Baguio City
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.
- 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- 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
- Sugarland Hotel - 69-2 Araneta Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Oriental
Batanes (Basco)
-
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)
- 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)
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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
-
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
- 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.
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)
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