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

Hotel Review ~ Paradores de Vigan

Looking for an accommodation in Historic Vigan is not easy, not because there is a lack of it, but because there are so many options to choose from.

During our first visit to Vigan, we stayed at Hotel Felicidad.
However, this time we wanted to try other hotels and ended up choosing Paradores de Vigan.  

Check the link below to read about our stay at Hotel Felicidad
>>>Hotel Felicidad Hotel Review

Paradores de Vigan is actually classified as a condotel.  Rooms range from 35 to 86 sqm in size and are classified into standard, deluxe, superior, grand superior and family suites, with separate living areas, kitchens and dining rooms.

Paradores is located less than 10 minutes walk away the busy Calle Crisologo,  which is perfect, if you want a place to relax and unwind in this historic city.  

We booked a Superior Quadruple Room.

 The room came with 2 double beds and a sofa bed, which can comfortably sleep 6 pax.

The beds are comfortable with crisp and clean linen ~ guaranteed for a good night sleep.

There is a working kitchen.  The place is perfect for families who would like to save a bit by cooking.  Coincidentally the Vigan Market is just a few blocks (500 meters) away Paradores de Vigan.

The place is spic and span.

The bonus ~ a balcony; It would have been better though if it overlooks one of Vigan's historic sites.

Our package came with plated breakfast for 4.  It was not buffet, but it was ample and filling.

Lovely stay ~ the staff were extra friendly.  We felt so at home.

Paradores de Vigan is located at the

Vivere Condominium
Gov. A Reyes Street corner Abaya Street
Vigan, Ilocos Sur 2700

For booking inquiries please visit their website directly

Paradores de Vigan

(0917) 320-0933 | (0999) 229-5430

paradoresdevigan@yahoo.com

============

Interested in Ilocos?
Check out my post of our recent Ilocos Tour here:

Day 1 ~ Vigan
Day 2 ~ Laoag
Day 3 ~ Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpod

Hotel Review ~ Amara Hotel Singapore

I have chosen Amara Hotel specifically for its location.  I wanted to stay within walking distance from Chinatown.

We arrive at the hotel at 12nn, which was 2 hours earlier than regular check-in time.  

I appreciate that reception was kind enough to have our rooms available and ready for a complimentary early check-in.  So we got our key cards and headed to straight to our room at the Executive floor to freshen up before touring officially starting our Day 1 agenda.

Room size (32sqm) was adequate for our need.  It was just me an my husband so we really don't need much  space. 

The room came with a handy phone with internet connection that can use touring Singapore, free mini bar (replenished daily) and espresso machine.  

My husband approves ~ Yup, comfortable!

Bathroom is good sized, with separate bath tub and shower area.  They were quite generous with the toiletries as well.

I love that the towels were new and nicely washed.

They have a working table for business travelers.  My husband brought his computer as he was expecting an important Skype meeting.  

Look what Amara got me :P   

I finished the whole thing (oh the calories) as my husband napped.

 

The view from our room.

Our package also allowed us access to the Executive  Lounge ~ with complimentary breakfast, tea time (2-4pm) and nightly cocktails (6-8pm).

Just in time for "Tea Time"...

VERDICT

1. Location is perfect.  It is connected to 100AM (where a Don Don Donki store is located) with Tanjong Pagar market across the street and plenty of food options within walking  distance.  It is also easily accessible by bus (bus stop a few meters away, MRT via Tanjong Pagar Station - 400 meters and Chinatown Station 1km, taxi is also easy to hail).
2. Check in and Check out was fast and easy, though I was surprised we were not ushered to a lounge check-in
3. Lounge staff were very nice and I really felt really welcomed, however, food at the Executive Lounge lacks imagination, it was just okay (I was expecting a more flavorful flair). Sadly breakfast was the same for our 3 days stay.
4. Our room was a bit dated, but was comfortable.  It was clean and we slept soundly so I have nothing to complain.
5. The pool was under construction so we never got to use nor check it out.  I learned that they hotel was undergoing refurbishment, so that's good! 

Given so many hotel options in Singapore, it is tough to say, if I would want to stay here again, unless we need to stay somewhere near Chinatown again.   Our 3 nights was acceptable though I felt the hotel can do so much more.   

For inquiries please check their website: 

Amara Hotel Singapore.

165 Tanjong Pagar Road,

Singapore 088539​
​​Tel: +65 6879 2555
Email: singapore@amarahotels.com

Hotel Majestic Saigon ~ An Elegant Dame of Saigon

THE HOTEL

The Hotel Majestic Saigon is one of the oldest hotels in the city of Saigon. It was built in 1925 and is one of the city's land mark hotels.  

The façade and interiors are of French Colonial Architecture.

The lobby is grand and elegant. 

The high ceiling is adorned with exquisite chandeliers ~ just lovely to look at. 

Though I find it cute and adorable, the elevators (they have 2 identical elevators) at the Old Wing were puny ~ can only fit 4 people max at a time. 

Though we arrived at 10am (which was too early for the 2pm check-in), we were accommodated for an earlier check-in at 11am. 

With an hour to spare we left our bags and explored the restaurants and coffee shops around Hotel Majestic.  We were happy to see, there are plenty of food options to try.  

Our room was ready by the time we got back...

OUR ROOM

We booked a Colonial Suite via Agoda.  The room is spacious at 60sqm. A sliding door divides the bedroom from the seating/work area. 

Housekeeping was very generous with the toiletries ~ however they weren't ones I would take home. 

I love the wooden and antique furniture, parquet flooring and the elegantly marbled floor and walls of the bathroom and vanity sink.

The antique phone in the picture below is an actual working phone (right next to a high tech master room control for everything inside our bedroom #cool). 

I enjoyed the deep bath tub, but it could be full work out for an elderly person to get in to.  It would been nice if there were bubble bath soap and bath salts included in the toiletries.  

We were celebrating our anniversary and were pleasantly surprised with a welcome card and cake.

We were assigned at the 5th floor which is the same floor as the Breeze Skybar where they serve breakfast and was open 24 hours.  

I was sceptic that it might be too much noise for us to relax, but aside from the very few instances of loud bangs on the floor which could be accidentally dropped utensils from the kitchen, everything went well.

Our room view was not that great either. We got a view of the pool and a glimpse of Saigon Skydeck and Bui Vien Walking Street. 

I think a view of the Saigon River on the other side would have been romantic.

LOCATION

The hotel located in District 1 and was a perfect base for our 3 days stay in Saigon. It was just a short walk to many of the city's attractions.  

Will do a separate post on our Day 1 in Saigon with help from our friends from Saigon Hotpot.

BREAKFAST AT BREEZE SKY BAR

The set looks very appetizing, but quite mediocre and mostly repetitive.  In our 3 days stay having breakfast at Sky Bar the only ones I liked was the coffee and congee. The Japanese dim sum was a huge let down.  

It would have been nice too, I they offer more Vietnamese cuisine in their menu.

The saving grace of this restaurant, 

I think is the view of the Saigon River outside.

VERDICT

Despite the average breakfast and poor room location that we got,

We still LOVE the Hotel Majestic!

Hotel Majestic is a wonderful sight to look at, especially when it is all lit up at night.  As we walk the hotel's lobby, I imagine how grand it must have been during its heyday and feel enliven. We were truly enthralled with the hotel's rich history and glorious past.

Being guests here made us feel as special as the hotel itself!

For inquiries and reservations you may visit Hotel Majestic's webpage: majesticsaigon.com

• Address: 
• 1 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Tel: (84-28) 3829 5517
• Fax: (84-28) 3829 5510