Palm Beach Resort Laiya Batangas ~ Resort Review

I have been again dreaming of kicking of my high heels to doing some barefoot sand-walking~ I thought some vitamin SEA was timely!

So we hopped on the family car and found ourselves back to one of favorite relaxation scene ~ Laiya Batangas.  

We love that it is barely 3 hours away Manila and the beach stretch is clean and tranquil.

Our latest discovery is Palm Beach Resort. 

Palm Beach is a bit tucked away from the rest of the Laiya Beaches, which makes it perfect for real time peace and quiet.

Unfortunately the sand was quite coarse (so be sure to wear the right shoes), but water is clear and view is faultless.

We stayed at the ground floor of Casa Blanca.  We could not have chosen a more perfect room.  It is closest to the resort's infinity pool and the dining hall. 

The Casa Blanca is perfectly sized for our family of four.  It is fitted with 2 queen beds and a day bed.  

There is wifi and cable, but never really got to use them much as we were out soaking up the scenery. 

 We slept soundly with the billowing waves outside as background. 

We get to check out the infinity pool, 

which my youngest enjoyed a lot.

VERDICT

• As expected we had a wonderful family time at Palm Beach ~ it was really rejuvenating and just what our stressed out bodies ordered.  It was one of the most relaxing vacations we have had.
  
• The full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner with morning and afternoon snacks) that came with our package was simple yet delectable.  
• Staff were likewise amazing ~ cordial and cheerful.

Palm Beach Resort is located in Barangay Hugom Laiya, 

San Juan Batangas 

For inquiries and reservation please visit their webpage at 

www.palmbeachlaiya.com 

Christmas at Makati Shangri-La Hotel

A Sparkling White Christmas welcomed us at Makati Shangri-La Hotel, and my 8 years old was wide-eyed as he saw Santa Clause gamely pose with children and their parents for souvenir photos. 

With a huge grin on his face, our "bunsoy" personally approached the big man and requested for a picture.

I think, he whispered something to Santa, but I didn't quite hear what it was... 

Although there was an obvious volume of guests, check-in was a breeze.

Bryant the receptionist who attended to us was fast, efficient and cordial.  He informed us that there was an anticipated evening mass and invited us to join. It was pretty convenient as we don't need to rush out Christmas day to look for a church to celebrate mass.

We stayed in a deluxe room in a high floor. 

Our room has a King size bed and a couch.  

I requested for an extra bed, unfortunately due to the volume of guests there were no extra beds left (my bad, I should have placed my request earlier before check-in)...

The bed was huge and comfortable.  It was big enough for 2 adults and a child. 

My eldest was fine sleeping on the couch.

A welcome fruit platter, was an added surprise. My youngest likes fruits and this one lasted about 10 minutes.

The room comes complete with basic amenities...

The towels were clean and new (really soft too).

However, the bathrobes were a bit rough and needing replacement.

Bedroom sleepers

Complete toiletries of good quality, but I am not sure if these are branded. 

Bathroom is spic and span. 

With marbled floors and bathroom tops.

Deep bath tubs for a relaxing hot bath (after a day of shopping, lol)! 

I was bit sad as there was no bidet (Yup, bathroom needs updating!)

A desk clock by the sink. 

A safe to keep your valuables...

A full stocked mini bar (Quite expensive. If you want to  save a few bucks, the Landmark Mall grocery is an easy 5-10 minutes stroll away).

Coffee and Tea is complimentary.

Not a common feature of hotels we have stayed in is an office supplies' cabinet. 

Just look at this charm... this is perfect for business travelers!

The next day buffet breakfast was at the Rizal Ballroom.

Now this one was a huge let down...

Set up was a bit cafeteria, guests were asked to share tables with complete strangers (yes I know, it is Christmas and all, and it would have been fine too - but this is Shangri-La and buffet breakfast is not cheap)!

Service given this set up was mediocre and nothing close to a Shangri-La brand and experience we were hoping (I was just shaking my head side to side... stupefied). 

I can't say much about the food, as I was all too absorbed with the chaos (yes it was close to chaotic) around me. 

Smiling for the camera :P  (not due to breakfast).

Despite our ordinary breakfast experience at Shangri-La,

we still had a wonderful stay.  

Little things truly made a difference:

> Our wonderful receptionist (Bryant).

> Santa Claus posing for our "bunsoy".

>These sweet cup cakes given to my boys as Christmas treats.

> The anticipated Christmas mass.

>The huge Christmas trees and Sparkling Christmas decors.

MamaSpeaks gives Makati Shangri-La an "A-".

Never mind Christmas breakfast and just eat elsewhere.

For inquiries check out Makati Shangri-La Hotel website, follow the link bellow:

Makati Shangri-La Hotel

Hotel Review: Discovery Suites Ortigas

A funny "booboo" led my family, my sister's family and our parents to an overnight stay at the Discovery Suites in Mandaluyong.

A few month's ago, my sister asked me for my plans for Father's Day and since I have none, I quickly agreed to a joint family staycation near Ortigas.

She handled all the reservation details and I was very pleased she got really nice rates via a new travel booking site Traveloka (Click here for the Link - Traveloka Philippines). It prides itself as the most affordable with the best promo rates booking site in the country.  

She booked three (3) double junior suite premier for just 3200 per room (inclusive of buffet breakfast for 2). Wonderful right?

Now, here is the catch, she thought  Father's Day was June 12 (hehe) so we ended celebrating FD a week too early.

Discovery Hotel is an old hotel that has been towering the Ortigas Center skyline since like ages.  I was honestly a bit worried as I am allergic to dust and given the price we paid for, I must admit I lowered my expectations a bit.

All my worries, however, dispelled quickly the moment we entered the hotel lobby.

The lobby was not all grand, but service was top notched and comparable to other 4-5 star hotels we have been to.

My sister and her family getting cozy.

There were welcome sweet mangoes, but papa already decided they were his (mango status #missing).

Our little miss chilling :P

Out little miss, with her favorite Tito.

Having fresh flowers does not happen quite often anymore. 

Our comfty beds :P (before my boys and our little miss started jumping and ruining the beddings)

 

Decent sized flat TV with plenty of channel selections.

Robes, slippers, ironing board, safety deposit box (looks like they have everything).

 Hardwood working desk with good speed wifi (yes also free).

If you are too busy to dine out, you can even take out and heat after (there is also an over toaster, tucked in one of the kitchenette cabinet).

Toiletries were of good quality too. 

The bath spic and span. There is a full shower and bathtub.

 

My son was pretty happy to receive this complimentary Independence Day cup cake.  

Breakfast was at Restaurant 5. 

Sorry we are so "takaw" we forgot to take pictures of the food.

After breakfast we planned to take a dip at the hotel's heated indoor pool, but there were plenty of guests swimming, so we gave the pool a skipped and headed to the Kiddie Play Room.

The little miss begged to stay a little more and won't leave.

VERDICT

• The hotel is clean and smells great.
• The rooms are huge and clean (no dust there). My mom won't stop talking about how clean the rooms were. There is even a sitting area to entertain.
• The linen and towels are new, soft and well laundered.
• Buffet breakfast was equally wonderful. So many food options. Fresh and of very good quality. Staff refills fast and takes away soiled dishes right away.  They were very attentive.

Discovery Suites is situated right smacked in the heart of Ortigas business district, across the Podium Mall and a short distance walk to SM Megamall and Robinson's Galleria, makes Discovery Suites a wonderful staycation hotel for the family.

But I personally think, what makes is more special is the warmth and amazingly sincere friendliness of its personnel.

DISCOVERY SUITES

25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig, 1600 Metro Manila, Philippines

For bookings and reservations, visit their website

www.discoverysuites.com