Hotels and Resorts

[ISwitch]

Family turns rest house into lucrative tourism site
http://business.inquirer.net/60353/f...e-tourism-site





BANI, Pangasinan—Tucked in the seaside village of Dacap Norte here, a compound where a family spends their vacation each summer is slowly being turned into a nature resort that harnesses the ecotourism potentials of this town.

The seven-hectare Old Woods by the Sea, which faces the West Philippine Sea, is still a work in progress, says Elizabeth Navarro, a retired doctor who, with husband Mayor Marcelo Navarro, owns and operates the resort.

But already, friends and guests are coming to enjoy what the countryside offers, she says.

Nature lovers will enjoy the resort’s pristine white sand beaches, coves, secluded sandbars, a 12-kilometer long cave, a waterfall, a mangrove forestand sanctuaries for fish and birds.

“This was not intended to be a resort,” Marcelo says. “We built the original house in 1995 to be a retirement house for Daddy (his father and namesake, the late Mayor Marcelo Navarro Sr.), and as a summer place for family members.”

“[My father] loved to plant trees and he planted most of the trees here. But we lost him in 1997. The place was left untouched until 2001 when we repaired the house. I planned it to be my retirement home.”

The resort’s name, its owners say, may refer to the old trees around the compound and to the cottages built from wood salvaged from old buildings, churches and river beds.

Seven cottages were built without damaging the natural elements in the area. For instance, if one finds a rock inside a room, it is because it was there before the cottage’s construction. If tree branches shade a porch, it is because these have not been trimmed.

The cottages have curious names. “Balay Bato” (stone house) came about because the deeper the workers dug when they were preparing its foundation, the more rocks and stones they excavated.

Balay Bato was supposed to be the “dirty kitchen” where firewood used for cooking would be stored. But the resort staff did not want to damage the structure so it was turned into a cottage instead.

Another cottage started out as a potting shed for Elizabeth, who loves gardening. When British birdwatchers advised local officials that they would visit the town, the shed was rebuilt to accommodate them.

The “Timpuyog” was where the mayor held meetings with his political supporters. It has been turned into a guest house with two bedrooms and a function area.

Some cottages were named after the trees near them—“Santol,” “Anahaw,” “Old Woods,” “Dayap,” and “Mangga.”

“Mangga cottage used to be called ‘Sineguelas’ (Spanish plum) as it was nearer that tree, but the wood carvers thought it was very long so we changed it to mangga instead,” Elizabeth says.

She says none of the cottages has air-conditioning because they want their guests to experience the natural environment. The resort is supplied by spring water.

Bani caters to the adventurous. There is a bike route to the pilgrimage area of Surip, or tourists can go kayaking, scuba diving or swimming. The beach is accessible through a trail that descends from the resort.

Olanen cove and Tubong beach in Barangay Dacap Sur are alternative places for tourists to visit.

Guests can also explore the Nalsoc cave in Barangay Colayo. The cave system of Nalsoc (which means ‘big hole’ in Ilocano) boasts of stalactites and stalagmites.

Other nature treats for visitors in Bani are the Balingcawa falls in Ranao village and the Bangrin mangrove forest in San Miguel village.

The Bangrin mangrove forest is included in the 2008 book, “Bird Watching in the Philippines,” as one of the 13 best birdwatching sites in the country.

And to cap a tiring day around town, the Old Woods by the Sea offers hot meals and coffee at the Café Elizabeth, a cottage amid a sea of green.

[zoom in]

HOTEL SAN MARCO, GENERAL SANTOS CITY

PHOTO CREDITS TO NJ_THAN

[ritche]

[ritche]

Originally Posted by nicko

Latest developments

Originally Posted by jundem_dq63

[Alexzander]

Hotels and resorts all around Philippine is very comfortable.
The message centers make your body relax.

[Naga Boy]

Note: This is the second of a series of my Stay, Stray, Play and Feast , the first one was titled Iloilo and Guimaras (you may read it on the Ilioilo thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...518038&page=18).

Thankfully the Iloilo forumers treated some of the negative points my post- positively

This post was intended for the Legazpi Thread but my initial postings offended most of the forumers. One forumer even posted that I'm not welcome to post anything there anymore. I decided to post this on the hotel thread instead without the Stray section.

I would like to emphasize that this is personal hotel review based on real personal experience, not a CVC, nor it is intended to demean any city or any person.

I would welcome negative comments for those who would disagree with my review and even post their positive and nice experiences and latest update in the hotel but please avoid character assassinations.

Again, this is nothing but a hotel review- intended for the hotel and this thread. It is not meant to personally offend anyone else.

Oriental Hotel Legazpi
Stay, Play and Feast


Stay

We booked for a 1- Bedroom Executive Mayon Suite at the hotel
for a promo price of 9,700 pesos/night
(more than 50% less from the
regular published rate of 20,000 pesos per night).



The Oriental Hotel was nice enough
to allow us to check- in early at 8 AM
(regular check in time is 2 PM)



...for a hotel this size, it looked rather empty
at this time of the day ....





...when it is supposed to be a peak summer season
and there's an on going national convention in the city...







The room has a minimalist interior motif...
...plainly upholstered sofa devoid of any throw pillows to cuddle ...
and simple, clean cut furnishings at the living and dining areas...






...blank white walls devoid of any adornment...
(including mirrors and dressers).



...a comfortable looking- king size bed....



It had two toilets and bath-
one at the receiving area
and another at the main bedroom...



...amenity was very basic ...



For a hotel room priced so terribly high
- it initially looked like a rip- off.



...but it is a hotel with probably
one of the best views in world-
as it offered a breathtaking view of Mayon Volcano...



Things were different when we returned at night-



The transformation was breathtaking...
...the hotel shone like a jewel in the dark.

With brilliant play of lights,
the lobby was transformed into
a picture of elegance and serenity combined...



...but the hotel, l noted was eerily empty at 7:30
when it was supposed to be
the expected peak of activity in any hotel....

...not a soul in the coffee shop...



...there were very few people at the dinner buffet,



...and the huge lobby lounge
including the al fresco area
were totally empty...





The hotel could be likened to Cinderella
turning to a beautiful princess at night for a ball...



...except that- there is no ball.

The play of lights also transformed
what used to be a plain minimalist bedroom to
an aura of inviting calmness and tranquility...







...the bed was firm and very comfortable
and true enough it lulled the kids to sleep in a jiffy...

The view from the window
was even more awesome at night...







...but the emptiness at the view deck is disturbing
as this is supposed to be the time
that people are enjoying the view
and no one seems to be doing so...


While I was reading at the living room,
my wife called me that I have a call from the lobby.
For a room this big they only have one phone at the bedside...



I was told that I had a telephone call
and the caller left his phone number.
and we can't have an outside connection
because what they have in the room in just an intercom.

Unbelievable, I thought as this is the only hotel
built this century that does not have land line phone connection.

One had to go down to the lobby to use the phone
to get in touch with the rest of the world.



The best thing in the Oriental is that you wake up
with the indescribable beauty of Mayon Volcano
staring right at you...




Play
The Scenic Infinity Pool

The hotel had a beautiful infinity pool
that offers the great view of the volcano and the city...



I brought my seven year old son for a swim
and to my horror, the kiddie pool located at the edge of the building
leads to (you guessed it right)- infinity...



There are no railings nor any protective barrier
that could prevent hyperactive kids
from falling two floors below...

I convinced my son to swim the bath tub instead.
Again to my horror (double this time)
the water that came out was yellow
and smelled like rust...



In order not to disappoint the kid,
I allowed him swim in the tub
and instructed him to try his best
not swallow even a single drop of the filthy water.




Feast
Room Service

For a hotel located way up the hill, away from the city center-
with no other dining options to choose from at night,
the room service offers a very limited choice...
- printed in just a piece of standard paper.



We ordered Bagnet and their signature burger...





The bagnet was almost left untouched..





And we shared the burger
that tasted well- how do I say it...
-the much cheaper St. Ellis burger downtown
tastes a looooot better



They also gave a very limited supply of condiments...



...that the 7 - Eleven catsup packs leftovers from
the hotdog we bought to go
on the way came in very handy.




Feast
Jasmine Breakfast Buffet

The breakfast buffet for a hotel this standard
was also disappointing...



The usual fruits, bread, egg and cereals were present
which actually what the kids need...



...but there are very limited choices
at the main buffet table-
fried Rice, longaniza, buttered vegetables,
dried fish and bacon.





That’s all there is to it.


Overall assessment, there is no doubt that
the Oriental Hotel is a spectacularly beautiful hotel
that offers a spectacular view
but its offerings are less than spectacular.

Two unacceptable flaws that the hotel have are the following:
1. The absence of in- room telephone line
2. The filthy yellowish water on the bathtub

Other problems like the need of pool railings
and limited dining options could easily be corrected.

Once these problems are solved, future hotel guests
would have marvelous first hand experience
as it is an aesthetically marvelous hotel anyway.

If not corrected, lowering the hotel price range
would help avoid guests from having great expectations
and disappointments.

[g_caloo]

subra pala mahal dapat gayahin nila yung SM Hotel sa Tagatay, 6k for a family room per night yata tapos may promo pa sila na 40% discount kapag sm advantage member ka

[kaniguan78]

Originally Posted by Naga Boy

Note, this is the second a series of my Stay, Stray, Play and Feast , the first one was titled Iloilo and Guimaras (you may read it on the Ilioilo thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...518038&page=18).

Thankfully the Iloilo forumers treated some of the negative points my post- positively

This post was intended for the Legazpi Thread but my initial postings offended most of the forumers. One forumer even posted that I'm not welcome to post anything there anymore. I decided to post this on the hotel thread instead without the Stray section.

I would like to emphasize that this is personal hotel review based on real personal experience, not a CVC, nor it is intended to demean any city or any person.

I would welcome negative comments for those who would disagree with my review and even post their positive and nice experiences and latest update in the hotel but please avoid character assassinations.

Again, this is nothing but a hotel review- intended for the hotel and this thread. It is not meant to personally offend anyone else.

Oriental Hotel Legazpi
Stay, Play and Feast


Stay

We booked for a 1- Bedroom Executive Mayon Suite at the hotel
for a promo price of 9,700 pesos/night
(more than 50% less from the
regular published rate of 20,000 pesos per night).



The Oriental Hotel was nice enough
to allow us to check- in early at 8 AM
(regular check in time is 2 PM)



...for a hotel this size, it looked rather empty
at this time of the day ....





...when it is supposed to be a peak summer season
and there's an on going national convention in the city...







The room has a minimalist interior motif...
...plainly upholstered sofa devoid of any throw pillows to cuddle ...
and simple, clean cut furnishings at the living and dining areas...






...blank white walls devoid of any adornment...
(including mirrors and dressers).



...a comfortable looking- standard king size bed....



It had two toilets and bath-
one at the receiving area
and another at the main bedroom...



...amenity was very basic ...



For a hotel room priced so terribly high
- it initially looked like a rip- off.



...but it is a hotel with probably
one of the best views in world-
as it offered a breathtaking view of Mayon Volcano...



Things were different when we returned at night-



The transformation was breathtaking...
...the hotel shone like a jewel in the dark.

With brilliant play of lights,
the lobby was transformed into
a picture of elegance and serenity combined...



...but the hotel, l noted was eerily empty at 7:30
when it was supposed to be
the expected peak of activity in any hotel....

...not a soul in the coffee shop...



...there were very few people at the dinner buffet,



...and the huge lobby lounge
including the al fresco area
were totally empty...





The hotel could be likened to Cinderella
turning to a beautiful princess at night for a ball...



...except that- there is no ball.

The play of lights also transformed
what used to be a plain minimalist bedroom to
an aura of inviting calmness and tranquility...







...the bed was firm and very comfortable
and true enough it lulled the kids to sleep in a jiffy...

The view from the window
was even more awesome at night...







...but the emptiness at the view deck is disturbing
as this is supposed to be the time that people are enjoying the view
and no one seems to be doing so...


While I was reading at the living room,
my wife called me that I have a call from the lobby.
For a room this big they only have one phone at the bedside...



I was told that I had a telephone call and the caller left his phone number.
and we can't have an outside connection because what they have in the room in just an intercom.

Unbelievable, I thought as this is the only hotel
built this century that does not have land line phone connection.

One had to go down to the lobby to use the phone
to get in touch with the rest of the world.



The best thing in the Oriental is that you wake up
with the indescribable beauty of Mayon Volcano
staring right at you...




Play
The Scenic Infinity Pool

The hotel had a beautiful infinity pool
that offers the great view of the volcano and the city...



I brought my seven year old son for a swim
and to my horror, the kiddie pool located at the edge of the building
leads to you guessed it right- infinity...



There are no railings nor any protective barrier
that could prevent hyperactive kids
from falling two floors below...

I convinced my son to swim the bath tub instead.
Again to my horror (double this time)
the water that came out was yellow
and smelled like rust...



In order not to disappoint the kid,
I allowed him swim in the tub and instructed him to try his best
not swallow even a single drop of the filthy water.




Feast
Room Service

For a hotel located way up the hill, away from the city center-
with no other dining options to choose from at night,
the room service offers a very limited choice...
- printed in just a piece of standard paper.



We ordered Bagnet and their signature burger...





The bagnet was almost left untouched..





And we shared the burger
that tasted well- how do I say it...
-the much cheaper St. Ellis burger downtown
tastes a looooot better



They also gave a very limited supply of condiments...



...that the 7 - Eleven pack leftovers from
the hotdog we bought to go
on the way came in very handy.




Feast
Jasmine Breakfast Buffet

The breakfast buffet for a hotel this standard
was also disappointing...



The usual fruits, bread, egg and cereals were present
which actually what the kids need...



...but there are very limited choices
at the main buffet table-
fried Rice, longaniza, buttered vegetables,
dried fish and bacon.





That’s all there it to it.


Overall assessment, there is no doubt that
the Oriental Hotel is a spectacularly beautiful hotel
that offers a spectacular view
but its offerings ar less than spectacular.

Two unacceptable flows that the hotel has are
1. The absence of in- room telephone line
2. The filthy yellowish water on the bathtub

Other problems like the need of pool railings
and limited dining options could easily be corrected.

Once these problems are solved, future hotel guests
would have marvelous first hand experience
as it is an aesthetically marvelous hotel anyway.

If not corrected, lowering the hotel price range
would help avoid guests from having great expectations
and disappointments.

Thanks for this review. I'm sure the management are thinking of ways to further improve their service. FYI, their minimum rates are now at par with St. Ellis and Hotel Venezia.

BTW Sir, its flaws. Not flows. Just a correction. Thanks.

[Naga Boy]

Originally Posted by kaniguan78

Thanks for this review. I'm sure the management are thinking of ways to further improve their service. FYI, their minimum rates are now at par with St. Ellis and Hotel Venezia.

BTW Sir, its flaws. Not flows. Just a correction. Thanks.

That's courtesy of the auto wrong feature of my computer. Thanks for the correction kaniguan.

That would bring the people in then. I'm happy for the changes.

[ritche]

Atmosphere awarded Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

May 24 - TripAdvisor.com is a travel website that assists travelers in gathering travel information, posting reviews and opinions on places, hotels and activities worldwide. Atmosphere has had a lot of reviews on Tripadvisor and now in the month of May, we were awarded the 2012 Certificate of Excellence award. “Our travellers consistently commend your property with the highest praise, and we recognise your 4.5 rating as an exceptional achievement”, says Tripadvisor.
_______________________________

Atmosphere Resorts has more than 100 reviews on TripAdvisor:

From Atmosphere Resorts FB:
Atmosphere Resorts celebrates 100 reviews on Tripadvisor!
A big thank you to all of you who, after your stay, have taken the time to review Atmosphere on Tripadvisor. We appreciate it!

Just one of the reviews:

“Great food, great dive operation, great staff - great place”
Reviewed February 26, 2012

Atmosphere is one of the most relaxing and best run resorts I have ever visited. My wife and I rented an apartment which was spacious, comfortable and quiet. The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained. The infinity pool has beautiful views of the sea (most rooms do not) and most unusually had enough comfortable lounge chairs so there was no need to worry about arriving early to secure a spot. The spa is also very nice and offers an assortment of massages, etc. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the high quality of the restaurant. Every single meal we had during our 8 night stay was terrific - not an easy accomplishment for a remote resort.

The dive operation was the best run I have ever seen. There were three separate dive choices throughout each day. Many times I was the only diver on the boat and thus had a personal guide. You never have to touch your gear as the crew does it all for you. There are plenty of nearby macro/muck diving sites and several times a week there were day trips to Apo Island to dive the healthy reefs there or to a site to snorkel with whale sharks (during the correct season of course.)

The management also cares about the community and through the Giving Forward program supports a soup kitchen and sustainable income programs. I hope that some day Atmosphere bans smoking near the pool but other than that (and for those who mind the rocky beach) this is a real slice of heaven.

Source

[diehardbisdak]

...a 3 star hotel in Cebu City!

pic grabbed at www.dencio.com - resized & uploaded on www.imageshack.us

Filinvest's Quest Hotel & Grand Cenia Residences
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City

[william :D]

The Beautiful Bellarocca Resort
Marinduque, Philippines


Beach and chairs at Bellaroca, Marinduque


Beach at Bellarocca, Marinduque


Bellaroca villa by the sea at Marinduque


Beside the beach and infinity pool at Bellaroca Marinduque


photo credits to VisitPinas

[william :D]

The Beautiful Bellarocca Resort
Marinduque, Philippines


Room at Bellarocca in Marinduque


Arrival at dock of Bellarocca in Marinduque


View of Bellarocca from the dock in Marinduque


photo credits to VisitPinas

[hugodiekonig]

to other posters, please limit the number of photos per posts. Mahirap mag-load sa computer

[tj_brewed]

Originally Posted by zubuwood

Imperial Palace, Mactan
[IMG]



Photos from@ Bernardo Agulo[/IMG]

wow! beautiful! parang d pinas!

[etienne]

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts celebrates management of magical Huma Island

Idyllic hideaway on a private island is second Philippine resort for the upscale hotel company.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announces that it is to manage Huma Island resort – a private island in the heart of the stunning archipelago of Palawan Province in the Philippines.

The island is world famous among divers who visit to experience the area’s exceptional corals and abundant marine life as well as to explore 12 of the most iconic shipwrecks of the mid-20th century.

Huma Island itself is also steeped in mystical magic from the tip of its rainforest-covered mountains to the bottom of its primeval caves. The endless pristine sands that ring the island were once home to “Ibrahim The Sailor” who was swept ashore 1352 when his galleon Huma was shipwrecked while on its way from India to China. Ibrahim may be long gone but his legend and his ship’s name live on.

Respectful of such a unique and mystical setting, the new Mövenpick Resort & Spa Huma Island is the only resort on the island and when it opens in the final quarter of 2012 it will feature 80 over-water bungalows.

“Huma Island genuinely deserves its description as a dream destination,” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Asia. “This is our second resort in the Philippines after our property in Cebu and it is a magical place that I am sure will cast an unforgettable spell over anyone that visits.”

read more ...

[etienne]

Huma Island

at last! a well designed resort that could rival those in maldives..

http://www.humaisland.com/
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HUMA-I...t/219281816548


enjoy these stunning photos..

[diehardbisdak]

wow...! ...there is a similar development in Cebu..here:

Originally Posted by wakeuptoreality

SOON in CEBU 2014!













http://www.abanaislandresort.com

location: Islas Tres Rosas, Maribago - Mactan - islet fronting the beach property of Cebu White Sands Resort & Spa



source: www.travelpod.com

[hugodiekonig]

Thunderbird Poro Point Resort in La Union

June 11, 2012, 4:26pm

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point (TRPP) was a major sponsor of the Sillag Festival of Lights, playing host and venue to its key activities last April. The Thunderbird Boardwalk was the venue of the Lantern Fluvial Parade, performance by the Philippine Marine Band, releasing of the Hope Lanterns, rock concert and Pyromusical Show last April 28.

The following day marked the groundbreaking ceremony of TRPP’s three-storey Thunderbird Condotel. Thunderbird is set to build 51 additional rooms in the Condotel, to add to the existing 41 rooms at TRPP, with a total investmentof R200 million for the expansion project. To date, TRPP has pumped in a total of R1.2-B investments in the country since it started five years ago.

Clients who will purchase a condotel unit will have the opportunity to enroll their units to the rental program, which will enable them to enjoy while earning significant returns on the rentals.Within this program, owners turn over their unit to Thunderbird so that Thunderbird can manage the unit as a hotel room and allow owners to relax while earning.

The April 29 groundbreaking had the following key officials (see photo) in attendance: (from left) Wilson Tieng, corporate partner of Thunderbird Resorts; Felicito Payumo, BCDA chairman; Fausto Liriano, TRPP operations director for construction; David Chong, TRPP project manager for real estate; Shaun Thomsen, Thunderbird Resorts chief gaming officer; Arnel Casanova, BCDA president and CEO; Florante Gerdan, PPMC president and CEO; and Yves Remondeulaz, TRPP hotel general manager.

Meanwhile, Thunderbird Residences continues to expand, with the plan to build approximately 140 more villas or lifestyle beach homes in six to 10 years.Thunderbird Residences was launched last October 2010, and occupies 15 hectares within the total 65 hectare property of TRPP. Thunderbird Residences launched only 80 lots for sale and is currently 75 percent sold. The owners of the lots are also entitled to free playing rights to the Cliffs Golf and Beach Club. A Thunderbird residence is the perfect vacation or retirement place, as included in its expansion plans is a three-hectare park and wellness area, and a commercial area.

Other ongoing TRPP projects include the expansion of the Casino, whereby 1,100 square meters more of floor space is being added to accommodate more machines and gaming tables, a bigger entertainment area and bar, another kitchen, and to which the VIP rooms will be relocated; and the continued expansion of the resort’s all-weather golf course.

source

[OtAkAw]

Originally Posted by etienne

Huma Island

at last! a well designed resort that could rival those in maldives..

Exquisite!