Hotels Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May282011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Best clean, cheap Singapore hostel – Pillows And Toast

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews, Singapore

Pillows & Toast Singapore is the best hostel in Singapore! It's a relatively new, clean, budget Singapore hostel that my mom and I liked. You see, Pillows And Toast was our home in Singapore back in February when we had our first ever mother-daughter trip overseas to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You might want to read these blog posts to learn more about our Singapore - Malaysia trip: How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip Singapore Chronicles: Day 1 Cebu to Singapore List of all Singapore hostels Pillows And Toast Singapore Reservation / Booking Although it wasn't our first time to travel abroad, it was our first time to visit Malaysia and Singapore. It was also our first time to follow a DIY (do it yourself) trip! Like I mentioned in this p...

Mar162011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Davao City, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Hotels, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few weeks ago, my mom and I finally had the chance to visit Singapore and Malaysia. Although it wasn't our first trip outside of the country, it was our very first time to visit Singapore and Malaysia and it was also the first time that we followed a DIY or do-it-yourself itinerary. We opted not to avail of the services of a travel agency for a number of reasons including the fact that we didn't want to be led to tourist traps just like what happened during our Hongkong, Shenzhen and Macau trip two years ago. Plus I'm also the type who loves to take on a challenge and preparing for a trip abroad - starting from scratch - can be quite a challenge! Don't be alarmed, though! Preparing a do-it-yourself itinerary can actually be fun, too! Plus it brings a whole lotta meaning to accomplishm...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Cebu R Hotel | Cebu City hotel

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

If you're a regular reader of my humble Mindanaoan blog, chances are you'd know that I frequently visit the Queen City of the South - Cebu City. Not only because I like to visit but I also because I need to. You see, I recently expanded my lil public relations, events management and media and marketing business in Cebu :) This means that I can now cater to businesses and individuals based in Cebu and neighboring islands that need PR, media relations, events management and marketing services. Anyhoo, I was recently in Cebu...yet again. Since my mom traveled with me, I thought of booking a room in one of Cebu's many affordable hotels. I also wanted to stay in a Cebu hotel that I haven't stayed in yet (so that I can review it and share my thoughts with y'all, of course! :D). I landed on Ce...

Jan312011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Review: GoHotels.ph value hotel in Mandaluyong | budget hotel Manila

Business, Consumer, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews

For budget conscious Mindanaoans like me who often travel to Manila, it is but imperative to stay in a value hotel that offers not only comfort and safety but an ideal location as well. Although I do put a lot of weight on the price of a hotel room, I don't mind paying extra if I see that I get my money's worth. I also prefer hotels that are near public transportation options. Enter GoHotels.ph - a relatively new hotel located along EDSA Mandaluyong. For the uninitiated, EDSA, formerly known as Highway 54, is the main highway of Metro Manila here in the Philippines. It's also the same circumferential road where the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) passes through. GoHotels is the sister company of budget airline Cebu Pacific. Hence, it's no wonder that the said Manila budget hotel operates the s...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene30 Comments

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour | What to do in Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Style, Tourism, Travel

Yes, the rumors are true. Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa is a beautiful paradise that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime! :) I finally availed of the much-talked about Shangri-La Mactan day tour recently. I treated my brother so it was the two of us who had a grand time at Shangri-La Mactan Cebu. The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour rate, as of October 2010, is P2,500.00 per person (roughly US $65.00) - a bit expensive for many but I must say, our experience was worth every penny. From Cebu City proper (along Salinas Road, to be exact), we took a metered cab towards Mactan. Travel time was about half an hour, notwithstanding traffic. Fare was around P160 but I paid P200 - just to start the day right :) Here's what greeted us when we arrived at Shangri-La...

Nov82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Senator Kiko Pangilinan congratulates www.Mindanaoan.com!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I must admit that even a few days after my humble Mindanaoan.com blog won as Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao in the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, I still am on cloud 9. While a lot of people have already congratulated me (and I still continue to receive several congratulatory messages until now) and even my ever-supportive Mama has already made plans to have a special tarp printed and displayed (yikes! :D), nothing prepared me for an absolutely wonderful surprise I got yesterday. November 6, 2010, the very day of a blogging 101 workshop that I organized, was made extra special when someone sent in this video message that did not only make my cheeks burn but make my heart melt as well :) No less than Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan congratulated me! Yes, THE Senator Kiko Pangili...

Nov22010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Review: Las Casitas Inn | Hotel in Davao City Mindanao

Business, Davao City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

I first stayed at Las Casitas Inn, Davao City, Mindanao during the campaign season for the May 2010 elections. I only stayed at Las Casitas de Angela Inn Davao City overnight then so I barely had the chance to take photos of my room. Hence, when I went back to Davao City for a special event, I decided to check-in at Las Casitas Inn --- which, by the way, is now known as Casitas Hotel. I got a single room at this Davao hotel and only paid P895.00 (roughly US$25.00) Located along JP Rizal Street, Las Casitas de Angela Hotel is considered a "small hotel." This Davao City budget hotel is conveniently located downtown - at the very heart of the city. From the Davao International Airport, it'll most probably take you about half an hour to reach Las Casitas Inn. This cheap Davao hotel...

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins! Best Lifestyle Blog – Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Woke up to sweet and absolutely wonderful piece of news today! This humble blog - www.Mindanaoan.com - won as Best Lifestyle Blog in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2010 - Mindanao Division! Yebah! Woot woot! :D My warmest, sincerest gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010! Thank you for the recognition and may you continue to uplift the blogging community! And of course, my deepest gratitude to all of my readers and followers! Like I previously mentioned, just the thought of you guys sparing a few minutes of your time each day just to come and visit my little online home brings me so much joy and inspiration. I am humbled. Daghang salamat! And to the readers and followers of my two other blogs that were also finalists of the PB...

Sep292010 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Review: Castle Peak Hotel Cebu City | and why I won’t stay in Castle Peak Cebu again

Cebu City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

Castle Peak Hotel Cebu City is the second Cebu City lodging place that I think I will never patronize ever again. The first one is Paragon Suites along Juana Osmena, Cebu City where I had a rather unpleasant stay early this year. Castle Peak Hotel in Cebu City is now the second one on my "must not try again" list. Before anything else, though, I want to make something clear. I HATE giving negative feedback especially on services or establishments that are related to Philippine tourism but if giving it would serve as a wake-up call for entrepreneurs or managers and if giving it would mean that they'd change and learn to give better service next time around, then I won't hesitate to do so. So here goes. Castle Peak Hotel Cebu is located along F. Cabahug corner President Quezon Streets,...

Sep242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Resorts World Manila celebrates Mooncake Festival

Announcements, Features, Festivals, Food, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism

If you're here in Manila (like me! - I'm currently attending the 17th National Public Relations Congress) then you still have time to catch the Mooncake Festival at Resorts World Manila! Celebrate the Mid-Autumn together with Resorts World Manila (RWM) with its Mooncake Festival! This September, Resorts World Manila has prepared the indispensable delicacy, known as the mooncake, for family and friends to share. The mooncake is a delicious tradition rich in history. The festival is strongly associated with the Moon Goddess of Immortality. It also represents the time of the year when the moon is at its fullest and marks the end of the harvest. It is traditionally celebrated with dances, moon viewing parties, and of course, partaking of mooncakes. If you're a slot player like me (I on...

Sep212010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Maxims Hotel Resorts World Manila – only 6 star hotel in the Philippines

Blogging, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

Remember my first Resorts World Manila blog entry? Apparently that garnered a lot of attention not only from my regular readers but from virtually everyone around the world. That was one of the most viewed posts in my blog! So of course that only means that a lot of people are really curious as to what's happenin' over at Resorts World Manila - the latest entertainment destination in Newport City (which is located right in front of Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 or NAIA 3) Read more about Resorts World Manila here and see why it pays to be a member! (Membership is FREE, by the way :) ) In the meantime, here's a peek of what I'm gonna do later tonight - tour Maxim's Hotel at Resorts World Manila. Maxim's Hotel is the only 6 star hotel in the Philippines! I will join a special to...

Sep72010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Waddy’s Place | Where to stay in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

About an hour and a half away from Bacolod City is San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. It's a small, quaint little city that was the very first out-of-town host of a Presidential cabinet meeting during former President Fidel V. Ramos' administration. San Carlos City is also home to Congressman Jules Ledesma, boxer Gerry Penalosa and singer Jaya's mom, Elizabeth Ramsey. And yes, it was in San Carlos City where Jules proposed to actress Assunta de Rossi. My friends Joyce, Iza, Crissa and I, together with Crissa's parents, went straight to San Carlos City the very same day we all arrived in Bacolod City. It was drizzling that time but the rain eventually stopped once we arrived at our destination - Waddy's Place. Located at Sitio Punod, Waddy's Place is a mountain resort overlooking San...

Aug142010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Paradise Island Resort Samal Island

Beauty, Davao City, Hotels, Island Garden City of Samal, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

I did a "wala lang" weekend trip to Davao City, Mindanao a few days ago. I just wanted to go to the beach and not think about my business, clients, contracts and everything else. I just needed to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, I wanted to feel the sand in between my toes, I wanted to breathe fresh air, I wanted to swim...I just needed to be at the beach again. I felt that, after months of working so hard, I badly needed an escape...at least for the weekend. I wanted a quick, no-nonsense trip and for this I thought of revisiting one of my family's long-time favorite tourist destinations at the Island Garden City of Samal - Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort. Paradise Island Samal is perhaps the largest beach resort in the IGACOS (Island Garden City of Samal) area. With a sh...

Jul242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Citi Park Hotel Cebu City | Hotels in Cebu City

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Nestled along Cabahug Street, Panagdait, Mabolo Cebu City is a relatively new but not too expensive hotel in the Queen City of the South. Citi Park Hotel is conveniently located between Cebu City proper and Mandaue City, making travel time to and fro Cebu International Airport easy. I had the chance to stay at Citi Park Hotel Cebu during the recent electoral campaigns/sorties. I was with one of the senatorial candidates that I did PR/media relations for and we stayed for two nights at Citi Park Cebu. Here's a look at their lobby cum lounge. I arranged for a mini press conference here with some of my Cebu media friends: Here's the restaurant at this hotel in Cebu City. We took our breakfast here. They serve it buffet style: A photo of one of the hotel rooms in Citi Park Hotel after...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

Feb282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Paragon Suites in Cebu City, Visayas | Budget hotel in Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews

HOTEL REVIEWS - Paragon Suites Cebu City is located along Juana Osmena Street, Cebu. Roughly a 10-minute walk away from bustling Mango Avenue (where there's a lot of videoke places, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and Internet cafe stations), Paragon Suites is ideal for people who want cheap accommodations in Cebu City. One can classify Paragon Suites Cebu as a budget hotel, a budget pension house or a cheap inn with the basic amenities. I stayed at Paragon Suites Cebu City just a few days ago. I stayed for a total of 3 days and truth be told, I didn't quite enjoy my stay and therefore will never find myself staying at Paragon Suites Cebu ever again. But more on that after the jump. Here's a look at my superior room (rate was P1,380.00 per night): My room was fully carpeted and fu...

Feb242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Highway 21 Hotel in Iloilo City, Visayas

Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

My first night in Iloilo City was spent in Highway 21. Classified as a pension house, I actually thought that this nice place located right in the heart of Iloilo City was more of a hotel. The perfect choice for budget conscious tourists, Highway 21 Iloilo City is located along the busy General Luna Street. Highway 21 is actually right beside the Sarrabia Manor, a well-known hotel in Iloilo. Compared to Sarrabia, though, Highway 21's rates are way cheaper. I stayed at the new wing of Highway 21. The rooms found at the new wing are slightly higher than those found on the annex area but I thought the added expense was worth it. The new wing had an elevator while the annex didn't have one. Plus all the rooms at the new wing had free, fast wireless Internet connection. That was impor...

Feb72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Review: Lamar Inn Cagayan de Oro | Budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Hello fellow Mindanawans! Planning a trip to CDO soon? Here's a budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao that you might be interested in. Lamar Inn, located at the corner of JR Borja and Velez Streets (just a few blocks away from Divisoria, the heart of the city), is a downtown hotel that offers value for money. Conveniently located at the central business district of the City of Golden Friendship and owned and operated by VIP Hotel (which is located just right across the street), Lamar Inn CDO offers reasonably priced rooms and good amenities. They have 14 tourist type rooms (P750.00 per night), 8 business type rooms (P850.00 per night) and two suites (P1,300.00 per night). The business type room that we stayed in recently was air conditioned, had cable television, had a tel...

Jan252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Lubi Resort Santander Cebu Diving Hotel

Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

During Mindanaoan's weeklong Cebu trip, I was fortunate to have had the chance to stay overnight at a Cebu resort that's widely said to be Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia's favorite. Lubi Resort is located at Santander, Cebu Province, a 5th class municipality included in the second district of Cebu. And it's not difficult to understand why Gov. Gwen loves Lubi Resort. It's a homey, quaint refuge at the southernmost part of Cebu. To reach the resort is a bit difficult to do so unless you have a private vehicle. Actually, I think the resort's "exclusivity" is one of its main strengths. For people who just want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just want to enjoy their "me" time, then Lubi Resort in Santander, Cebu is the answer. Lubi Resort, as its...

Sep262009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Meet my funny looking hotel room visitor!

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos

Sir George Pension House in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao is fast becoming one of my favorite budget accommodations in CDO. I think I've checked in 3 or 4 times after my very first stay at that cheap hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. I like the accessibility of the place (it's located at corner Pabayo and Gaerlan streets, just a few blocks away from the heart of Divisoria), the room rates are relatively cheap (single room rate starts at P600.00) and they offer FREE Wi-Fi! Read more about my review of Sir George Pension House over at the Mindanao Hotels page. I won't delve more into the amenities of this CDO pension house, though. What I want to share with you guys are these photos of my funny looking yet pretty darn cute hotel room visitor! During my most recent stay at Sir G...

Sep172009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Job opening at Pryce Plaza Hotel – they need an account executive

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Here's another Mindanao job opening that you guys might be interested in. Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao is in need of an account executive. If you or anyone you know may be interested in this job in CDO, then do read on. Ideal candidates for this job opportunity in Pryce Plaza Hotel must be college graduates, single and personable females who are no more than 25 years old. Job seekers must not also be less than 5'4" in height. Candidates must also have excellent communication skills and must be computer literate. Interested applicants can submit their resume with recent photo to the personnel department of Pryce Plaza Cagayan de Oro at Carmen Hill, CDO. For more job opportunities for Mindanaoans, please don't forget to SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN! (...

Jul192009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao hotel review: Sir George Pension House in Cagayan de Oro City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY MINDANAO - Here's another value-for-your-money budget accommodation in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao - Sir George Pension House. Located at corner Pabayo and Gaerlan Streets (just a few blocks away from Divisoria), Sir George Pension House Cagayan de Oro is a new player in the Mindanao hotel and lodging industry.With more and more events being held in CDO and a very business-friendly atmosphere in Northern Mindanao, this cheap hotel in Cagayan de Oro is definitely a welcome addition to Mindanao tourism especially to the tourism efforts of CDO. Here are the room rates of Sir George Pension House CDO: Speaking of room rates, the range of room rates of this Cagayan de Oro budget hotel was actually the first thing that caught my attention. Not bad for an inn that ...