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Five staycation places this summer
You want to get out of the house but don’t want to go through the hassles of driving several hours or getting stressed at the airport. You feel like you deserve a vacation but can’t really afford to skip town entirely. The answer: staycations.
In recent years, more and more people are discovering that they don’t need to book a flight or fill their car’s tanks with gas in order to escape the heat during the summer months. There are perfectly good options in the city that can approximate the feeling of an actual break without actually breaking your budget and back with complicated out-of-town arrangements.
Here are a few hotels to consider for an actual staycation that’ll get you refreshed when the heat becomes unbearable:
1. B Hotel Quezon City
Where it is: Scout Rallos Street, Quezon City
Why stay there: Away from the busy commercial districts of Makati or Ortigas, the neighborhood is quiet and pleasant. It’s walking distance from some great restaurants and bars in the Timog-Morato area, but if you prefer to stay in, they serve tasty and filling grills, pasta, sandwiches and other gourmet food, too. The rooms are relatively bigger than other hotels in their category (a two-bedroom suite is 53 square meters), and there’s also a swimming pool and gym.
Must-try: The Four Cheese Pizza at the bar. Perfect for a snack, mid-afternoon or midnight.
More information: thebellevue.com/b-hotel-qc
2. Belmont Hotel
Where it is: Resorts World Manila, Pasay City
Why stay there: Belmont Hotel is the newest hotel to open in the city’s first integrated resorts and casino complex. There are about 480 rooms, all of which are tastefully decorated and gives guests more than the spartan features of comparable properties. What’s great about this hotel is it’s perfectly positioned between the budget Remington Hotel and upmarket Marriott Manila and Maxims Hotels, all of which are located in the same area. While targeted more for business travelers, the pretty rooftop pool and easy accessibility to the attractions at Resorts World Manila across the street make the hotel attractive for family getaways, too.
Must-try: A dip in the rooftop pool. Many hotels offer swimming pools, but how many have stunning views of airplanes taking off and landing? You can also watch the sunset, which, from this vantage point, is pretty unbeatable.
More information: thebelmonthotels.com
3. Crowne Plaza Hotel
Where it is: Right at the heart of Ortigas Center
Why stay there: The Crowne Plaza has been around for over a decade and has become a landmark property in the busy Ortigas district. It’s right next to Robinsons Galleria, so everything one needs is literally just a few short steps away. Stay the whole day in one of their huge rooms, or relax poolside with a fruit shake in hand. If you feel like exploring further out, SM Megamall, the Lopez Museum, Shangri-La Plaza, and the Greenhills Shopping Center are just minutes away. The hotel even offers a complimentary shuttle service to Greenhills so you don’t have to worry about driving or commuting to the shopping mecca.
Must-try: The rib-eye steak at 7 Corners. The buffet restaurant is pretty solid in its culinary offerings, with Japanese, Filipino, Indian, and American sections, but the rib-eye steak is something else. Sink your teeth into the meaty goodness of perfectly cooked US Prime beef. The ice cream is pretty good, too.
More information: crowne-plaza-galleria.manila-hotels-philippines.com
4. Bellevue Hotel Alabang
Where it is: Filinvest City, Alabang
Why stay there: For northerners, Alabang is practically several time zones away. Staying at Bellevue allows urbanites to feel like they’ve escaped the city without actually leaving it. The hotel has a main wing and the newer tower wing, both of which offer comfortable, well-appointed rooms. Get a massage at the Azurea Spa, take a dip in the swimming pool or get a workout in at the gym. The Alabang malls (Festival Mall and Alabang Town Center) are a short ride away, but there’s a small commercial area with restaurants and tiangges right beside the hotel. For a few days peace and quiet, it’s hard to top what Bellevue has to offer.
Must-try: A drink at Vue Bar, with a panoramic view of the city. The penthouse bar offers stunning vistas of Alabang and further south to Laguna and Cavite. There’s great nightly entertainment if you feel like partying, too.
More information: thebellevue.com
5. Marriott Hotel Manila
Where it is: Resorts World Manila in Pasay City
Why stay there: There’s a reason the Marriott brand is known the world over. Excellent service, thoughtful details (fresh fruits and in-screen welcome note) and the overall feeling of luxury. The first Marriott property in the city is popular for many things, but it’s the attentiveness and helpfulness of the staff that stay with you. The pool area has great views of the Villamor Golf and Country Club and the buildings of Makati and Bonifacio Global City further beyond, and, if you’re staying at an executive floor and are granted access to the club lounge, you’re pretty much spoiled for choice with an unending variety of drinks, snacks and light meals throughout the day. Try the food at Marriott Café or the steaks at Cru (my personal favorite restaurant in the city), plus the newer ones at the just-opened Marriott Grand Ballroom. Overall, if you’re looking to splurge a little this summer, you’re pretty much guaranteed a relaxing, enjoyable stay at the Marriott.
Must-try: A massage at Quan Spa. Book a massage later in the evening and it’ll take you straight through to dreamland. The Quan Spa is so huge and posh you can forget that you’re still in the middle of the city.
More information: marriott.com/manila
—KG, GMA News
Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. He is also co-founder of libreto.org
