Category: Stay

Stay | Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit: East Meets West in Luxurious Fusion

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The luxury king room at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

I turned up the volume of the Bose speaker connected via bluetooth to my smartphone. The acoustic harmony of the Hollow Cove’s “The Woods” filled my large Luxury Room. I split the curtains wide and see the Sukhumvit street below early in it’s early morning bustle. “We’re all falling and we all need a place… to hide!” I somehow echo the lyrics of the song. After a week of exploring Bangkok and Chiang Mai, I welcome a little indulgence to cap my last few days in Thailand. Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit welcomed me with their 5-star comfort and warmth. My birthday was just five days ago but it felt this was the time to celebrate.

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Stay | Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino: Amidst Manila’s Historic Center

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My Deluxe Premium room at Waterfront Manila Pavilion

Manila and its ironies. The city is both charming and chaotic which can be a challenge to new travelers in the country. The superficial grime and bustling streets can be intimidating but find time to see past it and discover Manila’s true character beyond skin-deep. And what a better way to start is staying at the heart of city, Waterfront Manila Pavilion. A 50-year old hotel in Ermita brimming with history yet keeping up with the modern times. An iconic witness to the ever changing city.

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Stay | Eagle Point Beach and Dive Resort: A Stormy Sojourn

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Our room at the Terrace Hotel

I honestly can’t remember much from last I went here. It was more than a decade ago. I was still working for an American IT company and it was our company outing. Eagle Point Beach and Dive Resort is popular for company outings aside from diving. What I clearly remember was the stunning sunset, playful pawikan and amazing snorkeling just in front of the property. When a chance to go back to the resort came, I thought, why not? It would be interesting to see how things have changed.

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Batangas Stay | Stilts Calatagan: Tranquility at Destiny

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Sundown at Stilts Calatagan Batangas

I have no problems planning on independent trips. But when it comes to family travel, I’m so poor in planning those kind of logistics. I had to get a little help from friends in the travel industry. My requirement was it should be near Manila, have good accessibility for seniors, convenient and relaxing. Friends from Explore8 gave me options (other resorts Batangas, Cavite, Tagaytay, Vigan) but somehow my siblings and I were leaning into Stilts Calatagan in Batangas. Their cottages looks attractive and they have in-resort transport for our senior relatives. Much more, the beach in this part of Batangas looks gorgeous.

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Stay | Batanes Pension Ivatan: From Hometel to Boutique Hotel

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Pension Ivatan at night

In a span of a decade, I can say I am seeing how Batanes transform. Recently, accommodations are on the rise to cater to the increasing number of tourist in the country’s smallest province up north. While new ones are being built or old homes converted into homestay, a long-time establishment asserts its place in Basco. Pension Ivatan, a small hometel with a restaurant known to serve Ivatan cuisines is already considered an institution. I have seen the trend of dining options come and go in Batanes but this is one of those that has stayed ever since I remember.

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Stay | I’m Hotel: 5 Star Luxury in Makati and the First Onsen Spa in the Country

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The bedroom at the 1BR Executive Suite at I'm Hotel

It’s all about you at I’m Hotel. It’s time to celebrate your individuality and indulge yourself with some much deserved luxury. I’m Hotel is a 5-star hotel in the heart of the bustling Poblacion, Makati. It’s hard to miss this 24-story hotel, towering at the corner of Kalayaan and Makati Avenue. It’s near the central business district and just walks away from where the nightlife and shopping areas are.

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Stay | La Union’s Yang House: Good Vibes Abound

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Facade of Yang House guest house

When the call of the waves beckons, now it’s fairly easy to ride a bus or drive up north. La Union can be as easy as a 4–5 hours drive or six hours commute on a good day. Staying in ELYU, there’s now a wide choice of accommodations to chose from. But if you are looking for something of value and at the same time imbibes the surf culture vibe, how about trying Yang House? A fairly new guest house in La Union that wants you to be part of their bonafriends.

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