If you are going to Batanes with your friends, Baletin Hometel Batanes is a good option for you. They have big comfortable rooms that can accommodate big groups.

EXPLORE BREATHTAKING BATANES

Watch the highlights of my Batanes trip here. I hope you enjoy the video.

ACCOMMODATION FOR BIG GROUPS (RATES & INCLUSIONS)

Baletin Hometel-Batanes has 12 rooms:

Rate includes:

• Free airport transfer
• Private comfort room
• Fully air conditioned room
• Free breakfast for 2 days
• Free hot/cold drinking water
• Free wifi
• Free use of TV dining areas

Prices may be subject to change without prior notice.

Baletin Hometel also has a restaurant that serves delectable home-cooked meals for your convenience.

HOW TO BOOK

For bookings, you may call +63907-3897122 or +63916-4617781 or simply send an email to baletinhometelbatanes@yahoo.com or baletinhometelbatanes@gmail.com.

When I stayed in Batanes, I asked Safetravel Philippines to arrange everything for me, from hotel accommodation to the island tours. I had a grand time and will be publishing a series of vlogs featuring Batanes on my Youtube Channel.

‘Til next time. Signing out for now. Peace!

The post BALETIN HOMETEL BATANES- A GOOD OPTION FOR FRIENDS appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

If you just can’t wait to have that elusive vacation but do not have the time and budget to go out of town whether alone or with family and friends, then the Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City could be your best option.

My brother was here two weeks ago on a short nine-day vacation. He is a flight attendant based in the United Arab Emirates. We wanted to maximize his short stay with fun and excitement without having to leave Metro Manila. So the day he arrived, I packed my bags of clothes and shooting equipment and we booked a Grab Car and headed to the Selah Garden Hotel.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3862.023881563042!2d120.9976270299415!3d14.540626698208982!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3397c95b43be1fd9%3A0xc8c176545f52e95a!2sThe+Selah+Garden+Hotel!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1539654772878&w=600&h=450]

The Selah Garden Hotel is a boutique hotel near the Makati Business District and various historical landmarks such as Intramuros and Luneta Park. Likewise, the Selah Garden Hotel is accessible to the airport and the Mall of Asia (one of the biggest shopping malls in Asia).

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed at the lobby by the receptionists with refreshing welcome drinks. Check in time is 2 PM and check out is 12 noon. We stayed in a Flagship Double Room.

The Selah Garden Hotel has 83 rooms of varying types that can fit different guest preferences. Below are Selah Garden Hotel’s type of accommodations and corresponding published rates:

• Flagship Room at Php 3,200 per night for two with breakfast and Php 3,800 per night for three with breakfast
• Cozy Room at Php 3,800 per night for two with breakfast
• Fantastic Loft at Php 5,100 per night for four to five occupants with breakfast
• Fantabulous Loft at Php 6,700 per night for seven occupants with breakfast
• Fabulous Suite at Php 5,900 per night for five to six occupants
• Stellar Suite at Php 13,000 per night for ten occupants
• Bunk Room at Php 800 per occupant per night, good for four, six or eight occupants
• Clique Room at Php 800 per occupant per night, good for ten occupants

Amenities include:

• Air-conditioned rooms
• Complimentary wi-fi access
• Welcome drinks
• Safety deposit box
• 24-hour room service
• TV with cable channels
• Daily complimentary bottled water per person
• Hot and cold shower with toiletries set
• 24-hour elevator service
• Refrigerator
• Laundry service upon request

Hotel features include:

• Function rooms
• Table Restaurant
• Spa by Selah
• Infinity pool
• Scuba diving course
• Team-building facilities with high rope activities

It was a tiring but fruitful day one at the Selah Garden Hotel. My brother and I tried out Selah Garden Hotel’s high-rope activities such as wall climbing, zip line, control descent, Burma Bridge, multivines, Jacob’s Ladder and broken bridge with the other bloggers. We also joined the team building activity arranged by the hotel staff.

It was a hot and humid day and the infinity pool was just too tempting. I, however, conserved all the energy I had left and postponed swimming the next day. It was, anyway, going to be a long and fun Karaoke night with the gang as we celebrated our fellow blogger and friend’s birthday at the TLC Room of the Selah Garden Hotel.

After eating a sumptuous dinner, chugging on some drinks, singing our hearts out and basically had one of the most fun get-together’s we have ever had, we called it a night.

The next day, my brother woke up early and decided to have an early swim. I, on the other hand, slept in and woke up much later.

I had breakfast with some of the not so early birds. After breakfast, I went for a quick swim and met new friends. I also took some aerial shots. I did not fly my drone too high because I am not so at ease flying my drone in the city.

Overall, my brother and I had a grand time in The Selah Garden Hotel, a quick getaway found right smack in the middle of the city.

For more information, visit The Selah Garden Hotel’s website here.

For booking and inquiries, please contact:

• Mobile: +63917-9582760, +63925-5111131, +63998-8810864
• Landline: +632-5111331 or +632-8997080

You may also book via their Facebook Page here.

Signing out for now. Remember to never stop exploring the world one story at a time. Peace!

The post SELAH GARDEN HOTEL | ONE OF MY BEST CHOICES FOR STAYCATION IN METRO MANILA appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Are you looking for a hotel for your short stay in Metro Manila? Are you looking for a decent, clean and affordable hotel that is near Makati or Ortigas Business District? You might want to check out GARV’S Boutique Hotel along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel is located in front of the Mandaluyong Medical Center.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel offers no-frills accommodation that is perfect for your short business trips to Metro Manila. It is also great for backpackers who are looking for halfway stay during their stopover in Metro Manila before heading to their final destinations.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has a modern industrial minimalist design. The combination of white and gray with a touch of green gives a tranquil and simple yet sophisticated atmosphere.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has twelve (12) rooms. Below are their room rates:

A promo rate of Php 1,199 nett per night for a Deluxe Standard Room is ongoing until April 30, 2018. For bookings, call +632-637-8839 or email garvsboutiquehotel@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook Page and an Instagram account.

I stayed in a Deluxe Standard Room with a queen size bed. The room smelled clean. Air conditioning was great. The sheets and towels were fresh. The toilet was spotless and a Guest Kit was provided compliments of the hotel.

In case you need extra, you can purchase one for Php 50.00 or you can visit Watsons Health and Beauty Store which is right next to Chowking.

The room has free wifi, a landline and a flat TV with ABS CBN TV Plus. Also, I got to fly my drone on the roof deck which to me is perfect for small gatherings.

Below is a short video clip that I prepared and posted on my Facebook Page featuring GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

[facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1753666928023297/" /]

To watch in high definition, view the Youtube post below:

The hotel does not have room service and a cafe. However, there are nearby restaurants to choose from.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m16!1m12!1m3!1d811.7581315943934!2d121.03502300049493!3d14.576600659826626!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!2m1!1sRestaurants!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1523293117320&w=600&h=450]

• Chowking- Chinese/ Filipino Fast Food, open 24 hours
• Jollibee- Fast Food with Filipino Flavors, open from 6 AM to 11 PM
• Greenwich- Pizza Restaurant, open from 7 AM to 10 PM
• R&J Bulalohan- Filipino Restaurant, open 24 hours
• Nerry’s Grill- Restaurant, open from 12 AM to 11:30 PM
• Cusina Negrense- Filipino Restaurant, open from 11AM to 11PM
• Jelly Belly’s Restaurant- open from 8 AM to 12 AM

Or, you can ride a public utility jeepney to Forum Robinsons Mall located at No. 30 EDSA corner Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. Fare is Php 8.00.

Moreover, GARV’S Boutique Hotel also offers dorm accommodation for long-staying guests at Php 2,500 per person per month.

By the way, there is a spa on the ground floor. I did not get to try it but will do on my next staycation at GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

So the next time you visit Metro Manila, try GARV’S Boutique Hotel. Signing out for now. Peace!

The post GARV’S BOUTIQUE HOTEL | AFFORDABLE DECENT NO-FRILLS ACCOMMODATION appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Are you looking for a place for that much awaited family outing, couple getaway or team building? Well, Olivia’s The Coffee Estate might be a good choice for you.

The Coffee Estate is located in the Coffee Capital of the Philippines, Amadeo, Cavite. Five minutes away from Tagaytay.

Here is what I like about The Coffee Estate:

• Free freshly ground coffee
• Five minutes away from Tagaytay
• Family-owned-and-operated
• Hospitable room accommodations
• Cottages
• Sumptuous affordable gourmet food
• Relaxing wellness spa
• Outdoor jacuzzi and swimming pool
• Spacious activity area (2nd and 3rd floors)
• Basketball court
• Pasalubong center
• Videoke (until 10 PM per city ordinance)

Below is a short video showcasing why I love Olivia’s The Coffee Estate and why I can not wait to be back with my family.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDzPMr-yHxA&w=560&h=315]

RESORT PACKAGES

The Coffee Estate offers the following packages:

Family Room- P 12,500.00

• Check-in is at 2 PM and check-out is 12 noon the next day
• Already includes entrance fees for twenty (20) persons
• Includes two (2) Family Rooms. Each room has two (2) Queen Size beds and two (2) extra mattresses
• Includes complimentary use of the terrace

Day Swimming- P 2,000.00

• From 8 AM to 8 PM
• Already includes entrance fees for ten (10) persons

Garden Room- P 2,500.00

• Already includes entrance fees for two (2) persons

Should you wish to extend, extension fee is P 300 per hour. There is also an additional fee of P 150 per extra person.

If you prefer to bring your own food, you may do so. They offer complimentary use of gas stove, griller and refrigerator.

However, I would recommend that you try their affordable gourmet food prepared by the Celebrity Chef himself, AJ Senido, no less.

Visiting Olivia’s Coffee Shop in Bucal, a stone’s throw away from The Coffee Estate, completed my coffee experience. I learned so much about coffee, its origin and its varieties. Thanks to Nathaniel Tolentino for generously sharing his expertise.

WELLNESS SPA (Available only on weekdays)

What I enjoyed the most during my stay in this cozy nook was their Wellness Spa. I got to relax in the pampering aroma and goodness of a full-body coffee scrub.

They have the following spa services:

• Shiatsu Massage for one (1) hour- P 350.00
• Swedish Massage for one (1) hour- P 300.00
• Combination Massage for one (1) hour- P 500.00

Add-on’s: Ventosa- P 50.00; Stone- P 100.00

• Body Scrub- P 600.00
• Face Mask- P350.00

Or, you may get the Special Package for only P 1,350.00 which includes Combination Massage, Face Mask and Body Scrub.

PASALUBONG CENTER

Within the compound of The Coffee Estate is a Pasalubong Center where you can buy Olivia’s Coffee and other Filipino delicacies and snacks.

VENUE FOR EVENTS

The Coffee Estate is also a perfect venue for events like weddings, debuts and birthday parties. They have the following available packages so you can create lasting and beautiful memories with your loved ones:

Event Venue- P 25,000

• Includes the garden and pool side as venues
• Complimentary use of parking
• Overnight stay  for the bride and groom
• Complimentary use of the swimming pool for ten (10) persons

Venue with Aisle On Pool- P 50,000.00

• Includes a wedding aisle in the middle of the pool
• Includes the garden and pool side as venues
• Complimentary use of parking
• Overnight stay  for the bride and groom
• Complimentary use of the swimming pool for ten (10) persons

Venue with Buffet- P 1,000 per head

• Minimum of 100 guests
• Buffet menu selection
• Includes the garden and pool side as venues
• Complimentary use of parking
• Overnight stay for the bride and groom
• Complimentary use of the swimming pool for ten (10) persons

Special Package- P 1,300 per head

• Minimum of 100 guests
• Includes a wedding aisle in the middle of the pool
• Buffet menu selection
• Includes the garden and pool side as venues
• Complimentary use of parking
• Wedding gifts for the Bride and Groom
• A bottle of sparkling wine
• Three-tier wedding cake
• Wedding venue set-up including decorative cage and a pair of doves

HOW TO GET THERE:

I stayed at The Coffee Estate last February 24, 2018. I went with my fellow Travel Bloggers Karla and Rona. We met up in SM Light Mall in EDSA-Boni.

Along EDSA-Boni, we took the bus going to Dasmarinas. Bus fare was P58.00. You may opt to take the bus heading towards Trece Martirez or Indang.

After two hours of bus ride, we got off at McDonald’s Pala-Pala and rode a jeepney to take us to Manggahan. The jeepney fare was P10.00 per head.  We met up with the rest, Jerny, Franco and Thea, at KFC Manggahan, General Trias, Cavite  and rode The Coffee Estate’s van going to The Coffee Estate.

In case no van is picking you up, just look for a jeepney heading to Amadeo and tell the driver to drop you off at Olivia’s Coffee Shop in Bucal, Amadeo, Cavite. Enter the coffee shop and tell the restaurant staff that you are checking in. A ride will come pick you up. The ride to the resort will take no more than five minutes.

For bookings, call +63-925-6866363 or email olivias_coffee@yahoo.com. They also have a Facebook Page.

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Special shout out to Jomar Lansang for taking amazing photos during our stay. Here’s one:

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post OLIVIA’S THE COFFEE ESTATE appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Last month, I visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend a meeting with a prospective client. Aside from blogging, I do marketing and business development consultancy work for a number of multinational companies.

After confirming the meeting dates with the client, I immediately contacted my fellow travel blogger Erica Poyauan to help me find a decent and affordable accommodation that should be near the meeting venue, i.e., the Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel. Fortunately, Erica was able to book a deluxe room for me at the same hotel at very friendly rates. I only paid USD 71 per night. That was a total bargain for a five-star hotel accommodation.

It was my second visit to the Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel. The last time was two years ago to attend a major conference conducted by the company I used to work for and I had a good experience then so I was pretty excited to go back. On both occasions, too, I saw groups and groups of tourists billeted in the hotel.

Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel is not just a business hotel. It offers amenities that are conducive to tourists alike. The hotel is strategically located in the center of the commercial and entertainment hub of Bangsar. It is only 5 minutes away from Mid Valley Mega Mall, a shopping destination. It is easily accessible to all major parts of the city via the Kerinchi Light Rapid Transit train and KL Sentral Station- KLIA Express Train.

Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel has 513 rooms and suites. It offers the following amenities:

• Internet access in the room (WiFi and wired)
• Complimentary mineral water in the room
• Iron and ironing board available in the room
• Safety deposit box
• Minibar
• iPod docks
• TV with cable channels
• Free accommodation and breakfast for up to 1 child under 12 years old sharing the parents room (by using existing bedding, or if room is large enough, a crib or a roll away bed)
• 24-hour room service
• Free Wifi in public areas
• Free shuttle to KL Sentral
• Access to the fitness center
• Access to the outdoor pool
• Free self parking
• Designated smoking areas
• Executive lounge access extended to children

The room I stayed in was spacious and clean. It had an urban and modern interior design. Everything in the room smelled new and fresh from the linens to the towels. The air conditioning was functioning properly, too.

Hotel slippers and toiletries were provided compliments of the hotel.

Instead of a wall, the toilet and bath had a window. For privacy, just draw the blinds.

There is also a convenient store on the lower ground floor of the hotel open 24 hours. How convenient is that?

The pool is located on the 4th floor along with the spa and gym. Complimentary use of fresh towels for swimming pool goers are available at the fitness center counter.

Further, Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel has an Executive Lounge and a Business Center to cater to your business needs. It has three restaurants and six bars.

When I visited, the hotel lobby was adorned with Chinese lanterns in time for Chinese New Year.

HOW TO GET TO PULLMAN KL BANGSAR HOTEL… FAST!

Below is a vlog of my commute from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 to Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel upon arrival:

In case you do not have time to watch the vlog, here’s how to get there via the KLIA Express Train:

1. Upon arrival at KLIA 1 or KLIA 2, proceed to the KLIA Express Train Station. A one way ticket to KL Sentral costs MYR 55.00

2. The commute via KLIA Express takes about 28 minutes from KLIA Terminal 2 to KL Sentral. At the KL Sentral Station, look for the MRT Terminal that will bring you to the Universiti Station. Train Token is MYR 2.00

3. From the Universiti Station, Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel is a mere 10-minute leisure walk.

For booking inquiries, visit Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel’s website here. They also have a Facebook Fan Page.

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Signing out for now. Peace!

Note that the route I took walking from the Universiti Train Station to Pullman KL Bangsar Hotel may not be the best route if you have a lot of pieces of luggage with you. Take the route below instead. Thanks to Pullman KL Bangsar Fan Page for this suggestion. It only shows how they truly care for their guests.

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