Quirino Stay | Capitol Plaza Hotel and Restaurant in Cabarroguis

Quirino, a land-locked province in Cagayan Valley is partly a mystery to me. I haven’t been in that area so I was excited to join a familiarization tour to “Discover the Undiscovered”. A fitting slogan really as there is little written about this province. Underrated perhaps? A flight to Cauayan, Isabela then a 1.5 hours road-trip took us to Cabarroguis, the capital of Quirino Province. There, the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Restaurant, was our home for three nights.

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Laguna Stay | Seda Nuvali: The Eco-city Lifestyle Hotel

It’s familiar earth colors of brown, black and white on the modern-themed building is a distinctive character of a Seda Hotel. Easily recognizable from afar as we drove in from a distance as it mirrors the one at the heart Bonifacio Global City. This lifestyle chain-hotel is standing in the midst of the burgeoning development of the eco-city, Nuvali. I’ve often passed by this place en route to Tagaytay and Batangas and I was just in awe of the fast-paced development since last I went through here. I couldn’t almost recognize the place. Nuvali, in Sta Rosa, Laguna is now a destination itself, not just a transit stop and Seda Nuvali is ready to cater to guest, weather business or leisure, to experience living in this eco-city.

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Tacloban Stay | Budget Stays at Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel

More than a year after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City, the city looks like it is still going back on its feet. Standing up is a slow process though as until now many establishments are still undergoing renovations. I wasn’t expecting much on some of the old established hotels here but the disaster could also mean a fresh start for them. I stayed at two more Tacloban stay within the city Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel aside from the one in the fringes Z Pad Residences. Here’s my take on these two city hotels.

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Tacloban Stay | In a Z Pad Residences Mini

There used to be a time when GoHotels in Tacloban was the best looking hotel in the city. Now a quick search in hotel booking sites like Agoda would wound up at least 8 establishments with different types and price range. I was looking for a budget to mid-range priced accommodation and Z Pad Residences kept popping up. So why not stay for a couple of days there and see what the place is like after a year Typhoon Yolanda struck.

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Vinh Phuc Stay | Flamingo Dai Lai Resort: A Cool and Classy Escape near Hanoi

While I enjoy Hanoi’s old world architecture and bustling city streets. Sometimes the crowd and constant noise of speeding cyclos can get tiring especially when one has to deal with the daily routines of urban life and work. A change of pace and a new environment is a welcome change to recharge and find solace in a hectic environment. Just an hour away from Hanoi is the province Vinh Phuc where the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is located. I may not live in Hanoi, but as a tourist, I found this immense resort with well-maintained gardens, established pathways, scenic lakes, elegant villas and top-notch staff and ideal peaceful getaway near the city.

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Tawi-tawi Stay | Sandbar Lepa Beach Hotel and Restaurant

“Oooh! I got my own water dispenser in the room. That’s something new and unexpected for a place like this.” That was my first reaction when I saw my room at Sandbar Lepa Beach Hotel and Restaurant. Back in 2008, when I first visited Tawi-tawi, there were no cottages in this Sandbar Lepa beach. Only the lepa-styled (a house boat by the native Sama people) restaurant stood there since year 2000. Almost six years after, they now have a hotel and a huge convention hall.

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Ha Long Bay Stay | Halong Plaza Hotel: Magnificent Karst View on the Horizon

How about a panoramic view of one of Vietnam’s top attraction, the Ha Long Bay, either from the room window or a few steps away from its lobby doors? Halong Plaza Hotel, our home in Halong, Vietnam during our Cebu Pacific Air familiarization tour, has just that. This 4-star hotel is located at Bai Chay, Ha Long City near the Bai Chay bridge and fronting it is a small promenade where guest can have an unobstructed view of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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