Hotels with Swimming Pool (Quezon City)

It's about to go hot - hot -  hot!  Summer time is almost here.  It's time to prepare for the much awaited summer vacation with family or with friends.  Where do we go?  That's a question!  There are a lot of places one can go to... out-of-town or maybe just around the city.  If you don't want to go out-of-town because you think traffic is everywhere and by the time you got out of the city, vacation time is over; or you have been out and about and you just want to stay somewhere in the city... then here's a list of hotels around Quezon City with swimming pools.  I am open with the possibility of booking a hotel with family or with friends just to unwind and relax in a pool over the weekends.  I believe that it's really not the place (although it is a great factor) but the companions that make a vacation or travel a unique and a memorable experience.

1.  Crowne Plaza Hotel

Ortigas Avenue corner Asian Development Bank Avenue, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines

+63 2 6337222 , Toll Free: 1800 1888 0188

mnlcp@ihg.com

2.  Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

17 Orchard Road Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City 1110 Philippines

(632) 570-7777

erh@richmondehotel.com.ph

3.  Fernandina 88 Suites

222 P. Tuazon Blvd. Araneta Shopping Center, Metro Centro (Cubao), Quezon City

(632) 911-6954; (632) 911-6965; (632) 438-6673 to 74; (632) 438-6685; (632) 438-6690; (632) 913-8594; (632) 911-3169

inquire@amci.ph; reserve@fernandina88.com.ph; inquire@fernandina88.com.ph

4.  Great Eastern Hotel

1403 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

(632) 371-8282

marketing@greateasternhotelmanila.com; sales@greateasternhotelmanila.com

5.  La Breza Hotel

Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City

(632) 990-4452; (632) 990-4456; (632) 917-893-2676

info@labrezahotel.com

6.  Sulô Riviera Hotel

Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City

(632) 924-5051

info@sulorivierahotel.com

7.  Hotels in Timog

Imperial Palace Suites

Timog Avenue Corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City

(632) 927-8001

reservations@imperial.ph

Luxent Hotel

51 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City

(632) 922-8888

sales@luxenthotel.com

Torre Venezia Suites 

170 Timog Avenue corner Scout Santiago St. Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City

(632) 332-1658 to 60

sales@torreveneziasuites.com

8.  The Cocoon Boutique Hotel

61 Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos St, Brgy Laging Handa, Quezon City

(632) 998-3117; (632) 806-1004; (632) 922-810-4692; (632) 922-814-2481

info@thecocoonhotel.com

Computer Stores in SM Cyberzone with websites (Metro Manila)

Here is a list of online computer stores that I frequently visit before buying computer and techie stuffs.  One should arm oneself before going out there and buying computer stuffs that are "on sale".  Make sure that you do some research.  It is better that you know the current market price of computer items to help you find "real deals" and not lure you to buying because of some marketing hype.  Of course, bear in mind that there are many considerations in buying a certain item from a certain computer store.  My objective is to help you see what's out there to assist you in making decisions in buying computer stuffs.

SM Cyberzone Stores:
1.  Accent Micro/PC Live
2.  Compex
3.  Complink
4.  Electroworld
5.  Octagon 
6.  PC Express
7.  PC Gilmore
8.  Villman

Restaurant Review: 1st Colonial Grill

The 1st Colonial Grill in Legazpi, Albay is best known for their Sili Ice Cream.  The restaurant has been reviewed countless times by bloggers, tourists and even visited by television shows.  So when in Legazpi, Albay; it is a default for us to visit and experience dining at 1st Colonial Grill.

Some notes:

1.  We ate at 1st Colonial Grill's branch along Rizal St., Daraga Albay.  Even if it's not inside the mall, the restaurant was full of people that were lining up for a table.  If you're going to include going to 1st Colonial Grill in your itinerary, I suggest you allot more than enough time.

2.  This is not a fast food restaurant so don't expect your food to be served in the shortest possible time.  Our food was served within our expectations and we're not in a hurry or that hungry so it was not a big of a deal for us.

3.  According to them, their best seller among the list of Busog Sulit meals (with Tinapa Rice) is Garlicky Adobo.  Truly enough it's one heavy and delicious meal, some of us did not even requested rice refills.

4.  It was a first for us to taste the Sili ice cream or Chili ice cream.  At first the chili was overwhelming but the punch of the sili fizzled out just as fast.  I took one spoon after another.  It was a wonderful and a unique experience.  Overall the ice cream was very creamy with a punch.

5.  When in 1st Colonial Grill, one must try their Tinutong Ice Cream.  It is plain heaven, so creamy and delicious.  My son did not even share his ice cream.  I don't know about the other flavors but this one was recommended to us and we were not sorry that we tried it.

6.  The modern design of the restaurant gives an ambiance of a place that's nice for family bonding.  Friends would enjoy staying here for good food and nice conversation.

7.  The staffs and crews are very much accommodating and they make sure that we have whatever we need.  They also know their products very well.  The place is very clean and well maintained.

8.  If I would visit Bicol again, I would definitely go back to 1st Colonial Grill and try their other specialties.

Restaurant Review: Small Talk Cafe (Legazpi, Albay)

We've met a Chinese gal who roamed around Legazpi City with us.  She told us that she heard about this famous pizza in Legazpi and so we asked the staff from Legazpi Tourist Inn what's this famous pizza.  The staff told us it's the one served by Small Talk Cafe.  And so we went.... dinner time... it was a Sunday...

Here are the things I took note of:

1.  Small Talk Cafe is full even on a Sunday night.  The waiter asked us if we made prior reservations because the restaurant is packed.  Luckily we didn't have to wait long or was rejected because a group was about to leave.  So guys, if you're going to visit try calling them first to reserve seats for you.( Tel:  052-4801393).

2.  Try Small Talk Cafe's combination pizza so you can try other pizza flavor in one order.  We tried their famous Bicolano and Bianco e Verde Pizza and we were not disappointed.  The crust is thin and we were able to enjoy its rich taste.

3.  Their pasta order is good for one serving.  We ordered Small Talk Cafe's delicious pinangat/laing pasta.  It was creamy, tasty and flavorful.  We want to try their other famous pasta but we were told it is not available.  We also tried ordering pili-based desserts but were not also available that time.  Try their other pasta I don't think you would be disappointed.

4.  It took awhile for them to serve the food, we thought maybe it's because the restaurant is packed.  We noticed that it took awhile for the other tables to get their food as well.  So if you plan to put Small Talk Cafe in your itinerary make sure you allot a longer time here than necessary or maybe you could call them and make an advance order.

5.  The place is really cozy and homey.  It is also well-maintained and very clean.  Modern infused with tradition.  You can bring friends or tourists here.  The history of this place brings back memories of the olden days and you can definitely feel the heart of something "pinoy" here.  Makes one feel proud of our heritage.

6.  There are different ways getting to Small Talk Cafe, one is via the jeepney and another via tricycle.  We rode the tricycle from Legazpi Tourist Inn and the driver asked us to pay PhP150 in which he would wait for us and drive us back to the hotel.  I know it would seemed like a pricey ride but since we had a kid with us and it is night time we thought it would just be like paying additional for our own safety and as our way of helping our own kababayan.

7.  The crowd varies at Small Talk Cafe.  Some came with friends.  Some came with their families.  Some even came with office associates.  Some tourists are also dining here.

8.  The tricycle driver told us that Small Talk Cafe paved the way for other cafes to be built in the area.  They used to be just a small family-owned cafe serving only few people but has grown tremendously due to good food and service.   

Resort Review: Misibis Bay

Things you may need to know about Misibis Bay:

1.  It is more or less an hour drive from the city.  There is a possibility of dizziness because of the downhill, uphill and zigzag road drive so just be prepared.  Meanwhile, the view going there is breathtakingly beautiful.

2.  The food is superb.  The buffet has great selection of food although of course not as many as those buffet restaurants in Manila.

3.  The beach and pool is beautiful and not crowded.

4.  There are so many things you can do in a day (non-motorized activities and use of resort facilities).  It is more advisable to spend more than a day to enjoy everything the resort can offer.

5.  The staffs are friendly and yet distant so as to let you enjoy your privacy.  I felt both at home and safe.

6.  The Eco Park Tour is worth doing (includes the zip line - free for now).

7.  It is a bit expensive (for me) but for some it may not be so expensive.

8.  If you're into experiencing other thrilling activities like luge ride, atv ride, etc. be prepared to pay additional fees.

Hotel Review: Legazpi Tourist Inn (Legazpi, Albay)

Why stay at Legazpi Tourist Inn, Legazpi, Albay...

1.  Accessible - walking distance to Embarcadero (whale shark sighting), Pacific Mall, Gaisano Mall, LCC Mall, the market, banks, etc.

2.  Nice and friendly staff - one can approach anybody from the staff and they will entertain you even during their break time.  They would go out of their way to help you find your way around the city and answer your questions.  When we needed something, they would respond as fast as they can.

3.  Affordable room rates - We were 3 and a kid and we only paid 1,700 (with A/C) for a night.

4.  Spacious rooms - Even with the pull-out bed, the room that we had is not that crowded between the three of us.

5.  Clean - visually it's relatively clean and maintained.

6.  Fast and reliable internet - Our room is near the reception area maybe that's why we were able to get a good signal.

7.  Transportation is not a problem - even at night tricycles, jeeps and taxi cabs are available and are plying the area.

8.  It has a "homey" ambiance that makes you feel welcome and safe whether you are local or not.

Legazpi Tourist Inn needs improvement on the following:

1.  The bathroom is clean but not that sterile, the smell of cockroach is on their sink.

2.  The water pressure in the shower is not that strong.  

3.  Bathroom fixtures need to be upgraded, we called their maintenance once in a while because we can't turn the shower knob because it's quite loose.  Good thing the staffs are accommodating.

4.  The bed sheets and towels are clean but some are obviously worn out.  

5.  We were out the whole day but no housekeeping done in the room and bath.

If you need a place to lay your head in Legazpi City then Legazpi Tourist Inn is worth considering.  It may need some improvements but generally if you have simple needs then it is a good enough place to stay considering everything (cost, location, amenities. etc.).