Hotel Review ~ Fort Ilocandia Resort (FIR)

From Paradores de Vigan we transferred to our hotel in Laoag,   Fort Ilocandia Resort (FIR) our accommodation for 2 nights as we toured Ilocos Province. 

FIR was built to house wedding guests of then President Marcos, Irene Marcos with Greggy Araneta. 

The hotel complex is huge. It is the biggest and most luxurious resort in the Ilocos Province.  It consists of 5 buildings of Spanish colonial architecture. The fact that the resort overlooks the West Philippine Sea adds to its beauty.

FIR now shows signs of aging, but it is still grand and its charm still remains.  Being there makes me visualize how majestic FIR must have been during its prime.

Activities inside FIR includes a mini zoo and adult/children pools, for an extra free guests can do ATV rides, basketball, tennis, various water activities such as fishing, jetski, kayaking and boating. There are so many things to keep you busy (sorry though as the casino is now closed).  

We booked 4 standard rooms.  During booking, I specifically requested for adjoining family room with my children, but were disappointed at check-in.  Reception was apologetic though, but the adjacent room set up made packing/unpacking, tending the kids difficult.

The rooms were nicely sized and each room with its own veranda.  Our room overlooking the garden/pool. 

 

The rooms were clean, although aging quite apparent.  
The bathroom fixtures also needs upgrading.  

My mom also complained that the hairdryer wasn't working and only one electric outlet was working.  Other than that, everything went well.  

Breakfast for our 2 days stay were buffet set up at Café Ilocandia.  Spread was just okay, but the service was very good.

Our New Year's dinner at Café Ilocandia though was great!

Sharing here some family photos, we took before leaving FIR:

For booking inquiries, you can 

Call FIR at: (+6377) 670-9001or 

Email: booking@fortilocandia.com.ph

Day 1 in Seoul (Namsan Tower)

I am excited to post about our latest family adventure ~ a trip to the land of fire noodles, kimchi, KPop idols and "oppa": The Republic of  Korea or commonly known as Seoul Korea.

It was an easy travel from Manila to Incheon via Air Asia. I got Premium Flex seats (first row seats for extra leg room was like heaven, I did not feel once that we were travelling on budget air) at really good rates as I booked our flight really early (about six months in advance, lol!).

TIP:  Please come early at the airport and save yourself the stress of possibly missing your flight.   Give yourself extra lead time, especially if your flight falls on a long holiday or weekend.

Yup, we were early... #CoffeeMuna

On board Air Asia on first row - we love the extra leg room. 

DAY 1 

• Arrival / Hotel Check-In / Namsan Seoul (N Seoul) Tower .  

We arrived at Incheon airport at 12nn.   

After clearing immigrations, we claimed our pocket wifi and local sim cards, pre-booked through Klook. 

I have been using this (Klook) attractions/tours booking site for sometime now and find it quite efficient.  Most of the attractions we have visited in our Seoul vacation is done through Klook as well. 

Click here for Klook booking discount for first time users: Klook Discount Code

TIP:  Although it may seem that you are getting the attraction tickets at a cheaper price through Klook, be wary of your card's forex.  It can add up big time. I use to charge my Klook purchase using an International Card, but was dismayed by the huge forex conversion rate  (at P52 / USD, the credit card company charged me P54 / USD). I now use my BDO credit card with a rather more reasonable forex charges.

We bought Airport Bus Limousine tickets for Bus # 6015 (priced at W14,000 for adults and W11,000 for child). We were supposed to get off Ibis Hotel, which is just a block away from Metro Hotel where we will be staying.  However, traffic was bad the day of our arrival. The bus driver (forced) dropped us off (and other tourists) at Myeongdong Station (about 3-4 blocks farther our hotel).  Sad to say "yes, they have crazy drivers too".  It was a good thing I studied the Myeongdong map a little and we got to our hotel with minor hiccups.

TIP: Don't forget to buy your T-Money (see picture below).  They came in very useful as we used the public transportation system  in some of our itinerary.  You can also use your T-Money in most convenience stores. 

The Metro Hotel

Our home for our next 7 nights in Seoul is Metro Hotel.  It is literally a stone throw away Myeongdong shopping street with easy access (5-10 minutes walk) to 2 subway stations. 

  

I booked the Family Flex room.  The room is about 40 sqm with 3 double beds.  It was comfortable for our family of 4 with more that enough space for our luggage.

  

The hotel has a pantry area for guests at the 2nd floor.  There is a closed area and an area which opens to the famous Myeongdong shopping street.

The famed Myeongdong shopping street as viewed from The Metro Hotel's 2nd floor Pantry Area.

TIP:  Book directly at Metro Hotel and get free breakfast.  Breakfast is simple, but enough to start your day.  They also change 2-3 viands daily, and includes Korean dishes.

 

N Seoul Tower

I got our N Seoul tickets via Klook. Our package included entrance to the observatory deck, Hello Kitty Island and SSentoy Museum.   

From our Metro Hotel we walked our way to Myeongdong Station (used the underground walkway and exited through Exit #3, which led us to Bus Stop where we waited for the Namsam Shuttle Bus #5).  We boarded the bus and paid using our T-M0ney (bus fare is discounted by W100 if you use a T-Money).

We got off at the N Seoul Bus Station and walked a steep 300 meter road to the top.  It was good we have our good walking shoes on.  

The N Seoul Observatory

Remember to visit the rest room for a breathtaking surprise #BestSeatInTheHouse

TIP:  Schedule your trip to N Seoul on a weekday. We were there on a Saturday night and it was really crowded. 

Skip the line by buying your ticket on line (we got ours through Klook and literally saved 1-2 hours waiting time).

Hello Kitty Island

I felt like a child again as I roamed Hello Kitty's Island.  I was so thankful, my boys were game and accompanied me to the "Pinkiest place on Earth" #MachoMenAreNotAfraidOfPink.

Everything at Hello Kitty Island is so CUTE (and PINK)! 

SSentoy Museum

Next to Hello Kitty Island is the SSentoy Museum.  Now it was the boys' turn to have fun.

We left N Seoul Tower at 10am and re-traced our way to the Namsan Bus Terminal to board Bus #5 and  got off at Myeongdong Station.  

TIP:  Take note of the last bus trip and make sure you are at the bus station before that time. 

It was a leisurely 10 minutes stroll from Myeongdong Station as we were welcomed by the bustling and busy Myeongdong Shopping Street.  We can't help but stop for a some of the Korean famous Street Food.

Japchae, Cabbage Omelette,

Roasted Lobster, Egg Bun and Corn

#HmmSarap

It was a literally filling 1st night for TeamPetilla at the City of Seoul.

"Annyeonghi Jumuseyo (Goodnight)" everyone...

Day 2 Seoul is just hours away!

Follow our Day 2 in Seoul by clicking on the link below
Day 2 in Seoul - Part I