Family Staycation: Where to Go for the 8 Remaining Long Weekends in 2015

The weekend is something every mom or dad who works 9-to-5, five days a week, looks forward to, and when it's a long weekend, even moreso!

Thankfully, there are eight more long weekends happening this year:
June 12-14 - Independence Day
July 17-19 - Eid'l Fitr*
August 21-23 - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 29-31 - National Heroes Day
September 24-27 - Eidul Adha*
November 28-30 - Bonifacio Day
December 24-27 - Christmas
December 30-January 3 - New Year

As such, why not indulge a little? Book a room and stay overnight in these hotels/resort for optimum rest, relaxation, and bonding time with the family for an experience you and the kids will never forget.

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati : At the Center of Everything
Not a lot of people are aware that a  hotel sits on top of the New Glorietta  Mall at Ayala Center in Makati. The Holiday Inn & Suites signage occupies but a narrow portion of the mall facade along Palm Drive, but it's the only one they scrimped on. On everything else, they went big.

Upon arrival, one will be led to the fourth floor where the Front Desk is located. Service is prompt and effortlessly friendly, making one feel right at home.

The rooms are well-appointed, and are fitted with thoughtful touches: free Wi-Fi connection, HDMI- and USB-to-TV plug-and-play outlets, activity kits (crayons and coloring pages) and a cute teddy bear to keep the kids entertained, adjustable bedside reading lights that allow one to read a book in bed without disturbing the others, and a choice of soft or firm pillows to ensure you get a good night's sleep in the soft, king-size bed.  

You will not run out of dining options at the Holiday Inn & Suites with its three dining outlets: Flavors restaurant offers local and international favorites, including a child-friendly menu that encourages the young ones to try different cuisines.

If you prefer to keep to your diet, there's Citron Lobby Bar which is unique in the sense that its menu is prepared according to blood type compatibility, without compromising your taste or satisfaction. Lastly, the Oz Bar is where mom and dad could escape to once the kids are asleep for a few drinks al fresco or a quick dip in the ample-sized pool. If you're still craving for a particular type of food, the hotel is literally a few steps away from the Glorietta Mall.

There is much to be said about the facilities and amenities of the facilities of Holiday Inn & Suites, but what one remembers upon leaving its premises is how good its people made you feel: the personalized service (the housekeeping personnel on the floor greets guests by name), the warm hospitality, and the staff's genuine desire to please. "Stay impressed," its slogan says, and indeed we are.   

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is located at the Glorietta Mall, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati. To book a room, visit their website or Like their Facebook page.

Text and watermarked photos by Lei Sison

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Fairmont Makati Hotel: Small But Grand
Tucked away in the busy streets of Makati’s financial and entertainment district is a 30-story tower that houses the Fairmont Makati Hotel. The location is great for quick family getaways as you’ll never get bored with the cluster of shopping malls – The Landmark, Glorietta malls and SM Makati – right across from it. Once you’re checked in, the hotel even has a private underground walkway with direct access to the malls.

Step inside the hotel into the lobby, however, and the noisy crowded streets melt away. The first thing visitors notice is the Fairmont Grand Staircase, as if greeting you saying yes, you’ve arrived.

The lobby is spacious and inviting with an abundance of comfortable seating. Here, the Fairmount Lounge serves refreshments and light snacks. At night, it’s a great place to think and read for a bit while the kids are tucked in their beds.

Speaking of sleeping, the sophisticated style of the hotel is evident in its rooms and the floor-to-ceiling window offers a great view of the bustling city. Now, on to guest room amenities and features. If your family is in to movies and the kids take their favorite TV shows everywhere, then you can’t go wrong with Fairmont Makati as their TVs offer media connectivity complete with HDMI slots and USB ports. 

Moms and dads will be pleased to know that the Wi-Fi available is free, fast and reliable. The usual selection of drinks and snacks are available at the mini-bar, and an in-room safe is found inside the wardrobe.

What we found convenient in Fairmont guest rooms, and lacking in other hotels, are the electrical plugs located on the bedside table. If you’re like us and like to charge your mobile phones at night, then it’s a useful quirk you’ll be thankful for as well.

The bathroom is well-stocked with toiletries and the kids will enjoy trying out the bathtub. They also include an iron and an ironing board found inside the wardrobe, convenient if the family plans on dressing nice for dinner.  Word of caution for the bathroom though, the sliding door has no locks.

The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Spectrum is, and we’re unashamed to say, spectacular. The buffet offers a wide range of food from Filipino, American, Japanese, Italian and even Mediterranean cuisines that are all absolutely scrumptious. Enjoying the food at Spectrum was arguably the best part of our stay.

The ambience in the restaurant is luxurious and comfortable. The kids will enjoy seeing the dishes being prepared just right behind the buffet counter. A friendly reminder, don’t forget to ask the front desk if your overnight stay entitles you to a complimentary breakfast buffet. If it does, definitely don’t miss it.

Other eating options include Café Macaron, the Long Bar, the Writer’s Bar and the poolside bars. Café Macaron is a pastry boutique offering cakes, pastries and coffee. Long Bar, Writer’s Bar and the poolside bar offer cocktails, juices and light snacks.

And of course, there’s the hotel pool. No stay-cation with the kids is complete without a dip in the pool. Parents can sit back, soak up some sun and watch the kids at the recliners located at the shallower end of the pool. The view on the pool deck is amazing too.

The Willow Stream Spa is complete with hair and nail salon, and a mineral pool. Adjacent to this is the fitness center. It’s fully equipped and very spacious.

And if ever you need it, they also have a business center with ready to use desktops, printers, scanners and photocopiers. (We hope that no circumstances arise that call for the use of the business center, it is a stay-cation after all).

Fairmont Makati is located at 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City. Rates for an overnight stay starts at P8, 460++ inclusive of complimentary breakfast buffets.  For more information, call (+632) 795-1888 or visit the Fairmont Makati website. 

Text and watermarked photos by Jillianne Viel E. Castillo

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Manila Marriott Hotel: Luxury for the Family on the Go
Manila Marriott anywhere in the world is synonymous with excellent accmmodation and service, and it is no different here in Manila. Occupying premier space within the Resorts World Manila is Manila Marriott Hotel, with a sprawling facade that is nothing short of grand.

The 36-square-meter standard guest room seems larger with compact and streamlined furniture. The ofice table is made modern by adding a touch of glass to the wooden console, which is complemented by the ergonomic office chair.

A restful sleep is guaranteed with a king-sized bed that seems to hug you as you settle into it. One wall of the bathroom is made from glass (with a push-button curtain for privacy), allowing one who brought kids along to supervise the little ones' bathtub playtime conveniently from the bed.

The bathroom design is minimal and classy. The shower room, with its marble finish and a freestanding bathtub, is very inviting. The aromatherapy toiletries are kept in a custom wooden vanity box that keeps the countertop uncluttered. If one wishes to relax his tired muscles, soaking for a few minutes in the tub, which is fitted with spray jets, will do that. A bidet in the toilet is always a plus point.

At the Executive Lounge, one can enjoy day-long snacks and drinks daily, including afternoon tea from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, Hors D'oeuvres from 5:30 to 7:30, and Evening Snacks from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. From there, one can appreciate a splendid view of the golf course. On a quiet evening, stay awhile and unwind with a glass of wine.

While the choices at the breakfast buffet was not a lot, the selections were more than enough: anyone craving for Filipino comfort food will find their longanisa, tocino, and the beef tapa fantastic. For a different take on breakfast, there's also a choice of international cuisines. Nearby, there's a play area for kids complete with rubber mats and a sturdy plastic playground set.

Lunch buffet is a treat and a variety of sumptuous culinary creations are yours for the taking. If you prefer seafood, go for the prawns and the grilled mahi-mahi. However, it is highly-recommended that you sample CRU Steakhouse's much-raved about steak as well, which is part of the buffet. The juicy and tender grilled goodness is a must-try.

While other hotels usually have a table spread for dessert, Marriott has an entire room -- the Chocolate Room -- filled with decadent treats made from, of course, chocolate. Someone with a sweet tooth will absolutely love the variety, from white to milk to dark chocolates, garnished with favorites like rice krispies, ganache, nougat, or even chili. It's worth mentioning, too, that the Marriott Cafe serves one of the most delicious and softest carrot cakes we've tried.

The Marriott Hotel Manila provides easy access to Resorts World Manila, so a fun shopping trip to the mall or a family movie date is in order while checked in. The Manila Marriott is also the traveling family's accommodation of choice because of its close proximity to the airport.

Manila Marriott Hotel is located at #10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines. For more information, visit their website or their Facebook page for upcoming promos.

Text and watermarked photos by Lei Sison

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Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park: A Waterpark Getaway Near the Metro
There’s a resort that takes pride in saying that it’s just a 15 min. drive from the metro that has everything you look for in a family getaway. It’s Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park. It’s a great destination for a quick day tour or a family vacation.

Island Cove is located a little ways away from the CAVITEX Marulas exit. It really is a small island and visitors cross a bridge to get to it. The whole resort covers a vast 36 hectares.

What’s great about Island Cove is that it has so much to offer. Your family’s itinerary would be instantly filled with things to do. It has a 3,000 sq/m water complex, a wildlife sanctuary, an adventure zone, 4 dining places, a spa, a fitness center and that’s not even all of it.

Island Cove has recently expanded its accommodations. Aside from their hotel rooms, they now offer dormitories, duplex cabanas and single detached cabanas made to fit whatever budget. The rooms and bathrooms were all renovated as well. The overall feel is modern with a Mediterranean twist. The room is Wi-Fi equipped so no need to worry about internet connection.

Pet owners rejoice because Island Cove is pet-friendly. If you inform them in advance that you’re planning on taking along your pup, for an additional fee they’ll arrange his bedding, provide diapers and a pooper scooper.

Island Cove has 4 dining options prepared by Executive Chef Jomar Medrano, who we made sure to thank personally because the food is absolutely heavenly.

First is Sangley Point which features western style cuisine. Must-tries include the baked baby back ribs and the baked salmon together with a tall glass of their house blend iced tea. We personally recommend the Sangley Burger as it satisfies above and beyond (which from the personal opinion of the writer is the best burger she’s ever had).  There’s also a small play area where kids can occupy themselves while they wait for the food to arrive.

Kids, however, will enjoy eating at The Fishing Village – a Filipino-themed restaurant with its dining spots in bamboo huts on water. The air here is breezy without that fish smell you’d expect. It’s actually very pleasant and relaxing. You can even ask the waiters for a fishing rod and the kids can try their hand at fishing. We recommend the Pinoy Boodle as it’s so fun to eat out of. It’s a bunch of appetizers served on a sungka board. And, of course, it’s a must to try the Lechon sa Buho, the restaurant’s specialty.

Other food outlets include the iCafe which serves coffee and light snacks and the Bayside KTV, a videoke place.

Resort Attractions
Island Cove has also recently upgraded their Oceania Swim and Splash Park water complex. Here you’ll find 4 giant slides, a giant inflatable slide and a splash park for kids. The pool in itself ranges from 4 ft. to 6 ft. deep so remember to bring floaters. The giant slides are not for little kids as a couple of them lead to the deeper ends of the pool and only the brave would dare the giant inflatable slide. On the other side of the water complex is The Splash Park with all its fun splashers and sprayers. Don’t worry if the kids start to run around, the Splash Park has water safe rubber flooring installed.

For mom and dad, the Island Spa is a great place to get a massage after a tiring day of chasing the kids around the Splash Park. It also has a sauna and a few tubs for soaking. We recommend indulging in a whole body scrub while you’re there. The fitness center is also located next to the spa if you feel like working out a bit before getting a massage.

The Island Cove Wildlife Sanctuary houses everything from reptiles, mammals and birds. There’s also the butterfly garden but during the summer months there’s not much to see as the butterflies have a hard time reproducing when the weather is hot. The Wildlife Sanctuary can be pretty tiring as it requires quite a lot of walking under the sun. Bring lots of water and, if you get tired, wait for the resort shuttles to take you around.

Other attractions include: the Adventure Zone which has a paintball arena and an airsoft game site, a game room with billiard tables and game consoles, a giant chess board and the Maze Challenge. For extra fun at the Maze Challenge, family members should start at the same time and make it a race to see who would find the exit first. Don’t worry if you get lost, there are platforms outside the maze where someone can stand on and guide you to the way out.

SmartParenting.com.ph tips:

• Wear comfortable footwear, you’ll most likely be doing a lot of walking
• Have hats, caps, umbrellas and other sun protecting clothing at the ready
• Have a map of the island on a mobile device to keep handy
• Ask the front desk if they have any events planned for the weekend. They usually hold small events for kids on Sundays in the hotel lobby
• If you’re staying in a cabana, you have access to the exclusive pool and Jacuzzi
• Don’t forget to ask the front desk if your room comes with a complimentary breakfast buffet

Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is located in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite. Rates for an overnight stay at a superior deluxe room with 2 double beds starts at P3, 200++ inclusive of complimentary breakfast buffets. For more information, call (046) 434-0210, email inquiry@islandcovephil.com or visit the Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park website.

Text and watermarked photos by Jillianne Viel E. Castillo

*Estimated dates, according to tipzilla.com