Breakfast at Spiral

Our Club Millesime room came with a buffet breakfast for two. We have a choice to dine at the Lounge or at Spiral. We chose the latter. The buffet starts at 6:30 am so we woke up early the next day to enjoy the sumptuous cuisines the restaurant has to offer.

 Spiral Breakfast Buffet

The second we entered the restaurant, it was already bustling with diners. Most patrons were families and business executives having their morning cup of coffee. We were ushered to our table located near La Veranda.

Food photos after the break...

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Spiral

January 29, 2013

Chinese New Year at Spiral
Sofitel Philippine Plaza
Manila

Last Tuesday, I was invited by Sofitel Philippine Plaza for an exclusive Magical Celebrations press preview showcasing its auspicious food specially prepared for celebrations such as Chinese New Year.

 one of the delectable dishes served that day

Executive Chinese Chef Chee Wah Mok will prepare a special Chinese menu on February 4, 17 and also on the 24th. Diners can book a private dining room in advance. Each room can accommodate 12 to a maximum of 36 persons.
 
Want to sneak peek at the new Spiral? Read after the break...

Discover Kinosaki: Shinonomesou Ryokan + 7 Onsen

December 31, 2012

Shinonomesou Ryokan (Inn)
78 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho
Toyooka City, Hyogo
Japan

Overnight Stay with 2 meals (breakfast and dinner with Kanisuki) - JPY 18,900 +/pax (PhP 9,450)
Paid a total of JPY 38,480* (PhP 19,240) for two pax
*Hot spring Tax (adults) JPY 150/pax (PhP 75)
*Bath Admission JPY 190/pax (PhP75)
*includes entrance to 7 other hot spring resorts

We made a reservation four days before our trip so basically, the decision to book an overnight stay in a ryokan was kinda impulsive. The inn did not ask for any deposit just like the hotel where we stayed in Osaka (Remm Shin-Osaka).

Shinonomesou Ryokan on right

When you go to Kinosaki, make sure to book a traditional style inn like Shinonomesou where you can stay and live like locals. 

You can also book an overnight stay with no meals included for JPY 6,300/pax (PhP 3,150) or an overnight stay with two meals (lunch and dinner) for only JPY 12,60. Ours is a bit expensive per person because we opted to have Kanisuki for dinner which I will blog about in my next post.

Read more after the break to find out how you can enjoy Japanese Bath...

Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel Review

December 28, 2012 to January 4, 2013

Remm Shin-Osaka 
1-1-1 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku,
Osaka
+81-6-6398-4123
+81-6-7668-0606

Room Type: Non-Smoking Room Single
Rate Per Night: JPY 7,000 (PhP3,500)
                          *JPY 9,200 (PhP 4,600)

*December 32, 2012 and January 1, 2013

Rate includes service charge and tax

Remm Shin-Osaka is the most convenient hotel that we have ever booked. It's location is right smack in the middle of a bustling train (JR Shin-Osaka) and subway station (Shin-Osaka) in Osaka. Even though this is also the smallest room that DH has booked so far, I can't complain because we are on a tight budget. Yes, our room is even smaller than the hotel rooms we have booked in Hong Kong. I would rather spend money on sight-seeing tours and shopping than spend it on accommodation ; p Of course, that's just me!

 bedroom with glass bathroom wall partition

The room is so tiny. There is no space in between the bathroom wall and the bed ; p  The wall is not even a wall per se, it is a glass partition. Anyway, don't fret! You can always pull down the two blinds inside the bathroom for privacy.

Just to give you an idea on how small this room is, I was standing near the door when the photo above was taken. There was really no place else for our luggage. The good thing is, the guest rooms have most of the amenities that a 5 star hotel provide.

To view more photos of Remm Shin-Osaka, read after the break...

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel Review

November 2, 2012

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel
Exchange Drive corner Meralco Avenue,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
3129999

Remember my "rawr" outfit in this post which won me an overnight stay in The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel? Well, I was finally able to use my voucher and booked an overnight stay yesterday ; ) I picked November 2 because the day before, DH and I together with his family went to Manila Chinese Cemetery to visit the tombs of my in laws. The scorching heat was too much to bear. We really need this to recharge and re-energize plus the fact that it is also a long weekend ; p

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel Deluxe Room PhP 5,705 3,024

Deluxe Room includes the following:

• Queen size or Double beds
• Complimentary Daily Breakfast
• In-room WiFi
• Complimentary use of Fitness Center, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Swimming Pool from 6 am to 10 pm
• Daily replenishment of 2 bottled water
• Daily newspaper

After making a reservation last October 27, 2012, I received a confirmation by email of my booking from Arby, a Reservations Agent. On October 31, 2012, I received another email from a Front Office Agent named Patricia informing me that the hotel can accommodate an early check-in time of 12nn... yey!

View the rest of the hotel photos after the break...

Korea Chronicle: Ramada Seoul

My visit: December 28, 2011 to January 1, 2012

Ramada Seoul

112-5 Samseong-dong

Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

02-62022000

Located an hour's drive from Incheon airport, Ramada Seoul is 40 minutes away from Kimpo Airport and 20 minutes from down town by car. Approximately, 10 minutes walk from Seolleung Station Subway Line 7. 

Executive Room for $195

We were not as lucky as with our other trips abroad, most of the rooms we got have either twin or double bed. I am very picky with the size of bed I sleep in because I can hardly sleep without anyone by my side. We I have been bugging our tour guide to check and double check the bed that we will be having on our four nights stay in Ramada Seoul. Up until our check in date, my efforts remained futile. The hotel cannot accommodate our request so instead of giving us a Superior Room, we were upgraded to an Executive Room with twin beds... waaaaaah!

The Riverside Hotel Korea

My visit: December 27, 2011

The Riverside Hotel

6-1, Jamwon-dong, 

Seocho-gu, Apgujeong/ Cheongdam,

Seoul, Korea

Looks can be deceiving! The Riverside Hotel seems impressive at first because it is a boutique hotel. This is my least favorite hotel. Thank goodness we only stayed here for two nights. Read after the break to find out why I am pissed off...

twin bed ; (

On our fourth night, we still didn't get the bed that we requested for. I would later find out that king size bed is hard to come by in Korea ; (

Our twin beds were neatly tucked. The room is quite small but so are the rest of the hotel rooms that we have stayed in. I like the headboard. It gives the room an added class ; p

GS Plaza Hotel Korea

My visit: December 25, 2011

GS Plaza Hotel

1060-1 BangChon-Dong, 

Dong-Gu, Daegu, Korea

+53-9862500

On our first and second night in Korea, I was disappointed to see the twin beds in our room. For our third night, I specifically asked Mike, our Korean tour guide, to request for one huge bed for DH & I- think king sized bed. But what we got is this---> a double bed from GS Plaza Hotel; p 

double bed... waaaaaaah!

The bed was way too small for the two of us! We could have fit in if we were model thin lol We were better off with twin beds but I have a hard time sleeping alone. I was hoping we could at least sleep on a queen sized bed that night; p We could not change rooms because the hotel was fully booked on Christmas day ; (

Christmas Eve at Sorak Park Hotel & Casino

My visit: December 24, 2011

Sorak Park Hotel & Casino
74-3 Sorak- Dong,
Sokcho- Si, Gangwon- Do,
Korea #217- 120
033-636-7711

On our second night, DH and I were popping pills to battle our colds and muscle pain from skiing. One of the important things that travelers should bring is a medicine kit. Once when we were in San Francisco, DH suffered allergy from eating crabs. We were walking along the deserted part of Chinatown looking for a 24 hours pharmacy at 2 a.m. After that incident, I see to it that I never run out of Claritin in my kit again.

DH in our Korean room

After enjoying the whole afternoon skiing, we boarded the bus to our next destination, Mt Sorak. It was around 5pm when we arrived at our hotel. After checking in, we went straight to our room to prepare for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner. 

Our room came as a surprise! It has a small anteroom where the toilet is located. A sliding door separates the bedroom from it. It has heated floor, a small TV, a personal refrigerator and best of all free WIFI/ LAN connection.

My Experience on Booking Canyon Cove 55% off at Ensogo

My visit: November 5-6, 2011

Canyon Cove Beach Resort

Far East Road, Piloto Wawa

Nasugbu, Batangas

9081111

Over the long weekend, my friends and I booked an overnight stay at Canyon Cove using vouchers that we bought through Ensogo. Without any fuss, I was able to reserve directly to the hotel a week before our target date. My friend, Cherie, faxed our vouchers the very next day. We were told to bring the vouchers with us upon checking in. 

Superior Room

Check-in time: 3pm
Check-out time: 12nn

Superior room normally has a rate of PhP5800 with breakfast. We got the deal for PhP2500 without breakfast. Read after the break for more details...

Wifi Boutique Hotel Hong Kong

My visit: July 31 to August 3, 2011

Wifi Hotel 

366 Lockhard Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

(852) 39612288

mail@wifihotel.com.hk

As usual, we finalized and booked our Hong Kong trip at the very last minute. We booked through Agoda on a Monday (July 25) and our flight was scheduled Sunday (July 31) of the same week. How's that for another sweet surprise?!

Orange facade of Wifi Hotel

Wifi Boutique Hotel (Hong Kong), a three star hotel, is conveniently situated in the heart of Wan Chai- Lockhart Road. What sealed the deal was the complementary wifi access in each room ; p

Inexpensive stay at La Bella Casa de Boracay!

My visit: May 16- 18, 2011

La Bella Casa de Boracay

Station 1 (behind Balabag Church)

Boracay Island

Malay, Aklan

036-2881363   +6391796641456   +63919853042   +639326298864

Gevi booked through Agoda and paid only PhP3240 for two nights accommodation in La Bella Casa de Boracay. Topping the list of our requirements for our stay is cost. I gave her a budget of PhP2000/room/night. Other requirements are air conditioned room and our own toilet and bath with heater. We got all that plus TV, personal refrigerator, King size bed, toiletries, towel and daily breakfast! Not bad for PhP800/pax/night, right? Oh, did I mention that Wi-Fi is FREE? 

improvised King size bed inside room number 6 (Deluxe)

I know that we were going to stay in Station 1. When the tricycle driver to drop us off at the back of Astoria Boracay, I know the place was going to be somewhere along its vicinity.  Little did I know that it's located behind Balabag Church- a famous landmark and across the main thoroughfare. We had to get another tricycle to drive us over to the hotel. After passing the basketball court which is another landmark, we saw the front of the church. The driver then entered an alley and behind the church is La Casa Bella de Borcay. 

Taiwan Chronicle: Shui-Du Spa Spring Resort

My visit: December 29, 2010

Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort

Xinbeitou, Taipei

NTD1480/ 2pax/ 2 hours stay

We were both so tired from two days of running around Taipei and we really needed a break so DH and I checked into Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort. We didn't ask around anymore if this was indeed the cheapest resort. But I can tell you, this spa was definitely one of the closest to the Xinbeitou Metro Station. Plus, I was not comfortable entering an open air public bath house. 

 facade of Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort

The hotel receptionist greeted us warmly and advised us of the 2 hour alloted period. She lets us choose from an album the type of tub we wanted, yes, there are several ; p She asked if we like to add NTD100 for an afternoon tea after check out at their lobby. We declined. She told us that there's an available and free tea/coffee sachets and 2 packs of sandwich cookies inside our room.

Green Peak Hotel

My visit: December 27-31, 2010

Hotel Green Peak since 1968

No. 18, Lane 77, Section 2

Chung Shan North Road

02-25112611

Philippine Airlines

December 27, 2010

PR896 7:55

December 31, 2010

PR897 13:20

Approximate travel time: 2 hours

cost: USD290/pax

After  booking our plane tickets to Taiwan via Philippine Airlines, I didn't think that booking a hotel was  going to be a hard after all we have been to Taipei numerous times and we know a lot hotels that offer local rates.  But I can't seem to find a hotel available on the said dates. It's either the hotels were fully booked or one or more dates were not available. We booked a little late, ok, really late as in December 21 haha It was an impulsive decision of DH to book the flight, a much needed vacation if you ask me. He knew how I love Taipei and a trip to that country would really make me happy. He said it was his gift because I have been a good girl haha He miss the food too!

And so, after suffering nose bleed from speaking too much Mandarin, I got through with Hotel Green Peak. I spoke with Karen and she booked us right away. She didn't ask for a deposit, just got my flight detail and told me to call her if I will change or cancel my booking. I only called her once and that's it. 

Hotel Green Peak Taipei NTD 1, 800/ night

Bus ride #2601 from airport to hotel is about an hour. The cost is about NTD90 per pax. You have to get off at Ambassador hotel which is located on the main thoroughfare. We took a taxi ride NTD1200 to Terminal 1 on our way back to the airport but that would be another entry. 

When we got to the hotel at around 11am, I told the receptionist my name, not even my surname because Karen had difficulty spelling MARTINEZ during our conversation over the phone hehe The receptionist told me that check in time would be at 1pm and we could leave our bags at the reception area. I wasn't able to meet Karen though because I didn't bother to ask where she was haha

We had lunch at Chin May Taiwan Buffet. It is a "pientang" or taiwan box lunch. Chin May has since transfered to another location but we still visit it every time we go back. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to check if our room is available. The receptionist told us that the room is ready! And it's not even 1pm... yey!

Hotel: Astoria

My visit:  October 10, 2008

Hotel Astoria
510 Bush St.,

San Francisco,

CA 9108

415- 4340611

Located just beside the entrance arc of Chinatown, I can safely say that it has a strategic location and the room per night cost is USD65, it is cheaper than any other hotel within the area. Boutique shops are available just a few steps from the hotel and transportation is readily available just outside the door of the hotel.

morning... busy as a bee

Sofitel Philippine Plaza

September 14, 2008

Sofitel Philippine Plaza

room 433

DH and I have the pleasure to stay in this 5 star hotel courtesy of my SIL. We made good use of the room by using it as the venue for my family's Pua Tiong Chiu or Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival.

The room is big enough to occupy 10 persons with room to spare for you to walk around. As you enter, the huge king sized bed can be readily seen on your left. Two capiz lamp is found on both side of the bed. Four fluffy pillows and a tiny bolster are neatly arranged and are all covered in white linen. The bed is pristine white. A good sign of good things to come? read along~

 king sized bed only in Sofitel Philippine Plaza

There is an individual thermostat provided for the airconditioner just in case you get a bit cold. A large console is placed opposite the bed and the tiny T.V. - 21 inch or NOT, if I'm not mistaken- is on top of it. The view from the bed of the television is crazy- too tiny to view it- Sofitel should have at least put on a 32 inch LCD t.v. Upon checking the channels, DH wonders why there were only a few and that no US channels present. It turns out you have to choose the SAT button instead of the TV button. The writing desk is adjacent to the console while a stainless floor lamp is beside the desk. Upon seeing the writing desk, DH quickly unpack his laptop to his dismay, a DSL connection costs PhP25/minute... duh~ Shouldn't it be free since you are paying top money for 5 star room and yet the DSL sucks because it charges per minute.