Daddy's 76th Birthday at Richmonde Hotel Eastwood

We recently booked three (3) suites at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel to celebrate Daddy's 76th Birthday.  We've chosen Richmonde Hotel for one reason, its direct access to malls and restaurants (loosely translated,  plenty of things to do and minimal walking for my senior parents who hate long walks).

We booked two (2) deluxe rooms  (one for my parents and  one for my sister and her family) and a one (1) bedroom suite pre-paid through Agoda.

I was a bit skeptic at my decision to book here, after reading I have read online reviews.  Primary concerns of most guests is the outdated furnishings.  Which is the least priority in my checklist as we were more concerned of location.

We checked-in easy.   There were not much guests though when we arrived, so I am not sure if the same can be said otherwise.

We got a room next to my parent, but my sister was located eight (8) floors higher.  We were a bit disappointing as we've specified during booking that we want to be located in just one (1) floor.  Another letdown was the lack of a congratulatory cake to welcome our celebrant.  Other hotels, would have given even a cup cake for show.

Our room is of the right size and was able to accommodate an extra-bed I requested set up.  True to other reviews our room was indeed slightly outworn, but fixture were still in good working condition.

After freshening up, we finally got to explore Eastwood Mall.

Ground map of Eastwood Richmonde Hotel can be found in the hotel guide ~

Almost Christmas :P

Instagram worthy

Dinner is just a few meters away from the Hotel ~  

Our birthday boy is hungry for Vietnamese cuisine ~ Pho Hoa!

Happy Birthday Daddy :P

Shopping later for your birthday gift ~

Breakfast at the Eastwood Café was included in our package.

Spread was limited, but quality satisfactory,  the bread and desserts were most noteworthy.

The kiddos got to enjoy dip in the pool, before check out.

FINAL VERDICT:

1. Price is reasonable, you get your money's worth.    
2. Food is pleasant.
3. Staff are accommodating and sincerely warm in making us feel welcome.
4. Location is A+, perfect if want love shopping.  The hotel has direct access to Eastwood Mall.   

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is located at

 17 Orchard Road Eastwood City, Quezon City

For inquiries please contact: 

Tel: (632) 8570-7777 / Email: erh@richmondehotel.com.ph

Honest Review: Golden Phoenix Hotel

I scored a free hotel stay from rewards earned using my Citibank Cash Back Credit Card. I used the points to book a room at the Golden Phoenix Hotel (GPH).

My expectations were high since we've visited the hotel before (just last year, if I am not mistaken) when relatives stayed there for a halfway hotel for their early flights out of Manila. I remember it was still a new hotel and there were on going construction, but that was fine (understandable).

Golden Phoenix Location is perfect , if you want to save yourself worrying time, whether you'll make it to your flight or not, as it is near the Manila airports.

I reserved a deluxe twin room, thinking

there will be 2 twin beds (as shown in the hotel website), 

Deluxe Twin Room from GPH website.

There is obviously no way (a family of 4) would fit in a twin bed,

There was really no other options but to upgrade and pay an additional P1500. 

I was really surprised at check-in that we are having just one (1) twin bed. My fault for not checking bed configuration

Our room after the upgrade. 

Our room is really small - quite far from the website photos. There was hardly enough room to move (much more take a photo of the entire room).

Even the bathroom is small.

I initially can't find the toiletries.

I found them  under the bathroom sink.

The room size was forgivable, however, the linens and  towels were not.

They were old and needing replacement.

 

 

I didn't like the bathroom and didn't use it much, so I can't comment if its clean. 

Pool needed major cleaning too. 

The fountain was not working when we got there and a section or two of tiles were broken. Really unattractive.

Definitely, NO swimming for this staycation!

VERDICT:

• Check-in was just fine.  We were the only ones checking-in at the time so that should be expected.
• Management should do something about the hotel upkeep.  It smells like cement in there.  The carpet running through the hotel corridors also filthy. 
• Not much to do as it is a long walk from SM MOA. In the website it says they offer free shuttle service to nearby attractions. However, we were not informed at check-in and didn't see any during our stay either.

Staff were quite nice and friendly though, but that's the only good thing I can think of right now.
Breakfast was fine, nice spread but nothing exceptional. 
We looked for the gym (the website says there is one), but can't find that one too.

Let us just say, I am not thinking of heading back anytime soon. 

-The End-

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, Parañaque 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.

 

City of Dreams Shuttle

Fisher Mall

Ermita

SM Mall of Asia

SM Megamall

SM Cubao

SM BF Paranaque

Binondo Dream Rewards Lounge