hotel – Jellybeans in the City

Best Manila hotels and resorts for weekend staycation

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a place where millions of people come every year. There are multiple reasons why people decide on that move. Some of them are huge buildings, amazing international and traditional specialties, welcoming locals, and so on. Yet, if you have never been to Manila before, then you probably wonder which hotel and resort are the best.

If you struggle to find the best place, we recommend you continue reading our guide. We will try to briefly analyze the best hotels in Manila and let you decide which one suits you the most. Let’s go!

Solaire Resort

Solaire Resort is one of the first-ever hotel resorts built in Manila. Yet, this old resort has a modern interior design that will make most people speechless. While staying there, you will get the chance to enjoy Red Lantern Chinese Restaurant and Macallan Whiskey Bar. Also, if you want to additionally relax, there is a luxurious spa available for all the guests of the hotel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Solaire Resort (@solaireresort)

We have left the best thing for the end. All the guests will also have the chance to test their luck at a casinothat is part of the resort. Believe it or not, the total size of the Solaire casino is around 200,000 square feet. There, you can find more than 1,200 slot machines and around 300 tables.

Indeed, you can also enjoy some great online casinos in the Philippines, like the ones mentioned on this recommended site, and enjoy gambling from the comfort of a hotel room. That way, you can avoid crowds that are usually present there but miss the opportunity to hang out with other tourists and locals. It is up to you to decide which option suits you the most.

Okada Manila

The owner of this resort is Kazuo Okada. If you want to enjoy the lavish indulgences, then this place is a great option for you. In one place, you will find a wellness center, a sun-drenched pool deck, a spa, and a casino. We have to admit the prices at this resort are a bit higher compared to the previous ones on our list.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Okada Manila (@okadamanila)

Yet, be sure that the comfort and relaxation you will get is worth every penny!

City of Dreams

Resorts like this one really do ensure that you turn some of your dreams into reality. City of Dreams is a resort that includes three different hotels. Their names are Hyatt Hotel, Nobu Hotel Manila and Nuwa Manila. This resort is located on Roxas Boulevard, one of the most luxurious destinations within the town.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by City of Dreams Manila (@cityofdreamsmanila)

For those that do not know, it is located near Manila Bay, another popular destination among tourists. A second after you reach this resort, you will notice that each of the hotels has some specific charm. Each one provides a high level of entertainment, relaxation and comfort.

EDSA Shangri-La Manila

Shangri-La Group is a business organization that possesses three luxurious hotels in Manilla. As you can guess, this is one of them. Opposite the previous hotels and resorts, this one is located in the farther north of the town. The main source of relaxation for guests is the lavish spa treatments supported by tropical flora surroundings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Edsa Shangri-La, Manila (@edsashangrila)

By reading reviews online, you can conclude on your own that this place looks like heaven!

Manila Prince Hotel

Do you want to experience the taste of old Beijing? Coming to this hotel would be a great choice for people having such a desire. You will get the chance to enjoy old Beijing food. However, that’s not all! Apart from an amazing restaurant, you will also get the chance to enjoy an outdoor pool and banquet hall.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manila Prince Hotel (@manilaprincehotel)

As part of the hotel, there is also a business center and a few meeting rooms. That means this hotel can also be a great choice for entrepreneurs and people involved in the business world. Ultimately, the hotel is pet-friendly, which allows you to have some memorable moments together with your pet.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Would you want to stay in one of the oldest resort hotels in Manila? Sofitel has a long tradition, and it has managed to keep and upgrade its quality over the years. Before everything, we have to highlight the view of Manila Bay, which is exceptional! Even people who have never been to Manila know how crowded this city is.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sofitel Manila (@sofitelmanila)

Yet, this hotel somehow managed to keep noise at a very low level. You won’t feel like you are in a huge town; the atmosphere will remind you of those small Filipino beach towns that are always quiet and peaceful. In addition, guests can enjoy the spa and pool during the entire day.

We have tried to highlight the resorts that will meet everyone’s tastes and expectations. Each one has a specific charm, which is why they deserve to be on this list. Whichever resort you choose, be sure your weekend will be full of joy, relaxation and entertainment!

Get the #LubdExperience at Lub d Makati (because you didn’t come for the normal)

Whether you’re a foreigner backpacking in the Philippines and looking for a place to serve as your “base of operations” while you’re touring the capital, a domestic traveler who wants to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the metro’s busiest district or an urbanite who’s seeking for a change of scenery, Lub d Makati is the place for you.

The biggest hostel in the Philippines, Lub d Makati is part of the Lub d hotel chain which also has presence in other buzz-worthy Asian destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand, and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Its concept reimagines the experience of traveling, whether you’re on a solo trip or wandering with your buddies. Lub d prides itself on giving its guests a memorable and comfortable stay as they dive into the local scene.

Center of the action

Located along Makati Avenue in Makati City, the hostel is conveniently located near the high rises of the central business district as well as shopping malls that house dining and entertainment establishments such as movie theaters, restaurants, designer shops and supermarkets.

It’s within walking distance from Poblacion, Makati’s cultural and heritage district, as well as a short ride away from Bonifacio Global City (where you can find some of the hottest night spots) to the east and Old Manila (where you can immerse in the old capital’s colonial history) to the west.

Comfy stay

After a busy day of touring the metro, you can take your rest at your choice from Lub d Makati’s 153 private rooms and ten shared rooms.

Indulge yourself in an air-conditioned private sanctuary in a Deluxe Room which comes with either a king-size bed or a two single beds, as well as an en-suite bathroom with toiletries and hair-dryer. Other amenities include: keycard system, TV, power outlet, safety box and complimentary coffee and tea.

Until July 31, 2022, you and a companion can enjoy a stay at a Deluxe King Room with complimentary breakfast and internet for just Php1,999.

Digital nomads can also use a Deluxe Room during the day (9am to 5pm) for remote work or for day trips in the city for just Php1,999.

Traveling with family or a small group of friends? A Barkada Room provides your group with an air-conditioned private retreat with a king-size bed or two single beds plus two single bunk beds, along with an en-suite bathroom. Other amenities include: safety box, TV, a mini-fridge and complimentary kettle and coffee.

If you’re traveling with a larger group of people you can opt for a Mixed Dorm Room which comes with eight bunk beds so you can enjoy time togather yet retreat into your private space, thanks to privacy curtains and reading lights. Other amenities include: shared bathroom with towels and toiletries, as well as a wardrobe with lockers.

Do more at The Space

Besides providing you with a space to rest your head for the night, Lub d also provides you with venues for other activities and to meet new friends. Its second floor houses The Space which has meeting rooms for conferences, a WiFi-equipped co-working space for remote work as well as common area where you can hang out and play games with fellow guests.

Taste global flavors with Pinoy flair

Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss the great eats that Lub d’s roodeck bar and restaurant, Essential goodness for Pilgrims, has in store for you.

You can have your meal at the deck where you can enjoy the amazing view of the Makati skyline…

…or you can enjoy your meal in the lush comfort of its posh interiors.

As Lub d’s Cluster General Manager Reycie Gutierrez puts it, the restaurant is guided by the philosophy of food being essential as the nourishment that fuels everyday lives and provides the feeling of satisfaction.

Helming the kitchen is Chef Jinggoy Fernando who translates this philosophy through an updated menu for the restaurant that introduces Filipino food to foreigners. His team achieves this by adding a Filipino twist to typically western dishes or ingredients.

This is also a great way to introduce Pinoys to new ways to enjoy old favorites, such as in the restaurant’s latest offerings:

Mushroom Chicharon. Crispy oyster mushrooms served with a tangy ranch sauce.

Nachos. House-made nacho chips with a side of fresh gracamole, pica de gallo and calamansi crema.

Garlic Bread. A new experience of spreading roasted garlic on buttered toast and sprinkling a bit of flaky salt for an explosion of flavor.

Bicol Express Wings. Chicken wings covered in a spicy coconut milk sauce served with charred lemon for a bit of zest with each bite.

Bistek Tagalog Sliders. Grilled 100% beef patties with calamansi mayo and topped with caramelized onions and local cheese in fluffy toasted buns.

Soft Shell Crab Palabok. Thin rice noodles covered with palabok sauce and topped with a soft shell crab, served with a charred lemon for zest.

Sisig Fried Rice. A variation of the Pinoy staple sinangag (garlic fried rice) mixed with house-made sisig (chopped pork cheeks sauteed in chilis and onions), topped with scrambled egg.

Salted Egg Tostada. House-made crispy flat tortilla topped with bits of salted egg and cucumber salad with citrus dressing.

Corned Crispy Pata. Brined pork trotters which are deep-fried then served with soy vinegar dipping sauce.

Desserts include Pandan Cheesecake with mango coulis and Tres Leches Bread Pudding with vanilla sauce.

Refreshing drinks include house-made Four Seasons and Iced Tea.

No matter what kind of traveler you are, make Lub d Makati one of your stops for a truly extraordinary and memorable adventure here in the metro. After all, you didn’t come for the normal, did you?

Lub D Makati is located at 7820 Makati Avenue, Brgy Poblacion, Makati City, Philippines.

For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 85416358 or email contact.makati@lubd.com.

Know more about Lub D Makati at its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held here. Food items mentioned in this post were served free of charge to facilitate this feature.

Basking in Bali: Our sojourn at Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort

Bali, located between the isles of Java and Lombok in Indonesia is said to be the island of gods. From its towering mountains covered with lush forests that give way to verdant rice paddies and glittering shorelines, Bali is definitely blessed with nature’s wonders.

Its populace is no less unique; while most of Indonesians are Muslims, the Balinese are predominantly Hindu, and are expressive of their spirituality, not just through prayer but also in the form of structures and iconography that provide interest their surroundings as well as through other vibrant works of art.

Bali’s premier resort area, Nusa Dua, is located in the southern part of the island. Its name translates to two islands which refer to the two headlands found just off the peninsula’s coast.

Within this 350-hectare upscale enclave are twenty-plus resorts catering to tourists and visitors, one of which is Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort.

This award-winning hotel is one of Courtyard by Marriott’s 1360 properties across 65 countries. This upscale brand caters to business and leisure travelers by providing quality comfort.

This is where Hubby and I stayed during our trip to Bali to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

A luxurious hotel stay

Everything about Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort speaks of luxury in touch with nature.

Upon entering its driveway, we were welcomed with verdant green grass dotted with statues.

Its sprawling lobby is cool, airy and surrounded by water, adding to the relaxing atmosphere hat welcomes the resort’s guests.

Its lagoon-like swimming pool meanders along the outdoor seats of the resort’s on-site restaurant, Momo Cafe. Here, guests can lounge while enjoying their meals or taking a dip in the pool.

Our air-conditioned deluxe room is furnished with a king-size bed topped witu plush pillows and a comfy duvet.

It is also furnished with a sitting area for resting as well as a desk bureau for working (which, thankfully, were few and far between during our vacay).

The marble bathroom is equipped with a shower and toilet, as well as a hairdryer, robe, slippers and Nirvae bath products for our use during our stay.

Our room has a balcony that overlooks the pool area. I found it a perfect spot to read a book or enjoy the Bali evening breeze.

The room is also equipped with high-speed wireless internet, a 32-inch LED TV with cable channels, as well as a radio.

Other amenities provided to make our stay nice and comfy include:

Alarm clock
In-room safe
Iron and ironing board
Complimentary bottled water
Coffee maker and tea service

Should we wish for some work off a few pounds, the hotel’s gym is equipped with treadmills and other exercise machines.

The hotel’s C Spa offers a wide range of Balinese massage and beauty treatments, administered by expert therapists.

Well, Hubby and I didn’t travel all the way to Bali just to stay indoors, right? So off we went to Nusa Dua Beach to enjoy the sand, surf and the sun.

Here, the resort operates a Beach Club that provides beverages and snacks to guests.

With these comfortable and luxurious amenities, as well as the excellent service of its staff, our stay Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort helped make our anniversary sojourn of #BaskingInBali one of the books!

Nearby tourist attractions

Being a resort hub, Nusa Dua is filled with sites and establishments that appeal to tourists which are all within a short and easy walking distance from the hotel (or an even shorter and easier ride in the shuttle!)

Strolling around is no problem for Hubby and myself, thanks to Nusa Dua’s comfortable walkways lined with lush greenery and tastefully graced with Balinese architectural structures and mythic sculptures.

We also got a little dose of retail therapy at the Bali Collection. It is a commercial hub enveloped with touches of nature, housing an extensive collection of outlet stores and local merchants that offer great finds and exciting deals.

We were also pretty lucky that our stay coincided with the Nusa Dua Light Festival.

Organized by the Indonesia Tourism Coincil, it is the biggest lantern festival in Bali, featuring a spectacle of lights and lanterns to be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.

Good eats in the vicinity

Nusa Dua is also home to great restaurants so epicureans will be able to go on a gastronomic adventure without having to venture far from the hotel.

Momo Cafe

Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort’s on-site restaurant’s offers convenient all-day dining with indoor and al fresco seating.

For the duration of our stay, Hubby and I started our day with a scrumptious fusion continental and local cuisines through our complimentary breakfast buffet.

On our last night, we treated ourselves to a Babi Guling buffet dinner, highlighting Bali’s version of the suckling roast pig, the Babi Guling.

Other Balinese delicacies that we were able to try include the Ayam Betutu (Balinese Spice Chicken), Tambusan Be Pasih (Baked Snapper in Base Genep), Be Sampi Menyayat (Slow Simmer Balinese Spiced Beef), Sate Lilit (Balinese Minced Seafood Sate), Lawar Kacang (Green Bean Salad) and Jujut Urab (Balinese Cold Tossed Vegetables with Coconut Dressing).

While eating, we were also serenaded with live acoustic music.

Spicy Geg Indonesian Kitchen

Hubby and I found a restaurant in a commercial hub just outside the hotel that serves light Indonesian fare.

The tropical feel of Nusa Dua was brought indoors, thanks to the wood and rattan furniture and the vibrant palm print walls and lush hanging plants with a bit of contrast from the restaurant’s marble bar and gold fixtures.

At Spicy Geg, we continued our exploration of local cuisines with our delicious orders of Nasi Goreng Rendang (Beef Rendang with Rice), Ikan Tuna Bakar (Tuna dish from North Sulawesi) and Sate Rembige Lombok (Beef and Chicken Skewers).

Kagura Authentic Japanese Cuisine

Hubby and I also discovered a piece of Tokyo right in the heart of Nusa Dua.

We took a breather from our explorations ny having lunch at the trendy yet cozy Kagura Authentic Japanese Cuisine.

We wasted no time ordering our Japanese food faves such as Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Maki, Katsudon and Ebi Tempura.

Easily go on an Ubud Tour

We took advantage of Nusa Dua’s proximity to many well-known tourist spots by hiring a van to take us on a tour around the Ubud region.

Highlights of this tour include watching the Barong and Keris Dance, a visit to enclaves of batik and jewelry artists in Batuan, lunch overlooking a cliff at Batur Sari Resto, coffee and tea tasting at Alam Bali Agriculture, exploring the Sebatu Temple, viewing the Tegalallang Rice Terraces and, finally, a seaside dinner at Ayu Bali Resto.

More deets on our jam-packed day trip to Ubud here.

Want to have a similar adventure of #BaskingInBali? Book your stay via Klook today!

Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort is located at Kawasan Pariwisata Lot SW1, Nusa Dua, Bali 80363 Indonesia.

Disclosure: Our Bali trip happened before the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to know more about what to expect at Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort.

Valentine’s Day celebrations at the New World Makati Hotel

New World Makati Hotel beckons couples for a romantically indulgent all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner at Café 1228 on 14 February, as well as a decadent array of swoon-worthy sweet treats at The Shop, ideal as gifts for that special someone.

Romantic Indulgence at Café 1228

Couples are in for a delightfully decadent dining experience as Café 1228 offers an extensive all-you-can-eat a la carte selection on 14 February for lunch or dinner. The restaurant’s signature slow roast prime ribeye, Rosemary lamb chops, Pork cassoulet, Braised leg of lamb in red wine, and Seared salmon with parmesan crisp and dill cream sauce are just some of the enticing items guests can enjoy along with a complimentary glass of red, white or sparkling wine.

Salads and light bites to start off the gustatory experience are Parma ham with brie and grape chutney, Cambozola with roasted cherry tomatoes on pesto crostini and Salami Milano with cocktail onions, beet cured salmon, horseradish, dill and cornichons, to name a few.

Seafood served hot-off-the-grill include shrimps, blue crabs, clams and mussels prepped with an array of sauces – garlic butter, salt and pepper, garlic and cheese, white wine, and sweet chili. These would go nicely with the Italian selection of pasta and pizza such as Pesto cream, Puttanesca, Marinara, and Carbonara sauces, as well as Frutti di mare, Margherita, Parma ham arugula, and Mediterranean vegetable, respectively.

For desserts, there is Truffle cake, Strawberry shortcake, Bread and butter pudding, Mandarin crème brulee, Mango sago pudding, White chocolate sable, Chocolate bonbons, and more.

Delectable Chinese, Japanese, regional, and local dishes complete the indulgent spread.

Valentine’s Day lunch is priced at PHP1,188 nett, while dinner is PHP2,500 nett.

Swoon-worthy Sweet Treats at The Shop

Sweets special someone are available at The Shop. Decadent treats such as a box of six dark chocolate and lemon-flavored Madeleines (PHP350), a box of ten Lavender-infused cocoa truffles (PHP1,000), a box of four large Mandola cookies (PHP450) and a one-pound or petite-sized Strawberry Rose Cake (PHP1,600) and (PHP450) are sure ways to make hearts and tastebuds flutter with delight. All prices are nett.

For information and reservations, guests may call New World Makati Hotel at +63 2 88116888 ext. 3679, send a Viber message at +63 9178884194, or send an email.

Those interested can stay updated and follow New World Makati Hotel’s social media accounts, on Facebook and on Instagram.

About New World Hotel Makati

The hotel is located directly across Greenbelt, the country’s premier lifestyle shopping center. It is also nine kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and within steps of many embassies, as well as Manila’s top business addresses and upscale shopping venues.

Details as well as photos for header and The Shop were provided in a recent press release.

Four reasons to dine in style at New World Hotel’s Cafe 1228

As we near the end of the tumultuous year of 2020, we should celebrate whatever joy and success we were able to wrest for ourselves, right?

After all, while there may have been many upheavals this year, we still made it through.

So let’s celebrate in grand style, shall we? Here are four reasons why we should do so at New World Makati Hotel’s Cafe 1228.

1) You can dine-in luxuriously.

The restaurant’s sprawling, airy and well-appointed premises are sure to get you in the mood to linger awhile, spending time with family and friends over good food.

2) You can dine-in safely.

With the restaurant’s recent reopening, it already adopted safety procedures and protocols for the New Normal under New World Makati Hotel Commitment to Care Care Health and Safety Program. The hotel, including all of its restaurants and facilities, are in compliance with the standards of its international owning company, Rosewood Hotel Group. Further intensified sanitation and safety protocols are set in place guided by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More details on this program here.

Foremost among these standards involves Cafe 1228 revamping its dining-in concept from an all-you-can-eat buffet to one that’s more in line with the New Normal: an order-all-you-can ala carte service.

Instead of filling your plate as you go from station to station, you instead select your choices from a well-curated list of Western and regional fare. You can order anything that’s on the menu as often as you can during dining hours.

3) You can dine-in deliciously.

Cafe 1228 brings the ultimate feast to discriminating diners. Your orders from the menu are all prepared ala minute and served to you at your table in solo portions, fresh and hot from the restaurant’s five cooking stations.

These include:

Hot off-the-grill. Let out your inner carnivore with freshly grilled dishes such as Lamb Brochette, Rosemary Chicken, Mahi-mahi in Kaffir Lime and Olive Oil, Herb and Garlic Marinated Beef Striploin, Pork Spareribs in garlic, calamansi, fish sauce, and Hungarian Sausage.

Fresh seafood cooked in five ways. Shrimps, clams, and blue crabs cooked with a choice of garlic butter, salt and pepper, Singaporean style, in white wine sauce or baked with garlic and cheese.

Pizzas and pastas, all cooked to order. Get a taste of Italy with pizzas such as Frutti de Mare, Parma Ham with Feta Cheese, Mushroom and Four Cheese, Margherita, and Mediterranean Vegetable. Have al dente spaghetti or penne noodles served with your choice from pesto cream, puttanesca, marinara and carbonara sauces.

Regional and local faves from Japanese, Chinese and Pinoy cuisines. Have a food trip around the country and Asia with assorted sashimi and sushi rolls, Wok-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Pork Buns and Lechon Belly Rice.

Appetizers and salads to pair with mains. Start your meal with Jamon Serrano with Manchego on Toast or with Toast topped with Parma Ham, Burnt Peach and Goat Cheese Foam.

Sugary treats for dessert lovers. End your meal on a sweet note with a wide variety of confections that include Chocolate Truffle Cake, Spiced Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Mixed Berry Trifle, Bread and Butter Pudding and Puto Bumbong.

Refreshing beverages of your choice. Take your pick from among fresh fruit and vegetable juices, healthy drinks, smoothies, icy teas and beers.

This ultimate feast is available for lunch from Thursdays to Sundays and dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays. The dining outlet will also be open all week from 21-27 December 2020 due to popular demand.

4) You can dine-in on an irresistible deal.

The all-you-can-eat feast at Cafe 1228 is offered for lunch at PHP2,400 on Thursdays and Fridays and PHP2,988 on Saturdays and Sundays. For dinner, it is priced at PHP2,600 on Thursdays and PHP2,988 on Fridays and Saturdays (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day).

From December 21 to 23, the same rate for Thursdays applies: PHP2,400 for lunch and PHP2,600 for dinner.

50% off applies for Club Epicure & BDO credit cardholders at Cafe 1228. Club Epicure membership is FREE and comes with an array of exclusive discounts and privileges for dining offers, and will include room stays once staycations are accepted at the hotel.

For table reservations, guests can call +63 2 88116888 ext. 3679, send a message on Viber at +63 917 8884194 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.

This Christmas, indulge yourself and your loved ones a bit with a welcome change of scenery and a sumptuous feast at New World Hotel Makati’s Cafe 1228.

New World Makati Hotel is a world-class deluxe hotel located in the heart of Makati. With a thoroughly modern vibe and hints of Oriental influence, the hotel features 580 guestrooms and suites with Residence Club executive floor accommodation, a business center, sophisticated dining options, a well-equipped fitness center with sauna and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and 1,800 square meters of dynamic function space for meetings and conferences. The hotel is located directly across Greenbelt, the country’s premier lifestyle shopping center. It is also nine kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and within steps of many embassies, as well as Manila’s top business addresses and upscale shopping venues.

Disclosure: Together with fellow food bloggers, I was invited to sample Cafe 1228’s ultimate feast. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to taste the fare to facilitate our honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Maximize your eat-all-you-can experience. Check out my survival guide.

Check out my blog posts on other buffet restaurants in the Metro:

5 reasons why Novotel is your family’s staycation destination

Now that the holiday rush is over, I felt that the family deserves a treat. That’s why we hied off to Novotel Manila Araneta Center for our first family staycation.

This hotel is the first Novotel in the country. Situated in the hectic commercial district of Cubao, it provides a haven where the metro’s denizens and visitors alike can enjoy great food and outstanding accommodations.

There is a quite a number of hotels in the city but let me give you five reasons why Novotel is your family’s staycation destination.

One: Luxurious comfort in simple yet elegant surroundings

Upon entering Novotel’s well-appointed lobby, we were enveloped by a sense of welcome: from the clean lines and soft lighting of the interiors, soft music playing in the background, the hassle-free check-in process and the friendly assistance from the hotel staff – especially towards my inquisitive little boy – we were impressed by the feeling of warm hospitality and comfort.

We opted for a Superior Twin Bed Room, perfect for our family of four. It is tastefully designed to have a modern yet homey feel with earth colors accented by cool blues and greens. The beds have nice firm matresses covered in cool and smooth white linen sheets that made me want to snuggle in under the covers with my kiddies while watching movies on the big-screen TV. The couch by the window is also the perfect place to catch up on my reading.

A spacious closet is on hand to store clothes and other personal belongings with a mini-fridge built-in with complimentary bottles of drinking water for the guests’ convenience.

If you forgot to bring your personal items, don’t fret because Novotel supplies guests with eco-friendly toiletries in keeping with the hotel’s advocacy for global sustainable development.

Two: A wide variety of exercise and recreation options

As he is already a pre-teen, my little boy eschewed the the hotel’s Kids Club and headed straight for the pool. There, he was able to splash around to his heart’s content. (And I was able to teach him how to float!)

Hubby, on the other hand, preferred to continue his workouts at In Balance, the hotel gym the next day. Equipped with various exercise equipment, the gym is an excellent option to burn off those calories.

I joined him for a while and worked on achieving my 10k steps on the treadmill.

Afterwards, we each retreated to the male and female locker rooms to get a relaxing steam bath before rejoining the kiddos in the hotel room.

Three: A myriad of food choices within the hotel

When we hied ourselves over here, we brought our appetites with us; fortunately, Novotel has a great selection of restaurants to satisfy our cravings.

Take Food Exchange, for example. The site for sumptuous lunches and dinners became our first stop for breakfast after a restful night.

Food Exchange, Novotel Manila Araneta Center

It featured a wide sampling of breakfast and dessert dishes from various cuisines. I absolutely adored the kind of cheesebread served; I’ve only tasted this kind of fluffy, sweet and salty pastries when I went on a Pampanga Food Crawl with my fellow bloggers last year. It’s perfectly matched with a cup of rich hot choco.

My little boy was over the moon for getting his favorite food – pizzas! – for breakfast. The fact that he ate them immediately after downing a bowl of milk and cereal still astounds me.

Indulge, the hotel’s ice cream bar, was my kiddos’ request from Day 1. And why not? We made sure to treat ouselves to some decadent gelatos and premium ice creams before we left the hotel.

Alas, a nightcap at Sabor Bar de Vinos with Hubby would have to wait until our next visit. He would surely love its distinguished wine collection, while I would love to sink my teeth into its signature tapas.

Other foodie destinations within the hotel that I’d like to explore include the Gourmet Bar, a 24/7 lounge and and laid-back restaurant serving a gamut of dishes from breakfast treats, power lunches to midnight munchies, and The 6th Pool Bar, a relaxing venue where people can unwind beside the pool while enjoying the bar’s signature drinks and snacks.

Four: Proximity to various points of culture

This part of Quezon City is simply awash with things to see and places to go to.

You can catch concerts and theatrical plays at the Kia Performing Arts Theater, while a short distance away is the Art in Island Museum where visitors can take their pictures against wondrous 3D backdrops.

Within the immediate vicinity is Sining Kamalig, a contemporary Filipino art gallery within Ali Mall, which has become the home of works by the country’s finest artists.

A little further off are university-based galleries Arete in Ateneo de Manila University and and Vargas Museum in the University of the Philippines. Both have extensive collections of native and contemporary art.

Five: It’s loyalty program will make you feel welcome each time you stay.

By signing up as a member of Le Club AccorHotels, you will earn rewards points and status points for every stay at any of the 3,600 hotels in 100 countries where the AccorHotels group operates. Rewards and experiences that await you include premium packages reserved exclusively for members, frequent flyer points with major airlines and other partners, unforgettable experiences such as attendance to sports and cultural events in A VIP box.

As a new member, I was able enjoy online check-in and fast checkout, making the whole experience of our family staycation completely hassle-free.

My family and I had a great time with our staycation in Novotel, and we would definitely be back to enjoy more of its offerings.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is located along General Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta Center, Quezon City. For inquiries, call +63 2 9907888. For more details, visit novotelmanilaaranetacenter.com. You may also book your stay via Klook!

Room rates for 1-2 persons are:

Superior Room: Php6,641 (room only) | Php7,274 (bed and breakfast)
Deluxe Room: Php7,274 (room only) | Php7,906 (bed and breakfast)
Executive Room: Php9,804 (bed and breakfast)
Executive Suite: Php12,966 (bed and breakfast)
Presidential Suite: Php189,750 (bed and breakfast)
Additional person: Php1,265 (room only) | Php1,898 (bed and breakfast)

Disclosure: My family and I enjoyed a complimentary stay in a Superior Room, thanks to a voucher I received from the hotel.

Spend your holiday at Bayview Park Hotel Manila, “your home by the bay”

Roxas Boulevard is a historic avenue, being near to many culturally significant landmarks such as the Rizal Monument, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Malate Church, the Manila Zoo, the Walled City of Intramuros and more.

Checking these sites out or simply enjoying Manila Bay’s famous sunset might be in your holiday wish list but Metro Manila’s severe traffic situation, especially during the holiday rush, can be quite a hindrance.

Why not explore Roxas Boulevard and its nearby attractions to your heart’s content, on Christmas or New Year’s Eve even, with no need to worry about the drive home by staying at Bayview Park Hotel Manila?

Priding itself on being “your home by the bay,” Bayview Park Hotel Manila offers you the comforts of home while giving you easy access to the bayside’s myriad attractions, especially during the holiday season.

Sate your hunger from a day of wandering and get on with the merrymaking with the hotel’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve Festivity Dinner. At only Php950 (net) per person, you can indulge in an all you can eat dinner buffet with a free-flowing selection of cocktail drinks from 7pm to 11pm on December 24 and 31.

Choose one of its 283 well-appointed guest rooms, beautifully furnished with a balance of space, function and design, for your holiday haven. Here, you can rest in ease and comfort after a day of sightseeing and festivities.

And with the hotel’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve Festivity Package, you can enjoy a restful stay in one of these tastefully furnished rooms (with free Wifi connection for the “always-on” types) at even more affordable rates: Php5,888 (net) for a Superior Room and Php6,888 (net) for a Deluxe Room. The package includes overnight accommodation (maximum of four persons: two adults and two kids), buffet breakfast for two, Festivity Dinner for two, Late Checkout until 2pm as well as free use of the hotel’s facilities (including the fitness center and the roofdeck pool).

Revel in its festive holiday decor. I’m sure the kids you’re with (and the kid in you!) will find joy in the hotel’s surroundings, especially its cheery Christmas Tree at the hotel lobby.

Who knows? You just might see the hotel’s bear mascot wandering around to spread cheer and holiday wishes to the guests.

Spending the holidays at “your home by the bay” can make the experience even more enjoyable and memorable!

Bayview Park Hotel Manila is a 3-star hotel located at 1118 Roxas Boulevard corner United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila. With a 75-year history as the preferred destination for both leisure and business travelers, it provides unparalleled service and exclusive privileges for its guests at affordable and friendly rates.

To book your room or reserve a table, call +63 2 5261555 or email bookings@bayviewparkhotel.com.

For more details, visit www.bayviewparkhotel.com.

Disclosure: Photos of rooms and “I Love Bayview” as well as information on the Festivity Room Package and Dinner were provided by Bayview Park Hotel Manila. All other images are mine, taken during the 2018 Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony which I was invited to attend.