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.

BSA Twin Tower Pools

I was quite impressed to know that for a small condo-hotel, BSA Twin Towers in Ortigas has two (2) pools. 

 

My boys love the water and swimming is a must whenever there is a pool around!

BSA has a lap pool and a lagoon (sort of) inspired pool. 

There was also a jacuzzi, but it was close when we went there, hence can't say much about it.

 

 

the pools were clean and pretty decent, but the water was chilling... that however, will not stop my boys from swimming!

My boys fooling around as usual!

The pools were small but it was okay, we were the only one there...

We were having such fun, when my husband cut himself on one of the pool's broken tiles.  He ran a deep cut on the sole of his foot, so we hurried the kiddos out of the water (my poor paps... ). I don't want them to hurt themselves, those broken tiles are dangerous).
 

Post script: We reported the broken tiles to one of maintenance staff before leaving and I do hope the hotel fixed it soon before somebody else gets hurt.   

KidsVille @ Podium Mall

 

My kids had swell fun playing adults at Podium Mall's KidzVille. 

 

The toys were made child size and were so cute. I found myself having fun time as well! 

 

It was a worthwhile bonding activity playing pretend with my boys!

 

 

 

playing a super hero (inside Superman's telephone booth)

 

 

a school bus sits right next to a school house

 

my boys playing mechanics this time

 

this fireman rushing via a firepole!

 

At the farm house - the boys got to feed the animals and ride them at the same time.

 

a grocery store, stocked with groceries and produce, was one my kid's favorite zones.

 



how much for the peanuts, mom?

 

the streets of kidsville - no worries no fast moving cars

playing medics



all healthy!!!

 

my eldest loves building stuffs!

All these playing made me hungry.  What's cooking son?

 



The kids had so much fun - playing adults at KidzVille.

 

We would definitely be back.

 

 

KidzVille is located at the 4F Podium Mall, ADB Avenue Pasig City.

 

BSA Twin Tower Mandaluyong

I have saved enough rewards points on my BDO card that when I decided to redeem the points, I had enough credits for a BSA Twin Tower Studio Deluxe accommodation offered via Ensogo.  Our overnight stay at BSA was virtually free.

BSA Twin Tower condo-hotel's locations is just perfect.  The hotel is smacked right at the center of everything a shopping addict could wish for. 

BSA Twin Tower is located along St. Francis Square beside St. Francis "F" Mall, back of SM Megall and meters away Podium Mall.  It is a shopper's dream location. 

I wasn't expecting anything fancy.  The room was after all free. 

Check-in was a breeze and we were allowed an early check-in at 12nn. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the parking.  Would you believe the hotel doesn't have enough parking for their hotel guests? 

Yup, I was shocked myself... this information is important and should not be left for the hotel guest to discover for themselves at check-in. 

My husband was quite disappointed as he had to park our ride all the way to SM Mega Mall - traffic was bad in that area, especially it being a Saturday. 

Hubby dropped me and the kids off the hotel lobby with our luggage, as he parked the car in SM, to be transferred later near "F's" parking lot located beside BSA Twin Towers.

As hubby hunts for a parking slot, me and my kids were led to a Studio Deluxe room.  The room we have comes with 2 single beds, a working kitchen and a dinette.  Room was overall okay, however, the bed, linen and curtains were quite dusty; And the floor needs lots of mopping! 

But then again, this staycation is free - so I am not really complaining. 

They were a little thrift on bathroom supplies, but that's okay.

Oh, they needed to replace their towels as well. They were dirty and coarse. 


My hotel package comes with free buffet breakfast for 2.  Food was okay, nothing to hype about.  But I should say the waiters were very accommodating and attentive.

The seating area at the hotel front desk.

I love these chandeliers - they were huge and look expensive.  If only the hotel has parking :P



VERDICT:  So, so hotel in a prime location.  Would consider staying if I needed to do some major shopping or if I am getting a night's stay for free :D

See also my related post on BSA Twin Tower pools.

Holiday Inn Galleria - Birthday Weekend

My family is addicted to staycations! 

 

We just love lazing in frill hotels, without really having to travel miles.

.. and nothing seems to beat hotels with direct access to malls :) 

 

What can say? Travel, relax, eat and shop: HEAVEN!

 

For my youngest son's 4th birthday, I found a real steal deal via group buying. 

 

I bought a 2 bedroom suite at Holiday Inn Galleria - good for 4 adults and 2 kids.

 

The package comes with a 2 BR suite (each with its own bathroom and a tub at the master's bath) huge living room, dining area and a bar, plus buffet breakfast.

 

It was absolutely perfect for my family and my recently married sister.

 

the master's bedroom

bedroom 2 was as cozy as the master's bedroom

the master's bath

sitting inside the master's bedroom



my kids - getting  a feel of the bar! - a few shots maybe?

dining and living room

the splendid buffet breakfast - my youngest just sad to go :(