ACUATICO ~ Where Nature Meets Adventure

Whenever we are in the mood for an easy access hide-away and yearning a breathe of fresh ocean air, our go to place is

Laiya, San Juan Batangas. 

We have tried a few resorts at Laiya, but just recently found our favorite one.

Welcome to Acuatico Beach Resort.

Acuatico Beach Resort is a Balinese-inspired luxury resort made up of modern villas and rooms surrounding one of the most beautiful infinity pools we have been to.

The resort shares the stretch of pristine beach with neighboring resorts Blue Coral Beach and Acuaverde.   

 The beach is undoubtedly clean, however, the sand is a bit rough and coarse (you would have to keep your beach sandals on, to be safe).

Philippine sunset is simply magnificent ~

 We booked a Casita unit. 

Casitas are two bedroom (a masters and a second room with 2 twin beds) units located at ground floor fronting the infinity pool.  

Location is perfect for those with kids who wont leave the pool.  

The view of the pool from the Casita patio.

 Welcome goodies from Acuatico.

I brought the necklace back home as gift for my Kikay Lola, who loves trinkets.

The rooms were averaged sized, each has cabled television and air-condition units.

 Beds were comfortable with clean and freshly laundered linen.

The rooms shares a bathroom. 

The bathroom is a bit small tough and could be tough to navigate shared.

  

The best part of the this vacation ~ all day and all night swimming!

My son in Zen mode.

The pool bar was a great addition.  Their mango shake was delicious.

Breakfast is at Oceano. 

(We also ordered our dinner here and had it served at our Casita. Food was on the expensive side, but quality is good and serving is good for sharing.  They offer dinner buffet at P900, but opted for an ala carte as we don't think we will be able to eat that much.)

Breakfast spread was good, but not spectacular. The Batangas Kapeng Barako though was to rave for ~ I think I had 2 refills.

Acuatico Beach Resort is 2 thumbs up!

It promised nature and relaxation and delivered.

Fantastic place with cordial and warm personnel.

MamaSpeaks will be back soon...

Acuatico Beach Resort

Laiya, San Juan, Batangas
Tel: +632 6515972
Email: reservations@acuaticoresort.com.ph

For information, please visit their website at www.acuaticoresort.com.ph

Luxurious Staycation at Conrad Hotel Manila

If you are looking for a luxury staycation overlooking majestic Manila Bay, 

then Conrad Hotel is just the hotel for you.  

The Conrad Hotel Manila is just a short stroll to SMX Convention Center, MOA Smart Arena or the Mall of Asia ~ perfect location is perfect for shopping, dining and recreation.

You get a VIP view of the Manila Bay.

As we were early for check-in, we registered first and left our bags at the hotel before heading to the S Maison mall located inside hotel.  My boys wanted to watch a movie at the Directors Cinema.  

Look at who welcomed us when we got into our room :P

The Twin Premier room we booked is spacious at 60 sqm.  Design and décor was very stylish.

Check this elegant armoire cabinet that hides from sight the mini bar and espresso machine.

I can already smell brewed coffee. 

My boys checking the city view outside.

Comfortable beds with nicely laundered and soft linens.

Even the bathroom is so fancy.

Look, part of the mirror is actually a TV.  So you can just go relax and soak in the tub, while watching.

 

Toiletries are of very good quality too...

The room package comes with buffet breakfast at the
Brasserie on 3.

It has a  vibrant atmosphere with indoor and outdoor terrace dining.  Would be nice to dine here during a Pyro-Olympics show.  

FINAL VERDICT:

What is not to like?

Price is a bit expensive, but that is expected from a Hilton Hotel franchise

Note that this hotel spells luxury inside out.

You are pampered the moment you stepped out your car.

Staff are wonderful and efficient

Location is great.

So Yes, would definitely stay here again! 

For inquires and reservations:

Check out Conrad Hotel's website

CONRAD HOTEL MANILA

or Call TEL: +63-2-8339999

CONRAD HOTEL MANILA

Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, 1300, Philippines

We just found our favorite Hotel in Quezon City ~ Here is a look at Novotel Hotel

Last year, we bought a Novotel Hotel voucher for an overnight stay in a Superior Room with buffet breakfast for two adults and two children (15 years old and below).  We got it for only P3999 (I know right? It was super affordable) which was Novotel's exclusive promotion for the 27th Philippine Travel Mart. 

We finally got to use it, when we attended a birthday party near the area, and decided on an impromptu staycation (well not really since I had to call reservations a day before)...

Welcome to Novotel Hotel our new favorite staycation hotel in Quezon City! 

My little man wondering what is inside these "ampao".

They have ample parking spaces at the hotel basement ~ we parked easy and proceeded to the lobby for check-in.

Check-in was a breeze.
I was handed the room key cards in a matter of minutes.

Our Room is spic and span!

We had a Superior Room with 2 single beds and a sofa (The room is about 29 sqm., quite small to accommodate an additional bed. 

It was fine though, since my 12 year old fits okay on the sofa).

The bathroom is separated by a floor to ceiling glass wall... don't fret there is a roll down cover! 

Regular sized separate toilet and bath (oh and there is a bidet too).

Room staples includes coffee and tea making facility and mini bar (drinks and snacks are priced reasonably too, but for "tipid mode" there is grocery store "Shopwise" located just across the street).

A safety deposit box for your valuables.

Cotton robes and slippers

Eco-friendly toiletries

We were given, 30 minutes play time at the hotel's  Kids Club, extension play cost P250/hour.

The play room is open from 10am to 6pm.

The place is clean and spacious. It is carpeted and visitors would be asked to wear socks for hygienic purposes.

What about some relax time watching their favorite cartoon.

Meanwhile, busy bodies would surely have their fill swimming inside the ball room. 

Surprise, surprise! There is hidden room to house bigger kids ~ with a computer and an Xbox.  We were the only one there at the time, so my boy had these all to himself.

"Yipee, the X-box is all his.."

When we finished his complimentary 30mins Kid's Play, we proceeded outdoor to check out the children's playground and pool (they have two actually, a kiddie pool and an adult pool).

I am really loving the use of Novotel's outdoor space. Really family and child friendly.  

Our package comes with buffet breakfast for 2  adults and 2 children (age up to 15 years old).  How wonderful is that?  In other hotels, we would shell out P500-P1000 for additional breakfast for my boys (ages 8 and 12). 

Take note that the buffet spread is awesome ~ they obviously did not skimped!  They even have gourmet cheese, cold cuts, about 10-12 choices of dishes, salad bar, fresh fruit juices... service was equally remarkable!

After breakfast we headed to the pool area.

The place is perfect for lounging.

My son enjoying a (cold) dip!  It was really cold, but there is no stopping this boy from enjoying the water. 

Literally Enjoying...

My family loves Novotel ~ a true family friendly hotel located in the heart of Araneta Center (spelled S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G).   

We are sad we had to leave, a day stay is just not enough! 

We are definitely coming back!

Visit Novotel Hotel and experience for yourself its warm service and impressive amenities.

Novotel Hotel

Gen Aguinaldo Avenue Araneta Center, Quezon City

Tel (+63)2/9907888 - Fax (+63)2/9907888
Email: H7090@accor.com