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Monday, May 13, 2019

Philippines: Recommended Hotels

Recommended Hotels in the Philippines - Reviews on Trip Advisor by M.G. Imson

Baguio City
  1. Forest House Baguio - Loakan Road, near old main entrance of Camp John Hay  
    The place also offers 5 country-designed rooms for rent which you can reserve through their website – www.foresthouse.ph. Rooms are good for 2 or 3 persons at the rate per room ranging from Php 3200 to 6,000 including breakfast. (March 2019)
  2. Elizabeth Hotel Baguio - Gilbraltar Road, Baguio City. This three-star hotel is located near the Wright Park, the Mines View Park and the Baguio Mansion House.  The hotel is quiet and service is friendly and efficient. The whole hotel is decorated with European theme.  Rooms have wifi access, flat TV, minibar, refrigerator,  tea and coffee maker, room safe. The room that we got has a balcony.  Room rates differ depending on the season but its usual published rate is P3,600 per night with free breakfast. Hotel has huge coffeeshop which is open all day. Breakfast buffet is very good. The hotel has a small fitness center, wine store, piano bar. it also has a nice garden and a guarded underground and outside parking. I highly recommend this hotel. (March 2019) 
  3. Villa Cordillera (Fairways and Greens)  - 20 Outlook Drive, Baguio City.  If you are travelling in a group and looking for a reasonable-priced hotel in Baguio, you can consider this hotel. This bread and breakfast hotel used to be a staff house of a large mining company operating in Benguet. It is now operated by the Baguio Country Club. The hotel maintains a restaurant called "The Other Office", famous for its breakfast buffet (P190) and source of the raisin bread from the Baguio Country Club. . The hotel, a good view of the golf course, has many rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 6-8 persons. The hotel is located near the Baguio Mansion House and  can be accessed easily through the South Drive.
  4. The Manor Hotel at Camp John Hay - “Just as nice a hotel in Baguio City, Philippines
It has been sometime since I last stayed in this hotel in Baguio.  This 17-year old hotel inside Camp John Hay still offers large and clean accommodation for every traveler. The rooms are equipped with all the standards items of a four-star hotel including room safe, ironing board, coffee maker with free coffee and tea and two bottles of drinking water for each day.  The room has a wide-variety of snack and drink selections in its mini-bar that are priced moderately. However, here are some practical things travelers should know about this hotel:

1.       Rooms have no air-conditioning units

2.       Parking is very limited, and many car owners will be asked to park at the adjacent Forest Lodge Hotel which is about 5 minute-walk from Manor and passing through the back garden of the hotel. Walking to Manor may be a problem when it rains or during night time.

3.       In the morning and in late afternoon, there is free coffee, tea or drink at the waiting area near the piano bar.  This is snack cart is visible, but the free coffee & tea is not advertised.

4.       Linens and towels are not automatically changed each day even if towels are left on the floor to change as practice in other hotels.  Guest needs to dial “3” (housekeeping) each time to request for fresh towels or linen.

5.       There is buffet for dinner, but ala carte menu is not available.

6.       Avoid rooms at the second floor during rainy season because you are likely to be disturbed by the noise of falling water coming from the upper floors or roof.

Our short stay was pleasant and without problems.  Staff were friendly and efficient.  (Trip Advisor review by M.G.Imson last August 2019)
Bataan

  1. Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club, Morong, Bataan - "Some Practical Tips for Anvaya Stay"
    We always enjoy our stay at Anvaya Cove weather for just a day trip or for several nights. The facilities of the resort are superb and well-maintained. The rooms are huge and clean. Services are friendly and efficient. Restaurants and bars offer good and delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. Because it is an exclusive club, one must be with a member or be endorsed by a member to gain access to the resort.
    Here are some practical tips when you decide to visit Anvaya Cove:
    1.       It is best to first familiarize yourself with the policies and facilities of the resort by visiting their website.
    2.       Ensure you have confirmed reservations for entry or stay in Anvaya. To avoid delays, make a printout of your reservation and present the same to the security personnel at the main gate upon entry.
    3.       If not a member, make sure your visit has been properly endorsed by a member. Keep a contact telephone number of the member in case there is need for resort personnel to verify issues about your visit.
    4.       Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Beach Club.
    5.       Come with proper swimming attire if you plan to use the pool.
    6.       Bring your pocket or mobile wifi for use in the Beach Club.
    7.       Make advance reservation for SPA and wellness services. You can call them a day before your arrival.
    8.       Pets are not allowed inside the resort. (Trip Advisor, December 18, 2017; updated on March 2019)
Bacolod

  1. Sugarland Hotel - 69-2 Araneta Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Oriental
This is one of the hotel landmark in Bacolod where I used to stay many years ago.  Today, the hotel has maintained its facilities well.  The rooms are large and very clean and come with all the hotel amenities including, A/C, mini ref, flat TV with cable, room safe, free coffee/tea with two bottled water, among others.  The bathroom are newly refurbished. Breakfast buffet is good and is now served on poolside. The hotel also has the Twist Café which is open all day.  Service is friendly and efficient. Room rate is at P2500 (with breakfast) which I reserved through the internet. Hotel has parking and concierge. 

Batanes (Basco)
  1. Fundación Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge - "What a beautiful place to be in Basco, Batanes"  This hotel is strategically located on top of a hill overlooking the rolling hills and ocean.  Facilities are very good and the beautiful gardens are well kept. It has a little restaurant, Café du Tukon, that is worth trying --- food is good and service is friendly. I recommend this place to see to all my friends visiting Basco, Batanes. (Trip Advisor, June 19 2018)
  2. Pension Ivatan - "Very convenient hotel from the airport".  We stayed in this hotel for two nights.  The hotel is conveniently located just behind the airport in Basco. The hotel is nice.  The room I got had a queen-sized bed and it came with all amenities of a big hotel --- nice bed, fresh towels and linens, toiletries, free coffee and tea, refrigerator.  However, the room did not have a telephone, no WIFI system and no room safe.   Breakfast came with the room which was served either ala carte or buffet (which was good)  depending on the number of guests the hotel has. Restaurant of the hotel is small but known to be a place to get you local dishes.  Hotel staff were friendly and accommodating.  The hotel has its own bakery located just beside the main entrance which sells freshly baked bread everyone. Hotel has shuttle service and may be contracted for you to move around during your stay.  If you are in Basco for business or pleasure, I recommend this hotel. (Trip Advisor, June 16, 2018) 

Cebu City

Mandarin Plaza Hotel - Archbishop Reyes Avenue corner Escario Street, Cebu (+44 20 3027 6614)
  • Four-star hotel in the heart of Cebu
  •  Fifteen minutes walk to Ayala Center
  • Rate is approximately P2,500 (US$50)  per night for double room with breakfast (as of 2019)
  •  Good hotel facilities; big rooms with complete amenities, free wifi
  •  Highly recommended
Cebu Parklane International Hotel - Escario Street, Cebu City
  •  Four-star hotel just beside Mardarin Plaza Hotel
  •  Rate is approximately P2,300 per night with breakfast
  •  Has a nice Cebuano buffet restaurant (Kan-Anan) at its top floor that serves grill dishes at Php 399 per head
Hotel Elizabeth Cebu  - Archbishop Reyes, Camputhaw, Cebu City (+6332 231 8000)
  •  Four-star hotel with European design and motif
  •  Rooms at approximately P2,300 per ngiht with breakfast (as of 2020)
  • Clean and spacious rooms with good service
  •  Sister hotel of Elizabeth Hotel Baguio
  •  Highly recommended
Coron, Palawan

  1. R2R Bayview Inn – “Good hotel in the heart of Coron in Palawan” – This three-star hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Coron and a stone’s throw to lots of eateries and shops.  Hotel has several types of accommodation including rooms that can take 5 persons.  Room that I got can accommodate two persons. It was clean with a queen-sized bed,  small toilet and shower with hot water.  It has TV with cable, telephone but no ref.  I notice some small insects in the room during our stay. The hotel has its own restaurant and swimming pool.  My room rate was P2900 but with no breakfast. (Trip Advisor, April 15, 2019)
  2. Skylodge Resort , Inc. - "Good hotel with a scenic view of Coron Port." This three-star hotel has a nice view of the harbor and the city.  Rooms and toilets are clean and equipped with the usual room amenities --- AC, flat TV with cable, room safe, small ref , telephone, free bottled water, coffee & tea. It also has a room that can accommodate 5 persons. Room rates starts from P2900.  It has a restaurant that has good food and a good view of the harbor.  The staff are friendly, and service is good.  Hotel is located on top of a hill with a steep winding road to the top. Look for GM Lawrence for assistance. (Trip Advisor, April 2019)

La Union (Bauang) 
  1. The Laffayette Luxury Suites Resort, 353 Baccuit Sur, Bauang, La Union - "Some practical tips for this pricey but nice resort in Bauang"

      Our group of 18, all seniors and mostly vacationing balikbayans, stayed in this resort for a mini-reunion of our high school group.  Without doubt, this resort may be one of the best, if not the best, in the rows of resorts in Bauang, La Union. The resort is new, having opened only six month ago.  Facilities are very clean including its two infinity pools. We were very happy that there did not have problem with no mosquitos in the resort. The beach front is rather small, but you can walk along the coast which we enjoyed the next morning given the opportunity to buy some fresh seafood from local fishermen and having them cooked by the resort’s chef for a minimal fee.

      Rooms in the resort are mostly found in two-story villas which are adjacent to each other. Each villa has three big rooms (one located at the ground floor and two at the second floor), one T&B  in each floor but located outside the rooms, a small sala with a sofa and a flat TV; and a kitchen with a big refrigerator and a dining set for six.  All rooms are clean and have either two queen beds or one king bed. Room amenities include a flat TV, bath robes, room safe. Toilets are provided with clean towels and standard toiletries (toothbrush, soap, bath get, cotton buds, body lotion) and the kitchen with free bottles of water (which were generously refilled upon request), free coffee/tea, sugar and cream.


Our group finds the resort very pricey (one villa costing 25K pesos) but worth it.  Generally, service in the whole resort was efficient, courteous and friendly. The complimentary breakfast which comes with the room was good.   Our group tried the buffet dinner by the beach which turned out to be very good. It came with a free drink (beer or juice) and an array of Filipino grills and dishes including soup, tilapia fish, squid, chicken, pork, shrimp, vegetables and water melon as dessert. Dinner buffet is priced at 500 pesos and paid as you enter the beach dining area.


As expected of a newly opened resort, there were some “birth pains” that we experience which we brought to the attention of management. In particular, we experienced water interruption in one  evening because one of its water tank got emptied due to a malfunctioning float bulb.  The problem was resolved within minutes.


Here are some practical tips for those considering using this resort in the coming days:


1.       Come early so that you can get a good parking slot.  The parking area of the resort is very small, and the motor bikes and equipment of the resort are occupying part of it.


2.       Ask for a room or villa away from the kitchen. One of the villas occupied by our group was smelly inside because its windows were not closed.

3.       Note that check-in time of the resort is 2pm.  If you come early you need to wait or be charged extra for early check-in. A couple from our group who travelled all the way from the US went straight to the resort early morning and was charged for their early check-in despite the resort being “empty” that day.

4.       Resort does not allow food and drink from outside into the restaurant and public areas of the resort. Food and drink that you bring can, however, be consumed within the confines of your villa or room. (Trip Advisor, February 14, 2018)


Manila City

The Bayleaf Hotel - Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila; Tel. +63 2 318 5000
  • Four-star hotel located inside the historic Intramuros in Manila.
  • Hotel is very proximate to the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (5 minutes walk)
  • Rate is approximately US$ 80 per night with breakfast for two.
Jens Hotel - Roxas Boulevard
Makati City
Holiday Inn Suites and Hotels - Greenbelt, Makati City
  • 4-star hotel
  • good location in the heart of Greenbelt, Makati; hotel is adjacent to the shopping malls and eateries
  • Rooms are very clear and staff are friendly
  • Room rate : approximaely US$110 per night with  breakfast
  • venue of 4th PAC Meeting of ATP

New World Makati Hotel -   A.Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines ; Tel. 63 2 811 6888; www.manila.newworldhotels.com
  • Five-star hotel ; centrally located in the heart of Greenbelt Makati
  • Rate is approx. US$190++ per day with breakfast
Somerset Millenium Hotel - a104 Aguirre Street,  Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines 1229; Tel. +63 (2) 750 7888; reservations: +63 (2) 2550 3200
  • Three-star hotel located behind Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and walking distance to the Greenbelt Shopping District
  • Rate per night Php 4200 (US$100) with breakfast
  • hotel is clean and quiet
  • hotel facilities include restaurant, business center, gym and pool (at 10th floor)
  • Rooms are huge (executive room or junior suite) with receiving room and full kitchen
  • room facilities: 2 free bottled water, free wifi, ref, ironing board, flat TV, slippers and robe
  • airport to hotel by metered taxi is approximately Php 300 or US$ 8

Ormoc City
  1. Sabin Resort Hotel - Bantigue, Ormoc City 6541; Globe 09176339534; Smart 09209815613   Resort has a native design and has a good view of the bay. Hotel and restaurant facilities are good. Published rates: superior room P2,600; de luxe P2,800; Premier P3000; Executive Suite P3,800.
Pampanga
  1. Prado Farm, Lubao, Pampanga - "A quiet and relaxing place to be". Prado Farm is located in Lubao, Pampanga just two hours drive from Manila. The farm resort is quiet and relaxing enough with its gardens, architecture, art exhibits, infinity swimming pools, farm house,  free carabao rides and bicycles. There is a nice souvenir shop and kiosk at the main entrance of the farm where you find the resort’s registration desk.  You can tour the whole farm anytime on your own or by joining the free scheduled daily tour. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Visitors need to make a short walk inside the farm to their rooms (of course, there is  concierge service for your luggage and other things). Rooms are clean and air conditioned with basic hotel facilities but one should know that rooms come without television, refrigerator and room safety vault.  Room rates start from 3,500 pesos per night for a double occupancy with breakfast. There is a nook just bedside the hotel lobby that offers flowing free coffee and tea all day.  Many visitors come for a day trip but those staying overnight can enjoy the nice breakfast that is available in the main dining room located just beside the hotel. Breakfast is good and we like their native dishes like crispy danggit (local fish), spiced pork and chicken adobo, beef tapa and with array of organic fruits and vegetables.  Visitors can also opt for their delicious buffet dinner of organic dishes (served from 7pm) at 450 pesos per head.  There is a standard corkage of 300 pesos for each wine bottle brought in. All is well except for the drivers’ quarter (costing 450 pesos per night) that can stand lots of improvement.  Our driver complained that the common room for drivers is small, without AC and the toilet and shower are not working well. WIFI system in the whole farm can also be made better. (Trip Advisor on June 30, 2017 and posted in Travel Blog on October 20, 2017)

Tagaytay City 
  1. Mi Abuela Tagaytay - address: Tagaytay Monte Vista; place has five nice rooms that can accommodate large groups; rates per room from Php 2500 – 5000; Contact: Mr. Chino Castaneda, Manager at +63 917 895 8595 or book through Airbnb
“Very nice BnB in Tagaytay City”
I stayed for a night in this AirBnB in Tagaytay City together with a group of friends from Thailand, Korea and the Philippines.  Of the five uniquely designed rooms made available to our group, my wife and I chose “The Attic”.  This unit is nicely decorated and came complete with a small sala with flat TV, dining table, kitchen (with microwave, water heater, etc), and toilet and bath.  A rather steep stairs bring you to the attic room which can accommodate 4 people.  Room is huge but one must be careful to avoid hitting the beams with your head.  I recommend this room for young people. As in most BnB, there is no room service, no telephone, no WIFI.  There is a couple taking care of the whole property who were very helpful. Our stay was pleasant and comfortable. Our group has no complaint about this facility except for its low water pressure at bath time. (2018)





Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Philippines: Visit to Calauit Safari Park in Palawan

Calauit Safari Park is an animal sanctuary in Busuanga, Palawan. The Park, an eco-tourism attraction, is located in Calauit Island and covers 3,700 hectars of land. It is the home of a substantial population of African animals, including giraffes, zebras as well as local animals.  The Park was established in 1976 where it was declared as wildlife sanctuary. A private, non-profit organization, Conservation and Resource Management Foundation (CRMF), was place in charge of the whole facility. As of 2018, the Park’s resident animals are 21 giraffes, 27 zebras and 21 waterbucks.  It also has Calamian deer, mouse deer, birds and other Palawan endemic animals.

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Travel to Calauit Safari Park from Coron, Palawan

If you are coming from Coron, land travel to Calacuit Safari Park is approximately 1.5 hours passing through an 80-kilometer well-paved national road. There are many ways to go to Calauit from Coron.  You can drive your own car, take a rented car or van, or take a taxi.  Rented 9-seater van with a driver will cost you approximately P7000 for the whole day, all in. Taxi will cost you approximately P1,200 to P1,500 one way. Organized tours, inclusive of travel arrangements, are available from many tour and travel establishments in Coron.

At the mid-point of your travel, you will pass by a town where you will find Arnik’s Restautant & Lodging House in Busuanga.  This restaurant has lodging facilities but many travelers from Coron stop here for snacks, meals or to use their clean toilets. The restaurant is small, clean and staff are friendly. Prices are reasonable.

Registration and fees to pay in Calauit

Registration is required for all visitors entering the Calauit Safari Park. This is done at the main entrance just before you walk to the Pier to ride the wharf. Entrance fee and charges per person, effective January 2019, are as follows:

Entrance fee: P300 (local);  P500 (foreigner); P240 (seniors, pwd, student)

Safari Tour /Coach Fee: P125; P100 (seniors, pwd, student)

Environmental Fee: P100; P80 (senior, pwd, student)

There are other fees to be paid if you plan to camp, rent a tent, stay in the guest house or use the Filming House. All fees are paid at the Provincial Treasurer’s office located at the Registration desk at the main entrance. 










Wharf ride to Calauit Island

Wharfs operated by the Provincial Government of Palawan bring visitors to the Calauit Island. Each wharf can accommodate up to 12 per persons.  The wharf ride is approximately 20 minutes to the island. You will use the same, if not smiliar wharf, when you return after your tour. Tipping is not required although the boatman and his team will appreciate a small tip of at least P20 per person. 



Souvenir Shops

There is just one souvenir shop located at the main entrance where you can buy some t-shirts and other souvenir items.  There are two or three other shops inside the Park though the selection of goods is limited.

Safari Park Bus Service and Tour Guide

There are few Safari Tour Bus Service that can bring you around the island.  If you have paid (P125) for this at the main entrance you can just walk to one of them to join a group and start the tour.  A local Tour Guide accompanies each of the Bus Service.

Alternatively, you can walk around the Park on your own. You may also consider renting an audio device (P50) to guide you in your tour. 



Cameras and Film Devices

Amateur or non-professional cameras are allowed for use inside the Park. However, professional cameras and filming devices need to be cleared by Park authorities after payment of authorized fees.

Tour of Safari Park

The Park in an open area and tour of the whole Park will take approximately 2 hours with three stops.  The first stop is feeding the Giraffes and looking at the Zebras.  Each group will have their turn to feed the giraffes. The Tour Guide will let you know of your group’s turn for feeding inside the pen which normally is 30 minutes per group.  The Guide normally will provide each of the visitor with plants to feed the giraffes and he will give safety instruction before feeding the animals. Visitors can get close to the giraffes when feeding from the pen.  Your photos with the giraffes  may be taken individually or as part of a group.

Just in an area behind the Giraffes is where you find the group of free-range zebras.  Visitors will walk to that area where the zebras are grazing. No feeding or touching of zebras are allowed.

The second stop in 5 minutes away by bus ride. It is the area where you will find a mini-zoo with a handful of animals like snakes, porcupine, eagles and monkeys, among others. Stop here is approximately 30 minutes.

The third stop is the area where you find turtles housed in small concrete pens. Visitors can take photos of the turtles, but they cannot touch them. This stop takes approximately 15 minutes depending on the Tour Guide.



Where to eat

There are no restaurants inside the Park.  However, visitors can bring their own light snack, including drinks (but no alcohol). In our case, our group had lunch in a nearby restaurant proximate to the Park:

            Buluang Fishpond Restauarnt in Busuanga Town; Tel. 0926 704 5093, 0967 544 2566

We took lunch in this restaurant after our morning visit to the Calauit Safari Park which is just 20 minutes away drive. The restaurant has a unique setting with individual dining huts afloat a man-made pond. Orders are taken as you enter the “bridge” to the dining huts.  Menu consists of main course, seafood selections and the breakfast menu all written in a small board. Our group did not try their seafood except for the grilled fish that we ordered.  The sinampalukang native chicken (P450) and pinoy pinakbet (P150) that we ordered were delicious. However, the pork and chicken adobo (P150 each) was full of fats. We enjoyed their fresh buko drink.  Generally, their prices were reasonable, but their service was poor because our orders came after more than 30 minutes of waiting. There were also dogs of the owner that played inside our dining hut who later fought and bit each other. 

Practical Tips

1.      Always check on the weather forecast before proceeding with your trip.  If rains are expected bring umbrellas or appropriate cover for yourself. 

2.      It is best to schedule your travel to Calauit early morning.  In our case, our rented van picked everyone up from the hotel at 5:30am. If you plan to do similarly, make sure to arrange with your hotel for your packed breakfast. 

3.      Wear comfortable clothes noting that it can be very warm during the tour as there are no covered spaces in the Park.

4.      Travel light but don’t forget to bring your own bottle of drinking water.

5.      In case you plan to stay in Calauit for the night, there are many budget hotels near the Sanctuary.  You can use the internet to do your advance booking.

6.      In taking the wharf to Calauit Island, remember that your ride or use of wharf has already been paid as part of your entrance fee.  Some boatmen may take advantage of visitors by insinuating that each of the passenger must pay him for their ride. You however, can give the boatman a reasonable tip if you wish.

7.      Tour guides inside the Park render their services free.  However, visitors may wish to give them a small tip for their kindness and good work.