A SOUTHERN STAYCATION AT SOMERSET ALABANG

        I'm always excited when I get a chance to visit the South, especially Alabang, If only traffic permitted, I'm pretty sure I'd be there more often, checking out the amazing restaurants and hotels in the area. I've been to a few hotels in Alabang, and I've always left impressed with the state of the art facilities, luxurious accommodations and world class service.  

     I was ecstatic when my family and I got opportunity to stay at one of the newest names in serviced apartments down South, Somerset Alabang Manila.

VIVERE HOTEL: STANDING TALL IN ALABANG

            I've always said that I consider Alabang as "Out of town" for me. Which is funny because, if I leave at off peak hours, I can get there in about less than an hour. However, it isn't just the distance that makes Alabang feel like a whole new world.. It's also the environment of Filinvest Business Park. For me, its reminiscent to Bonifacio Global City, where it's clearly bustling, with new establishments sprouting left and right, but a high standard of cleanliness is maintained, making it conducive for brisk afternoon walks (usually to other restaurants hehe).

      I have had the fortunate opportunity to experience three rather excellent hotels in Alabang, namely Bellevue, Crimson and Acacia Hotel. However, there was one more hotel in the Alabang area that Rina and had yet to have the pleasure of staying at-, and that was the Vivere Hotel.

    All that changed during the final leg of Sugar & Spice's Birthday weekend, where the Queen of the South once again graciously tagged my family along for a Staycation at Vivere Hotel!

ACACIA HOTEL: A FILIPINO HOTEL LIKE NO OTHER

    Rina and I have been fortunate to have stayed in not one, but two of the best hotels that the ever growing business center of Alabang has to offer. Another hotel in the area that also boasts "Five Star" status is Acacia Hotel. 

    Though I had dined in the hotel before, I never had the opportunity to stay in Acacia. Leave it to my self-appointed Publicist, Jane Go, to make sure that was rectified. The fabulous Mommy Blogger was kind enough to tag me and my family along with her in celebration of her Birthday Weekend.. What better way but through a staycation?  

SOUTHERN STEAKS: A STEAKHOUSE AT ACACIA HOTEL!

      It was in 2012 that Rina and I first visited Acacia Hotel in Filinvest City in Alabang, where Rina and I were invited to try the buffet of their Cafe Acaci. Unfortunately since then, we never had the opportunity to go back. 

   That all changed when the Queen of the South, Jane Go, the Mommy(?) Blogger known as Sugar & Spice for a remarkable weekend in Alabang, including a stay at Acacia Hotel. 

   After checking into our rooms, we were treated to an amazing lunch at Acacia Hotels' newest dining spot.. A STEAKHOUSE!  

B HOTEL: BEYOND A BUSINESS HOTEL

Full on Tourist mode.. In Alabang.

            Ever since I set on expanding my blog to include overnight experiences in Hotels, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to stay in some of the finest that the country has to offer.. Not just around the metro, but all the way from Cebu and Davao as well.

      It's funny though, because even though Alabang and the other areas of the South is just an hour or less drive away, I feel like more of a tourist when I'm there, then when I'm in Cebu, despite the fact that I haven't lived in the Visayas in more than 20 years (Gawd I'm old :( sniff ).

      But at the same time, that's what makes every trip down South even more fun. I have had the pleasure of staying at the stunning Bellevue Manila twice already, and each time, the experience just keeps getting better and better. 

      This time, I was curious to check out Bellevue's so-called "little brother".. B Hotel. 

CRIMSON HOTEL: MAKING A BIG BANG IN ALABANG.. And a GIVEAWAY!

Photo lifted from http://on.fb.me/1gXVWte

         For those of you who don't know, I grew up in the beautiful city of Cebu, because our family's business was established there. For summer vacation, we would come back home to Manila, and to me it would feel like I was in a different country. One of the highlights of our vacations? Our highly anticipated trips to "Big Bang sa Alabang" and the giant slide! It was most fun I had in a sack.. (Until I got older of course hehe). I know i'm showing my age, but I can't help it.. I've got so many great memories there! (In Big Bang.. Not..umm... in the sack hehe.. but now that you mentioned it.. err.. ok let's not lose focus hehe) 

      My brother and I were elementary school students that flew in from Cebu, and making their way to Alabang, coming from the hills of Antipolo- so i'm sure you'll understand if the trek to Alabang always felt like a lifetime, making us feel like we were going out of town.  

Since then, the Alabang area has grown by heaps and bounds. With road developments such as The Skyway, C-5 and most recently, C-6, Alabang and the other cities in the South is more accessible than ever. 

        Still synonymous with residing prominent families of the country, the Southern part of Metro Manila has boomed into a thriving community of its own, making it totally unnecessary to leave the confines of the area, and more importantly, making it a totally viable location for tourists to stay in when visiting the country. 

        As I've gone along through my blogging career, I've been fortunate enough to experience the exception service of some of the finest hotels Alabang has to offer. Rina and I were extremely ecstatic to be given the opportunity to stay in the newest luxury hotel of the South.. Crimson Hotel.          

BACK IN SESSION AT PHOENIX COURT!

        A few months back, Rina, Baby Rain and I enjoyed a short staycation at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang. I was completely blown away when I found out that it wasn't an international chain, and that it was locally owned. One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible meal we had at Phoenix Court. Our meal was so awesome, I felt it deserved a sequel.

        Lo, and behold, I got it!