Sunday, June 26, 2016

Hotel Review: Discovery Suites Ortigas

A funny "booboo" led my family, my sister's family and our parents to an overnight stay at the Discovery Suites in Mandaluyong.

A few month's ago, my sister asked me for my plans for Father's Day and since I have none, I quickly agreed to a joint family staycation near Ortigas.

She handled all the reservation details and I was very pleased she got really nice rates via a new travel booking site Traveloka (Click here for the Link - Traveloka Philippines). It prides itself as the most affordable with the best promo rates booking site in the country.  

She booked three (3) double junior suite premier for just 3200 per room (inclusive of buffet breakfast for 2). Wonderful right?

Now, here is the catch, she thought  Father's Day was June 12 (hehe) so we ended celebrating FD a week too early.

Discovery Hotel is an old hotel that has been towering the Ortigas Center skyline since like ages.  I was honestly a bit worried as I am allergic to dust and given the price we paid for, I must admit I lowered my expectations a bit.

All my worries, however, dispelled quickly the moment we entered the hotel lobby.

The lobby was not all grand, but service was top notched and comparable to other 4-5 star hotels we have been to.


My sister and her family getting cozy.


There were welcome sweet mangoes, but papa already decided they were his (mango status #missing).

Our little miss chilling :P
Out little miss, with her favorite Tito.

Having fresh flowers does not happen quite often anymore. 

Our comfty beds :P (before my boys and our little miss started jumping and ruining the beddings)
 

Decent sized flat TV with plenty of channel selections.

Robes, slippers, ironing board, safety deposit box (looks like they have everything).



 Hardwood working desk with good speed wifi (yes also free).

If you are too busy to dine out, you can even take out and heat after (there is also an over toaster, tucked in one of the kitchenette cabinet).


Toiletries were of good quality too. 


The bath spic and span. There is a full shower and bathtub.





 
My son was pretty happy to receive this complimentary Independence Day cup cake.  



Breakfast was at Restaurant 5. 

Sorry we are so "takaw" we forgot to take pictures of the food.



After breakfast we planned to take a dip at the hotel's heated indoor pool, but there were plenty of guests swimming, so we gave the pool a skipped and headed to the Kiddie Play Room.




The little miss begged to stay a little more and won't leave.


VERDICT
  • The hotel is clean and smells great.
  • The rooms are huge and clean (no dust there). My mom won't stop talking about how clean the rooms were. There is even a sitting area to entertain.
  • The linen and towels are new, soft and well laundered.
  • Buffet breakfast was equally wonderful. So many food options. Fresh and of very good quality. Staff refills fast and takes away soiled dishes right away.  They were very attentive.
Discovery Suites is situated right smacked in the heart of Ortigas business district, across the Podium Mall and a short distance walk to SM Megamall and Robinson's Galleria, makes Discovery Suites a wonderful staycation hotel for the family.

But I personally think, what makes is more special is the warmth and amazingly sincere friendliness of its personnel.


DISCOVERY SUITES
25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig, 1600 Metro Manila, Philippines

For bookings and reservations, visit their website










Saturday, June 25, 2016

Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila

We love the month of June. 
We have so many things to be thankful for.. hubby's birthday,
our wedding anniversary and father's day.

So as it was a special month for our family, we planned a special weekend staycation to celebrate ~ an overnight stay in one of City of Dreams' luxury hotels "Nobu Hotel".

We booked a family staycation package inclusive of  breakfast for two (2) at the Nobu Restaurant and 4 hours Dream Play passes for 2 adults and 2 kids.

Booking was fast and easy, done via phone. 
I gave reservations my card and contact details and received an immediate confirmation. 

Check in was a breeze considering there were a lot of guests coming in.  The staff were at their best and quite efficient.
Nobu Hotel spells luxury living.  You can truly feel sophistication as you step in to Nobu's hotel lobby.


Yehey!  Our room card access and our Dream Play vouchers.

Sepia paintings adorn the hotel walls.



Here is a peek to Nobu Hotel's Deluxe Room.


We were immediately drawn to the
floor to ceiling windows with a vista of Nobu Hotel's  sprawling outdoor swimming pool and well kept garden. 

The deluxe room was just the right size. I have requested for  2 semi double beds (which proved to be really comfortable).

The complimentary tea and coffee is neat hidden from sight.




There is a huge flat screen TV with a good selection of channels for the young and old.  Though ours was mostly tuned in to the cartoon channels (the downside of travelling with kids :P).


Look at these black and white slippers, a wonderful take on the Yin and Yang concept. 


Even bath robes come in black and white.


The bathroom was spic and span as expected, with nice attention to details.


Towels were soft and nicely laundered.

The toiletries were by Natura Bisse, Barcelona.  It was nice to note that proceeds from buying these, went to the company's fund raising program.


Right after check in, after much prodding from my 7 year old, we finally gave in and headed to Dream Play.  I will write a separate post on our Dream Play visit. 


The  next day breakfast is at the Nobu Restaurant.   
The spread was very good and has plenty of options, with top notched service: nothing short to the Nobu Hotel branding.






 After breakfast, we headed to the Nobu Hotel grounds for fresh air (actually to walk a bit to shed off a few calories we have ingested, lol!)

The pool area is picturesque...

I felt really bad, I was not able to bring swim suits for the boys.




VERDICT:
  1. My family love this hotel and we would love to come back. 
  2. However, the price tag is really on the high end and unless there is another promo or a REALLY special occasion to celebrate, I don't think a repeat will be anytime soon.
  3. Service is world class and one would instantly feel pampered like a VIP the moment to stepped out your car.
  4. Food is wonderful, would love to try lunch and dinner sometime.
Nobu Hotel ManilaAsean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard,
Entertainment City, ParaƱaque 1701, Manila, Philippines

For General Inquiries
guestservices@cod-manila.com


Guests can enjoy the convenience of hassle-free trips to and from the resort via Dreams in Motion, the official transportation service of City of Dreams Manila. Specific pick-up and drop-off points as below are available for guests coming from and going to different locations in the Metro.
 




 

Visita Iglesia ~ via Laguna Loop

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