorporated into the treatments, like finely ground South Sea pearls in the body scrub and virgin coconut oil used for the hilot massage, which all contribute in giving the sense of place.
The couple therapy suite
A spa treatment at Chi is the ultimate indulgence. It’s very serene, and maybe because it’s a Monday, not at all crowded. You can book a private treatment room and get a huge room with its own dressing room, locker, toilet, and steam shower.
Cocktails at the Horizon Club Lounge
From Chi, it’s just one elevator ride up to the Horizon Club Lounge, which is at the 14th floor of the Garden Wing. The Lounge is exclusive for guests staying in the Horizon Club rooms.
Creamy mushroom soup and crunchy bread sticks
Drinks are available all day, and guests can use the lounge’s meeting facilities. There’s a good selection of alcoholic drinks, and you can make your own cocktail. If you’ve no confidence in your mixing skills, you can have it neat on a tumbler, or if you’re me, pour a white wine on a glass meant for red wine.
I can’t remember what they’re called, but they’re all good.
If you’re not up for getting delightfully tipsy (or horribly sloshed), there’s a mini-fridge full of non-alcoholic drinks, a coffee maker, and a dizzying array of tea leaves.
Hors d’oeuvres are served between 5 to 7 in the evening, and while it’s not a full blown buffet, there’s a good enough selection of nibbles to tide you over before dinner.
An intimate dinner at Paparazzi
After attempting to do some work in my room (fast Internet is both a boon and a huge distraction), I headed down to Paparazzi, the hotel’s Italian restaurant.
Wine selection at Paparazzi
It’s the kind of place you take someone special, or someone you really want to impress. This is also the place to take someone who like wine. They have a good selection of wines from around the world, which would pair well with their creations.
Lamb cutlets cooked to perfection
While the minestrone, pumpkin tortelli, and the lamb cutlets were very good, it was the tiramisu that stole the show. It’s so light and fluffy, yet full flavored. Your visit to Paparazzi is not complete if you do not try their tiramisu.
A diverse breakfast at HEAT
I had two options for breakfast: back at the Horizon Club Lounge for relative quiet and peace, or down at HEAT, where all the other guests are.
A very small portion of HEAT
Having never gone to Heat, I opted to have my breakfast there, just so I can see what’s on offer. Since there is more space for the buffet here, I know that there will be offerings not available at the Horizon Club.
It’s an almost dizzying array of food, and as with buffets of this size, it’s hard to choose where to start. I walk around, checking out each dish on offer, until something I’ve been craving for caught my eye: roti canai. There wasn’t any curry, but there was a vegetarian masala right beside it, and I was happy.
Roti canai!
Despite the presence of two platters of bacon (labeled Bacon and Crispy Bacon), I gravitate towards the cold cuts with the pastrami, hams, and slivers of smoked salmon. With a dollop of mustard on the side, I tuck in, deluding myself that I am eating healthier. Well, I was, up until that point, anyway.
I spied some Chinese dim sum on my first pass around the buffet, and I went back to sample some (they were all good), and on the way back to my table, I spied some native kakanin. A long standing craving for palitaw was fulfilled that morning, and in Shangri-La, of all places.
This is just too awesome to have in a buffet!
My breakfast at HEAT was capped with a bowl of taho, which I happily assembled to my preference — silken tofu in big chunks, plenty of sago, and just the right amount of arnibal.
Sumptuous lunch at Summer Palace
Lunch was at the Summer Palace, where I met Patrick Schaub, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel’s General Manager, Cristina del Carmen, Director of Communications, and Annie Gatchalian, Restaurant Marketing Manager.
Lobster roll, scallop dumpling, shrimp and pork siu mai, and roast duck.
We were treated to a sampling of the restaurant’s best sellers. There was the dim sum sampler, which was an excellent introduction to the delights that come out of their kitchen. They are huge, varies in flavor and texture, and already tasted perfect eaten as is.
It was followed with a huge bowl of their Four Treasures Soup, which, for some inexplicable reason, I can only describe as both light and full-bodied a the same time. The rice course came after, with deep fried battered fish with cheese, paired with yang chow fried rice.
Shanghai pancake ala mode
For dessert, we had their signature black sesame ice cream served on a Shanghai pancake. The pancake is actually a flat pastry with red bean paste. I’m not the biggest fan of red bean, but this agreed with my palate.
Relaxing by the swimming pool
I eschewed all plans to huddle over my laptop the whole afternoon, and opted to head down to the pool instead. It was a nice and sunny day, the kind not meant to be wasted indoors.
The pool calls
The pool is mostly 1.15 meters deep, except for a cordoned off portion where it dips more than 2 meters. Similar to the pool at Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore, there’s a ledge that line portions of the pool, which is perfect if you’re just wanting to cool down on a hot day.
The pool is open until 10 pm, but during the colder months, the water might be a bit chilly for some guests. Since the hotel is in the Ortigas CBD, the surrounding skyscrapers block the sun from the pool area. If you’re wanting to get a tan, the best place to have the sunbed is near the kid’s water playground, or near the lavatories.
Festive afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge
Right before I checked out, I had one last food tasting in my itinerary.
So elaborate!
The Lobby Lounge of the Edsa Shangri-La is a great place to escape the crowds inside the popular cafes. All the seats are comfortable, and the service is impeccable. Their afternoon tea is a wonderful treat, if you’re up for some indulgence.
A closer look at the savory plate
Tea here is the whole she-bang: fine china, a full pot of loose leaf tea, and even sugar cubes. The little cakes and pastries are served on a modified bird cage, which is really just too cute. While the pastries are small, they can be quite filling, especially if you’ve already spent the entire day eating.
I’ve never really seen the appeal of a hotel stay in the same city as your house, but I am seeing it now. Once passed through the entrance to Edsa Shangri-La, it seemed as if the world outside ceased to exist. It’s an oasis in the middle of the city, where you can recharge before plunging back into the madness of real life.
More photos from my stay at Edsa Shangri-La on the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Edsa Shangri-La Hotel
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Phone: +632 633-8888
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsashangrila
Instagram: http://instagram.com/EdsaShangriLa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdsaShangriLa
Much love and gratitude goes out to Bonnie, Cristina, Kristine, Annie, Noli, Shiela, and of course, Mr. Patrick Schaub of Shangri-La for this wonderful birthday gift.
Take me back to Badian
A couple of months after that conversation, Charisse got back to me with another question: would I like to stay at Badian Island Resort and Spa? A quick read about the property resulted in an even quicker (and overly excited) yes.
Despite its name, the resort is actually located in Zaragoza Island, which is under the municipality of Badian, three hours from Cebu City. The main area of the resort occupies about 8 hectares, plus another 5 in the Coral Garden beach in the same island, 5 minutes away by speedboat.
Our Pool Villa as seen from outside
There’s a limited number of villas and suites in the whole property — maximum occupancy is just a little over 130 guests — so during the lean season, it is entirely possible that you will not run across any other guests in the property. It’s like having your own personal island.
As we marvelled upon the awesomeness that is our Pool Villa, my friend Cla and I had the same thought: it’s like the Pinoy version of Cintai Corito’s Garden. Where Cintai really brought Bali into their property, Badian Island Resort is very Filipino, which is fantastic. There was the judicious use of rattan, nipa, capiz, and sea shells, and though they look dated, it was just so Pinoy it’s amazing. And there were flowers everywhere in our villa. Literally.
Flowers with our welcome drinks
Flowers in the tub
Seriously, they’re everywhere.
The sleeping area. The toilet, bath, and vanity is right behind that big divider. I love the vaulted ceiling!
The Pool Villa is huge — almost 100 square meters big, and there more than enough room for us two. It had a twin bed, with individual lamps (with shades and bases that screams 80’s), a desk, a couch (which can be made into a bed), more than enough closet space, a dresser, and a minibar.
The toilet and the bathing area are separate, and even better, the shower is outside the bathtub, which is kind of a big deal for me. You’ll have to be really comfortable with the person you’ll be sharing this villa with though, because of the absence of doors. Well, the toilet has a door, except it’s sort of see through. Cla and I, oddly not stranger to this kind of thing, already have a system for such occasion: when one is in the loo or the shower, the other stays on the other side of the room, or outside.
Our patio and pool
Outside there are two loungers, a table, arm chair and a sofa, and of course, a small dipping pool filled with ionized sea water. Just in case you wanted the benefits of sea water without the sand and having to trek down to the shore.
The water temperature is perfect, especially on sunny days. The island is located right between the main island of Cebu and Negros, so the water around the island is quite calm. The pool villa faces the main town of Badian, so when you’re relaxing in the water, you get this stunning view of the towering Mantalungon mountain range, and the seemingly lake-like water between the islands.
At the massage villa
There are no televisions in all of the villas and suites, and that is by design. This is a place to enjoy the solitude and each other’s company. Wi-fi is available throughout the entire resort though, and 3G signal is present and strong, in case you can’t wait to share your #blessed afternoon.
Still, even without these, there are plenty of things to do around the resort. You can get a massage, do yoga or Zumba, paddle board, kayak, swim in the pool, and play billiards, foosball, or darts. Snorkelling and diving are the top draws, though. There is a gorgeous Coral Garden just 5 minutes away from the main resort, which you should never pass up on.
I feel like I’m not doing the Coral Garden justice. This is just a very small portion of what you can see there.
Being in Badian Island Resort can be likened to being in a bubble — you’re in your own little world, away from all the pollution and hassles of the city. Of course, this also meant that you’re at the mercy of their sole restaurant when it comes to food. Luckily, their chef know how to make really good food.
Their menu is a mix of Filipino and Western dishes, and with 30 years of cooking at Badian, she knows how to please their guest’s palate. The main restaurant, Panorama, sits near the swimming pool. To make each evening interesting, the venue varies every night — it can be at the beach one evening, and by the poolside the next night. What you should definitely try though, is their Organic Lunch menu.
Cold papaya soup. I do not like ripe papaya, but this is so good!
This is a tasting menu, featuring vegetables harvested right in the resort’s organic garden. It’s a delightful treat to your taste buds, and is also quite filling. It’s mainly vegetarian, even down to the drinks and dessert — Squash leche flan, which tasted absolutely delicious.
We stayed in Badian for three days and two nights — quite short by the standards of other guests who stay a minimum of 7 days and staying sometime for almost a month. As I float around in our private pool on our third day, I will the time to slow down, so I can have more time in the island.
Our welcoming committee
Suddenly, staying longer made sense. If you spent most of the year slaving away, and you only get a couple of week’s time for a break, why not go all out and spend your hard earned holiday relaxing by the beach, sipping cocktails out of a coconut? It’s not a bad way to live.
As the crew serenade us as we board the speed boat back to the mainland, I found myself smiling, and overjoyed — when I read about this practice of theirs, I thought it was kinda corny (and thought the same as we arrived), but after spending time at the resort, and being tended to by these wonderful people, I felt so thankful for their warm hospitality. It’s no wonder foreign and balikbayan visitors enjoy this place so much — it’s very Filipino.
More photos of the resort and the coral garden over at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Much love goes out to Renz and her lovely crew at the Badian Island Resort and Spa for the warm hospitality and letting us beg off from the early morning yoga and afternoon Zumba session. It would have seriously ruined the peace in paradise. Thanks also to Char of Agoda, who helped made this happen.
Badian Island Resort and Spa
Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Phone: +63 32 401 3303 to 05
Website: badianhotel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BadianIslandResortAndSpaOfficial
Azalea Residences Baguio
The Azalea Residences Baguio is an all-suite property located just off Leonard Wood Road. The rooms have the usual hotel amenities, but with the addition of a working kitchen with actual stove and cookware. You’re probably thinking, “why cook when there are so many great restaurants in Baguio?” I agree with that, but after discovering the Hanger Market (where the locals buy fresh produce), and seeing the great variety (and price!) of vegetables available, I was sorely tempted to cook them IMMEDIATELY to get the optimum flavor out of them.
Single bed in the 2-bedroom suite
We stayed in a 2-bedroom suite, which can accommodate up to 6 adults. The masters bedroom has its own toilet and bath, the other room has a single bed, and the couch in the living room can is actually a pull out bed. There’s another toilet and bath in the common area of the suite. There’s no shortage of TV in our room either: there’s one in each room, including the living room.
Our suite only has an extended counter with bar stools for meals, but the 3-bedroom suite has both the extended counter and a separate dining table. Both have crockery, cutlery, coffee and tea making facilities, induction stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, kitchen sink, and ample pantry space for all your junk food. Cookware are available upon request.
Kitchen
We had our breakfast (and some lunch and dinner) at the Tradisyon Restaurant on the ground floor. There’s the ubiquitous buffet spread, but you can also order ala carte. They sometimes have themes to their buffet, like the Italian spread during our Saturday night dinner. If you’re feeling the chill, you can’t go wrong with their shabu shabu or hotpot.
To help you warm up even further, you can have drinks at 8 Degrees, which serves both coffee and alcoholic beverages.
Breakfast at Tradisyon Restaurant
The staff were all warm and friendly, even when we checked in past 4 am, and were still smiling when we stumbled into the hotel after a night out in town at 2 am.
Would I stay at Azalea if it’s for a personal trip? I think I will. I liked the rooms (I’m aiming for a room with a balcony next time), the fact that there were two bathrooms in our room (though I’m iffy about the tiles, but it’s a personal quirk — the bathrooms were clean), and to be honest, that glorious fruit basket that welcomed us when we arrived won me over.
Another thing that delighted me about Azalea was their toiletry kits. The packaging was just beautiful, it was eco-friendly (or so it says in the label), and personalized — the body lotion is made for dry and cold weather. There’s also a grooming kit (razor, comb, etc.), and it may seem like a small thing, but the toothbrush came with a COVER. A small gesture, but it meant a lot (to me anyway). In the closet, there were also sewing kits, and a shoe mitt. It’s the first time I’ve encountered a shoe mitt. I make weird attachments to the most absurd things, I know.
Coffee, cookies, and chocolate-dipped strawberries at 8 Degrees
Azalea Residences offer great packages that aims to give you the ultimate weekend getaway in Baguio. The 3-day, 2-night package includes the accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tradisyon Restaurant, half-day Baguio countryside tour, Treetop Adventure (go for the Superman!), and the clincher (for me anyway): 3-hour use of their chauffeured air-conditioned van around Baguio city.
View more photos of Azalea Residences at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Azalea Residences Baguio
Leonard Wood Loop, Bgy. M Roxas, Baguio City 2600
Reservation number: +632-579-4890 (Manila), +6374-4248716 (Baguio)
Website: www.azalea.com.ph
Injap Tower Hotel at the West Diversion Road, Iloilo City
Though I’m a fan of staying in the center where everything is walkable, I find that I don’t mind Injap Tower Hotel’s location. It’s located along the Diversion Road, which is the main highway that connects the airport to the city. It’s also right across SM City Iloilo, so if you forget to pack something, you just have to cross the road. There’s also a transport terminal there, so it’s easy to get a ride to wherever you want to go. Plazuela de Iloilo is also nearby, so you don’t have to go far to hit the bars.
Injap Tower Hotel only has one room type: Happy Room. Minimalistic in design, the rooms have two beds — one queen bed and one single. Perfect for parents traveling with kids, or friends traveling in groups. Or a solo traveler who has a bad habit of spreading everything in her backpack on all available surface.
Two beds for groups, families, or one very messy solo traveler
There’s a desk if you want to work (or eat), a kichenette with a sink, counter, and microwave for heating food or water, if you want to stay in. There’s also a flat screen TV with cable, and the hotel’s wifi is available in all the rooms (though signal can be weak, and as with any shared connection, if one guest decides to torrent, the speed for everyone else slows down).
The bathroom, while not the biggest, does not feel cramped. There is enough space for you to move around (or scrub vigorously) without bumping into the wall. There is hot water in the shower, but it can be a challenge for short people, as the water heater is placed pretty high up in the wall. However, their staff is very accommodating, so you can ask them to set the heater before your shower.
The closet, kitchenette, flat screen TV, and the happy wall
There is also ample closet space, a safe for your valuables is also included in the room. Towels and toiletries are also included in the room, but hair dryers are available upon request and comes with a Php 50 charge per day.
After a long day of sightseeing, you can relax with a swim in their pool on the 5th floor, exercise in their gym, or enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa.
Really good Hainanese chicken rice at the Horizon Cafe!
Breakfast is available at the Horizon Cafe on the 21st floor. It’s a pretty popular restaurant, not just for hotel guests, but to the Ilonggos as well. Serving Singaporean favorites, this is the place to go if you have a craving for Nyonya cuisine.
With room prices starting at Php 1,250 per night, it’s a great value hotel. If there’s three of you sharing a room, the total comes down to just Php 417 per person. How awesome is that?
More photos of Injap Tower Hotel and our Iloilo tour on the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Injap Tower Hotel
West Diversion Road, Iloilo City
Telephone: +63 33 330 7111
Website: injaptowerhotel.com.ph
When I made up my mind to start traveling in 2006, I knew I’d be going solo. As much as I would have loved to travel with my friends, I knew that it would not be possible: they have different priorities, and their money will definitely not be going to a travel fund.
With Khursten and Cla on the flight to Bangkok
In the same year that I started traveling, I also got into doll collecting. That’s how we met – Khursten was a fellow Pinky Street collector, and Cla was a Pullip collector. We would have dolly meets and conversations would center around our hobbies. As time passed, we started getting to know each other, and found out we have more in common beyond our dolls.
We all love to travel. Though I started traveling with Cla in 2009, it was only in 2013 that we were able to travel with Khursten. Funny story about how that trip came about: we were hanging out one evening, when the talk turned to how much Cla and I miss eating Bangkok street food. Khursten commented that her experience with Thai food in Bangkok was less than stellar. Right then and there, we decided to go to Bangkok just so we can prove to Khursten just how awesome Thai food is.
With Cla at Balos beach in Crete
It was mid-December then, and we chanced upon some pretty good airfare deals right around Christmas. We quickly booked our tickets, reserved our hostel. Roughly four months after that, we were Bangkok bound.
That weekend was exactly how we planned it to be – sampling the best street food Bangkok has to offer (there was a nightly food market near our favorite hostel), hunting for bargains in Chinatown, exploring the huge Chatuchak weekend market, and trying out even more food.
That’s pretty much how we end up taking trips together. In January 2013, Cla asked me out of the blue if I wanted to go to Greece. Without batting an eyelash, I hastily said yes. It was the same when she asked me if I wanted to go to Morocco. Khursten moved to Sydney mid 2013, and since I happened to be in Australia, I made sure to visit her (and give her a bottle of Vegemite). As we were catching up, she mentioned that she’ll be going to Japan to research, and eager for any reason to go to Japan, I said I’ll join her for a portion of the trip.
With Khursten at the Uradome Coast in Iwami
I love traveling with them because they’re very easy and fun to travel with. Both of them have also traveled a lot, so I never feel that I have to babysit them when we’re overseas. We all appreciate good food, and we’re not fussy when it comes to trying out something new. Best of all, if you ask them something, they’d give a definite answer, not “kahit ano,” which can get really infuriating.
I have to say I got really lucky meeting them, and having them as my travel companions. Though I’ve made other friends who are also avid travelers, I love that they can get as impulsive as I do when it comes to making travel plans, and how they’re game for the places I want to visit or the things I want to do.
My steady companion on all my travels though, are my favorite Muji products: the soft neck cushion, the hanging bath case, and the flip top tubes. I’ve had the neck cushion since 2011, and it remain as my favorite travel gear.
What about you, who’s your favorite travel companion?
Japanese lifestyle brand Muji launches Muji to Go, a campaign that puts the spotlight on Muji’s unique, functional items that are specially designed for any form of travel. Muji ensures providing the right mix of comfort through these portable and compact items. They are even great for creating and storing unforgettable travel memories with the best travel companions.
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