2015 Jan: Philippines: Negros Occ: Bacolod: Go Hotels

Accommodation: Go Hotels Bacolod

Address: Lacson Street, Mandalagan  Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Website: http://www.gohotels.ph/locations-page/specific-location/bacolod/

Stay: Jan 29-31, 2015 (2 nights)

Price: Known to offer early bird booking, you can await for the regular rooms to be on sale from this hotel.  We got an overnight stay for 882php from travel fair in SMX (2014). Another overnight stay from online booking for 995php only.

Book Go Hotels Bacolod, Bacolod (Negros Occidental) in Agoda

Location:

Accessible from airport via commuting van service (150php/pax, 2015).  Indicate to the driver, so he can get inside the main gate.

Located near Robinsons Mall and in the middle of Lacson St. (main street in Bacolod).  

There is a back door (open: 6am-10pm), that is connected to Robinsons Mall for safer walk.

2014 Jan: Philippines: Tuguegarao: Holiday Plaza Hotel

Arrival in Tuguegarao Airport
Flight from Manila to Tuguegarao took only 60 minutes.  Since it is only a national airport, do not expect much, there is no conveyor belt and if you are just travelling in short time no need to check-in your things (grab that seat sale!).

For airport transfer, there are tricycles or better yet ask your hotel if they offer airport transfer service. 

Accommodation: Holiday Plaza Hotel

Hotel lobby is very stylish, from the seats, to mirrors, wall decors, to chandeliers and clocks.

2014 Jan: Philippines: Iloilo: Days Hotel

Where to stay in Iloilo?

I prefer the boutique hotels in Smallville area, but these are pretty much new so they still have fewer reviews online and much are not yet found on printed maps.  If you stay here, there is unending night parties on the streets.

We also considered Sarabia Manor Hotel & Convention Center, but decided to stay in Days Hotel Iloilo.

Price: Above Average. 110USD for Classic Deluxe Room 

2013 Apr: Philippines: Batangas, Club Balai Isabel

The first time I visited this place was on a rainy evening in 2011, when I'm suffering from fever and I was not able to enjoy the pool area.  I must say that visiting it on a summer day of 2013 is a better experience.

Club Balai Isabel

Barangay Banga, Talisay, Batangas, Philippines

Book Club Balai Isabel Hotel, Batangas in Agoda

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Ellis Ecotel

After several cancelled flights of Naga and Legazpi due to experienced cold front and rain showers in the early weeks of January, glad that we were able to depart from Manila in a sunny Sunday morning this week.

2012 Nov: Philippines: Go Hotels in Mandaluyong

Go Hotels (http://gohotels.ph)
Location: UG/F, Robinsons Cybergate Plaza, EDSA cor. Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City

An inexpensive and very decent hotel for every Juan and foreign travelers brought to you by the Robinsons Land Corporation (Gokongwei Group).

Found in several locations in the Philippine provinces: Bacolod, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban.  

Opened two years ago (2010) in Cyber Park Mandaluyong, I was able to grab their promo for a queen room worth 435php only (which is normally at 1088php).  As what I think the first inexpensive boutique hotel not motel (especially in the Philippines) I'm eager to review this.  Of course it took me sometime to visit the area since spending money for a room where I have my own bed and house to sleep in the metro is odd.

Book Go Hotels Mandaluyong in Agoda

Setting expectations!  An excerpt from their Confirmation mail:
Value Hotel Concept with 8 unique selling propositions:
            1. Hotel quality beds
            2. Hot & Cold rain shower
            3. Wi-Fi access
            4. 22-inch LCD TV with cable
            5. Safe and secure environment
            6. Convenient location
            7. Access to transport
            8. Fun and friendly

Each room is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a 22-inch LCD TV with cable, in-room intercom system, option of two (2) single beds or one (1) double bed, full vanity mirror, two (2) pillows, duvet, intercom, in-room safe, bath towel, hot and cold shower, single-use soap and shampoo, and tissue paper.

Rooms are not equipped with the following: room service, radio, wardrobe, bathrobe, hairdryer, mini-bar, tea or coffee making facilities, or drinking glasses. 

Let’s start the stay-cation review!

The receiving area is spacious with entertainment TV and several comfortable seats.  Designed in yellow and while with some flower accents on the side.

2011 December: Philippines: Bohol: Metro Centre

From Panglao, we decided to have an overnight stay at Tagbilaran - we booked for a Superior B room at Metro Centre. We had a very good stay here.

Place: MetroCentre Hotel and Convention Center
Address: C.P.G. Avenue, Tagbilaran City Bohol 6300, Philippines

The hotel lobby is well lighted, they already have Christmas decorations.

2011 December: Philippines: Bohol: Alona Beach: Lost Horizon Hotel

Our flight from Manila is delayed by around 30 minutes due to busy departure schedule. Travel time going to Tagbilaran is 1 hr and 5 minutes. "Your flight is not complete, without the Fun Games," - I won a tumbler for being the first one to raise a family picture.

We already booked the airport transfer from the hotel, it is 500 php from the airport to Panglao for about 30 minutes without traffic.

On our previous trip, we stayed at Dumaluan beach. Now we are staying at Alona beach – specifally at Lost Horizon Hotel. We booked the Modern Standard room for 2500php/night, plus 400php for the additional person. We opted not to get the extra bed as the queen size bed is enough for the three of us. I'm very satisfied with the place, good sea and pool view from our room. It is well lighted and I like the glass wall. The bed is soft and with clean sheets. The room has electric thermos, cups and complimentary coffee set and bottled water. Also, has a television with less than 30 cable channels (diversed from English, Korean, Macanese, etc.). They also provide a cabinet with hangers, table with monoblock chairs, refrigerator and full body mirror. The bathroom is spacious, well provided hot and cold water, and offers basic toiletries and towels.

Lost Horizon Beach Resort
Location: Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Email:losthorizonresort@gmail.com

2008 August: Baguio, Philippines: Day 1: Quick Visit in Baguio

Thanks to the long weekend in Manila and finally I was able to visit Baguio. We reached the Victory Liner Pasay terminal by 9pm and had the ticket for the available ride at 12:30am. It has two stops, one in Tarlac and the other one is in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. By sunrise, we are already passing Marcos Highway. From the terminal, we took a cab going to Hotel Veniz. Be careful of the bystanders who are saying that Veniz is far and is fully booked.

Around 7am, we reached the hotel lobby. Since the check-in time is still 2pm, they let us leave our luggage at their small safety room. We just carry our valuables and started the Baguio adventure.

Hotel Veniz Lobby

Book Hotel Veniz, Baguio in Agoda