ThrowbackThursday: CNY at Hotel Elizabeth.

It’s nearing Chinese New Year again, so to celebrate it here is my CNY 2014 experience (Oo! Waging wagi sa pagiging delayed haha!).

Last year, we had the chance to celebrate Chinese New Year at Baguio (nakiki-Chinese New Year LOL!). Weeks before the holiday, I had a listed down my preferred hotels. Well, I am not sure whether my criterion for hotel is hard or simply expensive (Though my bank account says it is the latter LOL). I really wanted to have that “authentic Baguio experience”, so I really searched for an accommodation that has pine trees in their area and was able to find those located on the northern side of Session Road. However, due to the fact that my sister advised a week only before Chinese New Year most of the hotels were either fully booked or could only accommodate for two people (We’re a small family though, but still a room for movement is a must!).

Thankfully, Hotel Elizabeth was able to provide a room for us (at a hefty price). See how Hotel Elizabeth fared at my hotel standard:

• How much did I shell out? Since I was running out of options I accepted their Double Deluxe that is good for 2 pax at Php 4,256.00 (at the time of our booking). Additional pax is at Php 750. Over-all room bill is at Php 11,000.00 for a family of 4. I’d say I did pay for the pine trees haha.

Anyway, I just had to air out the frustration I had when I paid over-the-counter at the nearest bank. I was given until January 25 to have the room reserved for me. Naturally I paid it earlier to secure the room. Because I have paid already, I am expecting (because other hotels does this) to receive a confirmation that the room is secured for us. If I had not called them (talk about long distance calls!) they will not say that our reservation is final. In the end, there was no final e-mail confirmation about my payment. I am disappointed because I wanted to have a formal communication and not just a verbal okay signal from hotels. Dear Hotel Elizabeth kindly tweak a little the payment system you have.

• Upon arrival, the room we got as facing the road. So there are only few pine trees (Okay, I’ll stop whining LOL). But I am happy because the bed is clean and fluffy! Marshmallow softness. The only con I observed is with the bathroom – leaking pipe and unpleasant lingering smell. But as long as my parents are happy with the room, I am satisfied already.
• On our first night at the hotel, we ordered from their ala carte menu and I loved the baby back ribs! Tender to the last bite. Their buffet menu was not approved by my mother (Kunwari Master Chef haha). I have to agree; a limited selection on the buffet means it’s better to eat outside.

In the end, it is the ambiance that I’d return to though when we stayed there; minor road work hindered a smooth entry and exit to the hotel.

How about you guys? Where else have you been to in Baguio?

Our room :)

Fluffy bed!

TV area

The leaking bathroom.

The road and our view from the balcony.

Alam kong sa Baguio punta namin. Promise! Girl scout lang, prepared for anything haha! Not that cold during our stay.

Ciao!

Maddie <3

WaybackWednesday: A short trip to Bohol

This is one those posts where I forgot I drafted an article and never got to publish it until some years later haha!

During an official business trip alone I was able to experience the hospitality of Bohol, specially the people from Darunday Manor.

Darunday Manor is an apartment-like hotel located near the City Hall of Bohol in Tagbilaran City. Based on their website (link), they preferred to be thought of as a pension house with that distinct homey feeling.

Here is my short but loved experience with them J

• How to get there? My stay included an airport transfer already, so there was no worry on how to arrive at Darunday Manor without getting lost. Truthfully, I can’t also share any Filipino way to travel there from the airport since I am not from Bohol. Well, obviously haha. The travel was quite long, given that their airport was situated not near the city. Traffic is not a major issue though you might encounter slow driving moments when passing by school vicinities (I went there on a weekday). Getting around Tagbilaran is fairly easy, one just hop on their version of tricycle and tell the driver where you want to go.
•  How much did my company shell out? LOL! I know. This is an official work trip so everything I spent (except of course for hoards of pasalubong shopping I did, which made my wallet suffer from heart attack LOL!) came from the office. I stayed at their Queen Room which rates at 1,400.00 PHp/night all in. No 10% service charge for the room.
• And the room? I can positively and boldly claim that Darunday Manor is the cleanest hotel I’ve been to. Seriously. I can sense my mom’s cleaning technique with the way they maintain their cleanliness (Despite my mom arguing that they still have flaws when it comes to their washrooms).

I am about to share something so embarrassing today. So please forget this part after hearing the story haha! Upon reaching their airport, I found out that my pants had a rip – not a shocking why-hello-there-big-hole; but a hole is still a hole. Okay, now this is the part you forget I mentioned anything haha!  I asked where their restroom is and was directed to a room behind their kitchen area. I was surprised at how the restroom smelled and looked well-maintained. I happily I mend my pants without suffocating due to non-breathable smell.

Do you know one of the most effective yet cheap ways to counter overpowering bad odour for houses? Place two to three pieces of charcoal or uling in the corner area of the room. I actually was happy to see that Darunday Manor practices this technique as it really delivers squeaky clean scent without much chemical being sprayed in your room. It also gets rid of old smell, when you do not frequently use a room. You may also try to conceal the charcoal by placing it in a pretty vase or pottery.

The Queen Room was spacious and brightly lit due to the fact it was situated on the third floor.

• How was the food? Darunday Manor Coffee Shop offers good ol’ Boholano food. Their local hot chocolate is a great way to perk up in the morning. But you have to remember that they have observe serving time for breakfast, lunch and dinner orders. So be sure to order on time or you will have to go outside for your food. I had my dinner at Gerarda’s in Bohol. It is an ancestral house turned into a restaurant. The homey ambiance made eating their delicious food twice the fun. I actually stayed there longer because I was savouring until the last spoon my food. I just wished I had someone with me that night so we could talk of happiness while eating great cooked foods.

    Over-all Experience? If ever I will be back in Bohol (which I think is sooner that I expect, jet-setter lang ang peg LOL), I will definitely stay here again. That is how I am impressed with their service. And by the way, Wi-fi is not an issue in here. Yey for my internet life! Quality at a considered budget J

You can contact them via e-mail at reservations@darundaymanor.com.

Ciao,

Maddie