STAYCATION AT RAFFLES HOTEL MAKATI JUNIOR SUITE!

           Whether you're travelling from out of the country or looking for a place in Manila to have a relaxing staycation, Raffles Hotel Makati should definitely be one of your options.

Rina, Rain and I had a wonderful time as we explored the beautiful Raffles Hotel Makati, as we got the rock star treatment, as we stayed in their Junior Suite, with included Butler Service!! Rain and I also had so much fun in their swimming pool as Rina went shopping at the very easily accessible Ayala Center Mall next door.

OUR SUITE STAYCATION AT HOLIDAY INN & SUITES MAKATI!

If there's anything that Rain really enjoys, it's when we have a staycation at a hotel. Since I've had a grueling work schedule, we haven't been able to go on a staycation for a awhile, so when I went out of town on a business trip, I promised her that her mom and I would take her to Holiday Inn Makati for a fun filled weekend. The relaxing environment of our One Bedroom Suite allowed me to get some work done, while Rina enjoyed being able to shop at the neighboring Glorietta Mall!

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DISCOVERING DISCOVERY PRIMEA

         I'm always excited when my family and I schedule a Staycation at a swanky hotel. And let me tell you, When it comes to luxury and elegance in the hotel world, one would be hard pressed to find something better than Discovery Primea. 

      From its service, accommodations, facilities and most importantly its food, Discovery Primea shows how Filipino hospitality is taken to the highest echelon of world class standards, making it stand toe to toe with some of the most illustrious brand names in the world.   

STAYCATION AT THE JEWEL BY THE BAY: DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES

        One of my favorite things to do with my family is enjoy a relaxing staycation at a hotel in the metro. Although admittedly it's quite fun to go out of town once in awhile, sometimes you don't really want the hassle of a road trip, but far enough to make the trip worthwhile. 

        I've been to Diamond Hotel numerous times to sample their stunning restaurants. but for the first time, I had the opportunity to enjoy a staycation there with my family. I knew the hotel was beautiful, but this would be my first glimpse at their rooms and other facilities. 

        I was definitely not disappointed! 

RAIN'S BIRTHDAY PART 1: A FAIRMONT MAKATI STAYCATION

          I've been to Fairmont Hotel's Spectrum quite a number of times in the past, and I can safely say it's one of the best hotel buffets in Metro Manila. They constantly think of themes to keep their guests on their toes, and the kitchen staff  from the entrees to the pastries, always rise to the challenge in coming up with ideas to match the selected motif. 

      Though I consider myself I fan of the hotel's food and service, I had yet to see their accommodations, Of course, this is the prestigious Fairmont name we were talking about, so I had a pretty good idea that it was nothing short of amazing, but it's really different when you see it for yourself. 

      So the weekend before Rain's Birthday. we were invited to experience a Staycation at Fairmont Hotel, which was perfect treat for my little girl in anticipation for her big day!  

MERANTI HOTEL: MAXIMUM RELAXATION

            When I moved to Manila from Cebu for college, I stayed in my grandfather's place in Quezon City for a few years. Our family house in Antipolo hadn't gone through its badly needed renovation, not to mention the daily drive and commute to Taft would have made my college life even more hellish than it was (did I ever mention how much I hate Math?). 

        The Scout Area dining scene in the late 90's is completely different from the food haven it is now. Although there are some iconic establishments that have survived the test of time, the  restaurant choices were rather limited, and don't get me started on Hotels in the area, because a decent one was non-existent. 

       So if you had told me that nearly 20 years ago I'd be spending a luxurious staycation in a gorgeous Boutique hotel just down the road from my Grandfather's house, I would have told you that you were insane. 

     But it is true. Meranti Hotel has emerged as an impressive option to stay in when looking for accommodations in Quezon City!

OUR BELMONT HOTEL MANILA STAYCATION!

        There really is something about staycations that alleviates all the stress from your mind, and allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the real world.. even if it is just for one night. Even before we became bloggers, Rina and I would enjoy booking a room in a hotel in the metro, and enjoying a relaxing time in our room, without a care in the world. 

      To me, best staycations I've had, is when the essence of  the term "Staycation" is imbibed to its fullest.. It's the ones where we can simply stay in your room or hotel, and enjoy the facilities at your disposal. I don't need a large room, for as long as the bed is nice and fluffy, the air conditioning gets the room freezing, and I've got a big screen TV to catch up on some of my favorite shows. 

     And that's exactly what I did during my stay at Belmont Hotel, the newest hotel at Resorts World Manila. 

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! 

ENJOY F1 HOTEL'S LUZVIMINDA 3: PISTANG PINOY!

      I don't know about you, but one of my most awaited food festivals has happened at F1 Hotel Manila for the past 3 years.. The LuzViMinda 3 Pistang Pinoy! For the past three years, F1 Hotel has gathered the biggest names of the culinary world, representing their respective regions, to come up with amazing gastronomic concoctions that exemplifies the beauty of their hometown's food and culture. These world-class, but proudly Pinoy Chefs, take you on a mouthwatering trip around the country, one dish at a time, letting you experience the wonderful flavors that the Philippines has to offer, one dish at a time!

    This year, the triumvirate included Celebrity Chef Bruce Lim from Luzon, Chef Tatung Sarthou of the Visayas, and Chef Sider Tadtad of Mindanao! 

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. 

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.          

STAYCATION SERIES: THE VIP TREATMENT AT CROWNE PLAZA MANILA GALLERIA

            In case you missed my previous posts, before the year began, one of my goals in 2013 was to be able to expand my blog to include entries on Hotels.. Be it through travels or Staycations. The month of June began with an incredible Staycation with my blogger friends, and ended with... you guessed it.. ANOTHER STAYCATION!

        This time, at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria! 

STAYCATION SERIES: F1 HOTEL MANILA AT BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

          I believe it was in the year 2005 or so when I first discovered the beauty of a "Staycation". Even though I was already working then, I was still living at home, so I didn't have rent or mortgage to think about. Meaning I had money. I purchased a "Club Membership" from an exclusive Hotel in Makati, that offered room vouchers that gave me huge discounts, and just to seal the deal, they even included an overnight stay, absolutely free. 

      At first, I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical. I wondered to myself, "Why pay money for an overnight stay in a hotel that's just around 30 minutes away from my house?". Nonetheless, the membership also gave me a 50% discount at their famous buffet, so that was enough for me. 

      Within minutes of checking in, I saw exactly what the whole point of a staycation was. The point was to get yourself absorbed in all of the relaxation, without the hassle of long airport lines and bumpy plane rides. You drove a few minutes away, yet you're taken to completely new world.. One free of stress, where your every whim is catered to. 

       As a blogger, I was fortunate to have been invited to a staycation late last year, and made some wonderful friends from the blogging world along the way. That experience inspired me to expand my horizons in 2013, and try to write more travel posts, including some amazing places in the metro where you and your family could enjoy a relaxing staycation.

      Early June, I was elated to be able to add another hotel to the list of places I've had a staycation in. Considering it was a Hotel that I pass by every day on my way to work, nothing could further epitomize the concept of "Staycation" than F1 Hotel Manila. 

TAAL VISTA HOTEL: OUT OF TOWN, YET CLOSE TO HOME

            Some time in 2011, I went on a road trip to Tagaytay. One of my stops was Taal Vista Hotel, just to check out the view of Taal Volcano. I walked into the hotel, and truth be told, there was nothing that gave me the inkling it was an actual hotel. I've had an extensive experience with hotels in my life, so think I have a basic knowledge of how hotel staff should be in terms of hospitality and demeanor.

       Sadly, my first impression was that I felt Taal Vista Hotel was being run by robots. When I walked in, no one really noticed me, to the point that I didn't even get so much as a "Good Morning" from the front desk or Bell hops. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting them to roll out the red carpet or throw rose petals in front of my every step, but it's pretty customary for a hotel to treat every guest like they were the most important person in the world. Unfortunately for me, I walked into to Taal Vista Hotel and walked out their doors contemplating whether to use my new found powers of invisibility to fight crime or for world domination. 

        I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot during a trip back to Taal Vista Hotel in 2012, but instead I was dazzled by the hospitality and graciousness that I had been expecting from a hotel. The difference between now and the previous year was night and day. 

        I knew I was in for an amazing weekend with my family.