CEBU GRAND HOTEL #WhenInCebu

Last time I was in Cebu for training is when I am still pregnant with D. Yes, that long. And Cebu has developed and grew more after that. But, it is still like the same Metro Cebu that I frequented before. yes, the hotels, the restaurants, the traffic, and accommodating people that assists us along the way. But this trip, it is my first time to try Cebu Grand Hotel. I am not so familiar with the place, hence the flyer below. Nice, real deal right?! Considering that it is located near to Ayala Complex and Mango Avenue. Actually Zubu Chon is walking distance from the hotel. 

This is their superior room. Simple, but have everything you need. 

+1 for the effort in designing the bath towels. 

They also have the usual essentials, less tea. 

The bathroom. Not Chuvaness approved, but they have the hot and cold shower well functioning and that is a (+)plus for me. 

And they have a huge mirror facing the beds. #scary for me so I slept with all the lights and TV on. 

When you go down to their function room, you will see this mirror with frames within. Like right?

Function room in classroom type arrangement. 

I don't know the rates of the function room since this was pre-arranged for us. But one thing is for sure, their food is good. 

(+)

- Location is very accessible with near convenience store and some restaurants

- Accommodating staffs, they even packed my chorizos from the palengke so I can have it checked in. 

- Buffet breakfast is good. They serve bacon! lol

- During seminars, all the waiters are attentive to your needs. Function rooms are ready as early as 6AM

- They are reinventing and renovating

(-)

- Scary big mirror in the room lol

- Noisy (slight) aircon

- Smell of carpets

But over all, I enjoyed my stay in the hotel and will consider going back. 

G, 

The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases - Davao City

Last March (Yes that long!) I went to once of the safest cities in the world, Davao City! The thought of leaving D at home made me sad, but being with Davao City for countless times already also excites me to visit the town again. I stayed at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, one of the convention enters in Davao and one of the promising hotels for vacation, trainings and seminars. So let me tour you to my home there for a week. I actually stayed her for a couple of times already, but this stay was the longest and also I noticed an upgrade in their facilities. 

This the main wall of their lobby. I don't know that this means, but I think this is their logo. 

I love that their lobby has comfy couches where you can lounge while waiting for someone of enjoying the free internet. 

I also like their centrepiece, simple yet traditional. 

This is the outside view, the hotel provides 24hours security and the guards are very helpful to find you a taxi. 

This is the view from the 5th floor. Yes, the hotel is located inside the city, but very people and quiet. 

The Room,... 

They provide the usual, TV with cable and study area and wifi at rooms. 

Mini ref.. and free coffee. 

The bed is just a bit small, but this will do. 

Interesting see-through-open closet

See? I don't know what is the reason behind that design, but for me thats okay if you are alone in the room. Hassle if you share with someone. 

The bath area is a bit small, but clean. There's hot water too! to relax you after long day work. 

The place also has swimming pool, play area for kids, Chinese restaurant and live-bands playing on selected days.  

Overall, my stay at The Ritz Hotel that time was more pleasant. Staffs are more accommodating and food has improved. Or I just got to enjoy all the amenities because of the week long stay. 

Truly, a must visit hotel. 

G, 

Sweet Travels: Ati-Atihan Festival Hostel, Kalibo Aklan

One of the best beach in the world is Boracay. The sun, sand and scenery is the best. We all know that Boracay is located at Kalibo, Aklan and put to much emphasis on the beach itself that we fail to see that the whole province of Kalibo has so much in store for us. So the opportunity of work and travel in Kalibo is something that I look forward to this September. 

And someone wants to come. Hay #workingmomblues. But he's so cute, when I was packing my things, pinagkakasya din niya sarili niya sa bag ko.

We stayed and conducted the seminar at Ati-Ahihan Festival Hostel in the heart of Kalibo, Aklan. I love that everything is near in the hotel. We went to the market ng naglalakad lang! The hotel staffs are also friendly and accommodating. They serve good food and they also owned Bread&Butter bread house so may instant pasalubong center na din!

Posted at their lobby is the humble and inspirational beginings of the grandfather of the owner. 

And as the hotel named. There are lots of ati-atihan mask in the area. 

Colorful. I just missed to take a picture inside. #shyblogger lang. 

Lovely chadelier at the second floor where rooms are located. 

Facade at the second floor. Very homey ang peg. 

The hotel is just 2 years old. It used to be a bookstore, then renovated into a hotel and conference center. It's nice to know that there  are budding hotels in Kalibo where you can have conferences aside from Boracay. Read: Lahat ng participants nasa venue lang kasi walang beach. 

Lemme tour you to their room. 

mini dinning. 

Dresser. I love the flowers. 

Fresh and Clean CR with seperate shower area. 

Comfy bed. 

And what's a travelling momma without my  breastfeeding/expressing gears?

Insulated Bag. This can fit 8-16 bags of milk, and still fresh and chilled until I got home. 

Tip: I don't freeze my milk during local trips, usually 6-8days naman ang milk refrigirated lang. And freshly expressed milk is much better than frozen ones. 

So I just used icepacks to transport my fresh milks. The coldness usually last 4-7 hours.

So land travel to airport=1hour

waiting at the airport=2hours

plane travel=1 hour

travel from airport to home=2hours

Un lang, I keep on praying so flights will be on time.

My pumping gear. 

Sealed in airtight container. 

Milk bags. 

Pumps' spare parts. 

I learned my lesson na, its so hassle when you are in a trip then suddenly your pump bagged down. So painful and panira din ng plans. 

Yun lang, since the hotel is relatively new, the rooms are not provided with refrigirators yet. But the staffs are accommodating naman, and they offered kitchen ref to store my BM's, but the OC in me opted to throw my GoldMilk nalang.

 

Inside the room, they have the recommended places in Kalibo that you may visit. It's just unfortunate that our event ends at 5:30pm so there is not much time to roam around. And the establishments in the city proper closes at 5pm. Parang office hours lang!

But, But! We had a chance to see their plaza.

I told our coordinator nga, that this what I miss, and I'm dreaming that baby D will have a place to go to like this, hindi puro malls. A place where baby D can run and run and play free. #dreamingforabetterenvironemnt

We also visited their church. 

Huge and beautiful church. I made my wish. 

During my 2days stay in Kalibo Aklan, I feel that the province has much more to offer other than the Boracay beach. Maybe the local government or the private sector in the province can propose city tours in Kalibo before heading to Boracay, hindi yung dinadaanan lang ang Kalibo going to Boracay. The city has much more to offer. The environment, people, delicacies and historical places are worth visiting. 

All is well.