OUR AWESOME EDSA SHANGRI-LA STAYCATION

      I distinctly remember the first and only time I stayed the night in Edsa Shangri-la Hotel. This was , was in November of 2003. I remember the time frame so vividly, because my mom is/was a fan of the Boy Band F4, and someone tipped her off that the band would be staying in Edsa Shangri-la and so she made it her mission to make sure she gets a room there as well for the duration of the band's stay in the country. 

   I know this because I was the one tasked to relentlessly call Edsa Shangri-la's reservations office to get a room. As expected, the hotel was fully booked, with F4 fans from around South East Asia flying to Manila for a glimpse of their idols.

   Truthfully. I couldn't care less about those four guys, but I was promised a breakfast buffet for 2 days if I secured a room, so I made that reservations officer's life a living hell for two weeks. I think she started hearing my voice in her dreams (and not in a good way), so she eventually found a couple of rooms for us.

  Fast forward to present day. Through my blog, I have a great relationship with the Shangri-la group, including the Edsa Shangri-la Branch. I've been to several of their events, and they in fact, graciously offered to host the KTG Christmas Party last December. There was one particular time when we went to Heat for Lunch with Rain in tow, and my little girl got a glimpse of the hotel's swimming pool, particularly the Aqua Play Area.. And she lost her freakin' mind. 

   Rina and I had to promise that we would go play in the pool one day, just to pacify her. Someone up there must really love us, because a couple of weeks later, our friends at Edsa Shangri-la invited the Zamora Family over to their hotel for a short Staycation! 

STAYCATION SERIES: OAKWOOD PREMIER JOY-NOSTALG CENTER MANILA

         It was in 2013 that I declared that The Pickiest Eater blog would be expanding, and would now be featuring hotels around the country, including those located within the metro. Since then, I have had the good fortune of experiencing the accommodations and services of some of the finest establishments the Philippines has to offer.  

       With all the negativity you hear about our country, its always nice to see how we have hotel chains situated here that we can be proud of, especially with tourists. It's probably a given that their airport experience will not be all that pleasant, but at the very least, once they've checked in to their hotel, it's comforting to know that they will get the genuine, welcoming warmth that the Philippines is known for. 

       This year, I have been fortunate enough to travel to three different countries - Korea, Hong Kong, and The United States. All beautiful countries, no doubt, but when it comes to hospitality, there's nothing like the genuine warmth of the Filipino. 

      Which is why I always enjoy staying in different hotels, whether it's for a vacation or a "Staycation".

       Recently, Rina and I went on a Staycation at a hotel located at the bustling Ortigas Business District. I honestly wasn't really expecting much from Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila. Truth be told, I didn't even know Oakwood had moved to Ortigas til Rina went there earlier this year. 

      Well, I was in for a rude awakening because I discovered that Oakwood is actually one of the finest hotels in the metro. 

UNLIMITED DIMSUM BUFFET AT XIN TIAN DI AT CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL GALLERIA

         During our amazing Staycation at Crowne Plaza a few months back, Rina and I capped off our epic weekend with a late lunch at the Hotel's resident Chinese Restaurant, Xin Tian Di. Although Rina and I were seriously contemplating ordering a whole bunch of Chinese dishes, the instant we found out that they offered an Eat-All-You-Can Dimsum feast, we dropped our menu and told the restaurant manager (who was kind enough to welcome us to the restaurant), "GIMME SOME OF THAT!"

THE BELLEVUE MANILA: PHOENIX COURT IS NOW IN SESSION

       I cannot reiterate enough how much I love Chinese food. I swear, I think I could live on Sweet & Sour Pork for the rest of my life (And bacon). I had heard a lot of good things about Bellevue Manila's Chinese restaurant, Phoenix Court from my other food blogger friends, so in the days leading up to our Bellevue Staycation, I wasn't sure what I was more excited about.. Staying overnight in the Luxury Hotel, or eating in the Chinese Restaurant?

      I'm still on the fence about what I was looking forward to more, but I was fortunate to have both, and I can safely say, that I believe Phoenix Court is one of the best Chinese restaurant's I've ever tried. 

BELLEVUE HOTEL MANILA: FILIPINO HOSPITALITY AT ITS FINEST

            Even before we were married Rina and I have been advocates of the concept of a "Staycation". I for one, don't mind shelling out for a stress-free weekend of pampering and relaxation with my family, especially after a pressure filled week at work. 

     Which is precisely why I jumped at the opportunity to spend the night at a hotel in the Filinvest City in Alabang, I knew it was something that we couldn't pass up. This was the week after we arrived from Davao, so we were looking forward to spending some quality time with Rain, whom we missed so very much when we were away. 

      And The Bellevue Manila was the ideal place to spend a fun filled Staycation with the family!