Our Heart Keeps coming back to Marco Polo Ortigas

Marco Polo Ortigas is our hotel of choice for quick family staycations. 

Why brave the traffic and long drive,when you one can have all the rest and relaxation right inside the Metro?

So to celebrate our wedding anniversary we were again back at our favorite Ortigas Hotel ~ Marco Polo Ortigas.

We got a an upgraded Superior Suite Room with Continental Club benefits.

Our room is located on a high floor with a wonderful panoramic view of the Ortigas cityscape. 

The Continental Club benefits comes with luxury amenities.

• Breakfast, afternoon tea and night cocktails at the Club Lounge
• There is even butler service (though we did not get to try this one)
• We just loved the personalized check-in/check-out.
• Business travelers and balikbayans will also love the Private Reception Area

• Other standard amenities included:
• Executive desk
• In-room safe
• King bed
• LCD colour TV with cable channels
• Marble bathtub
• Mini-bar and refrigerator
• Nespresso coffee machine and tea making facilities
• Pressing service of one set of suit or dress per stay
• Rain shower
• Shoe shine service
• Wi-Fi internet service

Complimentary Nespresso Coffee (Perfect!)

Well stocked mini-bar (reasonably priced)

I am loving the huge bathroom ~ I can stay here for hours pampering myself PRETTY!

We enjoyed the most the Marco Polo's Continental Club Lounge.

The Continental Club is perched on the top 2 floors of Marco Polo. The view here is truly magnificent.

We love the Continental Club and I highly recommend an upgrade if your budget allows.

The Club is impressive and elegant. The service is personalized.   

Food spread is varied. Quality is very good.

As usual we had a wonderful stay at Marco Polo Ortigas and will be back again for sure!

For inquiries check out their website at

Marco Polo Ortigas and follow their facebook page at

Facebook MarcoPoloOrtigasManila.

Sharing here also our Easter Sunday 2015 Staycation at Marco Polo Ortigas >>> Luxury Staycation at Marco Polo.

Christmas at Makati Shangri-La Hotel

A Sparkling White Christmas welcomed us at Makati Shangri-La Hotel, and my 8 years old was wide-eyed as he saw Santa Clause gamely pose with children and their parents for souvenir photos. 

With a huge grin on his face, our "bunsoy" personally approached the big man and requested for a picture.

I think, he whispered something to Santa, but I didn't quite hear what it was... 

Although there was an obvious volume of guests, check-in was a breeze.

Bryant the receptionist who attended to us was fast, efficient and cordial.  He informed us that there was an anticipated evening mass and invited us to join. It was pretty convenient as we don't need to rush out Christmas day to look for a church to celebrate mass.

We stayed in a deluxe room in a high floor. 

Our room has a King size bed and a couch.  

I requested for an extra bed, unfortunately due to the volume of guests there were no extra beds left (my bad, I should have placed my request earlier before check-in)...

The bed was huge and comfortable.  It was big enough for 2 adults and a child. 

My eldest was fine sleeping on the couch.

A welcome fruit platter, was an added surprise. My youngest likes fruits and this one lasted about 10 minutes.

The room comes complete with basic amenities...

The towels were clean and new (really soft too).

However, the bathrobes were a bit rough and needing replacement.

Bedroom sleepers

Complete toiletries of good quality, but I am not sure if these are branded. 

Bathroom is spic and span. 

With marbled floors and bathroom tops.

Deep bath tubs for a relaxing hot bath (after a day of shopping, lol)! 

I was bit sad as there was no bidet (Yup, bathroom needs updating!)

A desk clock by the sink. 

A safe to keep your valuables...

A full stocked mini bar (Quite expensive. If you want to  save a few bucks, the Landmark Mall grocery is an easy 5-10 minutes stroll away).

Coffee and Tea is complimentary.

Not a common feature of hotels we have stayed in is an office supplies' cabinet. 

Just look at this charm... this is perfect for business travelers!

The next day buffet breakfast was at the Rizal Ballroom.

Now this one was a huge let down...

Set up was a bit cafeteria, guests were asked to share tables with complete strangers (yes I know, it is Christmas and all, and it would have been fine too - but this is Shangri-La and buffet breakfast is not cheap)!

Service given this set up was mediocre and nothing close to a Shangri-La brand and experience we were hoping (I was just shaking my head side to side... stupefied). 

I can't say much about the food, as I was all too absorbed with the chaos (yes it was close to chaotic) around me. 

Smiling for the camera :P  (not due to breakfast).

Despite our ordinary breakfast experience at Shangri-La,

we still had a wonderful stay.  

Little things truly made a difference:

> Our wonderful receptionist (Bryant).

> Santa Claus posing for our "bunsoy".

>These sweet cup cakes given to my boys as Christmas treats.

> The anticipated Christmas mass.

>The huge Christmas trees and Sparkling Christmas decors.

MamaSpeaks gives Makati Shangri-La an "A-".

Never mind Christmas breakfast and just eat elsewhere.

For inquiries check out Makati Shangri-La Hotel website, follow the link bellow:

Makati Shangri-La Hotel

Living a Rock Star Life at HardRock Resorts World Singapore

During our last Singapore-Malaysia holiday, we were again back at Sentosa. 

We love Sentosa, there are so many things to do and plenty of things to see...

We have previously stayed at the Festive Hotel and

MovenPick Hotel (now Le Meridien Sentosa), this time we have decided to living large like Rock Stars!

I have always wanted to stay in a Hard Rock Hotel wondering what living large feels like. 

Here is a peek of Hard Rock Hotel:

The Grand hotel lobby.  Check in was a breeze, I spent no more than 5 minutes (I think) and the best part is we were upgraded.   

'

My boys busy catching Pokemons at the Hard Rock Hotel lobby. Unfortunately the wifi is not free.  We came prepared though and bought a local Singapore sim. 

We were treated to a very nice view of Hard Rock's beach inspired swimming pool.

Our welcome view...

   

  

Black leather sofa chairs were so stylish!

Deluxe Rooms Amenities include:

• Simmons “Cool Max” bed
• Symbolic guitar amenity tray
• 42” Flat screen LCD TV with more than 28 channels, including the Hard Rock Music Video Channel
• Iron and ironing board
• Electronic safe
• Complimentary coffee and tea making facilities
• Complimentary bottles of mineral water

I would have liked the smaller to go bottles.

Can't help but notice the small details...

(guitar embroidered pillow cases)

The bedroom rug shaped like a guitar pick.

Even the wall deco and bedroom rug ~ screams rock star!

The slippers were made of rubber, perfect for going to the pool.

We lost sight of our Papa for about 30 minutes, guess where we found him!  Yes taking these selfies next to Rock Stars' memorabilia!

VERDICT:

1. We only stayed overnight and needed to leave early for an early morning flight back to Manila.  We were not able to try their breakfast so I can't say anything about their food.
2. Check-in and check-out was fast and smooth.  Staff were likewise friendly. 
3. Our room is clean, but a tini-bit dark to my liking.  I think the ambient lighting is rocker like. 
4. I think the bathroom needs updating.  I was hoping to see at least a bidet. Also, although the toilet and shower were enclosed by glass, the bathroom has no doors (lacking a bit of privacy).   
5. The Hard Rock Pool is wonderful.  They made it look to resemble the beach and with real sand too.    
6. It close to Universal Studio Singapore (USS). Location is perfect and within walking distance, if you want to reach USS ahead of the crowd.
7. Price is a bit steep though for hotels inside RWS. Remember to subscribed to their website and watch out for deals and promotions >>> Resorts World Sentosa.
8. Note that wifi is not free.  If you are heavy on data, I recommend getting a local Singapore sim.  

Please check also my blog for post regarding our previous Singapore-Malaysia Trip.

Day 1 - Singapore City

Day 2 and 3 - LEGOLAND Malaysia
Day 4 - Jurong Bird Park and Science Center
Day 5 - Singapore Zoo (with breakfast with the Orangutans)
Day 6 - Sentosa Island
Day 7 - Universal Studio Singapore 
Day 8 - SEA Aquarium and Vivo City