Author Archives: rob

the exchange regency

Posted by rob on

there was this residence hotel that i stayed in for a night when i had my days off in manila last july.  it is situated in ortigas complex and the place itself was new.


Experience the modern comforts of home amid hotel convenience, only at The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel. Located at the heart of Ortigas Center, where shops, sights and sundry are just around the corner, we’ll provide you with warm and personalized service and a host of amenities that’ll truly make us the hotel you’ll call home.

Managed by Hospitality International, The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel is a 42-storey property developed by Nobleland Ventures that stands magnificently at the heart of the Ortigas Center skyline.

the lounge area looks simple with classic, contemporary furnitures.

i was given a room at the sixth floor.

tha hall way was typical for residential hotels.

the room i got was a deluxe with a queen-sized bed.

it has a work desk, a 32″ flat screen lcd tv and wireless internet.

a welcome note.

the clothes cabinet has a security box available inside.  laundry and pressing services is also availble with a fee.

the toilet and lavatory.  toiletries from crabtree and evelyn.

the shower area.

after a relaxing sleep i had my complimentary breakfast the next day at benassi. at the ground floor of the establishment.

the breakfast was basic (set menu), and i chose toast with spreads (butter and jelly) and scrambled eggs.

the coffee was great – something that i can recommend.

it was raining hard outside as i checked the swimming pool of the hotel at the third floor.

on the same floor is the fitness center with complete facilities.

the rate for a deluxe room is mid-range and i find it quite high if i compare it to other condotels in ortigas that i have been to.

exchange regency residence hotel . . the modern traveler’s choice.

ease and comfort at lancaster

Posted by rob on

lancaster hotel manila is a condotel located conveniently along shaw boulevard in mandaluyong city.  of all the condotels i have tried, this is one that i have returned to stay again due to its accessibility and affordable rates.

it is walking distance to the metro rail transit and nearby malls like sm megamall and rustan’s shangri-la plaza.  it might be difficult to get a taxi on rush hours considering the area is in shaw boulevard where there is expected traffic to crossing edsa.

though the hotel is not new, they have still maintained its rich amd modern furnishings.  here are the two room types i stayed in.

the one bedroom executive suite has an ample space to entertain guests.  internet is provided through LAN connection.  i just wonder why they still do not have wireless network in the rooms, anyway as long as i have a net connection it’s no problem for me.

the toilet and bath has available toiletries and is clean.  the bedroom is quite small but the bed and the sheets was comfy.

the studio type junior suite has the same functionality as the one-bedroom executive suite.

lancaster has mixed reviews at tripadvisor, but the thing is i have been to some hotels on the same rate that is far worst.  their breakfast buffet is average and service at the front desk may get slow sometimes (but a little follow-up will do).

an elephant, a tarsier and a bee

Posted by rob on

i have planned a bohol trip for myself and my best friend which is budget-friendly and kind of laid-back.  it was only a three-day weekend trip and what happened on our first day was unproductive due to the rain.  we actually just had a good dinner and checked the bars lining alona beach in panglao.

the room i booked from agoda website was at l’elephant bleu.

this accommodation in panglao island offers rooms and cottages and is very near alona beach.  we were given a room in their new building.

the room is average and working wi-fi is available and complimentary.

the beds made of bamboo were comfortable and the sheets clean.

one of a must-do in bohol of course is to visit a tarsier conservatory.

in my list, one of the ten things i have not done before was to photograph a tarsier.

i noticed that most of the tarsiers were asleep when we visited (hello world, they’re nocturnal!) and as stupid as i can be i forgot to bring my zoom lens in l’ elephant.  so here’s the result – unimpressive pictures, but anyway seeing these curious-looking creatures was enough to fascinate me like an elementary pupil on an educational field trip. 😀

i have read online many reviews about the food at bohol bee farm.  i made sure that i had to try some.

cab-cab chips paired with green tomatoes and grated parmesan cheese

spicy flower salad with honey-mustard sauce

buko (coconut meat) pasta

seafood pizza

they have these homemade ice cream with unique flavors such as camote, malunggay, ginger, tomato and pandan.  i tried sweet potato (camote) and found it good-tasting.  they also serve it into a cone made of cab-cab (from grated cassava root).

locally handmade items like these are available in their souvenir shop where i bought some for my ma.