Tutubi checked in to a "beach resort in Pampanga" inside a sprawling export processing zone and found a sport where you can play beach volleyball on white sand. Can you guess where this is?

More details to follow




coconut trees, white sand beach and a lake


beach volleyball, anyone?

As of this time, Tutubi is still in transition phase. He's been very busy these past two years at work and just recently transferred from Makati to Pasig City to cut his travel time in half.

He'll post more as his backlog is quite long already!

he'll also celebrate nine years of travel blogging (he's been blogging for more than ten years now actually)

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Hotels and Resorts, Pampanga

Just two away from Manila is this hideaway of the rich and famous, of which Tutubi is neither of rich nor famous, via CAVITex and the new Kaybiang Tunnel connecting the towns of Ternate, Cavite with Nasugbu, Batangas, Pico de Loro is synonymous with the nearby Mt. Pico de Loro well-loved by mountaineers.

Located inside Hamilo Coast of Nasugbu, Batangas is a condo resort development with a hotel and beach club. It has Pico Sands hotel for guests and events (like a planning session attended by Tutubi that's why he was able to gain access to the facilities), weddings, prenups, parties, swimming pool, a beach for swimming, swimming pools, a man-made lagoon surrounded by mid-rise condominiums for sale/lease/rent or member-only use.

Pictures of Pico De Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas:


the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

the two queen size beds of Pico Sands Hotel room. Room also comes with a 32" LCD TV and cable TV provided by Cignal with several HD channels (but do you go to places like this just to watch TV? c'mon!)

the key card access of Pico Sands Hotel

Pico Bar and Restaurant just near the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

sample menu for order and pick-up from your room via Pico Bar and Restaurant. The hotel does not have room deliveries. Just an FYI on food prices and menu for budget purposes


the shower has a sliding glass door with shower controls quite far away from the shower. very nice as Tutubi opens the shower but stays away from it to avoid eeither too cold or too hot water

lotus and lotus flowers floating on the man-made lagoon

the placid water of the man-made lake of Pico de Loro is perfect for early morning photo opportunities


Comments/Review of Pico de Loro:

Coming Up:

The beach of Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas
How to Get to Nasugbu, Batangas

Other interesting places in Nasugbu, Batangas:

Club Punta Fuego
Munting Buhangin Beach Resort
Beach Resorts for Summer Outing

Disclaimer:
as always, this is not a sponsored post. You may get in touch with Pico de Loro for the latest room rates, day tour rates if not posted on Pico de Loro official website.

Labels: Batangas, Batangas Resorts, Calabarzon, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts, Southern Tagalog

One of the more expensive beach resorts in Laiya Beach in San Juan, Batangas, Estrellas de Mendoza playa Resort has probably the most number of hotel rooms in the area that can accommodate big company summer outings and even conventions, more than the more expensive Acuatico Beach Resort who also has its own infinity pool.

Tutubi first visited Laiya Beach in 2005, at Laiya Cocogrove, on the other end of the long beach where La Luz is located, the rocky part of the beach yet teeming with corals and fishes good for snorkeling and newbie dive site. This second visit is at the upscale Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort which is inside a seaside condominium development.

(Note: there are three photos here, one's taken by Nikki (Nikon D80), another by Ipe (iPhone 4S) and the other by Flare (Cherry Mobile Flare, can you guess which picture was taken by which camera?)

Images of Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort:

The infinity pool, cabanas, beach front view from the hotel rool

Review: Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort

Facility/Amenities: Relatively new beach resort, nice infinity pool with ever-present lifeguards, spacious parking lot, the main hotel building has a picturesque fountain. The beachfront has brownish slightly coarse sand, the coastline extends about 50 meters during low tide. Beach is safe and shallow for kids/toddlers to play (but of course should always be guarded and have vests for safety)

the placid infinity pool early morning makes a good reflecting pool with some cabanas

Rooms: hotel room high-rise building has an elevator with glass window facing the infinity pool, beach and the sea. Includes one queen size bed and a double size bed. There's a 32" LCD TV and cable TV (note: remote control has low battery in Tutubi's room and erratic cable TV reception. it was promptly replaced. The erratic TV signal was caused by a missing antenna plug, it was "repaired" temporarily by splicing the co-axial cable. Tutubi later found this out that he used the whistle in oen fo his backpack to hold the cable to the jack thereby fixing the TV signal). The bathroom has a nice shower head, the toilet with bidet (nice, they really cater to Filipinos who uses "tabo" to wash their arse). No bathtubs in this expensive room though

the hotel room with a queen size bead and a double size one

Food: serves Filipino food (which should be) in all buffet at the restaurant. Sample menu prices are comparable to
many 5 star hotels in Manila. There are not so good dishes mostly beef. Stand-outs are roast chicken (very tasty), sinampalukang manok (chicken and tamarind sour soup, something Tutubi usually doesn't eat). There are soups, simple desserts, bottomless juice/coffee/ice tea but no salad station

Room Rates:
Superior Room (high-rise hotel, with 1 queen size bed and 1 double size bed): PhP6,000.00
Cabana (poolside, 2 rooms, each with 1 queen size bed and 1 double size bed): PhP16,000.00

Day tour rate/Entrance fee: PhP1,500.00

Watersports/other rates/prices:
Banana Boat: PhP1,500.00/five persons
Jetski rental: PhP4,500.00/hour (now this is expensive, make this cheaper so more people will try)
Bamboo raft rental: PhP300.00/hour
Boat rental (snorkeling, island-hopping): PhP1,500.00 (ten persons) this, again is expensive considering the area was very near the resort and the shore

Estrellas de Mendoza
Contact Number: +63.2.819.6050

How to get there:

Refer to this post on how to get to Laiya, for the best route for private vehicles or bus commute way. Click the following link for a list of Beach Resorts in Laiya

Tutubi is not in any way affiliated with Estrellas de Mendoza nor received freebies of any kind for this review. Please get in touch with Estrellas de Mendoza by visiting their official website or calling their telephone number for reservation, inquiries, parties (wedding debut, et al), summer outing, team building, room rates, promos, discounts.

Labels: Batangas, Batangas Resorts, Beaches, Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts

Here's how to get to the spanking new Solaire Resort and Casino at PAGCOR Entertainment City in Pasay City

How to Get to Solaire Resort and Casino

street map of Solaire Resort and casino via OpenStreetMap. Click here for an online map of Solaire Resort and Casino


How to Commute to Solaire Resort and Casino

from Makati EDSA and MRT Taft Avenue, there are buses going to SM Mall of Asia. Alight at SM Mall of Asia then walk towards Solaire Resorts.

from Caloocan and Quezon City, take the LRT and alight at LRT Buendia Station (Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue). Transfer to a shuttle going to SM Mall of Asia then walk towards Solaire


Driving Directions to Solaire Resort and Casino

Solaire resort is near SM Mall of Asia in Manila’s new Entertainment City

From SM Mall of Asia: Take Jose W. Diokno Blvd. South and turn right on Aseana Ave.

From Pasay City: Take Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. South and turn right Aseana Ave.

Directions from Makati: Take Buendia or EDSA to Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. South, then turn right on Aseana Ave.

Labels: Casinos, Hotels and Resorts, Pasay City

So many inquiries in the past on the nearest beach resort to Manila and suggested beach resorts for company summer outing or team building activities but as always, Tutubi does not recommend specific beach resorts as he has no favorites nor even hidden affiliations. You can opt not to do the usual company outing ocular inspection to check beach quality, food tasting, amenities, and overnight room accommodations, just take note of these tips and suggestions.

UPDATED: March 2014

Herewith is only a general recommendation per area though there may be pockets of beaches that don't fit per Tutubi's description with estimated travel time out of Metro Manila and only land travel is considered i.e. no islands nor boat/ferry rides much more airplane rides (for those rich and generous companies)
Beach resorts in Cavite: travel time around 2 hours (even less due to Cavitex)

Tutubi visited Lido Beach Resort in Noveleta, Cavite without much expectation and he's right. The beach there is dirty as it's part of Manila Bay, you can even fish garbage out of the water. The sand is black and usually turns-off most city dwellers looking for a white beach in Cavite. The best beaches in Cavite are those at the southernmost tip of Cavite province with several high-end resorts like Puerto Azul (visited by Tutubi sometime in 1998), Caylabne Bay Resort, Boracay de Cavite

Beach Resorts in Bulacan: Travel Time: around 2-3 hours

not much is known about beach resorts in Bulacan due to it's also part of Manila Bay so if you can find them, expect them to be dirty and unfit for swimming. Bulacan though boasts of several nice resorts with wave pools.

Bataan Beach Resorts: travel time around 3 hours via NLEX

The beaches of Morong Bataan is inside Manila Bay, not that dirty as quite far already from Manila but the sand is fine gray. Reason why it's not that famous. The beaches of Bagac town (where Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar the resort of old houses is located), on the other side of Bataan Peninsula has white sand and good enough for human activities.

Batangas Beach Resorts: travel time varies from 3 hours to 5 hours

In Batangas province you have so many choices from Nasugbu (the nearest to Metro Manila via Tagaytay) but doesn't have real nice beaches and shoreline for swimming.

The much hyped Laiya Beach in San Juan is quite nice but not quite as raved by other people. On one end of the beach is fine sand bit murky and on the other end is the so-called La Luz point, a rocky part where it's nice to snorkel. In between the two is a short strip of fine white sand. Tutubi visited this in 2005 when the popular and pricey Acuatico Beach Resort with it's nice infinity pool is not yet built.

the nice part of the white beach of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Lobo Beach resorts, visited by Tutubi in summer of 2012 (unposted yet) does not offer very good beach too as the beach is full of pebbles (but not the same as those in Luna, La Union). They offer great diving experience though as you can see Isla verde from a distance, said to be one of the best dive sites in the country. Calatagan has also has nice beaches while Anilao town has mostly dive resorts catering to scuba divers.

The once famous Matabungkay beach in town deteriorated with too many balsa (bamboo rafts) parked on the shore that make swimming difficult and sometimes dangerous

munting buhangin beach with munting visitors

Nasugbu beaches hold promise with fine sand of Munting Buhangin Beach and nearby beaches where you can see Munting Buhangin Beach Resort, Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove and others.

Quezon Beach Resorts: travel time 4-5 hours

Parts of the beaches of Quezon Tutubi has visited include Sariaya (his first beach experience in "19forgotten" has dark gray sand but the area is good for swimming. Same in Atimonan town but the waves may be a bit dangerous. Up north in the towns of Real and Infanta, the beaches are gray sand, sometimes rocky, and with huge waves as they're facing the Pacific Ocean. The town of Pagbilao has nice white sand beaches though but there may not be enough beach resorts rooms and overnight accommodations for large companies.

Quezon has many islands too with fine white sand beaches that many bloggers hype to be like Boracay (usually exaggerated accounts) and also the southern towns are unexplored by Tutubi.

Zambales Beach Resorts: 3 to 5 hours travel time via NLEX-SCTEx

not so crowded and tourist-infested, the beach of Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales

Here you have lots of choices though may be quite far already for some companies. Subic Bay has nice resorts including the once popular White Rock and the pricey Marina Lighthouse Resort. Most of Zambales shoreline has black sand or fine gray sand like those in Pundaquit, San Antonio (where you can have nice yet pricey resorts like Punta de Uian)Pundaquit is the gateway to Anawangin Cove and Capones Island.

Pangasinan Beach Resorts: travel time 4 to 6 hours via NLEX, SCTEx

the backpacker-friendly Patar beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Pangasinan is a large province. there are many towns with pockets of nice white sand beaches sandwiched between those with gray sand. Western Pangasinan boasts of nice beaches of Anda, and Bolinao and Tambobong White Beach in Dasol town. In Bolinao beaches you can choose Ilog Malino for safe beach for family outings and the backpacker-friendly Patar beach has fine slightly brownish red sand. Pangasinan also has historic beaches in Mangaldan and Lingayen (where resorts like El Puerto Marina can be found) which played silent witness during the liberation of World War II. The Hundred Islands in Alaminos boasts of several beach resorts for overnight accommodations, some with cheap room rates, even dormitory-type rooms for the budget conscious (but usually without official websites nor any published telephone contact numbers)

Lingayen beach is typical Pangasinan and Zambales: fine gray sand with waves suitable for surfing school

La Union Beach Resorts: Travel time of 5 hours or more via NLEX, SCTEx (but expect this to shorten once TPLEx is completed)

La Union boasts of nice white sand beaches but they're actually popular for one thing: surfing. You can find beach resorts in the towns of Bauan and San Fernando (where the expensive Thunderbird Poro Point is located)

Further up north, lies Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte (where Pagudpud resorts await) that are too far away for most Manila-based companies to consider for summer outing. Not much nice white sand beaches in Ilocos Sur except Sabangan Beach in Santiago, Ilocos Sur (as Tutubi was able to scour most of seaside towns of Ilocos Sur) and probably other towns north of Vigan (unexplored by Tutubi)

Santiago Cove: a hidden treasure of Ilocos Sur, a white sand beach without the crowds

Lastly, if our company summer outing came too late for summer and into the rainy season, you can check out Pansol hotspring resorts in Calamba, Laguna where you can swim to your hearts content without getting out of the hot water due to freezing cold when out of it. :)

This is not a definitive list as Tutubi has yet to fully explore all of them. He may have left out some nice places or gave comments that don't agree with your own.

Labels: Bataan, Batangas, Beaches, Bulacan, Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Luzon, Quezon, Zambales

Tutubi gathered this list from the Internet with most beach resorts in Pagudpud now have official websites, unlike the time when Tutubi went there in 2002, there were only three beach resorts including Saud Beach Resort on Saud White Beach.

At least Tutubi was able to visit Pagudpud back when it was still serene and not as popular like today, when the only restaurants on Saud beach were the one inside Saud Beach resort and another turo-turo eatery cooking fresh seafood on order (paluto style). herewith is the list of Saud Beach Resorts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte:

The white sand beach of Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (Picture courtesy of a friend who went there just recently

Arinaya White Beach Resort
http://arinayawhitebeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Pannzian Beach & Mountain Resort
Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort

Apo Idon Beach Hotel
Polaris Beach Resort

Evangeline Beach Resort
http://www.evangelinebeachresort.net

Hannah Beach Resort and Convention Center
Official Website: http://www.hannahsbeachresort.com/
Telephone Number:
Room Rates: PhP4000.00 (peak period room rates)
Entrance fee for swimming (day tour rate): PhP50.00/person

Jun & Carol Beach Cottages
http://juncarolbeachresort.com/

Kapuluan Vista Resort
http://www.kapuluanvista.com/
Telephone Number: +63.920.952.2528; +63.920.928.5273
Email address: kapuluan_vista_resort@yahoo.com
Location: Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Polaris Beach House
http://polarisbeachhouse.wordpress.com/

Punta Garvida Beach Resort
http://puntagarvidabeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Saud Beach Resort & Hotel
http://www.saudbeachresort.com/

Terra Rika Beach and Dive Resort
http://www.terrarika.com
Remarks: online booking using credit cards, BDO, and Paypal available

Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort
http://www.villadelmarpagudpud.com/

Blue Lagoon Resorts

Punta Azul
http://www.punta-azul-pagudpud.com/

Note:

if you're looking for the cheapest accommodations in pagudpud, homestays are your best options with fan beds and communal shower rooms and toilets for PhP250.00/person

ATV Rental rates in pagudpud is PhP250.00
Kitesurding rates: PhP2,300.00 1 hour kiteboard/kitesurf

Tutubi is not in any way affiliated with any of these resorts, please contact each resort via their published contact numbers, official websites for room reservations, inquiries, room rates, surfing rates, swimming pool, infinity pool, facilities, promos and discounts even sample menu on their restaurants. no information too on which resort accept online bookings or credit card payments.

Related Posts:
How to get to Pagudpud
Pagudpud Travel Guide

you may also be looking for saud beach resorts, blue lagoon beach resorts
pagudpud beach resorts, ilocos beaches, white sand beach, beachfront resort pagudpud
cheap beach resorts in ilocos norte for company summer outing, where to stay in pagudpud accommodations

Labels: Beaches, Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Region

Subic has a new 18 hole Golf Course, aptly named Subic Golf Course and what a simple nice way to promote it by giving away 1 round of golf if you stay at any accredited subic freeport hotel:

Subic Freeport’s tourism, hotel and tourism companies calls it: “Stay in a Hotel in Subic, Play a round of golf for free!”

Subic Leisure World Inc. President and CEO Benjamin John Defensor III said all tourists who stay at their accredited hotels can play a free round of golf at the Subic Golf Course.

Accredited hotels with complimentary free round of golf:
Venezia Hotel
White Rock Waterpark
Subic Homes Apartelle
Mango Valley
The Terrace Hotel
Bayfront Hotel
Seorabeol
Playa Papagayo Beach Inn

no details of promotion period given though

Related posts:

How to get to Subic Bay

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Subic

A very popular resort and resort in Quezon Province that prides itself with eating lunch with wet feet in near a waterfall, Villa Escudero was visited by Tutubi for less than 4 hours, yet paid the whole day tour package rate, in order to catch up with his elementary class reunion.

Villa Escudero is a coconut plantation hacienda turned into a resort that caters to local and foreign tourists to give visitors a glimpse and experience life a hacienda. Here, tourists are ferried from the entrance to tour the resort facilities on carabao-pulled carts. Other facilities are swimming pool, team building activity area, river rafting, museum and church tour plus a cultural show (that Tutubi missed)

Pictures of Villa Escudero:

the primary come-on of Villa Escudero is the lunch buffet at the foot of a waterfalls (Libasan Falls) but the waterfall is actually not a falls but a spillway of the dam to hold water for a hydroelectric power plant generator

too many people at lunch time, hard to get a seat, but tourists savor the rustic and native feel of having lunch with feet wet at a waterfalls


some visitors try river rafting on bamboo rafts

carabao cart ferries tourists from the entrance to the activity area and for a day tour of hacienda escudero

review of villa escudero, tiaong, quezon:

buffett lunch is nothing to rave about though the caldereta is nice but not a hint of chili as it's supposed to be. other dishes on the menu are mango, bagoong, grilled tilapia, tinolang manok (served using coconut shells instead of cups/bowls), and pinakbet.

too many people on weekends, long queues plus it looks like a popular fast food restaurant where you need to wait for others to finish before you get a table (no reservations, first come first served)

Tutubi wonders how it VIlla Escudero vs Hidden Valley Springs will turn out but he still can't make a comparison. He hasn't been to Hidden Valley and he spent just less than 4 hours at Villa Escudero (though the lunch really deserves a negative review). Tutubi thinks he will never return to Villa Escudero unless his company again pays for it. For now, he can at least boast: been there, done that!

---

Villa Escudero Entrance Fee/Rates: PhP1275.00 (corporate rate/discounted)
Villa Escudero day tour includes buffet lunch, river rafting, use of team building facilities
Resorts Opens: 8am to 5pm (no overnight accommodations?, visit Villa Escudero official website, call their contact numbers for inquiries and reservaations)

Warning:
try to avoid going to Villa Escudero on summer weekends due to it's really overflowing with people, something Tutubi doesn't really like. Weekdays may be a lot less touristy

sample menu prices:
buffett lunch does not include drinks, herewith
juices (mango, pineapple, orange): PhP45.00
nestea (lemon, calamansi): PhP35.00
softdrinks in can: PhP35.00
Coke light: PhP40.00
fresh buko juice (coco water): PhP30.00
San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen: PhP50.00
SanMig Light: PhP50.00


How to get to Villa Escudero:

Commute to Villa Escudero: board a bus to Lucena (Jam Transit, Jac Liner et al. Bus fare from LRT Buendia/Taft Avenue is around PhP130.00+) then drop off in San Pablo along the highway. ride a tricycle

Driving directions to villa escudero, tiaong, quezon:

from Quezon City or Makati, villa Escudero is just a straight drive to SLEX, take Toll Road 3 to exit at Sto. Tomas Maharlika Highway, drive past Sto. Tomas (Batangas), the Laguna cities of Alaminos and San Pablo then turn left a few meters from the welcome arch of Quezon (the boundary of Laguna and Quezon Province). Open street map has a useful road map of Villa Escudero

Green Star Express Star Toll, SCTEx

Labels: Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Quezon, Quezon Resorts, Southern Tagalog

The location shoot venue of the popular movie "No Other Woman" starring Derek Ramsey, Anne Curtis and Christine Reyes sporting blue and white motif set on the beachfront of Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union.

Tutubi was able to briefly visit this luxurious resort with pricey rates to "inquire" and order clubhouse sandwich, green mango shake and just enjoy the view of one of the playgrounds of the rich and famous in the north.

Pictures of Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union:

the signature white and blue motif of Thunderbird Resorts symbolizes the colors of the sea

the spacious lobby and viewdeck with giant "sun shield"


the empty swimming pool of Thunderbird Resorts at around lunch time

clubhouse sandwich

green mango shake, anyone?


Tutubi's lunch actually was at a frugal roadside restaurant somewhere in Bauang with sinanglao and bulalo :P

Information on Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union:

No Entrance Fee in Thunderbird Resorts, no information though on the Thunderbird resorts day tour rate to include use of swimming pool. An order of clubhouse sandwich, 2 green mango shakes and a can of soda costs PhP750 just to give you an idea of sample menu prices. the bar is open with a 32 inch LCD TV showing an English Premiere League football match between Chelsea and Fulham FC. Not too many people around lunch, though there are people having lunch. Noone's using the swimming pool at this time of day.

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Region, La Union, la Union Resorts

In a quite recent visit to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Tutubi was billeted at this small yet cozy lodge for merely PhP500.00 night with amenties your get from bigger and more expensive hotels

am | pl Lodge has:

free wi-fi Internet connection
a safe to store all your belongings (such a small place yet they have this)
cable tv
hot and cold shower
cozy bed (Tutubi's basic requirement)
key-card activated power (typical of big hotels)
parking space
security guard
air-conditioning (they also have fan rooms at PhP350.00/night)

Tutubi's room for a night in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, this one's at the annex

As always, Tutubi is advertising this not because he stayed there for free nor did he get any freebie in return.

---

am | pm Lodge Main
88 J.P. Rizal Avenue
Barangay Roxas, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
+63.917.325.8658
Telephone Number: +63.78.326.5977; +63.78.326.6208

am | pm Lodge Annex
Espino Street corner Bonifacio Street
Barangay Roxas, Solano Nueva Vizcaya 3709
Contact Number: +63.78.326.6365; +63.78.326.7277

no official website at the moment, please contact them directly for updated room rates, promos and reservations.

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Nueva Vizcaya Accommodations

Probably the most expensive and exclusive beach resort on Panglao Island, Bohol, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa was visited by Tutubi just for one purpose:

To take a picture of the exclusive Eskaya Beach Resort's entrance and ask about entrance fee and day tour rates, something not posted on the official website of Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa

picture of the Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa gate, taken in the late afternoon/early dusk. Other pictures are simply blurred (no tripod, as usual)

Eskaya Beach Resort Entrance Fee/Day Tour Rate: PhP1000.00/person, consumable on resort food at the restaurant or spa services. Tutubi was not able to see sample menu food prices so he can't comment if how far the PhP1000 entrance can take you. With Eskaya beach resort's room rates that is astronomically high due to their exclusivity and niche market, don't be surprised if your PhP1000 can only buy you drinks, light meal and desserts.

The meaning of Eskaya? Eskaya is a group people in Bohol, surrounded by controversies, with their own language, culture and script. This explains the syllabary writing on the resort's gate written in Eskaya (the script)

Now, is there such a thing as an exclusive Amanpulo day tour rate? :P

Tutubi is a budget traveler but it doesn't mean he doesn't want to experience being pampered.

Related Posts on Bohol:

Bohol Tour Itinerary
Tagbilaran Airport
Bohol Van Rental rates
Bohol Beach Resorts

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Hotels and Resorts

As already hinted on the previous blog post, Tutubi joined his company summer outing at the still under construction "heritage resort" of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar where he treated his family to a weekend in the luxury resort merely two weeks after he treated them in Tagaytay.

The location shoot of some of GMA7's soap operas in Pictures:

Casa Jaen, an old mansion from Jaen, Nueva Ecija, visible on the "reflecting pool" in front of the old house

Casa Meycauayan, Tutubi's weekend getaway home, is an old house from Meycauayan, Bulacan with three rooms on the second floor.

Tutubi's room with 2 King sized beds and two extra beds. No idea about the room rates but Tutubi merely paid PhP1425.00/night price for each of his 4 extra persons

the bathroom of one room of Casa Meycauayan with a bathtub and hot and cold shower

Tutubi's independent Reviews, Recommendations and Comments on Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort, Bagac, Bataan:

1. For those with children, there's no highchair for your babies/toddlers at the restaurant.
2. Avoid ordering beef dishes. Tutubi ordered bulalo for lunch on his first day and it was a disappointment. No marrowy goodness and the beef was almost rubber-like. The beef mechado for dinner later was both tender and rubbery i.e. inconsistent.
3. Their escabeche maya-maya was a winner with large servings good for 3-4 persons (recommended) and life-saver due to the disappointing. bulalo. Usual dishes on the menu costs PhP300 and up and good for 3-4 persons. Nothing to rave about other food here, just so-so.
4. Daing na Bangus during breakfast was just fried milkfish, not even marinated with the usual vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic.
4. Buffet food for company summer outing was too limited. Company size of 40 persons and yet the prepared food was not enough for 40 pax. This happened in 3 out of four buffet meals which should have been all-you-can-eat (a primary requirement in all of his company outings) that turned out to be eat-what-your-officemates-were-not-able-to-eat; breakfast didn't turn out like that when some skipped breakfast and merely stayed in bed longer due to hangovers or lost sleep.

Cultural show during dinner where guests were serenaded with Kundimans and fold dances. benefit of the community tha provided jobs to local highly evident. The local artist, from Paete, Laguna, turned out to be a classmate of Tutubi's septuagenarian father.

the swimming pool with green water and rocks simulating a "sapa" of one's childhood.

La Piscina, the resort's swimming pool made like a stream with rocks is only four-feet deep, good for families and toddlers, but Tutubi prefers something deeper and probably an infinity pool.

The nearby beach of Bagac has fine gray sand but the waters may be a dangerous when waves come. Depth of beach water falls drastically after a few meters, evident from the color of the water from light blue to dark blue.

Bathrooms equipped with hot and cold showers and bathtub, quite roomy but slippery wooden flooring (you're in an old house with no original modern bathroom amenities, remember?)

Safety deposit boxes in rooms but no instructions were posted on how to set the PIN, thus Tutubi didn't bother to use it.

No in-room telephone lines installed, it's difficult if you need help for room service, you need to go out to the front office, quite a walk (or a mobile phone call away), but what if it's too hot or it's raining?

Staff were courteous though as the resort is managed by Genesis Hotels but there was no dedicated account officer/coordinator to handle Tutubi's company's needs, something sorely lacking and a regular at all hotels and resorts he's visited involving company events. What if you're having your dream wedding/debut there? Tutubi's officemates had to coordinate with front office who were also busy attending to other guests (from MacroAsia) and some daytrip tourists.

Check-in and Check out hassles:

Imagine Tutubi got delayed in leaving the resort due to unusual problems encountered by his other officemates e.g. overused towels and missing bathroom mats that his officemates denied, probably due to improper inventory. This is the first time Tutubi encountered problems like this...again-- overused towels, only at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar!

Overall Review of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar:

Honestly, Tutubi enjoyed his stay at las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar simply because he was with his family in such a luxurious place, but the "heritage resort" lacks the feel of other high-end resorts that Tutubi has visited, despite his being a budget traveler. The resort though is still under construction where probably more towns will lose priceless old heritage houses to be transplanted here.

More photos of Las Casas Filipinas Acuzar Heritage Resort soon along with Tutubi's take on transfer of "heritage conservation."

Related Post:
Beach Resorts in Bagac, Bataan
Las casas de acuzar day tour rate/entrance fee: PhP1250.00/person
room rates: varies but it's not cheap

Labels: Bataan, Bataan Resorts, Central Luzon, Hotels and Resorts

The marker on the facade of the old house on Calle Crisologo says it's the Casa de Don Gaspar de Bartolome, now converted into a hotel, the Cordillera Inn, that's so strategically located on Vigan's famous cobblestone street.

On his second trip to Vigan, Tutubi stayed here, quite pricey for backpackers like him, but since being an official trip and within budget, he opted to stay against the earlier cheaper Green R Hotel besides looking for something new.

the staircase of Cordillera Inn, still has the look of the old mansion

Tutubi's twin-sharing room with two beds at PhP1,500.00/night

Cordillera Inn Vigan room rate: PhP1,500.00 twin sharing room.
with TV and hot and cold shower.

For families, Tutubi recommends the nearby Cordillera Family Inn with dormitory-type rooms for big families that come at PhP500.00/head, still not backpacker-rates but quite close though.

Complimentary breakfast: tapsilog, longsilog (vigan longganisa), bangus Meals price at PhP90.00)

Negatives (Review of Cordillera Inn):

Cash payment preferred, credit cards get a 3% charge (this is actually illegal and should be absorbed by Cordillera Inn as agreed with the credit card terminal provider, but it's tolerated, usual)

Secure parking inside the hotel is limited to just one car or two small vehicles, street parking on Plaridel Street (park your car at your own risk)

Cordillera Inn
Crisologo corner Gen. Luna, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Coordinates: N17 34 19.8 E120 23 20.0
Contact number:
Official website:
(to be updated when available)

Labels: Accommodations, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts, Vigan Accommodations

On the first leg of his back-to-back trip to Vigan, Tutubi slept at Green R Hotel, as recommended by his friend to be cheap, affordable and budget-friendly.

Here's Tutubi take, however short, due to his short stay at the hotel located near Vigan Public Market, where he only slept for a few hours then went away to visit other gems of Ilocos Sur.

Tutubi's twin sharing room at Green R Hotel with his backpack in view. rooms quite small but is ok since it's a low-price hotel

Comments and Review of Green R Hotel, Vigan City:

Nice and clean rooms though the wall paints are peeling and need a fresh coat, but Tutubi is not picky, it being a cheap hotel already.

No heater or hot shower available. just Cold and Cold water...(tutubi can stand it as he's used to taking a cold shower in his hometown)

There are no elevators to the building, you need to use the stairs to get to your room on the third floor.

Cash payment only, no credit cards accepted. Pay on check in too.

Overnight parking is at the public parking area of Green R Hotel, just choose a spot where the security guard of the hotel can see it and inform the guard on duty to look after your precious car and keep your fingers crossed that he won't sleep on his job.

Green R Hotel, requires some touch up yet it's clean and with a tabo (laddle) and so is another recipient of Tutubi Tabo Award for beind friendly to Filipinos.

Green R Hotel
room rate: PhP 750.00 (quite cheap actually for a twin-sharing room)
COntact Number:
Official Website:
(to be completed once, again, Tutubi finds the brochure tucked somewhere in his bag)
Coordinates: N17 34 07.6 E120 23 03.3

Labels: Accommodations, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts, Vigan Accommodations

For people looking for information on "How to get to Resorts World Manila" or Newport City in Pasay City, look no further. Questions regarding "How to commute to Resorts World Manila" will be answered as well as driving directions for those with their own vehicle.

Map of Resorts World Manila here from OpenStreetMap.

Resorts World Manila is Part of Newport City, a project of Megaworld where you can also findMaxims Hotel and Casino, Remington Hotel, Marriott Hotel Manila, Newport Entertainment and Commercial Center (Newport Mall where Republiq bar is located) and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Directions to Resorts World Manila:

From EDSA, Makati, head to Magallanes flyover, left to SLEX, right to Sales St (the flyover of Fort Bonifacio, Nichols and Villamor Airbase), right to Andrews Avenue where you'll see Newport City to your right (just across NAIA Terminal 3)

From Cavite via Coastal Road, turn right to NAIA Road (old MIA road), left to Domestic Road (you'll see the old Manila Domestic Airport Terminal), right to Andrew's Avenue followed by a U-turn around the rotonda (roundabout) right after passing NAIA Terminal 3, then turn right to enter Newport City.

Where to Park at Resorts World Manila:

Covered parking fees at Newport Mall is PhP45.00 for the first three hours and PhP15.00/hour thereafter (Limited number of slots here though and quite expensive). There's an open parking (beside McDonalds) but no updated information on carpark rates and overnight parking fees (overnight parking fee at NAIA Terminal 3 is just PhP50.00/night but very limited slots unlike at NAIA Terminal 2)

How to commute to Resorts World Manila:

For members (like Tutubi), at various points in Metro Manila (Manila, Quezon City, Pasig City and Pasay City (SM Mall of Asia)), you can hop in at any 24/7 free shuttle service of Resorts World Manila posted on their official website, you can just go there and wait for the official shuttle service to avoid hassle of commuting. If you're not a member, you'll be allowed to ride the shuttle only once for your convenience (just become a member later, no membership fees required, just fill out an application form and present a valid ID)

From LRT 1 EDSA Station or MRT Taft Avenue Station, you can ride the shuttle service to NAIA Terminal 3 near McDonalds and Sogo Hotel to get there. Fare is a flat PhP20.00 per person with trip schedules every thirty minutes from 6am to 11pm.

From SM Mall of Asia, the jeepneys plying the Nichols route via Baclaran pass by NAIA Terminal 3 but you need to cross Andrews Avenue so it's not recommended. The return trip to MOA from Nichols can drop you off in front of Resorts World Manila, Newport City and the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

From Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, you may take Citylink bus that pass by C5 (fare: P38.00). Both Eastwood City and Newport City are Megaworld projects, thus the bus link provided by guess who :P

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Pasay City

UPDATE: this Imelda Marcos Olot Mansion in Tolosa Leyte, near Tacloban City was badly damaged by storm surge brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) on November 8, 2013.

While passing by the Leyte town of Tolosa from Tacloban en route to Dulag and Agas-agas Bridge, Tutubi readily noticed the high walls on the long stretch of highway that piqued his interest and prodded him to ask a question to his companion what's inside those walls.

It turned out the property enclosed by the walls is the controversial Olot Beach Club, part of the huge property of the imeldific one -- Imelda Marcos -- sequestered by the government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

On entering the "walled resort" you can only imagine the splendor that once enveloped the place. You'll just notice the decaying clubhouse, no people except a few hanging out on the nearby beach.

this ain't Olot Mansion, the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, that was not visited by Tutubi

Olot Beach Club's clubhouse

The beach is of fine gray sand with a few bahay kubo (native huts) dotting the beach front and said to be off-limits to the locals of Olot, Tolosa back in those days when the Marcoses were in power in these islands (though the Romualdez clan, where Imelda Romualdez Marcos belongs, still calls the shots in Tacloban and Leyte politics up to this day)

the fine gray sand beach of Olot Beach Resort sans the beach bums of the rainy day



There's a nine-hole golf course of San Juanico Golf Club currently leased out (which can give you an idea of the expanse of the property) while Olot Beach Resort rents out swimming pool, bathhouse and beach front.

Tutubi initially planned taking pictures of the swimming pool if it's still well-maintained but the rain, for the nth time, made him leave the resort in a hurry. No time too to visit the Kalipayan or the Olot Mansion, the Presidential Mansion of late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and called the true Malacañang of the South...perhaps on Tutubi's next trip to Leyte.

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Information on Olot Beach Resort:

Address: National highway of Olot, Tolosa, Leyte

No Contact Number, room rates and rentals for Olot Beach Resort. It's a popular place though for reunions and other events in Tolosa. No entrance fee required to visit the beach facility.

Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Hotels and Resorts, Leyte

A nice hotel on Archbishop Reyes directly in front of Ayala Center Cebu, Regal Business Park Hotel's recommended by Tutubi's business contacts who also took care of reservations and got 20% discount on corporate rate.

It's a small, budget hotel in Cebu, unlike most of Tutubi's trips there where he stayed at the upscale Waterfront Hotel Lahug or at pension house during one of his first backpacking trips there, but it's well-within-budget for Tutubi and it's close proximity to Ayala center, SM City Cebu, and Fuente Osmena (the last two accessible via a 15 minute, a PhP50 taxi ride).

Regal Hotel's standard rooms (priced at P1800/night good for two persons) have two beds, hot and cold shower, buffet breakfast inclusive of the room rate and 24 hour free Internet wifi connection at the restaurant on the ground floor of the 6-storey hotel building.

Tutubi's Standard room, a quick picture before he messed it up completely to rest his tired back
Ayala Center Cebu right across Regal Hotel, too early thus no cars in the parking lot.

The best thing about Regal Business Park Hotel, of particular importance to Filipinos, is the presence of the tabo (ladle) in the bathroom.

Tutubi will now announce the first recipient of the soon-to-be-prestigious (hopefully) Tutubi Tabo Awards to Regal Business Park Hotel for having a tabo, if not a bidet, to cater to Filipinos in need of one. Using a tabo is a cultural thing and most hotels and resorts don't have one. Tutubi need not cut out a mineral water PET bottle to make an improvised ladle on this trip.

Coming Soon... Sky Walking on top of the Philippines' tallest hotel

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Regal Business Park Hotel
Address: Archbishop Reyes Avenue, across Ayala Center Cebu,
Cebu Business Park, 6000 Cebu City
Contact Number: +63.32.412-2588; +63.32.232.6680
Official Website: www.regalbusinessparkhotel.com
Email For Inquiries: info@regalbusinessparkhotel.com
Email For Reservations: reservations@regalbusinessparkhotel.com

For inquiries, latest room rates, seminars, events (weddings, conferences, functions) and reservations, you may contact Regal Business Park Hotel's published telephone numbers or send email inquiries to addresses listed above.

Warning: in going there, tell the taxi driver to drive you to Regal Hotel on Arch. Reyes in front of Ayala center, and not merely mention Regal. There's Regal Pension House in Cebu. Trust Tutubi, he's been there :P

Labels: Cebu Accommodations, Cebu City, Central Visayas, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts

A garden resort cum wedding venue cum spa set in the rainforest of Antipolo City in Rizal Province, Callospa Resort has been heard of by Tutubi only in mainstream media sponsored write ups that you really won't fully believe and swallow "hook, line, and sinker." Tutubi was able to visit the resort spa in Antipolo for mere two hours to attend an organization's family day outing then rushed back to Quezon City to attend to a family event at Philam Homes Clubhouse.

Pictures of Callospa Resort:

the swimming pool beckons to wash away the summer heat
another view of Callospa Resort's swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi with hanging millionaire's vine on the foreground

a "floating" over a man-made lagoon is a romatic place for dinner or the place where the groom and bride may sit during their wedding day

an al fresco picnic/reception area near the small man-made lagoon shaded by trees
indoor reception hall/events venue converted into a badminton court for the Family Day activity

Tutubi would have wanted so much to enjoy Callospa Resort's facilities, especially the swimming pool, restaurant food and probably at least 1 hour massage at the resort spa to relieve his chronic back pain but would have to do so in the future, probably next year if the next family day will also be held there again.

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Callospa rates:
Swimming: P120.00 (up to 4pm)
Night Swimming: P150.00
Resort Day rate: P10000.00
Night rate: P12500.00

(rates much cheaper than comparable garden wedding venues in Manila but you need to travel farther to reach it. Cheapest massaage/spa therapy package is P650.00)

How to get to Callospa Resort, Antipolo, Rizal:

Driving Directions: Callospa is accessible via Ortigas Avenue extension past Tikling junction but Tutubi decided to get there via Marcos Highway and Sumulong highway to avoid heavy traffic on Ortigas Avenue.

From Marcos Highway, turn right to Sumulong at Masinag Market junction. Drive ahead until you reach and turn right to Sumulong Circle (the road that leads to Vieux Chalet and Hinulugang Taktak then turn right again when you see a hospital (Unciano Medical Center) then follow direction signs leading to the resort. Travel time from Trinoma mall is about 45 minutes via this route on a Saturday morning.

Commute to Callospa: board a jeepney or shuttle service to Antipolo City then request the driver to drop you off at Unciano Medical Center. Transfer to a waiting tricycle to take you to Callospa.


For inquiries, swimming pool rates, entrance fees, nigh swimming, overnight accommodations room rates, wedding reception venue and other parties (debut, birthdays et al), please call Callospa Resort's published contact numbers or via their official website.

Related Posts on Antipolo City:
Hinulugang Taktak
Overlook Resort
Antipolo Church
You may also be looking for Callo's Spa or Callo Spa Resort :P

Labels: Antipolo City, Hotels and Resorts, Rizal, Rizal Resorts, Southern Tagalog, Spas