Shots of Life

[Another super late post :D]

Jerellt and I are planning to have a staycation as a replacement to our usual travel adventures. We are both paying for something that’s why we are really trying to save some money. Hihi. Anyways, our initial date was set on the first week of May (bwaha super late talaga) but unfortunately, Je and Boyet can’t make it so I asked Boyps if we can still pursue with the plan even if it’s just the two of us. Gladly, he obliged. I really wanted this staycation so bad. So many things happened that really made me feel stressed and the same time pissed. Plus, I knew that I will be having my period on the new planned date.

I’ve been wanting to try Richmonde Hotel ever since I saw it in Ortigas. It was so near to The Linden Suites where we stayed for my sister’s wedding. Just 3 days before our vacation, I booked one De Luxe room via Agoda. It costs us around Php 4800, tax already included.

We arrived at around 3 in the afternoon, an hour late from the check-in time (Kitams Je, late ako pag staycation :p) I delivered some cupcakes that day too so I was really tired but at the same time excited for this much awaited R&R with Boyps.

Checking in was quick and easy. I just presented the voucher, fill up some form, present my credit card and off we head to our room. The receptionist was nice and pretty and she gave us a free room upgrade. Pero naisip ko, baka dahil mahal ung booking ko at may on-going silang promo na P4,000/night. Hihi. The entrance and reception area already look so elegant and that made me more excited to see our room.

Our room has 2 single beds, both with tables and lamps on the sides,   

What I enjoyed the most is the bed. The sheets, pillows and comforter were cottony soft and smell so good. I stayed here most of our time. Even Boyps had to pull me before I get up. Bwaha. Eto na yung may pinaka masarap na kama na na - try ko ever! Our bathroom has bath tub that we used (separately) for a night shower. Body towels were also provided. It also has shower with hot and cold water. It wasn't big but spacious enough for humans to move. Hihi. It was very clean too.

After taking pictures of our room and bonding with the bed, we change our clothes and check the pool area. The swimming pool is located at 2F inside the Health Club. 

Upon entrance, we were welcome by another staff that asked us to write our names and room number. We wanted to use the gym but we don’t have clothes for that so we went straight to the pool area. The swimming pool was not big but not as small as the one in One Tagaytay Place. The depth ranges from 4.5 ft. to 5 ft. Surprisingly, the pool water is hot. As in parang hot spring. Haha. But it didn’t stop us from enjoying the water.  We swim, chat and swim again until the area became crowded. Haha. 

The Health Club also has lockers, shower area and sauna rooms.

After swimming, we had dinner at Podium and went back to our hotel for a sound sleep. The next day, we had breakfast at Richmonde Café. Buffet breakfast is already included in our booking. The buffet table offers a lot of choices. From breads, waffles, spreads and cheeses, salad and egg omelette, cereals and juices, savory dishes like fish fillet, sweet ham, crispy bacon, garlic and potatoes and more, taho, congee, fruits and desserts. For me, the breakfast was superb. You may find me exaggerating but I really enjoyed the breakfast especially the bread station, sweet ham and fish fillet. I forgot the name of the cheese that I used and I super love it.

Just a tip – Richmonde Café is quite strict with dress code so better change your pajamas before heading there. But shorts were allowed for girls and boys but boys can’t wear sando. And please, no bedroom slippers! J

It was an easy check out because they need not to check the room before they can let us leave. Any damage / consumption will be charge to the presented credit card. Yun pala purpose nun. Haha

It was such a short but fun-filled staycation with Boyps. The staffs were all nice and wear a smile on their faces all the time. Thanks so much Richmonde Hotel and I would really love to go back again and reunite with the buffet table and bed. J

Richmonde Hotel

21 San Miguel Ave.

Ortigas Center

Pasig City

http://www.richmondehotel.com/richmonde-hotel-ortigas/index.php

I booked this flight early last year via Air Philippines. We only got the departing tickets on sale while the returning ones weren’t but we only paid around Php 2000 per head. It was already a good deal for us. We landed at Laoag International Airport before 6 in the evening and the weather was still a bit gloomy.
Our contact was Kuya Lenzer (you'll see how great this guy was!) and he took care of us during our entire trip. He was extremely super nice and sweet. I can still remember that he called me up to ask if we are OK since there was a typhoon in the province as well as here in Manila days before our trip. He even gave me details of the situation in Ilocos where the center of the typhoon was. Super textmates din kami! All deals and information were exchange through text. He sent me the itinerary, rates and inclusions promptly. While waiting for our baggage, I called to tell him that we arrived.
We went outside the airport and just after a few minutes, he arrived. Kuya Lenzer (0906-8185735) was really nice (paulit - ulit? super nice kasi talaga siya) and friendly. He is not just a driver who will bring us to places, he also knows the information about the tourist spots and shared it with us. Sometimes, we have asked too much questions (minsan corny na) but surprisingly, he has answers.

From Laoag, we traveled two more hours going to Vigan since I wanted to see Calle Crisologo at night. Glad I have an intelligent friend (jerellt) who suggested to start our adventure in Vigan then Laoag and end it in Pagudpud.
We checked-in at Vigan Plaza Hotel past 8 in the evening and the receptionist already knew our names because we were the last guests expected to arrive.  Haha.. ang late na kasi talaga namin.

Vigan Plaza Hotel is one of the best – rated and expensive hotels in Vigan. Wait ha, di ako nagyayabang.  The rate was too expensive for and overnight stay (Php 4200) but I can say it was worth it. The place was so cool. It feels like we traveled back to the ancient time. :p The wooden furniture may look simple but it makes the setting so perfect - "old-fashioned style pero sosyal".

Our air-conditioned bedroom has 

I love the bed. It really gave me a good night sleep. Ako pa unang natulog sa kanila. Hahaha.. The pillows were soft and the sheets were clean and nicely scented.

The bathroom was just okay. It wasn't as big as I'm expecting but at least it was clean. It has towels and basic toiletries available for use. It also has a pail and dipper! Oha, yan ang hanap ng lahat :p

We had our breakfast at Cafe Bigaa. There were still no guests when we arrived so almost all the servers were just staring at us and very prompt whenever we have requests.
Our reservation includes a set breakfast for 4. Since I’m in Vigan, I tried their Vigan Longganisa (Longsilog) while Boyps opted to try Tocino (Tosilog). Both meals have 2 eggs, a cup of rice, a side dish (achara ata) and a drink.
I ordered coffee while Boyps preferred a glass of juice.
We were also given a plate of fruit slices to share. Our meal was good to jump start our day.

Before we check-out, I took some pictures of the reception area.
We are one hour late from our call time but Kuya Lenzer wasn’t mad at us. :p hahahaha. We had to check out the next day since we will be travelling to Laoag and Pagudpod. It was a quick stay but I could say that I really enjoyed it. Nice staff, lovely ambiance, good food,  what else can I ask for? So if you want to experience all this and you want to be near Calle Crisologo, then you must stay at Vigan Plaza Hotel.

Vigan Plaza Hotel
Mena Crisologo St. Brgy 2
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.viganplazahotel.com/

So after the children’s party, I asked Boyps to pack some clothes so we can go the hotel. I even invited my friend Je, since the room I reserved was good for four. But she declined my invitation despite the fact that it’s FREE. :p Anyways, Boyps and I went to the hotel for a very short and quick staycation.

We rode a cab going to the hotel but unfortunately, the address I got from Google was incorrect. It was stated that it was located in the The Columns. I asked the driver to bring us to Crown Regency but he doesn’t know where it is so I gave the address. He dropped us at The Columns and after asking the lobby guard, he told us that there’s no hotel in the building. We asked several people along the streets, security guards of other buildings and even Jeepney drivers where the hotel is located but no one knows where it is. K Some even pointed us to the wrong direction. I told Boyps that based on google maps, it is near Dusit Hotel, and so we just walk straight until we reached the hotel.

Now I know why the hotel was unnoticeable – there’s no signage at all, the name of the hotel has no lights and the building was just small. I whispered to Boyps “eto na ba yun? May tao kaya dyan?

We arrived past 8 in the evening. The lobby lights were so dimmed and it just made me feel that the place was so creepy. The receptionist immediately gave me a form to fill up, request for the voucher and finally handed me the card key.

Upon entering the room, I really didn’t find it cool and extravagant. I don’t know if I’m just expecting too much because it’s a “Makati hotel”. The room was too big for the two of us and I liked it. The room may look old but the bed sheets and pillows were soft. Our room has two queen-sized beds,
cable TV, sofa, office chair and table,
bathroom with hot and cold shower and bath tub.  I would want to use the bath tub but I think it was not functioning well. Boyps and I were not able to find out how to close the drainage. We were trying to pull something but the drainage was still open. Hehe. But I loved the shower. :p I guess they just needed to fix the glass door because the water was still spilling out that makes the floor wet.
There’s also a small kitchen with microwave oven, cups and saucers and drinking glasses. I didn’t noticed if we have refrigerator. Hihi
Our stay included a buffet breakfast for two. Food was just so - so, variety of food was quite few.

It was just so sad that the hotel has no swimming pool. L It was such a short stay but I still enjoyed it. Chatting with Boyps, watching TV and just simply lying on a queen-sized bed all by myself made my stay worthwhile.

Crown Regency Hotel
1026 Antonio Arnaiz Ave.
San Lorenzo Village,
Makati City