Mom and Dad's Anniversary @ Canyon Cove

Mom and Dad wanted some quality family time for their 40th anniversary, so they brought the entire gang to Manila just so we can be complete on this momentous occasion. There was no clear plan, but we eventually decided to go on a road trip of sorts. There was a really strong storm in Luzon, but that didn't keep us from going for it.

 

Here's a video of how things went during our stay at Canyon Cove.

Harvest Hotel - When in Cabanatuan

Thanks to my friend Rhea's wedding, I had the opportunity to visit Cabanatuan. I place that I otherwise would probably never visit (because there are no beaches I think). I booked a room at the Harvest Hotel, and it was a pleasant stay overall. I saw a Microtel nearby, but I think that Harvest Hotel may be one of the better hotels in the area. Correct me if I'm wrong :)

 

The room was very nice. It was just the right size for two and the bed was very comfortable. It had the basic necessities like wifi, a ref and coffee/tea provisions. The TV was ok, though the channels were limited. I also liked the painting that was situated right above the bed.

Funny story. When I got in the room (I was alone), I went straight to the window area to check out the view. I opened the drapes and enjoyed the pool view. Then suddenly, I felt a series of taps on my shoulder. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. I froze. Shit. I was supposed to be alone in the room - who would be tapping me on the shoulder? I slowly turned around, prepared to run for my life. And then I saw it. The curtain rod (the white plastic rod that's used to pull the curtains) was poking me repeatedly.

 

The bathroom was simple and catered to my basic needs: a hot shower, a bidet, and toiletries. How I wish there was a tub, but I guess 3k per night won't get you too far these days. The towels smelled really nice, but I think they need to improve on the ventilation system just a little bit (if you know what I mean).

 

They also have an outdoor pool that's shaped like the number 8. I guess that's their version on "infinity," huh. It didn't look too inviting to me because there were a lot of kids swimming when I went out. Kung may cute sana, why not. But it does look relaxing and everyone in the area seemed happy and thrilled.

 

The room charge already included breakfast for two. Breakfast is served from 6am onwards, so as usual I was enjoying my working breakfast. The menu wasn't too extensive - and I was sad that there was no bacon. They did serve a beef dish, luncheon meat, beans, eggs, fish, fruits, bread and cereals. My friends joined in and it was a fun lamon session of sorts. They also had taho, and I had fun getting the pudding from the container (it was my first time, not as easy to get those smooth layers as I thought).

 

Another fun fact before I end. I decided to wear a light blue coat to Rhea's wedding (I was under the impression that the event was not super formal). And it looked exactly like the uniform of the hotel staff. I should have just borrowed one from them.

Bellevue Hotel Bohol - Staycation at its Best!

It was not my first time to stay at Bellevue - a couple of friends and I were there several months ago. It is not a perfect destination mind you - and I'll expound on that in a bit. However, the good points more than compensate for the bad, at least in my opinion. We had such a great time that we had to come back - this time with more friends in tow.

Looks captivating, doesn't it? 

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM MY FIRST VISIT LAST FEBRUARY

Bellevue is not located in the more popular Alona beach front. As such, it does not share the same "swimmable" waters. This in itself can be a major turn off for a lot of beach dwellers. The water is almost always on "low tide," and there are sea weeds all over the place. The "weedy" part of the ocean is also a breeding ground for sea urchin, so not the best place for a stroll. One of our friends got pricked, so be careful.

The sand is awesome!

But that's about where the "bad" part of the review ends. The beach itself is awesome - powdery white sand on a private area of the province. Perfect for a stroll, some photo ops sessions or sun bathing. There's also an area where you can play beach sports and even aqua sports. If you can live with swimming in the infinity pool and forego the ocean, this would be a great place for you.

Let's play a game of volleyball!

Yes, the pool. It's moderately sized and located in a strategic position that allows for a nice view of the beach. The water is usually nice, but can be almost freezing depending on the weather (it was really cold when we were there last February, but nice and warm this time around). There are sufficient lounge chairs, some with umbrellas and the rest for those who want more sun. There's a small area for kids, but the majority of the pool is around 4-5 feet deep (just enough for those who can't swim).

Exhausted!

The rooms are also very nice. It was very spacious, and more than enough to fit 3. Wifi is good and you can ask for IT support in case of connectivity issues. 

"Wish you were here"

I overused the bath tub (one of my favorites!) and actually fell asleep there a couple of times. Tip - you can use three or four of their shower gels to get a nice bubble bath going. I had some issues with the room that we got last February because of the bathroom "visibility" from the balcony. They used semi-see through blinds that will "expose" bathroom users to to those who may be lounging at the balcony. The room we got this time had a nicely situated bathroom with no windows, so there was not problem.

Cover me! 

Afternoons are great for drinks, and I say this because of the happy hour from 1PM to 6PM (I think). Drinks used to be at 50% off, but this time around they offered it at 30% off. I love a good mojito by the beach, so you'll know where to find me at those hours next time.

Mojito! Pizza!

And then there was the food. Damn. At some point, I must admit, you will get sick and tired of all the bacon served for breakfast. Well, not really, but there are also a lot of other food choices that include breakfast staples, classic "ulams," cereals, fruits and dessert. Drinks are flowing and you can stay from 6am to 10am. We set up pretty early so we can enjoy hours of food while working. You don't have much of a choice when it comes to lunch and dinner, however. It's the same cooking staff cooking the same menu items. But most of the dishes are simply awesome. I say "most" because we did encounter some dishes that were "so-so." The Kare Kare and some of the pasta dishes, for instance, were disappointing. The Humba and the spicy native chicken dish, however, are a must! They sometimes offer dinner buffets (the one we had was for around 900+) to offer variety. Overall, the food isn't as expensive as you would expect from a place like Bellevue. HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE FOOD SERVED.

Waiting for lunch!

One of the best parts about Bellevue, however, is the service. I was really impressed with how friendly the staff was, and you can ask them to do pretty much anything to make your stay a memorable one. Check in and check out were a breeze - and the crew made us feel welcome from the onset. Sure, there were some minor issues with billing and logistics, but those are normal and what's important is how they were handled. They also offered some freebies like a free shuttle ride to Alona beach at night (in case you want to go there for dinner), free bikes that you can use to go around the city, free use of certain facilities and free airport transfers.

Looking like experts!

We got a pretty good deal for our last trip. Our group was able to avail of a special "pay for two nights and get the third night free" rate, so we ended up only paying around 14,000 per room. We got a similar deal the last time we went, so it's good practice to check their website for deals once in a while. HERE ARE PHOTOS FROM OUR RECENT STAY. Will definitely come back to this hotel someday soon.

CHECK THIS OUT: 6 "Non-Traditional" Things To Do In Bohol

The Peninsula Manila and the Mahiwagang Sponsor

I haven't been to the Peninsula Manila in the longest time (over 10 years I think?) and so it felt like I was waltzing the halls for the first time. There's really not a lot of reason for me to check in in a Makati hotel nowadays, so this visit was sort of a fluke. Thank you, mahiwagang sponsor.

The lobby still looked (and felt) familiar despite the fact that a tank broke through its walls (my story is probably a little exaggerated - don't take it as a fact please haha). We used to come over (pre-siege) to eat ice cream at the Lobby so this visit brought back a lot of law school memories.

The room was nice - worth the price tag I think. The bed was comfortable and the sheets were super clean. There was a workspace that catered to my needs (comfortable chair, good wifi connection, stationary) so I was happy. I wish I could say I had a good night sleep though - I had to wake up really early for a meeting (that got cancelled, much to my dismay).

My favorite part? The tub, of course. I spent a good hour soaked in bubbles and pretending to be in far off places. I think I even fell asleep for a while there. The tub was big enough for me to stretch my legs, so I didn't feel like sardine in a can.

My complaint? Well, we were watching the finale of Dolce Amore last night and the television set was frustrating to say the least. The color settings were all f'd up, and the actors ended up having red hair and red eyes. It was like watching an Irish version of Twilight. Not good at all.

It was a fun and relaxing day, nonetheless. I like the fact that I had the option to cross the street to have access to the mall (but I stayed in). Breakfast was also good - while there weren't a lot of selections, they did have my favorites.

Vitalis Villas - The Santorini of the North

Picture perfect!

Vitalis Villas is known as the "Santorini of the North," and this is precisely why the gang was tempted to go in the first place. From the website, the place looks amazing - blue and white structures nestled on an island that truly reflects the well know destination in Greece. It's relatively new, so we were aware that some parts are still under construction. But from the reviews, the place is functional enough to ensure a nice and relaxing vacation.

The Santorini of the North

But first, a warning. When we were looking for a good deal for this place, we found a really REALLY cheap rate from a reputable booking site (I don't remember if it was Agoda or Booking.com). I immediately grabbed the opportunity, booked a room, and thanked the heavens. As it turns out, I should have spent some more time researching because I unknowingly booked a room from another hotel. Now I know - Vitalis Resort and Spa, while owned by the same people, is not the same as Vitalis Villas. Lesson learned: If it's too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

Vitalis Resort's Pool Area - nothing special about it except for the view.

While it was an OK hotel, we did not drive all the way to the north to visit a hotel like Vitalis Resort and Spa. The pool was normal/average (water was a bit painful to the eyes), the beach was not swimmable (at least for my standards - and I didn't see anybody else swimming while we were there), and the building a bit old. The room we got was spacious and had two double beds, but there was a leak in the bathroom. The view of the other side, however, was fantastic. You can see Vitalis Villas in its full glory from here.

From a distance...

We ended up booking a second night (hurray for not booking everything in advance!!) and got the right hotel this time. It was a bit expensive but we just had to try it out. We didn't want to waste hours of travel and miss out what the North had to offer. The room came with a free zipline ride and access to the resort zoo which we decided to forego. We just wanted to relax, take a dip at the pools, and enjoy the company of friends.

Blinding whiteness.

Look at all this space!

Whatever is this rock for?

As you can see from the pics, the Villa was huge (and this was only the 1-bedroom unit). 2 queen beds, a full dining area (complete with a large rock in case you want to bang your head into it or something), a living room (which can actually serve as a sleeping area for a couple of other people), and 2 bathrooms. The main bathroom had a high tech toilet bowl - and I never got to figure out what all the buttons were for. Our booking also included 3 meals, which kept us full the whole time we were there.

We could stay here all day!

Nothing much to do in this hotel though, except to sleep, eat, relax and swim in the pool. And sleep, eat, relax and swim we did. No stress, no pressure, no schedules. We slept when we wanted to, worked when we could, and swam even when the rain was pouring. The entire island (if you can call it that) is picturesque, and we were shameless in taking photos in every corner (without violating the privacy of other guests, of course). The pool had a semi-submerged bar and it was fun drinking while taking a dip. Hans took some underwater shots using his new camera. Mommy Ann also had her selfie stick with her, so we spent a few minutes toying with that too.

There's always time for work.

If I were the type of traveler who wanted to take a break from life and just go to a nice place to relax, then this would be where you would find me. But I'm the opposite - I look for a place relaxing enough so I can work in peace. Either way, the place is perfect.

*** Disclaimer - actual travel dates were last May 2016

Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort - A Pleasant Stay!

Forgot to make an entry about the hotel we stayed in when we went to Malapascua, so here goes a "short" review.

Funny story - "Angry Backpacker" was a bit stressed out about booking a hotel that she thought would "fit her companions' status." She didn't want to get a room that's too small or too basic, thinking that we only inhabit high end hotels (the rumors are not true people - I just need the basics: aircon, a decent bed and a bidet). So we ended up in what the locals described as the "most expensive hotel in the island," or something close to that: The Ocean Vida.

We loved sitting on those beach side couches.

Problem number 1: There are 4 of us in the group (5 if you include the 3 year old kid) and we only got to book one room. We were all fine about sharing it and just getting an extra bed, but we got into a little friendly discussion with the front desk officer when we got to the hotel. Apparently, they can only "technically" fit 3 adults in a room. We had "no choice" but to book another room, but not on the first night since they were fully booked that day. See what she did there? Pag fully booked, okay lang? We had to consider getting another room from another hotel, or getting a second room for P4,700 (Angry Backpacker not happy at all). In the meantime, we settled with getting 2 extra mattresses that actually fit the room comfortably (there was a lot of space).

Can't resist a good (yet poorly lit) selfie on this giant mirror.

Over dinner, we were told that the current setup can be accommodated as per approval by the owner. In other words, we all get to share a room. Wow, that was a very good gesture and we asked the front desk officer to thank the owner for us. We got to meet him during breakfast the following day (I wish I could remember his name - my attention was on the bacon) and he was indeed a very nice guy (German, I believe - I should really pay attention to these things more). That, for me, is great customer service and we ended up throwing out all our grievances out of the window.

Take 2! I got my shirt upside down!

Our room was located at the second floor and had a huge balcony (the four of us can actually party there, and have space left for guests). The ocean view was great, and I loved seeing it first thing in the morning. Except for a few mosquitos, the seats were also comfortable enough to get some work done before breakfast. The only downside - it was designed so that you can see the neighboring room's balcony. And I got a surprise when an old caucasian guy with nothing but his underwear on stepped out of his room to hang his towel.

Dinner was good overall, but we ended up ordering too much. The server told us that the dishes were "good for one person only" and we were shocked to see that they were actually portioned for sharing. If that wasn't a shot at our "healthy bodies," then I don't know what it was. (Let it go, Sam). They also have Happy Hour from 4PM to 6PM (with a little extension if you use your charm), and you can get cocktails at buy 1 take 1. Not bad!

Sad that there was no mint for the Mojitos, so I ended up ordering something else.

It's a diver's island, and there were a lot of divers in the area. Foreign divers. Half naked guys and scantily clad women. I wish Lyn and Mami Ann were with us during this trip - they would have loved all the blue eyes and the other exposed body parts. The entire island had a "chill" vibe, making it a great place to just kick back, relax and leave the rest of the world behind. I wish I can transcend my laziness and hatred of long travel time and muster the will to come back to this place someday.

Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Nothing like a good "staycation" in an expensive resort hotel. Sure, the rates are usually way up there but the experience is usually worth it. And the photo ops are usually fabulous.

So the gang and I were thinking, "Since we are going to Cebu, why don't we stay a night at Mövenpick?" We were told by a "reliable source" that while a hotel room is on the expensive side, they aren't too strict about the number of people staying in the rooms. In fact, there were 6 of them in the room when they went there on vacation. With numbers on our side, the costs can't skyrocket that much, right?

We get to the room and lo and behold, there are two single beds. Two freakin single beds that don't even look comfortable enough for one person (one look at it and I knew I was going to fall off). It took us about 10 seconds to decide that we needed another room - not an easy decision considering the budget constraints. But there wasn't really much of a choice - it was physically impossible to fit two people in one bed. Luckily, there was another room available and we were given a "local resident's rate" of Php 8,900++. Still pretty darn expensive. Serves us right for trying to beat the system in the first place. On the bright side? There was a nice tub and the view from the room was pretty amazing.

Woke up like this!

What's Good:

Aside from the view, there are some other "picture perfect" spots in the resort. The view of the pool from the lobby area was cool, and the pool itself was nicely built - with swimming areas for kids and adults alike. It has plastic couches where people can relax, and some cozy pool side lounge chairs if you are too lazy to swim. And for those who don't want to get burnt by the sun? A portion of the pool is sufficiently shaded by palm trees (not the deep parts though).

The weather was perfect for a late afternoon dip.

The beach is also quite nice (clarification - by beach, I mean the sand). It looks a bit out of place, and probably man made, but it does serve its purpose. Find a nice seat and you can spend the day sun bathing, people watching, or just reading a book. You can also enjoy a cold beer and watch the day pass you by.

I'm not sure what that rock formation is supposed to be.

The breakfast buffet also had a decent selection - lots of bacon and fruits, so I was quite happy. I've seen better looking buffet tables but this one was good enough for me. The gang needed to spend a couple of hours working, so it was a "working breakfast" for us. Check out all the Macs - hard to stay focused but we do what we have to. It is, after all, a working vacation.

Those are fruits on my plate!

For dinner, I heard that booking at table at Ibiza is a must - good ambiance and a nice show. And yes, this is where the famous "net over the ocean" seats are located (a bit of a disappointment, in my opinion). We made our reservations but ended up ordering room service because we were tired from all the swimming. And yes, the buy 1 take 1 Halo Halo (PHP 250) was a highlight.

I got extra ice cream!

What's Disappointing:

Swimming in the ocean turned out to be a disappointment. I grew up surrounded by nice looking beaches and clear water, so swimming in murky waters with floating seaweeds is a turn off (especially for the amount of money that we paid!). I tried snorkeling and saw some fish in the deep part;  but nothing spectacular. I just gave the place a quick spin, took some photos, then moved on to the pool.

As mentioned earlier, the rooms weren't that impressive either. For the price of the place, I was expecting a lot LOT more. Two double beds or one king bed would have made a world of difference. There were also a couple of things that made me want to make a scene at the front desk - including a card key that just wouldn't work, and the fact that they wouldn't let us bring the pool towels back to the room (I had to walk "half naked" across the lobby, by the front desk, and into the elevator area).

The pool looks enticing at night.

The Verdict:

It was an okay experience. Thankfully, I had some extra cash with me (thank you Resorts World, for my "pabaon"). Most of the guests were foreigners (it's amazing how many Koreans converged in the same place), with a handful of locals here and there. Overall, I don't think I got what I paid for - not the place for you if you are looking for value for the money you spent. I would say the experience is worth 50% of what I paid for.