On Choosing Hotels and Resorts: Why It’s Okay To Splurge Sometimes

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Because “splurging sometimes”, when it comes to travel, is hardly ever sometimes. It honestly and synonymously means never.

“Why would we spend on an overnight hiatus away from the city that will break our banks? We already paid for air plane tickets and are already away from the city, so why the need to stay at a five-star hotel? We still need to buy treats before we get back to Manila, so we need to stay on budget and budget hotels and inns are our haven. How much per night? No.”

Have you asked these questions at least once when you are planning a travel with a group of friends? Collaborative planning makes travel well-versed since it constitutes more heads that may contribute better ideas on focal points of your itinerary. According to a Leadership Coach Susanne Madsen, collaborative planning engages the team. It also creates commitment because if planning is only done by one of the members of the team, it might appear like “Oh but he only did the planning. I was not actually part of it.” Lastly, collaborative planning creates a quality plan. The product of a whole team that thought about the itineraries will surely create a better output with that of just from someone who did all the planning as travel experiences, do’s and don’ts, best practices are all rounded up to produce a substantial travel plan. However, travel planning is defied by one of the major factors of travel: the budget.

First off, you should determine a good time on when the travel should take place. Peak seasons should be considered when you choose a travel date since it dictates the rate of the hotels and resorts on most regions in the country. Keen and very hands-on research is the key to an updated and extensive itinerary. It provides the information on fluctuating rates, guest reviews, and it straightens out your itinerary as a whole. Financial planning should also be considered in advance to avoid huge cuts on your pay checks. It may be a good idea to shell out a certain amount months before the planned trip, ideally every pay day so it does not feel a big stab during the trip. It will also help to include a contingency budget just in case certain rates increase or an unplanned itinerary comes slipping in.

So, with all these preparations and the eagerness to actually enjoy your vacation (since having approved VL is life!), we urge you to take another look at this wonderful staycations in and out of the busy Metro. You will never regret taking a second glance at these properties, because of course, you deserve only the best!

1. Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City

Nestled at one of the busiest business locations in Manila, Makati Diamond Residences boasts their new standard in luxury living. With online rates starting at Php 6000+ (buffet breakfast excluded), this hotel promises nothing but pure luxury and special features that will make you feel at home. The hotel exudes on its European furnishings and is home to the creations of one of the best Filipino craftsmen, Las Palmas, which overall embodies a magnificent finish. The rooms are all inclusive of hotel amenities such as prepared toiletries, personal refrigerator, 55-inch HD display LED television, rain shower head, hairdryer, iron, and an in-room safe. It also provides complementaries such as Wi-Fi (for the social beast within that needs to be connected 24/7), local city calls, mini bar that gets replenished on a daily basis, and a 50% discount on Ayala museum fees if you are a fan of art and in betweens (this pretty worked for me!). Their indoor lap pool is a sight to behold especially for all the morenas who would like to keep their tan. Indoor pools are mostly fitted in the country since it can get scorching hot outside as early as 8 a.m., and, since it is a lap pool, need we say more on how big enough it is for your early morning cardio?

1. Discovery Suites Manila, Ortigas Pasig City

If you heard about Discovery Shores Boracay, or the Discovery Primea at Makati, this hotel should not sound new at all since they are all under the Discovery Leisure Company. Standing at its 18th year of establishment this 2018, Discovery Suites is no debutante on how business and leisure should meet. It is strategically located to be at a walking distances between three well-known malls in Mandaluyong – Robinsons Galleria at a 15-minute walk, SM Megamall at a 10-minute walk, and The Podium Mall at a less than a 2-minute walk! With its room rates ranging from Php 5000+ to Php 16000+ for their three-bedroom suite, the hotel compliments all its guests with its sumptuous buffet breakfast (they have two cooking choices for their bacon, who does not love that?!), Wi-Fi, and valet parking service. All hotel rooms have spacious bathroom and deep-soaking bathtub, prepared toiletries, 32-inch LCD television, iPod docking station, microwave and oven toaster, in-room safe, personal refrigerator, and iron with ironing board. With the toaster and microwave oven mentioned, this means you may bring in food inside your hotel room and reheat them anytime you want. You can also bring your car at ease since the hotel offers free valet parking service. You may opt to check other nearby establishments such as Estancia Capitol Commons (15-minute drive) or the newly built Ayala Malls the 30th (10-minute drive) as you have that hassle-free in-and-out parking at the hotel.

1. Thunderbird Hotel and Resort, Binangonan Rizal

A brief 1 to 1.5 hour drive away from Manila can take you to nature tours in the North or South, but East can pretty much do the same favor with a little ease in travel when you try and embark on one of the leading resorts in Rizal: Thunderbird Hotel and Resort. We needed to be clear on the “where” since this hotel/resort has yet another location at Poro Point, La Union (more on scenic beach and stuff!). For starters, Thunderbird Hotel and Resort has branded itself for a straightforward go-to place for casino comrades, who wants a peaceful scenery when they go outside of the casino. But apart from what their casino can offer, the hotel is a home to one of Rizal’s best infinity pools overlooking Metro Manila. The hotel, with its Spanish Colonial architecture, is settled on a valley along Sierra Madre, the country’s longest mountain range. The rates span from Php 5000 for their deluxe room to Php 9000 for their Rizal suite – their biggest room with buffet breakfast. These rates are inclusive of the hotel’s complimentary such as Wi-Fi, prepared toiletries, buffet breakfast (during weekends and for selected room rates only), LED cable television, stereo system with DVD player, mini-bar, coffee and tea maker, IDD/NDD phone system, and in-room safety box. During your stay, you will be delighted to go out of your room and explore the Rizal breeze whilst dipping into their infinity pool or their outdoor heated Jacuzzi. To channel your inner adventure-seeker, you may also opt to rent hotel’s mountain bikes at Php 150/hour and cycle down to check scenic sights within the vicinity. Other recreations the hotel offers are the open-air paintball grounds, archery range, videoke, and nearby golf facility (pre-arrangement required).  You may also want to relish relaxation by their Zaphira Spa that offers in-room massage services. Their Olives Restaurant and Cabana Bar, on the other hand, will satisfy your gustatory delights with their extensive menu of international and local entrees. With every part of these nature + relaxation + gastronomy escape, are you still being half-hearted to file that VL?

1. Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Samal Island Davao

A 2-hour plane ride, a 1-hour taxi trip, and a 45-minute boat journey, will land you to Davao’s Samal Island’s nesting place for pure bliss, exquisite stay, and nature candidness. Nicknamed as “Pearl” by Samal locals, this resort is truly a treasure-like place that is hard to attain as the depths of its luxuriousness exceeds everyone’s expectations. This resort ranks as number 1 out of 8 well-known hotels in Samal Island according to TripAdvisor and has earned a superb 9.1 (out of 10.0) rating via Booking.com website. Being on this plinth among the other Samal resorts in Davao, the resort rates of Pearl may undoubtedly be something to be sceptical about at a first glance. However steep the prices may be, your stay will be worth every cent you decide to toss on when you try and see what Pearl and its staff can hand over.

They can offer as low as Php 8000 per night on their Hilltop rooms, but this is depending on spot promos you can find on various booking websites and applications. Their actual published rates are along with short room description are as follows:

Hilltop Room (maximum of 3 adults): Php 9900

Hilltop Rooms were formed using native materials and decors such as bamboo and wood. From the allotted verandas per room, guests are offered with a panoramic view of the garden and the sea. The same as the room has been named after, hilltop rooms are a steep way up which also bestows guests a good warm cardio before they behold the sight of the rooms’ interiors.

Mandaya House (maximum of 3 adults: Php 11400

Mandaya House showcases nativity on its interior and exterior housing. It has a pocket garden and a private balcony at the back, indulging you to stay and experience nature right behind your front door. Mandaya House provides the quickest route to the game room where guests can play billiards, hockey, volleyball, and even PS4 games.

Samal House (maximum of 2 adults): Php 12899

Samal House is where you want to stay if you literally just want to be above the blue waters of Samal Island. It has an grandiose view of the ocean right across its veranda as the rooms are built on seawater. The houses were inspired by the stilt shelters of the Samal tribes and were designed with vibrantly chosen hues to signify diverse culture of Mindanao.

Samal Suite (maximum of 4 adults): Php 29000

Samal Suites are as elegant inside as it projects from its exterior shelter. The Muslim-inspired 2-storey suites have private stairs leading down directly to the waters of Samal Island. The suites are surrounded by rich greenery giving off a soothing ambience for the guests. These suites are the first thing you will spot once you get past Pearl’s Parola as they project an impressive array of houses on the left side of the resort.

Malipano Villa (maximum of 7 adults): Php 42499

Malipano Villas fit guests who prefer utmost privacy when staying at Pearl. It provides exclusivity as they are built in a secluded island across the resort (another 5-minute speedboat ride when you arrive from Pearl’s Parola). Each villa has a spacious 3 bedrooms, and has a veranda big enough to hold a small barbeque party. The rooms also come with an exclusive butler service making the guests’ stay more extravagant and pleasing.

When you decide and see for yourself what this resort in Davao can offer, you will be wanting and wishing that you have found this Pearl long before you have been cynical about it in the first place.

And so then, these 4 hotel and resorts encapsulate what your money is worth of when you finally decide to give yourself a break from all the hassles (and pollution) Metro Manila can bequeath. You will realize after you actually give it a go, that sometimes, you deserve to exceed a life you have been living and start spending it with the right people and places – with the right choices and the right moments.