Sakura Private Villa - Serene Getaway in Angeles Pampanga

ABBEY: It’s always a good idea to catch up with friends so we did that. Not only did we had dinner but sleepovers, yes with an “s” at Sakura Private Villa Angles for 3 days and 2 night. The private house is at Angeles, Pampanga but you can get there via Waze. There could be a slight hiccup finding it when you’re nearby but with a couple of asks with the locals and intuition you’ll get there. 

We were welcomed warmly by the staff as they began to handover the place to us. The rules are printed and make sure you read and adhere to them. We got five rooms, three toilets and two baths, a large swimming including a bubble jet one. It is clean, spacious and relaxing. We played darts, billiards, and even karaoke’d. You can bring your own food. The utensils and cookwares are provided. Or you can order and cook them for you. Internet connectivity is fast. No problem with the heat as well. Where should our next catch up be?

Sakura Private Villa - Serene Getaway in Angeles Pampanga: Pool

Sakura Private Villa - Serene Getaway in Angeles Pampanga

Sakura Private Villa - Serene Getaway in Angeles Pampanga: Bathroom with Tub

Sakura Private Villa - Serene Getaway in Angeles Pampanga

WILL: During our high school days, we made it a tradition to go on annual out-of-town getaways. Now, with most of us living abroad, our reunions have become rare and typically limited to simple dinners. However, we always felt that a few hours over dinner wasn't enough to make up for the lost time. This year, we were thrilled that almost everyone managed to find the time for a 3-day, 2-night vacation. Our friend Denise, the perennial organizer, chose Sakura Private Villa for our much-anticipated reunion.

The accommodations at Sakura Private Villa are modest; don't expect hotel-like mattresses or pillows. However, the inviting pool, karaoke, dartboard, and billiards table ensure that there's never a dull moment, even without televisions (a welcome change, indeed).

Downsides:

Insects: Expect mosquitoes, ants and flies.

No Basic Things: Toothbrushes and towels are not provided.

Hard to Find: The villa's location can be difficult to locate.

Cost:

We spent Php 28,500 for our stay + Php200 per towel. 

Sakura Private Villa provided us with a perfect backdrop for reconnecting and creating new memories. Despite a few minor inconveniences, the time spent together in such a peaceful setting was priceless.

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Sakura Private Villa Angeles

(F)https://www.facebook.com/p/Sakura-Private-Villa-Angeles-61557800871581/

(A) Purok 2 Sitio Radar Brgy.Sapang Bato, Angeles City, Philippines

Citadines Roces Quezon City : Have You Stayed in an Apartment Hotel?

ABBEY: Due to appointments left and right we opted to book a hotel for a couple of nights when we landed at Metro Manila. It was at the newly-built Citadines Roces at Quezon City. We got the one-bedroom unit and I can say that made a lot of difference. After all the guests that had come you can still have your clean, pristine and private space to enjoy. 

The unit has larger fridge, microwave, and dishes and utensils. I hope they can look on ways to improve internet connectivity to be faster and to be more thorough in cleaning the pool as we found cockroach at one of the edges. 

There is a complimentary barista coffee but only once in your whole stay and only for one guest; would be better if it’s per day and per hotel guest that is checked in. Front desk staffs Krystle and Vanie really ensure that we are taken care off specially for the rush printing of the document I needed. 

Citadines Roces Quezon City : Living Room

Citadines Roces Quezon City : Bedroom

WILL: Another year and another vacation for us in Philippines. Yay!! To tell you frankly — we do not have a home to live in Manila. My parents’ house have 4 rooms and it were all occupied by my sister and her sons. Abbey’s parents house is way too far and time consuming for us to commute daily for our business affairs. So we make it a point that we budgeted our stays in hotels. For this year our first stay is Citadines Roces Quezon City. 

We chose Citadines One Bedroom Deluxe. Why? Since we are always holding a business meeting, a living room equipped with TV with HDMI is a good fit. After the meeting, we do not need to hail a taxi for a dinner since a lot of restaurant and cafe is around the hotel. 

The comfort? The location is perfect and away of everyday noise of traffic; on that you will be ensuring that you have a good night sleep. Breakfast is included in our room which a good thing that we wonder around the city for a quick bite. They have a covered pool that which I do not get a chance to dip in. 

Overall, this is a hotel that I will be considering to book again. Not only for me and Abbey but also for our next family staycation! 

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Citadines Roces Quezon City

(W) https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/philippines/citadines-roces-quezon-city

(A) 100 Don A. Roces Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila, Philippines

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

ABBEY: This is my first to fly in Business Class. With a budget and the itch to get the experience of sitting in the first few rows of a plane, we booked a pair of round-trip prized real estate in Singapore Airlines to the tune of almost SGD 3000. This is for our trip to Manila. 

Aside from the full kit amenities and free-flow champagne and wine, we also got the Book the Cook experience wherein you can choose your food from a curated menu. This needs to be done before your flight. I got the Grilled Angus beef burger and it was delicious. I paired it with red wine as I watched an episode of a TV series I liked. 

Even though slippers were not available in the Manila-bound flight, our experience is better than the one going back to Singapore. Aside from the business class is almost fully packed, I felt like the warmth from the staff service was diminished. The vibe I got is “since this is an evening flight and the day is almost done, let’s just get this over with”. 

The noodles is so salty and the fish meal they replaced it with was having soggy veggies to the point like it was melting. I think apart from the seat comfort and price there is not that much difference between the classes. I may have spoken too soon but let’s see in the First Class.

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

WILL: Abbey often asks, "What does it take for people like us to afford a business class flight? When will it be our turn?" On our 2024 trip to the Philippines, Abbey upgraded our tickets to Singapore Airlines’ Business Class. Here’s a detailed, and a bit giggly, review of our experience.

Singapore to Manila

Singapore Airlines provides dedicated counters for Business Class passengers, ensuring a seamless check-in process. The queue management staff greeted us immediately and directed us to the counter. With a generous 40kg baggage allowance each (compared to the 25kg allowance in economy), we felt quite pampered. Despite the early morning hour, the check-in was efficient, and from Terminal 2, we took the free skytrain to Terminal 3 for some delightful Baccha coffee.

	Terminal 3	Terminal 2
Ambiance	The seating area is spacious with an open-air concept. However, it felt dim and somewhat gloomy as we arrived before sunrise.	This lounge tends to be more crowded, with seats placed close together. There wasn’t a visible bar area.
Food and Beverage	The food offerings were comparable to those in Priority Pass lounges.	The dumplings were excellent—I went back for a third serving.
Service	The attendants were exceptionally warm and welcoming, which made us feel comfortable and well-cared for.	The service here felt more transactional and less personal compared to Terminal 3.

Boarding as Business Class passengers provided a distinct advantage, marked by priority boarding and attentive service. Abbey and I were seated in a front-back row configuration. Despite the flight being delayed, the ample space allowed me to work comfortably on my emails.

The "Book the Cook" experience was a highlight, offering personalized meal choices. However, I wished I could have shared my lobster dish with Abbey, who was seated behind me. After the meal, I enjoyed a nap, appreciating the comfortable sleeping position, fluffy pillow, and warm quilt.

Manila to Singapore

The KrisFlyer Lounge in Manila was underwhelming. The food choices were limited, the wine selection was mediocre, and the lighting was dim. This was a stark contrast to the high standards experienced at the lounges in Singapore.

The in-flight service was outstanding. When I found my pork noodles too salty, the attendants were proactive in offering an alternative dish. This level of attentiveness is a hallmark of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class.

One notable moment was during our landing in Singapore, where the runway appeared slippery, and the pilot had to brake suddenly. This sudden stop highlighted the importance of safety protocols, which were efficiently managed.

The entertainment options were more limited compared to previous flights with Singapore Airlines. While the comfort and service in Business Class were commendable, the isolated seating arrangement made it difficult to enjoy the journey with a travel companion.

Recommendable? 

Overall, Singapore Airlines’ Business Class offers a high level of comfort, exceptional service, and thoughtful amenities. However, the solitary nature of the seating may not be ideal for those who prefer a more connected travel experience with their companions. For travelers seeking luxury and personal space, it is highly recommendable. For those like me, who value constant companionship and interaction, it may feel a bit isolating.