The larger-than-normal orange-colored chair at the lobby neatly summarizes the weird feeling one gets while checking-in at the Discovery Suites. It’s probably like having tea with Alice in Wonderland‘s Mad Hatter, except that the madness here seems to be the identity crisis of the Suites (though in a good way). Continue reading Discovery Suites (Ortigas Center, Pasig City)
Category Archives: Where to Stay
Laiya Coco Grove (San Juan, Batangas)
Summer. The most wonderful time of the year, for some. It’s also the time when El Nino throws an extra punch. Low in water, which in turn means less electricity supply and more blackouts. The heat . . . well, could you say more except people are dying from heat stroke? We need an antidote to the heat, and while at it, have fun, too. Continue reading Laiya Coco Grove (San Juan, Batangas)
Summer Getaway at Laiya, Batangas
Have a confirmed reservation. I know this much and my wife made it a point to remind me every hour or so before we headed towards Laiya, Batangas. We haven’t taken a break for some time now and my sense of adventure made my whole body itch. Just go, I thought. And so we embarked on a journey of discovery one sunny, warm (or really hot?) Saturday. Continue reading Summer Getaway at Laiya, Batangas
Grande Island Resort, Subic
I’ve been to Subic many times, but still haven’t visited the Grande Island Resort (and I still get lost in Subic roads. Maybe there’s a downside in always looking at all the traffic signs, especially the “stop” signs. if you haven’t heard, traffic laws are strictly enforced in Subic). Continue reading Grande Island Resort, Subic
Hotel Dominique, Tagaytay City
Many factors make a place memorable, sowing the seeds for a visit again in the future. Sometimes it’s just the place. Sometimes it’s what happened in that place. Sometimes it’s both, or some other factors. Let’s consider Hotel Dominique, found along Aguinaldo Highway, a nice hotel just a few meters from the rotunda in Tagaytay City. Continue reading Hotel Dominique, Tagaytay City
Long Weekend Trip to Tagaytay
Another long weekend. The past long weekend, that is, Independence Day. There’s some sense in this holiday policy of the government. Perfect excuse to go out of town; somewhere relaxing but not too far — like Tagaytay City. Continue reading Long Weekend Trip to Tagaytay
Camayan Beach Resort (Subic Bay)
The fine sand pressing against one’s feet; feels like a massage in a million points. There’s the sleepy sun that is slowly pushing gray clouds, revealing itself to early joggers along the shoreline. Fresh air. Secluded bliss. Take a good guess where this place could be found. No, this is not Boracay. Continue reading Camayan Beach Resort (Subic Bay)
Sonya’s Garden Restaurant & Country Bed and Breakfast
Sonya’s Garden is not easy to find (in my previous experience, at least). This is probably the reason why it was previously called, if I’m not mistaken, as Sonya’s Secret Garden. The second time we were there, we told the staff if they could probably add more directions along the main road to make it easier to find the place, but then it wouldn’t be a secret, we were told. So we swallowed the explanation together with the fresh, green salad served for lunch. That was years ago. Continue reading Sonya’s Garden Restaurant & Country Bed and Breakfast
Balay Indang (Indang, Cavite)
The recent trend, I suppose, is to provide a place for people to relax and unwind, to leave the pressures of the city behind. This is evident in places such as Sonya’s Garden or Villa Escudero. In Indang, Cavite, you’ll find Balay Indang. Continue reading Balay Indang (Indang, Cavite)
Golden Prince Hotel (Cebu City)
A prince is stately and gold is one of the most expensive metals, as is. Putting the two together may conjure an image of something expensive and stately, but as they say, never judge a book by its cover, er, name?. The Golden Prince Hotel is not one of the more expensive hotel in Cebu City, although it’s also not the most grand like, say, Shangri-La Mactan. Continue reading Golden Prince Hotel (Cebu City)