Staycation at Lancaster Hotel Manila

Happy New year everyone! I’m sure everyone has some kind of resolution for this year. Well goodluck to all of us! May we keep it through the rest of the year.

As for me, I only have two things on my list: growing my savings and finally do the career move. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. So yeah, sad to say travel isn’t in my resolutions for this year. But fret not because I know that I can’t resist my itchy feet. I will only travel if it’s on the budget. 

Having mentioned budget trips, we just had a staycation at Lancaster Hotel Manila. When I was still working in Ortigas Center,  I used to pass by this hotel on my way to work. It's conveniently located in Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong before you reach the flyover if you're coming from the Manila area. See I told you, I’m in for budget trips. It wasn’t really a trip; after all the hotel was just like 30 minutes away from our house. It was a staycation and provided a good change of environment.  Since my dad will be leaving again for abroad soon, we also caught up with some last minute family bonding time. It was supposed to be my mom and dad’s overnight trip but they insisted we join them and so we did.

We stayed in the junior suite which is basically a conventional studio-type room with small kitchen and bathroom. There was also a cable TV, fridge, telephone, and broadband access. The overnight stay package also includes free buffet breakfast and free newspaper delivered daily. 

We  managed to fit in this queen sized bed. My mom kept complaining how hard the bed is but I slept soundly all throughout the night.

 

The thing I like about the room is that it looks spacious although it was junior suite. There was also a fridge and a kitchenette where you can prepare your food and do some light cooking. 


From the mere look of the room, you can say it looks clean and spotless but I noticed that dust have accumulated at the bottom of the bed near the window. The room's glass windows are not that clean, you can see stains and dusts from the outside which obstructs the view. Despite this, our room still has good view of the Shaw flyover especially at night so you can see the road lights and traffic.

The bathroom is simple yet clean with a toilet and shower with bath tub, hair dryer, and all the basic toiletries that you need.
 

 

Honestly, I really didn’t  go out of the room during our whole stay. I was glued to the bed and just watched TV the whole time. It’s good to laze in a hotel bed once in a while. That’s the whole point of a staycation for me..sleep, watch TV, eat, and do nothing. So I can’t say much about the other facilities offered by Lancaster Hotel.  They pretty much have the usual facilities like the business center, function rooms, coffee shop, restaurants, swimming pool, roof deck, and spa which is soon to open. 

We checked the pool at the roof deck. We were thinking of swimming but found that the pool is only 3.5 feet deep; it was too shallow for adults like us. 

If you're looking for a hotel to stay with reasonable rates, decent rooms, and good location Lancaster Hotel fits the description. They offer promo rates for longer stay, so take advantage of it. Indeed, our stay was a time well-spent with the family although it meant more of snuggling closer in bed.

A Piece of Santorini in the North (Part 2)

Good morning! It was  a lovely morning at Thunderbird and I was awakened with a bad headache and feeling of parchness. I threw up all I’ve eaten a night before and my growling stomach woke me up.

Breakfast was served at the Olives Restaurant. We hit the breakfast table at 730 am. There was enough selection but not too many including soup, breads, chicken and pork viands, and some deli.But generally, we enjoyed what’s on the buffet breakfast table..

I love their breakfast food and enjoyed it more than the dinner we had. We enjoyed it so much that we left the breakfast table around 9:30am :D

With less than three hours to go before check out, we rushed to see the beach. Yes, we haven’t gone to the beach actually.

Good thing that despite the really hot weather that day, we dragged ourselves to see the beach. I fell in love with this.

The beach is rocky and is not really conducive for swimming. But lo and behold, the beach is charming and everything is picturesque. 

There are almost many small details that added charm to this place like the gazebo facing the beach. I think this is where Thunderbird weddings are mostly held. Ho-hum. 

The white painted stairs with square-shaped opening was one the small features which added the Santorini touch to the whole place.

We peeked in one of the two villas and I wish I could stay here one day with my family and closest friends. There’s a place where you can have barbecue parties and watch the sunset. Ahhhh, I want this life!

Plus there was  pool. I’m beginning to feel an attachment to this side of Poro Point already.

We still have more than an hour to spare and so we headed back to the hotel building. We took a quick dip in the pool and savored our last moments in this Santorini-esque paradise.

We checked out past 12pm and we're off to our next destination..

I was simply happy that I got to experience a liitle piece of Santorini in the North. It’d be no wonder if I come back! 

Read the first part of my Thunderbird Resort, Poro Point experience here. 

A Piece of Santorini in the North (Part 1)

 

When I first learned about Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, I know this little piece of paradise must be included in my travel list for this year. Traveling to La Union for surfing has always been in my yearly travel itinerary, so it would be a shame if I don’t get to see the other gem in La Union - Thunderbird Resort.


Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point is a 65-hectare resort property with a Mediterranean architecture inspired by the Santorini Islands in Greece. The resort is nestled in a cliff overlooking the South China Sea. Its Santorini-inspired architecture is evident in its white hotel building with touches of blue. The dome ceiling and the painting on the lobby is a sight you will never surely miss.
Room rate

I’ve inquired about the resort’s rate months before our travel but I actually found a good deal at the Philippine Travel Mart last September. See related blog entry. We got deluxe rooms for Php5390/night. The rate is 10% cheaper than their standard rates. They only allow a maximum of four persons in the room so we had to pay for the extra persons at Php1000/head and that included buffet breakfast already.

The Santorini-esque experience

As soon as we stepped in Thunderbird Resort’s lobby, I instantly felt that I am in for a grand vacation. The ambiance of the hotel is welcoming and very refreshing. On the reception area, you can already see the blue waters from the sea. The cool breeze blowing makes me feel that it was summer but in October.


I love the interior of the hotel. The hotel furniture are made of rattan and other native products and it complemented the simple yet elegant hotel interiors. The design is minimalist but when put together, it exudes simple elegance.

Checking in was swift. I just had to fill out a couple of forms and pay the incidental fee. After that, we were ushered to our room.
Now the rooms..

As we entered our room, I felt a certain excitement in my bones. First off, there were two huge queen size beds. Weeee! And the bed, sheets, and duvets are just so soft and refreshingly clean that I wouldn’t mind sleeping on it all day.

I couldn’t help but test how soft and firm the bed was..so I jumped and bounced on it. I miss jumping in the bed, I used to do that when I was little.

The room has a 32-inch flat screen LCD TV, DVD player, a JVC surround media system where you can plug your USB or portable hard drive.

There’s a mini fridge and a small bar for the goodies which are for sale.
Our room also has a study table and coffee table near the veranda. This little nook is perfect while sipping your coffee and having a small talk with your friends.

The veranda completes the whole room. Here, you can lose yourself by staring at the blue sea or the pool area of the resort. I already love it here!

The bathroom is immaculately clean and huge. I tell you, it’s one of the biggest bathrooms I’ve seen in a hotel. Too bad, they didn’t put a bathtub on it. It could fit with all the extra space.

And the toiletries, oh em gee.. I love Thunderbird Resort really!
There’s also free wifi within the resort. So no hassle if you wanna be online – whether in your lappie or phone.
Before sunset, we decided to lounge in the pool area. There are two pools – for adults and kids.

Plus, there’s a pool bar where you can order your favorite cocktail drink or just fresh fruit shake. The adult pool is only 4 feet deep all throughout.
We passed our time there and decided it was time to change clothes for dinner.

On our way to our room, the fully lit dome at the dark could not be missed. It made me wish I am really in Santorini. I know that sometimes they allow guests to go near the dome and do photo shoots. And hmmm that just gives me an idea ;P
We had dinner at Olives Restaurant where the ambiance is casual dining.
On our table

Seafood Ravioli. The pasta pillows are not that firm. The pasta was kinda sticky although the seafood is freshly cooked.
Seafood Alfredo Spaghetti

Spicy Sausage pizza and Ilokano pizza

These pizzas baked in wood-fired stone oven were highly recommended by our server so we went ahead and tried it. I liked the Ilokano pizza more than the other. The spicy sausage pizza just tasted just like normal pepperoni pizza.
After dinner, we had our drinking session in our room. We weren’t able to drink the night before since we were all dead tired. We played a game “I never had” which is more like ‘truth or dare’ but with a twist. Each of us has to tell something that we have never done and the others who’s done that thing will then drink the shots.

It was a fun and quirky game! We came to know more about one another and each one’s dirty dark secrets.. :D
The game led us to drunkenness and more crazy antics and of course a bad hangover the next day…
That's it for our first day. It was a long and fun day --from surfing in San Juan La Union to R&R in Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point. The fun never stops!
Read the second part of my Thunderbird Resort Poro Point experience here.

Surf’s Up in La Union

We’ve been planning this trip for the longest time for my bff Yana’s short vacay from Dubai. Last year, we spent 3 days in Baler and for this year’s getaway, it was a Northern exposure trip which included San Juan La Union, Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, and Baguio. We are regular beach goers to La Union because we enjoy surfing so much. We all agreed that our trip must begin in none other than San Juan, La Union.

We rode the Farinas Trans bus from its terminal in Lacson St., Sampaloc (just very near UST). We caught the last trip at 11:30pm. It was just me, Erick, and Ru for this trip since Yana and JB will be following the next morning. Yana’s flight from Legazpi got cancelled so she and JB weren't able to take the bus with us to La Union.

It was a 5-hr trip from Manila to La Union. We greeted dawn at the highway of San Juan and immediately went to San Juan Surf Resort - the resort we’re checked in. We waited until 7am for the early check-in. Boohoo.. So, Erick, Ru, and I stayed at their reception and passed the time by telling stories.

At around, 7am we were finally provided the key to our room. Our no-frills room included two queen-size beds, extra pull-out beds, a fridge, TV with cable, and a bathroom. We paid a total of Php3030 for the overnight stay for 5 persons which included a fee for early check-in. A complimentary breakfast for two is also included.

San Juan Surf Resort

The day was gloomy with a hint of sunlight piercing against the clouds. The waves are stronger and higher than the usual. Beginner and pro- surfers crowd the 1-km beach stretch, all waiting for good waves to ride. When we finally hit the beach, we just played in the water and beach-bummed. We decided to surf the next day.

So there, this beach day meant more lazing around, swimming, and playing frisbee.

It rained later in the afternoon and the waves were just so inviting. I had the urge to surf already but thought twice and finally settled that tomorrow is the surfing day. Unfortunately, there was no sunset that afternoon. San Juan’s sunset is one of the most dramatic I’ve seen.

We all tidied up and waited for Yana and JB to arrive. They’re on travel for six hours already. When they finally arrived, we scouted a place for dinner. Since everyone was hungry, we just settled with the nearby resto/resort, Sebay. After dinner, we slept early because everyone was tired. This day, nothing happened. We just slept, played in the waves, and ate. In other words *chillax mode*

The next day was sunny and it was just perfect to go out in the beach. The morning started with flat waves. But after we had breakfast, there were a few good waves we can catch. We met our surfing instructors from the other resort, Sebay. I’ve always had the same instructor for the past two years that I’ve been coming back to La Union. Jericho used to be an instructor at the surf resort we're staying at but he transferred to Sebay. Surfing lessons is still at Php400/hour which hasn't changed since I first tried it in 2009. If you want to rent a surfboard, it'd cost Php400-600 for half-day depending on the type of board (short or long).

Flat day!

After the refresher course of how to stand and balance on a surfboard, we’re off to surfing! Yihee.

This time, I used the shortboard which measured 6’7” inches! It has always been my dream to ride one of those. You see, short boards are built for speed and maneuverability and these are not the best boards for beginners. I find it more comfortable to ride the long board at 9’ to 12’. It’s more stable and it's easier to balance on it because it is heavier than my weight. But Jericho, my instructor, said that I am ready for the shortboard. So I did!

Surfing team :)

Although, I’ve surfed a dozen of times already, I always feel the nervousness coupled with excitement everytime I am in the water especially when I know that a good wave is coming.

Here are my surfing stunts as caught on cam!

HANG LOOSE

Honestly, I didn't know that I was riding a big wave because I am not looking back when the wave is coming. I just let it take and move my board and that's my signal to stand on my board.

My game face when surfing :P

Feeling kinda awkward with my stand.. but wth just ride the waves :P

Erick and Yana also caught good waves and they seldom fell from their boards. There were times that I told Jericho that I should have just used the long board because I feel awkward balancing in the shortboard. I feel think I am a much better surfer using the long board.

my surfer babe bestfriend :)

It's a great feeling to be surfing together with two of my most favorite people - with my best friend and my boyfriend <3.

and my surfer dude boyfriend

Surfing can be so addicting. I am quoting the legendary surfer Paul Strauch "Surfing is very much like making love. It always feels good, no matter how many times you've done it".

the gang!

After our surfing lessons, I lazed in the beach while they played frisbee. I savored our last hours in my happy beach. It was the first time that I was here on a weekday and on a Monday and the beach is totally different. With less crowd, the beach has a quiet vibe which made me want to stay longer.

I learned to surf!

I know for sure that I will always go back to La Union to feed my insatiable appetite for surfing or just simply beach bumming. After all, it is my happy beach and it feels like my second home :)

Where to stay in Bohol

When I was looking for our accommodations in Panglao, I must admit I had a hard time looking for the one just right for us. Being cheapskate that we are, of course budget is always on our top list when deciding where to stay. After browsing the net, reading travel forums, and checking tripadvisor, we opted to stay at Cherry’s @ Home Too Inland Resort.

You won't miss it because of the signage

It’s a family-run hotel with a very commendable service. They have housekeeping services; our room was spotlessly clean every time we arrived from our day tour. They changed the towels everyday and the sheets were replaced twice on our four-day stay. Cherry’s also have free wi-fi and guests can use their computer for free internet. And lastly, they have a mini swimming pool. Talk about value for money..

@ home at Cherry's

Room rates:

Php 1,650 Standard Twin Room
Php 1,350 Standard Room (no window)
Php 2,650 Quadruple Room (4 persons)
Php 3,600 Family Room (6 persons)

Includes complimentary breakfast for 2 persons.

Standard room w/o window 

Clean and spacious bathroom

If Cherry's suits your taste, contact them thru the details below. They immediately responds via email and SMS. 

Cherry's @ Home Too Inland Resort

+63.38.502.4049 (Telephone)
+63.928.992.2209 (Cellphone)
www.cherryshome.com

They also have a sister resort - Cherry’s @Home which is actually their first resort. It offers cheaper rooms. 

Php 1,000/night

Php 300/night/extra person

Breakfast not included.

Panglao offers a variety of accommodations from high-end to budget. We stayed in Alona Beach in Panglao and here are some of the accommodations in Alona that you may want to consider for your trip.

Amarela Resort

+63.38.502.9407-98 (Telephone)

+63.906.588.4145 (Cellphone)

reservations@amarelaresort.com

www.amarelaresort.com

Cozy room at Amarela (photo taken from their website)

Alona Kew Beach Resort

+63.38.502.9042 (Telephone)
Room rates available here

kewbeach@globelines.com.ph

www.alona-kew.com

New hotel building of Alona Kew

Bohol Casa Nino

+63.38.502.4030 (Telephone)
boholcasanino.com

Standard room at Bohol Casa Nino (photo taken from their website)

InnBox Bed & Bath

+63.917.306.0014 (Cellphone)

inbox@yahoo.com

1 night = Php 1,400/night good for 2 persons

3 nights =  Php 1,200/night good for 2 persons

6 nights =  Php 1,000/night good for 2 persons

The Inn Box

Ging Ging Homes

+63.919.597.0925

with wi-fi  =  Php 850

with cable and 2 beds = Php 1,500 with aircondition

I must mention Bohol Bee Farm (BBF) in Dauis. I loved the ambiance of the farm and I wanted to try their organic dishes but due to time constraint I wasn't able to. Maybe on my next Bohol trip, I will stay at BBF.

Bohol Bee Farm

Ms. Vicky Wallace

Dao, Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol

+63,38.502.2288 (Telephone)

+63.917.304.1491 (Cellphone)

vickywallace@boholbeefarm.com

www.boholbeefarm.com

The Barn Room (photo taken from their website)

Outside the barn room

If you plan to stay in Tagbilaran City, here are a few suggestions.

La Roca Hotel

Graham Ave Tagbilaran City

+63.38.411.3178 (Telephone)

+63.915.3374.002 (Cellphone)

bohollarocahotel@yahoo.com

www.bohollarocahotel.com

Panda Tea Garden Suites

JA Clarin St (in front of NIA)

+63.38.501.8773 (Telephone)

+63.923.708.4293, 917.631.9658, 918.935.9178 (Cellphone)

boholpandasuites@yahoo.com

www.boholpandasuites.com

Room types at Panda Tea Garden Suites (taken from their site)

Bohol Tropics Resort

Graham Ave, Tagbilaran City

+63.38.411.3510-14

boholtropics@boholtropics.com

www.boholtropics.com

Villa  del Sol

VP Inting Ave, Mansasa Seaside, Tagbilaran City

+63.38.325.6760, 411.5581 (Telephone)

Manila Booking Office: 1451 La Paz St, Paco Manila

+63.2.563.6861

www.villadelsolbohol.com

Standard room at Villa del Sol (taken from their website)

Kode Inn

57 Graham Ave, Tagbilaran City

+63.38.235.7251, 501.8029 (Telephone)

kodeinn@yahoo.com

www.kodeinn.com

Twin room at Kode Inn (taken from their website)

Plenty of choices huh? Every traveler will never run out of options of where to stay in Bohol. On my next trip, I'm eyeing to stay in Amarela Resort or Bohol Bee Farm. How about you? Any recommendations?