Cocoon Boutique Hotel – Where Luxury is Responsible

ABBEY: This was tagged as eco-hotel in a city. It is located at Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos in Quezon city. An overnight stay in a twin bed room costs . It has a tub (Wilma was ecstatic knowing it), a comfy twin bed and fragrant toiletries. Buffet pastry breakfast is being served at the top-most floor where the outdoor swimming pool is also located. Priced at 350 per person, you can enjoy on freshly baked bread, cereal and soup. It also includes an order of one rice meal (longsilog, tosilog, tapsilog, american breakfast etc). Lift lobbies were ornamented with big blocks of wood while small blocks were used to design walls of the room. An old grand piano was exhibited in the hotel lobby; maybe if it can be tuned up it would be better. Hotel staffs were very helpful and attends to the needs of the guests specially when the lift broke down. Other thing to improve though with the chubby chef in the breakfast buffet; it would be better to keep his rant to his teammate to himself. Its disturbing and annoying to hear him whine when I'm enjoying the most important meal of the day.

WILL: RJ and Jhen's wedding is coming and I asked Jhen where we will stay. They told us that they will be staying at Cocoon Boutique Hotel. We have two options, to stay at my parents' house or to book for a room in this hotel. Well, after some calculations we chose the latter. 
      Urgently we start to send email to info@thecocoonhotel.com and Ms Annie immediately accommodated our queries, P4200 per night, breakfast is included for two pax. As time goes by, we requested two more pax to avail the breakfast but it ended 3, my Ate Sol, Kuya Laleng, Hannah & Baste(2child but counted as 1 adult)were added which is P350 per person. Until now nit yet paid, Sorry Ms Annie. Later this month I will deposit it to you. Don't get us wrong, their staffs forgot to bill us and we forgot also as we never checked the bill upon checking out. 
     Their room is so spacious and what I really love is their bathtub that can be viewed the tv, but I don't have the chance to soak my tired body because Hannah and Baste do that for me. Oh, Baste asked me to put a slide in our bathtub in home. Hehe. 
     Their P350 breakfast is just a simple one. Nothing to linger and stay for more. After a plate we decided to go back in our room for the wedding preparation since the pool is way too cool for the kids to handle. 
     Indeed this is the most valuable and newest hotel around the Quezon City. Worthy for weddings, birthdays or for romantic escapade. 
     Thanks Ms Annie for accommodating our request. Free to communicate with them through email, their responses were never delayed. 

Plantation Bay Resort And Spa - Cebu Philippines

ABBEY: When Wilma told me that we will be checking at Plantation Bay, I was excited. The resort is popular for its good reputation. But I didn't expected that it was a very long ride from our previous destination in Balamban; making us late and tired upon check in. It was my mistake not to do my homework about the locations :) 

We were given a room at poolside. It's a two-twin bed room with a tub. With no time to spare we changed to swimming attire and hit the pool. One pool is freshwater and the other is seawater. We let ourselves relax at their jacuzzi. After our dinner we head back to our room and had a goodnight sleep. 

In the morning we had breakfast at . We trie their clubhouse, beef tapa, and bread platter; all for less than 2500php. We took some snaps in the beach and visited the souvenir shop. Upon  checking out we were given complimentary sweets. A night stay costs almost 9000php but its worth it. 

WILL: I have heard a lot of good traits of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. This over 10 hectares of land cradled me and my friends for a night costing us USD197.12, poolside room, excluded of breakfast. Expensive? Yes it is. 

      We checked-in around 2pm and we were assisted by their staff and hop on in their golf carts and walked our way to our room. Our room has two tin sized bed, a bathtub and a very refreshing site of pool and gazebo. When we are all ready to go, we went first to their sea salt pool. I don't like this pool, it gave me an itchy feeling, when the sun went down, we dipped in their jacuzzis and lasted our stay for almost an hour. Hydro massage is really amazing. This gave a good night sleep. 

    Morning in Plantation Bay, we strolled the vicinity, bought some souvenirs, visited their beach, and had a sumptuous breakfast at the Kilimanjaro Cafe. 

    This is a great staycation. I regret?! Oh, I wish we stayed longer here.  Haha! 

Gran Tierra Suites

ABBEY: Grand tierra accommodated us on our first night in Cebu. The rate for a deluxe room is 750php for a person; additional pax costs 150. Walking a few meters and you'll be at Osmena boulevard; a 10-minute ride to Ayala Center. Warm staff welcomes you upon checking in with delicious cheese roll and biscotcho to fill in your hunger from travel. The room is spacious and comfy. One thing to improve though, it would be better to have one more drain in the comfort room other than in the bath. Thanks to them for keeping our danggit and pusit safe until we go back to Manila.

WILL: This is highly recommended by my friend Denise and our level of appreciation is and likes are just the same level. This Gran Tierra Suites is just located along Cebu Doctor's Hospital, a quite new one and very affordable. 
      As we entered the room, its spacious and clean and have a very approachable staffs. There is a free hot and cold mineral water just outside of our room. I enjoyed their complimentary basket of breads. Oh, they also provide toiletries except toothbrush and toothpaste. No choice but to buy two for us. We had a great sleep on that night.  
      After checking out, we asked the receptionist if we could leave some of our baggage and they confirmed on it. Nothing was lost after  we left those bags for almost 2 days. Recommendable for people traveling on tight budget. One night costs Php 750 and reserve it in advance since this is place is always fully-booked. 

Nice Hotel

ABBEY: Since high school we were aware of these as motorist hotels lined-up along EDSA and at the back of our alma mater. We stayed here after our Tagaytay trip since its too late for us to go home. I'm glad that I'm with my wife when I went here. 

Unfortunately the room that were assigned to us is not that nice. There's a small gap between the bottom of the aircon and the wall so we heard all the noise of vehicles from the outside. The shower drain seems to have clog. A plus for the hotel is their beautiful lobby and half-price rate since the branch near SM North EDSA just opened.

WILL: After Tagaytay, we arrived Manila just about midnight I think. Haha! I lost track of time since I am sleeping. 
As we agreed by John, we were alighted at Nice Hotel near SM North. This is a new hotel here and they offers 50%off. We availed 12hours and paid for not more than 600Php. 
      The room is too small as well as the bathroom. Since it was located just beside the EDSA highway, the vehicles' noise is disturbing. I am on the verge of calling the reception to request them to change the room. The blanket is too thin and the bed is too hard to be comfortable. 
      They have this tactic to call, I think they do this to every occupied room, to ask if they want food for breakfast. 
I hope for a higher standard on every room. 

Hotel Veniz Baguio

ABBEY: This hotel will take only 1 ride from the bus terminal. An overnight stay costs 1795. This includes a standard room and a buffet breakfast. The place is within the Kilometer 0 of Baguio. It's near Burnham park, Session Road, Central Market and jeepney terminal to Strawberry Farm. Check-in time is 2pm and out is 12noon. Early check-in depends upon the availability of the room. Staffs are accommodating and friendly. They are offering free wi-fi hotelwide :)

WILL: I am the in-charge to look for a place where we can stay for a night, many options but almost were fully-booked. Then we finally have a confirmed reservation to this hotel. Their check-in time is 2pm but they allowed us to have an early check-in at 1pm. 

      The room is quite big as expected but the age of the hotel was blatantly seen. The bed seems not that clean and the bathroom has a serious cockroach issues. The room is not properly lit. 

Their buffet breakfast few foods to choose from and this is the only hotel breakfast that I went without any hot tea. 

     In fairness, they have this very polite people who serves their customers well. I hope for more improvement to this hotel. 

The Sulo Riviera Hotel

ABBEY: This is the closest hotel to our wedding venue. It is located at Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City.  A very good one compared to any other hotel around Quezon Ave. They have nice line of staff which caters the clients to meet their needs. We booked their Ambassador's Suite for 3 days and 2 nights. Someone would think, its not that cheap but its very reasonable. We had a complementary wine, fruit basket, mannequin for the wedding gown, a discounted price for the suite and an extension room, and six passes for breakfast buffet. The room was large that includes a dining area, living room, walk-in closet, and master's bedroom. Our stay there is great. Special thanks to Patrice, Lloyd and their front desk officers :)

WILL: I am rooting for the aquarium room of Manila Ocean Park but our venue was on QC. 

Makati and ortigas had the nicest hotel that i know but traffic blocked the idea.
Searching for last minute, we found this Sulo Riviera, automatically looked for their banquet team, then met patrice. She showed us the different rooms then we came up to occupy the ambassador suite. A very large room that have a walk-in closet. An entertainment room, small garden and an extension room that we also rented out. This ambassador suite costs us 16000php per night and my haggling powers? Di umubra. Ha! But any way worthy di naman kami araw araw naghohotel. Hehe.
Ayun, suggestions for the hotel? Lagyan nila ng jacuzzi or bathtub ang bathroom. Sila lang napunthan ko na hotel na executive room na walang gnun, hmp! 

New World Hotel - Makati, Philippines

ABBEY:

During college, I sidelined as a light man in video coverage. And whenever we cover for a wedding in a hotel, I used to dream to stay there for a night or two. Hotel staff will treat you as  if you're the most VIP in the world :) I experience that in New World Hotel. The hotel was great. They have ongoing wedding dress fair when we came, The Runway Project, so their lobby exhibited different gowns. Our room is spacious, twin bedroom, enough for 6-8 pax. We also dipped on their pool. :) Thanks to Neth's connection, we got it half the price.

WILL: It's my birthday! And who's idea ito? It is from my friendly-friend, Neth. Usually on my birthday dahil summer, we go for a out of town to have some splurge sa mga resorts. But now, we just stayed in Makati. 

      This hotel was aka Renaissance, now the name is New World Hotel. From office, I went straight to the hotel. There, in their vast spaced lobby, my friends were waiting for me, as usual grand entrance na naman ako. ;p.

      We have fun in our stay. A comfy room, clean pools, a free drink from our beloved Kuya V and a tipsy tipsy night with a revelation game. ahahaha!

      I am so thankful as always to my true friends who is always there for me. Oooops, almost forgot I just paid half of the hotel rate(Php3200.00), why? it's one of Marineth's gift for me. hehehe. 

      I love to stay in hotels, just to soak in my self in a hot tub. A sweet escape for me in a stressful world of Bureau of Customs in Philippines. 

Spiral at Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Abbey: 

Deja vu.. this is Westin Philippine Plaza, right? When we had a wedding coverage in this hotel, I told myself, someday I'll eat at their restaurant. And it happened :)


We went there 10 minutes before 11:30am. Takot magutom. Picture-picture muna, sight-seeing. At exactly 11:30, we attacked :) Hindi pa nga handa yung ibang food. I first got pizza and pasta. Sarap nun. Thin crust, pero sobrang daming toppings at ang pasta nilunod ko sa sauce. Next, is pizza again, and beef yakisoba. Sobrang lambot ng karne ng baka. Isang dekada nila yatang pinressure cooker yun. Wagyu beef po yun.


I also tried our local Bistek Tagalog, roast pork, grilled pork chop, dimsum. Lastly yung chocolate ice cream. Ang sarap talaga. Kaya talagang bondat ang tiyan ko. Minsan lang naman. Nakatulog pa yata ako sa busog nung nagfi-fix si Wil sa restroom.

Definitely, we'll come back sa Spiral :)

Wilma: Well, antagal na namin gusto kumain dito pero time is not friendly with us, malayo kasi sa office namin. 

       I reserved a week before, kasi I know lagi jam packed. And we did not went wrong, ang daming guests na hindi nakakain kasi all seats were reserved. 
       As usual, lugi ako sa buffet. Liit kasi ng bodega ko, hehe. I love the pasta, pero this time, I went for the red sauce. Pizza is sooo good, thin crust, but there's something with the dough na very delicious. Siomai, just an ordinary taste. Steamed lapu-lapu, strawberry gelato, marshmallows dipped in chocalate fondant, cakes, grilled meats, ano pa ba?, dami ko nakain di ko na matandaan ang name. hehe..
      Konti ang pics, because wala na kami time to take pictures na-overwhelmed kami ng dami ng food. 
      Masarap sya in all. There's a lot of fruits pa, and take note my fave fruits. Mangosteen, unriped papaya and dragon fruit. 

Telephone #       : 832-6988