Microtel Inn & Suites Cavite

Microtel Inn & Suites is a budget hotel chain with locations in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Honduras.

It is said that a stay in any Microtel facility is equal to a stay in any other Microtel Inn & Suites, as the hotel chain sticks to the international standards of quality while ensuring affordability.

The Microtel Inn & Suites Cavite has 57 rooms, and provides an ideal setting that combines comfort, privacy and a convenient location at great value.

The Gateway Business Park/ Special Economic Zone and the First Cavite Industrial Estate are conveniently nearby, making the hotel a perfect place for travelers with business affairs in the area.

One of the best things about the Microtel Inn & Suites Cavite is that the hotel is located within the 700-hectare Eagle Ridge Golf and Residential Estates- which has four championship golf courses for your enjoyment. The courses have been designed by Isao Aoki, Andy Dye, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman.

The hotel does not have in-house dining facilities, but there are many restaurants and bars nearby, which are easily accessible from the hotel.

Other amenities, facilities and services include wi-fi internet connection at the lobby and a business center, which may be used for a minimal fee.

Average year-round price is US$41 per room-night. Other Microtel Inn & Suites locations include Baguio, Batangas, Boracay, Davao and Tarlac.


Microtel Inn & Suites
Eagle Ridge, Cavite, Philippines
(632) 671.7171
http://www.microtel-cavite.com


Other Sources:
http://www.travelmart.net
http://www.tripadvisor.com

Cheers, everyone!

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Red Box: Singing to the Tune of Global Karaoke Entertainment

from the personal travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

Red Box has always been my first choice when it comes to great karaoke here in Metro Manila. It's comfortable, it's got a huge selection of songs, they got good food and drinks, and you can do so much more than just karaoke.

In fact, when family and friends fly in from out-of-town, one of the places I take them to at first opportunity is Red Box, and spend several hours singing our lungs out, playing billiards, or even going for a round of Nintendo Wii.

Here's something on Red Box from the official press kit I got a few days ago:

Only an international entertainment hub would understand that more than just getting a perfect score, true karaoke is a multi-sensory experience.

This is especially true in the Philippine karaoke scene where in the past, karaoke bars were viewed as sleazy, noise generating nuisances. Several attempts to make karaoke a more palatable experience popped left and right, but none gave the discerning, music-loving market a venue edgy and savvy enough to suit their taste.

But in 2003, Red Box, a leading karaoke bar in Hong Kong and Malaysia, splashed a new color to the metro's karaoke industry, one that exudes global sophistication. Since then, Red Box was able to redefine the concept of the genuine karaoke experience as something that is chic and classy--a destination anchored on the diversity of entertainment options.

“The needs of the Filipino karaoke market have evolved – they became well traveled, more modern, and greatly aware of the options available to them. They put premium on technology, style, and fun. And for a music loving nation whose demands are changing, I believe that Red Box is all of these – a fashionable place for cosmopolitan karaoke experience and more,” says Paolo del Rosario, Marketing Director of Red Box.

A fusion of music, dining, leisure and recreation, Red Box has delighted aspiring singers, food connoisseurs, laid back drinkers, rowdy gamers, and even top notch executives.

Songs to Last the Whole Night Long

Red Box is probably holds the distinction of being a karaoke bar that holds the most extensive song selection in the market today. With approximately 100, 000 songs and music videos that is updated on a weekly basis, enthusiasts can choose from the classic favorites like Frank Sinatra's My Way, to Britney Spears' latest hit, to Regine Velasquez's newest single, defining Red Box is a music oasis where anyone can sing his or her heart out in style.

Drink and Dine the Global Way

Most karaoke bars don't pay much attention to their food and drink offerings. How many times have you gone to a karaoke and ordered the usual sisig along with a conventional beer brand prepared and served in the same way bystanders in a sari-sari store do it?

Red Box's dining experience and menu is at par with the best restaurants in the city. Guided by culinary experts, Red Box offers a delectable selection of gastronomic delights ranging from local, Asian, continental and even vegetarian dishes. It is also the first karaoke bar to open at lunch time, providing metropolitan gourmands additional dining destinations.

To complement the menu, Red Box offers a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Quench your thirst after an intense song with skillfully prepared cocktail drinks like all time favorites Margarita and Sex on the Beach; top international beer brands like Stella Artois and Corona, and internationally renowned gourmet coffees and teas from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

World Class Leisure and Recreation Haven

Red Box also features a mix of leisure and recreational facilities that adds a sophisticated twist to your karaoke experience. This unique offering also enables you and your family or friends to gather in one place despite of varying interests. Whether you opt to play a game of pool, battle it out on the poker table or simply lounge in the karaoke bar's comfy sofa, Red Box makes sure that nobody will be left out of the fun.

The Hue of International Karaoke Experience

With Red Box's extensive and well thought of services, today’s more sophisticated urbanites can enjoy a karaoke experience that is comparable to how most first class cities in the world enjoy their own. “Before Red Box, the karaoke business has never been taken seriously. Mixing art, technology and a lot of fun, we want our customers to sing, eat, drink, play and lounge in the distinctly global Red Box way,” says Paolo.

Experience a different level of karaoke high. Red Box has branches in Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma. For more information and inquiries, please call 757-6188 or visit www.redbox.com.ph.

Photos and text from the Red Box press kit.

Cheers, everyone.

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Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites in Alabang

From the travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

Located in Alabang, at the southern tip of Metro Manila, the Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites offers a lovely place to stay for both business and leisure travellers.

The Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites is a 4-star hotel with a wide range of accomodation arrangements- with studios, suites and even 2-bedroom units. Arrangements can be made should you choose to stay for weeks or months at a time, or even a year. Units come with fully equipped kitchenettes and bars making for a more comfortable and enjoyable stay.

• Superior Room (Standard Room) - Floor Area: 34-35 square meters
• Deluxe Suite (One-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 38-42 square meters
• Executive Suite (One-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 42-44 square meters
• Premiere Suite (One-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 59-61 square meters
• Imperial Suite (Two-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 72-75 square meters
• Regal Suite (Two-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 105 square meters
• Royal Suite (Two-bedroom Suite) - Floor Area: 73 square meters

Guests who have stayed at Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites were very pleased with the staff, praising them for their attentiveness, hospitality and special attention- particularly with guests travelling with children.

Dining facilities of note include the Vivere Skyline located at the 31st floor, which serves buffet breakfast by day and has a magnificent view of the bay and the city, especially at night.

Other amenities, facilities and services include function rooms for banquets and meetings, The Forest Stream Spa, a business center, the Fitness Edge Gym and a playroom for children.


Vivere at the Richville Regency Suites
5102 Bridgeway Ave. Filinvest Corporate City,
Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
(+632) 771.7777
http://www.viveresuites.com


Other Sources:
http://www.travelmart.net
http://www.tripadvisor.com
http://www.travelsmart.net
http://www.asiarooms.com

Cheers, everyone!

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The Linden Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City

I have had the pleasure of staying at The Linden Suites several times in the recent past. Mostly for work-related functions back when I was still working for an FM radio station, but there were a couple of times when I have been able to spend a few days off and just kick back by hanging out here.

The Linden Suites is located right smack in the middle of the Ortigas Center, one of Metro Manila's more progressive business districts, as we've seen more and more outsourcing companies and multinationals setting up shop in the vicinity.

You also have a number of good shopping malls and restaurant strips around the Ortigas Center- more notably, Shangri-la Mall, SM Megamall and Robinsons Galleria- all three of which are along EDSA- and then you have The Podium (along San Miguel Avenue), MetroWalk along (Meralco Avenue), and Tiendesitas just a little bit ways off towards C5. All of these spots are within the general area of Linden Suites, the first three malls being the closest.

The Linden Suites is managed by the Hong Kong-based Swiss Belhotel International group. It has more than 160+ rooms, and you can choose to have a standard room (the Executive room), a one-bedroom suite, two-bedroom suite, or even a penthouse suite if you want to settle into more long-term accommodations.

Personally, I love getting one of the one-bedroom types. You get an adequately comfortable room that also comes with a kitchenette (with pretty much all the utensils you need to whip up a storm if you have to), and a nice little receiving area where you can just chill in front of the TV and catch on up your DVD viewing. Absolutely great if you have guests dropping by, or if you want to keep your family entertained for the weekend.

For me, the Linden Suites makes for an excellent destination for hosting a dinner party, or just relaxing with the family over a long weekend. It's very family-friendly; you can arrange to have baby-sitting services, rent a playstation for the room, or even grocery shopping arrangements if you need an extra hand getting things done with the kids around.

Ideal also for business travelers, the Linden Suites also has a business center with pretty much anything you might need to get some work done- broadband internet, conference rooms, laptops, overhead projectors, and even serviced offices if you might need one while you're in town.

If you need to relax, you can have a massage at the Health Center, or just stew for a while in the sauna, or take a dip in the indoor pool. I had a massage done a couple times myself- you can even choose to get it done in the comfort of your own room if you'd prefer. Just make sure you book well in advance.

As for food, you can ring up some room service, or head on over to the second level, which has the Azzurro Bistro and Bar. Alternately, you can head on out to Ortigas Center to check out the local nightlife, or if you even prefer, get some food delivered to your room from the many restaurants nearby.

I would have to say that The Linden Suites is a great place to stay whether you're traveling with the family, or if you're traveling on business. With the rates that they have, you easily get more for your money given the amenities and services available to you, even compared to a lot of hotels in the Makati or Manila area.

The Linden Suites is located at #37 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center in Pasig City. You can check out their website here. For inquiries and reservations, you might try calling their 24-hour customer service hotline at (+632) 638-7878. AsiaTravel.com has a map to The Linden Suites if you want to go check it out.

Cheers, everyone!

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The Bellevue Hotel Manila

From the Travel notes of Renzie Baluyut.

The Bellevue Hotel Manila is a 5-Star hotel located in Alabang- one of the more upscale and rapidly developing cities at the southern end of Metro Manila.

Mostly catering to business travelers and the occasional medical tourism market, the Bellevue Hotel Manila is conveniently located a short distance away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, two major shopping malls- Festival Mall some 2km away and the Alabang Town Center less than a kilometer away from the hotel.

Also very close by is the Asian Hospital & Medical Center, encouraging other guests to come stay while attending to their executive check-ups or other out-patient medical needs.

The Bellevue Hotel Manila has a free shuttle service to take you to the shopping malls mentioned above, or to the surrounding areas if needed.

The Hotel has some 222 well-appointed rooms and suites:

• Deluxe Room - Floor Area: 33 square meters
• Executive Suite - Floor Area: 61 square meters
• Premier Suite - Floor Area: 91 square meters
• Presidential Suite - Floor Area: 129 square meters

Many guests have praised the Bellevue Hotel Manila's cuisine- as buffet breakfasts are usually included in the accomodation packages. The spread includes a wide selection of food from Filipino, American, Asian and International stations. Buffets are also available for lunch and dinner.

Guests have also recommended the Bellevue Hotel Manila's well-equipped gym, beauty salon and spa.

A point worth mentioning is this: a number of guests have given the hotel high praises for running smoothly even when a category 3 typhoon ("Xangsane"/"Milenyo") hit the city in September 2006. The Bellevue Hotel Manila has power generators that kept it up and running even when the entire Metro Manila was without power for 2-4 days.

Other amenities include a number of function rooms and conference rooms, a business center, a pool on the second floor, a bar on the 20th floor and a pastry shop.

Check out the official website for the virtual tour. Average year-round price is US$182/night.


The Bellevue Hotel Manila
North Bridgeway, Northgate Cyberzone,
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Metro Manila, Philippines 1781
771-8181
www.thebellevue.com


Other Sources:
http://www.travelmart.net
http://www.tripadvisor.com
http://www.asiarooms.com

Cheers, everyone!

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