Category Archives: Reviews

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

Posted on June 3, 2011 by SF| 3 Comments

My mom would claim that my love affair with hotels began with the The Peninsula Manila Hotel. While she was pregnant with me then very shortly after I was born and all through my early years, getaways to this five star hotel was a regular weekend occurrence.

I remember being very young, my yaya keeping a watchful eye on me to ensure I didn’t get into any mischief as I childishly explored the marbled halls. I remember gazing at a fantastic ice sculpture of a swan in the middle of the buffet table. And I remember the Swiss / German / Italian chefs taking pity on my suffering parents, allowing them to have a romantic dinner in peace, while they took me on a culinary tour of the hotel kitchens for the umpteenth time!

Now I’m 27 and back for more. No more toddling around after the head chefs. More like partying it out in Makati with friends before crawling back to the lobby past midnight, being pleasantly surprised to find the orchestra still playing for guests. Couldn’t let the perfect end to the night slip away, so we grabbed a table in the lobby, had a few snacks, sobered up with an amazing cup of hot chocolate and listened to the live classical music play on until 4 am.

What can I say? This love affair just keeps on growing.

The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues,
Makati, Manila,
Philippines 1226

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged asia, hotel, makati, manila, peninsula, philippines, Reviews

Manila Pavillon Hotel

Posted on June 2, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

So my mom booked us into the Manila Pavillon Hotel accidentally, thinking she was booking us into -the- Manila Hotel. Different leagues really, but a chance for a random experience. Not a good one, but an experience nonetheless. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

After I just mention that the hotel room book was a re-used Holiday Inn Hotel Room book…now you know what you’ll be in for:

Restaurant looks modern, but the food is poor and buffet not well taken cared of. While having dinner I overheard another customer complain about flies around the sushi bar.

Looks pretty. Pity it tasted like cardboard. No substance. The results of the restaurant gave me the impression it was a a training ground for very inexperienced chefs.

View of Manila Hotel from Manila Pavillon Hotel. So near yet so far. Dear mom, please book me in the correct hotel next time. OKthnxloveyoubaibai!

Manila Pavillon ~~Hotel~~ More like Motel!
United Nations Avenue,
Corner Ma. Orosa Str.,
Ermita, Manila,
Luzon 1000, Philippines

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews

Tagged hotel, manila, pavillon, philippines, Reviews

Blue Bay Waters Beach Resort

Posted on October 6, 2010 by SF| 14 Comments

The trip back to the Philippines this year has definitely had some impact on the direction of my life. It was over a telephone conversation to Mr H back in the UK that I realised that I was really happy here. I mean, really really happy. When people say you should do what makes you happy, being by the beach definitely trips that switch.

This is where my dad put me (at two weeks old!) into the sea (I like to think that was my baptism). This is where I grew up. And this is where I got married.

I am so glad that when my brother and I left the nest my mom went home to the Philippines to start up her beach resort, Blue Bay Waters in Sariaya, Quezon. Not only is she doing what she loves, but she has created a home not only for us, but for weary travellers looking for some peace while exploring the beautiful provinces of the Philippines.

A totally family run business, we enjoy experimenting with the possibilities :) Some of us spent some time fooling about with the internet connections and Wifi. Bundok style! Of course, we had to. Our generation are all techies and can’t be that far from the internet. Glad to say there’s Wifi everywhere now, in the cottages and by the beach! Yar! *geeky pleasure*

Our beautiful beach at low tide and the gorgeous views. It’s so sweet to watch the guests’ children run around the dunes, picking up seashells and squealing in delight when they see a tiny fish or sand crab skittering about. Reminds me of me when I was a kid ^_^

It was great to see our family and friends again. We caught up with the happenings of each others lives while swimming and over good food, drinks, karaoke and even amazing lightning over the sea.

This was the view of the beach when I went out for some early morning surf. It was like the world was saying: Good morning!

Coming home is nothing without the amazing food. I ate so much seafood it was ridiculous. Even better than the seafood you get in some hotels in Manila. Lobsters, shrimps, squid, crab everywhere. And then all the filipino goodies like tocino, adobo, crispy pata…

I need to go back. Just waiting to find out what’s happening in the next 6-8 months before booking another ticket. And then hopefully one day, that ticket will be one way.

Booking Details:
Website: http://www.bluebaywaters.com
Chat on Yahoo Msger: bluebaywaters
Tel No: (042) 716-1450
Mobile: # 09089916526 and # 09083456300
Email: sales@bluebaywaters.com & bluebaywaters@yahoo.com

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged asia, beach, blue bay waters, holiday, philippines, quezon, resort, sariaya, Travel, vacation

Holiday Inn Galleria

Posted on September 25, 2010 by SF| 4 Comments

As stated on the previous post, I enjoy hotel living. When I’m Manila I tend to stay at Holiday Inn Galleria.

You should know that I love my hotels and I’m a loyal customer. When the head chef remembers you running around the breakfast buffet at 10 yrs old and has enjoyed watching you grow up… and remembers your grandmother when she sat with you.

Say hi to Chef Bien for me if you see him :) He’s always there, usually frying up omelette, sunny side ups or treating people to Taho at the breakfast buffet.

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila
1 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City 1655
Philippines
+63 2 633 7111

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged accommodation, asia, galleria, holiday inn, hotel, manila, philippines, robisons, Travel & Walks

Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza, Manila

Posted on September 23, 2010 by SF| 2 Comments

Growing up travelling to different countries, I have grown to feel at home in hotels. And if you are a regular reader, you will know how much I enjoy restaurants. So, finding an excellent hotel restaurant is something I can’t not blog about.

Seven Corners at Crowne Plaza, Manila was very impressive. After dining in their relaxed, but elegant atmosphere in the early days of my holiday I had to return before I flew back to the UK.

Their dinner buffet was a huge selection of dining experiences: a pasta station, fresh seafood, pizza / bread bakery and wonderful smelling curries. I could barely get half-way through the dishes (I really tried!). Including the best rib eye roast I have had in a long time.

The service was friendly, but not overly much, which is a plus. Last thing I need is someone standing nervously by my elbow waiting to top up my water glass. It’s happened before in other restaurants in the Philippines and is…awkward.

The only downside was I wasn’t too impressed with the wine selection. Maybe I’m not looking at the right places, but -really- good wine is hard to come by in Manila. Of course given the opportunity I would like to taste more of what they have in store to be proven wrong. ;)

The Cost: Well, pricey compared to other Philippine restaurants, but very reasonable compared to European fine dining. The selection and the quality of the food has beat any buffet I have had in years.

Hoping to dine there again next year!

Seven Corners
Ortigas Avenue Corner Adb Avenue,
Quezon City, Philippines
+63 2 633 7222

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Posted in Dining Out, Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged buffet, crowne plaza, dinner, dish, holiday, hotel, meal, menu, philippines, Travel & Walks

Keswick & Oakthwaite House

Posted on March 5, 2010 by SF| 7 Comments

With everything going on in our lives at the moment, Mr H and I definitely needed a getaway. After living in the UK for almost six years I was ashamed to say I had not yet visited the Lake District so I took this opportunity to check that box.

We stayed in Oakthwaite House, a lovely little Bed and Breakfast recommended by the many good reviews I found on the internet. I was happy to say I was not disappointed at all. The owners are a friendly couple, who not only maintain this pretty little cottage, cook one of the best breakfasts in the world (the homemade granola pot is to die for!) but are also knowledgeable in the walks around the Lake District. When we mentioned we were going up Blencathra they suggested the routes for us, where was best to park and what to look forward to. There were many little treats for travellers such as chocolates, biscuits, tea and coffee in the room, goodie bags, brochures/maps and a good DVD collection if you just want to stay in for the evening.

The beautiful view of Skiddaw from our room.

After tasting the breakfast on the first day, I was looking forward to the next. Note: when they say large on the menu, they mean LARGE. Thankfully we burned it all off with our hiking.

Oakthwaite House

Keswick centre

Keswick is full of lovely little shops for artists, tea lovers, jewellry addicts and hikers.

What we looked forward to after our climb (besides the hot shower).

Oakthwaite House
35 Helvellyn Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 4EP
Telephone 017687 72398
http://www.oakthwaite-keswick.com/

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Posted in England, Great Outdoors, Reviews

Tagged accommodation, b&b, bed and breakfast, britain, countryside, england, keswick, lake district, oakthwaite house, the lakes, Travel & Walks, weekend getaway

Coco Beach, Puerto Galera

Posted on November 12, 2009 by SF| 12 Comments

Coco Beach, Puerto Galera. Let us let the photos do the talking.

All in all a brilliant trip for us newlyweds, except as I said before, I don’t travel almost 18hrs from Europe to eat the European version of Chicken and Pork Adobo. I missed proper Filipino food (like in Quezon!). Oh, if you do visit, visit the spa and ask for a massage from Jo. That guy is amazing! I have spent £50-£100+ for massages here in the UK and none of them come as close to amazing as the ones from magic Jo. All the stress…what stress?

On another note, the irritating thing about resorts and areas like Puerto Galera and Boracay are the vendors, who follow you around. Seriously, when I say ‘no’, I mean ‘NO!’.

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged asia, beach, coco beach, holiday, honeymoon, island, oriental mindoro, philippines, puerto galera, resort, vacation

Pueblo por la Playa

Posted on November 6, 2009 by SF| 12 Comments

The way I like my weddings organised, I hate surprises, because they tend to be of the worst kind. Thankfully there were good surprises too, like a surprise invitation from my ninong (godfather) to stay at his beach resort the day after my wedding. A chance for me to relax and not worry about having to organise anymore weddings…because they were done now! Yaaay!

When we rolled up to Pueblo por la Playa (the village by the sea), we were given a lovely view of the cute mexican villas, which served as accommodation for the guests. They came in happy colours of red, blues and yellows. And when I caught the first glimpse of the beach and pool, I knew that I was finally on holiday.

After a hearty lunch and a few hours of swimming in the pools and jumping around in the sea, I abandoned Mr H to his jetski antics to get some well needed rest in one of the villas. They were pure luxury. I just dove into bed and hid beneath the quilts for an hour or so.

When I woke up my ninong’s generosity knew no bounds. He requested us to stay for dinner, but we tried to negotiate on just a merienda. We were so full from lunch! They took orders first for our merienda, but what came next was an extra 2-3 courses “just to taste”. Hah! The food was delicious and the service, excellent. I was happy to forget any sort of diet by this point.

We reluctantly left this little getaway, knowing that our transport to Puerto Galera would be arriving in the early hours the next morning, but with a promise to definitely return soon.

Update: For bookings, my best contact is below:

Mobile: # 09089916526 and # 09083456300 and # 09392453333

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged beach, family, getaway, holiday, lucena, philippines, pueblo por la playa, quezon, resort, vacation

Blue Bay Waters Beach Resort

Posted on November 4, 2009 by SF| 11 Comments

As is usual, I relax the most when I am home in Blue Bay Waters Beach Resort. I grew up in Sariaya, Quezon, spending my weekdays studying in Manila and vanishing to this beautiful getaway every weekend. My mom managed resorts before we flew away to Switzerland. Now that me and my brother have vacated the nest, she has gone back home to her passion.

I love that the resort is family run. Yes, sometimes the power goes out for a few hours, the cow gets into the garden and the aircon needs a kick now and then to get working. But this is what it’s like at the hacienda and I don’t want to be anywhere else.

The food is like from mom’s own kitchen and the greeting is like a warm hug, welcoming you home. Quezon gets bad rep in the news for NPA activities, but I find it to just be scaremongering. This is my refuge and I have never felt threatened here. I like to walk around the nearby village, greeting people as we pass by. Many of them had a hand in my upbringing at some point in my life, whether teaching me how to swim, climb for coconuts or go capiz diving (which I highly recommend if you’re a good swimmer!).

It is here during my reflections that I get my best ideas and strategies. The whole setting is pefect for my meditations. I tend to wake up early in the morning to sit by this table and take in the view of beautiful orchids and trees.

And we dine in native style! The food, the very best of course. No “cooked for tourists” here. Just pure awesomeness of proper honest filipino food.

The beach is quiet and relaxing, with black sand so very fine that I prefer to walk barefoot, so my toes can sink beneath as the waves lap the shoreline. The sea is so very lovely and inviting….

It’s always here I am tempted to forget my ticket back to the UK. Let the plane leave without me. I will start over and build a simple, but beatiful life here.

With our visit Mr H’s family were introduced to the infamous Lambanog. The chance to visit a home distillery was immediately accepted. Good old coconut fire!

Home sweet home.

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Posted in Philippines, Reviews, Travel

Tagged beach resort, blue bay waters, family, holiday, home, philippines, quezon, sariaya, vacation

Villa Escudero

Posted on November 4, 2009 by SF| 2 Comments

I love these river cottages, they hold many good memories for me. Unfortunately the few days we stayed in Villa Escudero weren’t as pleasant as I remembered.

They tried to offer a bedroom to some of our party as a room with two mattresses on the floor, with some bedsheets and pillows put on the side. That was incredibly disappointing. Also, the service bell was useless for it called no one. And you might argue that maybe they were broken, but could they be broken in three separate accommodations? The food presented in a buffet was also very poor and for the number of guests present, not very much. The evening entertainment was also quite cringe worthy, which comprised of simply a man and his keyboard belting out old pop tunes in midi form.

What really hurt was to see how the place seemed neglected. Grass left uncut, plates left scattered. I hope they take control of this soon and stop what to seems to me to be a downward decline. Such a beautiful setting deserves better treatment.