Tag Archives: balikbayan hotels

a night in a historic hotel

Posted by rob on

one of my 10 things i have not done before that i posted at the start of the year was to spend a night in a historic hotel.  well the oldest hotel that i know of in manila is obviously manila hotel and to take it simply, if it is old its historic, hehe.

established in 1912, manila hotel has survived even the bombing of manila during world war II.  the japanese troops took over and maybe even ate buffet dinners at café ilang-ilang .. lol! 

when i was about to check-in at the hotel, i told the front desk reception that i had the reservation done online but did not received confirmation.  they checked their records and voilà!  my name was not listed and not confirmed!  i thought i won’t be able to check-in and that will be a full embarassment on my part for i have invited a friend for dinner.  good thing they offered to take my card and charged me on the same amount as their internet rate. 

i chose a deluxe room and was assigned at the seventh floor, facing intramuros.  the room has its classic flair of furnitures and a modern marble-tiled bathroom with a water-proof lcd tv.  broadband internet and a fruit basket were complimentary – including nine pillows that almost took the space half of the bed! 😀

buffet meals are served at café ilang-ilang where i invited my blogger friend chyng for dinner.  it’s my advance birthday treat for her for she’s like a little sister to me and is the first person whom i’ve known who has the same birth date as mine.

i’m not really into food blogging but chyng’s post on café ilang-ilang will surely be a feast in your eyes.  read chyng’s blog entry, café ilang-ilang at the manila hotel.

the new horizon hotel

Posted by rob on

if you are looking for a place to stay for a night along edsa between ortigas and the makati business district, the new horizon hotel is one choice you can make that i would recommend. in boni avenue corner edsa in mandaluyong city, the hotel has good access of public transportation whether you want to ride the bus, a taxi or use the metro rail transit.

Hotels in Mandaluyong offer high-quality accommodations, facilities, and services – but they all come with an exorbitant tag price. New Horizon Hotel Mandaluyong provides equally-excellent business, banquet, dining, and lodging amenities guaranteed not to break your budget.

Enjoy New Horizon Hotel’s European atmosphere and personalized service plus avail of promos that give you the chance to take your loved ones to a simple getaway and live and dine in style.

there was a promo room rate when i checked-in at this hotel which included the buffet breakfast. i got a spacious bedroom with a two-seater sofa, small dining table and a writing desk. the bathroom is clean with complimentary toiletries.

i found out they have broadband internet in the room – and it’s free! all the hotels i visited in ortigas center were charging like P400 to P500 per stay to have net access, which is obviously a total rip-off.

buffet breakfast is available at their restaurant, picasso’s place. brewed coffee was great, food was pescetarian-friendly so i was happy. i also pocketed like six tea bags of twining’s, lol!

this is the last of the series of hotels i visited that i have blogged – for now. 😉

sweet nothings at the linden suites

Posted by rob on

the linden suites is found along san miguel avenue in ortigas, pasig city.  like at richmonde, i also did not make an online reservation when i checked-in at this hotel.

A singular blend of hotel luxury and the warmth of home! At the Linden Suites Manila, we boast more than 160 serviced rooms and suites that promise the space, elegance and functionality that every traveler deserves. 

i chose their one-bedroom suite that has a living room and a dining room.  i got a room at the tenth floor, 1001.  there is a home theater system, a fully serviced kitchen and a dining table then a working desk with an ergonomic chair is also included in the room. internet access is available upon request – as usual with an extra charge.

the bedroom has a comfortable queen-size bed, another television and a second working desk.  linden suites is highly recommended for business travellers.

who does not love a spotless bathroom?  lindens’ is one of the cleanest i’ve ever seen!  i can actually sleep on the floor, lol!

buffet breakfast is at azzurro bistro, situated at the second floor of the hotel.  their buffet was satisfying because it offered a lot of choices wherein they even have this delish vegetarian pasta (shown in the picture).

the linden suites also has its business center, a gym, sauna, swimming pool and jacuzzi.  for a balikbayan like me, a night’s stay at the linden suites is just purr.. fect.