Top 3 Reasons Why Mezzo Hotel is the Hotel to Book in Cebu City

A trip to Cebu City in the Philippines is something a traveler should prepare for. The “Queen City of the South” offers a multitude of attractions whether historical, dining, or lifestyle destinations. So when coming over, it’s not only essential to map out your itinerary but to also search for a hotel in Cebu City that can serve as both a jump-off point to the city’s popular places and a relaxing retreat to come home to after a day of adventure.

And right in the heart of the city, you’ll find your home-away-from-home: MezzoHotel. While marketed as a business hotel, it’s also the ideal accommodation for tourists visiting Cebu for leisure. Here are three factors why Mezzo Hotel is a good lodging choice in the city:

1. Accessible location. Located in F. Cabahug Street in Mabolo, Mezzo Hotel is pretty much right in the middle of everything. Want to go shopping? Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu are just a 10-minute drive from the property. Looking for a relaxing spot in the city? The Rainforest Park and Cebu Country Club are nearby. Seeking to explore historical attractions? The popular Magellan’s Cross is some 22 minutes away while Fort San Pedro, the oldest fort in the Philippines, is some 15 minutes from Mezzo Hotel.

2. Comfortable and spacious rooms. After a whole day of being out and about, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a cozy place to put your feet up? Mezzo Hotel’s rooms are the perfect spaces to rest. The minimalist look gives the illusion of space and exudes a relaxing ambiance. All rooms have high-quality pocket bed mattresses, mini-bar, and private bath with shower and basic amenities. Wi-Fi internet access is provided, whether you need to work in between trips or to share your snaps on your social media accounts.

3. Topnotch facilities. There’s a bar and café within the premises of this Cebu City hotel, so any time you’re craving for meals or snacks, you don’t have to venture far. Care for a swim? The indoor lap pool can be enjoyed by guests of the hotel. If you’re mixing business with pleasure while in Cebu, Mezzo Hotel offers the essentials: business center services, car rental, and function rooms and banquet services.

Convinced that Mezzo Hotel is the ideal accommodation for your Cebu trip? Why not book a stay now? Best to take advantage of its Early Bird Promo that includes 10% discount on rooms plus breakfast for two. Just use the code EBP2018 when booking on its website until August 31, 2018. This deal applies to stays from September 20 to December 10 of the same year.

Mezzo Hotel is located in F. Cabahug corner President Quezon Streets, Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines 6000. For more details on this Cebu accommodation and what it offers, visit http://mezzohotel.com.

How to Make the Most of a 24-hour Layover in Makati City

Let’s say you’re on a layover in Manila and you’ve booked a stay at The Mini Suites Eton Tower in Makati, what do you do with your extra time? While layovers provide you an opportunity to squeeze in a short side-trip in big cities, you sometimes end up being swamped with a ton of options for activities. Here’s a short list to help you make sure you spend more of your time actually enjoying Makati, and not wasting it all on deciding where to go.


1. IMMERSE IN CULTURE


Hit two birds with one stone by paying a visit to Ayala Museum. Connected to shopping complexes, this well-curated museum not only brings you closer to the center of the city, but also to the heart of Filipino culture. It features an extensive display of Philippine contemporary art and pre-colonial archaeological artifacts that are sure to give you a substantial knowledge about the country and its history.

 2. QUAINT COFFEE HUBS


There are a lot of themed restaurants and coffee shops around Metro Manila, but being in Makati, you don’t really have to go far. Shops such as Mudpie Haven, Habitual Coffe, and Caffe Bene offer quaint places to just relax in the middle of the bustling city. Their contemporary interiors and premium coffees are definitely a breath of fresh air from the typical Starbucks-type coffee shop.

 3. POCKETS OF GREEN


While Makati looks highly urbanized with its towering skyscrapers and busy streets, it doesn’t forget your need for a dose of nature and greenery. Scattered around the Central Business District are parks that allow you to be in the heart of the city while doing away with the unwanted heat and pollution. One of the most famous parks, the Ayala Triangle, also doubles as an events place in Makati where free performances are sometimes available. It also provides food options with a variety of restaurants within the park’s vicinity.

4. AN ENERGETIC NIGHTLIFE


One of the things Makati is most known of is its vibrant scenes once the daylight retires. This city is peppered with a variety of options for a night out. Dine a-la Great Gatsby in the classy halls of The Penthouse 8747, or have a taste of Asian cuisine while partying at Buddha Bar. Really, the options are almost limitless. From clubs to pubs, laid-back jamming sessions to exhilarating parties, you will never run out of things to do in Makati at night.

 5. RETIRE IN FULL COMFORT


There’s no better way to cap off the day than a restful sleep. Get fully energized before you take on another long flight to your final destination and book a room in one of Makati’s favorite accommodations. While many options are available around the area, among the top choices for travelers is The Mini Suites Eton Tower Makati. Returning guests rave about its rooms’ neatness and affordability. Check their newly launched website for promos and packages.

7 Tips On How To Be A Better Hotel Guest

Some hotel accommodations in Cancun do not come cheap and this is why guests feel the need to “maximize the experience” everytime they check in. While it’s true that as a guest, you are entitled to certain privileges during your stay, it’s still not an excuse to be the guest of housekeeping staff’s nightmares.

From travelandleisure.com

Hotel housekeepers have seen it all – those who party real hard and threw up all over the carpeting, guests who let animals in a pet-free accommodations, those who store used condoms in coffee pots – you get the idea. No matter how much you paid for your room, you should always exercise etiquette during your stay, even if you are not prone to rockstar-thrashing-the-room kind of behavior.

Here are some tips to be a housekeeping-friendly guest:

• Clear the bed of clothes and bags before housekeeping makes your bed. They don’t want to touch personal stuff as much as possible, so you will make it easy for them to fix the bed when your stuff is placed on the desk or side chairs.
• Clear the floor of shoes and other stuff as much as possible. Store your items in one area of the room or in your wardrobe. This will make it easier for housekeepers to vacuum the floor.
• Place the stuff you want to dispose off in the garbage bins. Housekeepers will not move items that are not in the bins. So even if it’s obvious that your candy wrapper is meant to be trashed, they wouldn’t place it there themselves.
• Dispose tea leaves properly. Put them in the garbage bin and don’t flush them down the toilet. Tea leaves can cause clogging.
• Make good use of the towels. If you only used it once, you can use it again instead of getting a fresh one. Hang the used towel so the housekeeper will leave it alone. If you do want your towels changed, place them in the shower or bathtub.
• Make good use of bathroom amenities. Refrain from opening multiple bars of soaps if one will suffice. Same goes for shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste. If you’re not planning to take the bars and bottles home, it’s better to not waste the free stuff, which can be used by other guests.
• Sometimes you don’t really need your room to be cleaned, especially if you’re staying for just a night or two. Give the housekeeper a break by hanging the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door, which signifies that you don’t require your room to be cleaned.

Of course, a hotel is only as good as the people who manage it. If you’re looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres with excellent staff and great accommodations, look no further than Hotel Casa Maya. Located at Boulevard Kukulcan, Hotel Casa Maya boasts of elegant and homey rooms with magnificent views of the Caribbean, making it one of the best places to stay when in Cancun.

Space and comfort are very much evident in our accommodations in Cancun, which are equipped with amenities such as cable TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, private toilet and bath, safe, dressing room, and hair dryer. Some of the rooms have kitchens and dining area.

The stunning view of the ocean and fine beach sand serve as perfect backdrop to enjoy the stellar service from our bilingual staff. Enjoy the use of first class amenities including the swimming pool and jacuzzi, Beach Club for beach activities and water sports, and Lobby Bar for refreshing drinks and cocktails.

Hotel Casa Maya has several restaurants: Restaurante La Veranda for breakfast and international buffet; Las Brisas Restaurant for Mexican, international, and seafood dishes; Super Maya for delicatessen and coffee; and Coco Loco for appetizing drinks and snacks.

Coco Loco

This hotel in Cancun is known for being a tropical haven for leisure and business travelers, thanks to its wonderful location. Situated right by the beach in Cancun, Hotel Casa Maya is the perfect spot for those who want to be just a few steps away from the beach and also close to other places of interest in the area like a shopping mall, gaming facility, golf course, and dining and night life options.

First time in Cancun? Check out these 5 travel tips so you can enjoy your getaway without worries.

Pay less for an extraordinary experience in Cancun. You can visit the hotel website for direct reservations and inquiries.

Things to Do When You’ve Only Got 24 Hours to Explore Penang

I don’t know why you’ll give yourself only 24 hours to tour a whole island. Maybe you’re doing multiple city visits in a limited time or this is just a spontaneous trip. Whatever it is, it’s done. So how can you fully experience the perfect mix of the cosmopolitan and heritage in a place such as Penang?

Well, we’ve got a few ideas.

Choose the most ideal Penang accommodation

One of the first things you need to do is find a hotel with access to all the most important destinations in Penang. For instance, Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort is minutes away from restaurants, shopping centres, and heritage sites. You can’t afford to lose time commuting long distances.

Temple run

Picture from Picture from http://www.constructionplusasia.com/cheah-kongsi/

Start your tour early in the morning, and do it with temples. The reason being that it can get completely overcrowded and might not get to appreciate the architecture and the spiritual significance of the differing temples.

Make sure to visit Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Khoo Kongsi, and Kuan Yin Temple.

Memorials and ancestral mansions

From morning to mid-day, make your way to the memorial sites and the preserved mansions. Places like the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Peranakan Museum,  Fort Cornwallis, and the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Restaurants and the Clan Jetties

At mid-day, around 11:00 AM at least so it’s not exactly lunchtime, treat yourself to some local delights. The reason you want to grab lunch early is so you can get seats before the rush.  Visit Penang’s best hawker centres like New Lane Hawker Centre, Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, or the Long Beach Food Court.

Then just as the food centres are thick with people, you can jettison out of there and visit the Clan Jetties. Take a relaxing stroll and see rustic houses standing on stilts over water. There are at least 6 jetties you can visit here, named after the surnames of Chinese families who owned them before.

Shopping centres

By this time, it’s already evening, and you’re probably tired of touring. You can start draining your remaining adrenaline by shopping!

Make your way to Gurney Plaza Shopping Mall or Paragon Mall for your unique bargains.

Explore the Penang nightlife

Now that the day is drawing to an end, you can just chill at the local bars and pubs to get a dose of Penang’s nightlife. Head over to the Penang Upper Road and check out all the places lined along the street.

Drop by Slippery Senoritas, Three Sixty Rooftop Bar, or Soho Free House.

That’s your 24-hour itinerary! Make your Penang trip extra special when you take advantage of Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort's website exclusive offers!

Enjoy taking that odd trip!

3 Places To Visit In Bataan To Cap Off Summer 2018

This summer season, a trip to Bataan should be in the books. Pack your bags and head to Central Luzon to experience the beauty and culture that this province has to offer.

Miraculous Images

For the religious, Orani Church is a must-see. Also called the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church, this site is a pilgrim shrine which many Catholic devotees come to visit every year.

The Orani Church features majestic architecture comprised of old and new techniques. Pay close attention to the Batingaw ng Orani, the church’s heritage bell which shows the loyal faith of the people of Orani to the Lord.

Never Forget the Death March

Bataan was the site of some especially gruesome parts of history. The Death March of World War II would definitely top the list in terms of historical impact.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to march on foot from Bataan to Tarlac.

This was a journey of 97 km to 112 km, for prisoners who were tired, starved, injured from severe physical abuse, and lacked sleep. Anywhere from 5,650 to 18,000 died as a result of this Death March, forever cementing the Japanese as one of the cruelest military colonizers in Asia.

To honor the lives of the fallen, the Bataan Death March Marker was constructed in Mariveles and Bagac, Bataan to mark ground zero of this event. You can visit this to pay your respects as well as view the site of this moment in history to remember how many people sacrificed their lives for democracy.

Historical Heritage Houses

A trip to Bataan isn’t complete without a visit to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the best beach resort in Bataan. The only Historic Hotels Worldwide property in the Philippines, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the Bagac, Bataan resort that will make you feel as if you traveled back in time.

Each casa or house is painstakingly restored to its former glory; however, if you book a stay in one of them, you will be treated to modern amenities such as Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, and in-room coffee and tea facilities.

If you’re short on time, you can enjoy a heritage walking day tour with family and friends, or else book a room for a night and have more time to marvel over the majestic Spanish-era architecture. Reservations are easy; head over to https://lascasasfilipinas.com and check availability and prices for your preferred dates.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Quiet and Relaxing Holiday in the Bustling City of Makati

Although Makati City is one of the busiest places in Metro Manila, Philippines, anyone can still enjoy a laid-back retreat here. And this is possible by trying different activities, such as visiting spas, museums, and churches.

For many, a quick stay in a serviced apartment in Makati City amounts to being enveloped in the lively spirit of the bustling metropolis. Since it is among the most important financial and commercial areas in the country, this is highly expected. However, what others don't know is, any traveler can have the opportunity to savor some peace and quiet during their visit to the city. And they can experience this by trying these different activities and things to do in Makati.

1. Taking a walk in the park
Ayala Triangle Gardens – easily the most charming park and one of the best places to visit in Makati – is a sight to see if you desire to spend a laid-back day. Here, you'll find yourself cradled in an arboreal retreat, which, although seated in the heart of the Central Business District, is sure to let you savor some quiet time.

2. Visiting a church
If wanting a place where you can reflect for as long as you desire, then it is a good idea to visit a church. An ideal choice is Nuestra Senora de Gracia Church, a Baroque building that is located along Bernardino Street in Gudalupe Viejo – one of the oldest parishes in the city. Indeed, the peace and quiet that this Makati attraction lends to its visitors makes it a must-visit site.

3. Entering museums
If you fancy hopping from one gallery to another, then the city will be just right for you, since it has museums to fill your fancy. An example is Yuchengco Museum, which is found within RCBC Plaza at the intersection of Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenues. It features a collection of works from renowned local artists, such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. You may also head over to the corner of Makati Avenue and Dela Rosa Street, and enter Ayala Museum, where you'll find more galleries that embody Philippine art and culture.

4. Shopping spree
Makati is home to some of the best shopping malls in the country, and most of them are in the CBD. Greenbelt is where you will find luxurious restaurants, cafés, and boutiques set in a lush green landscape. If you're searching for the best place to watch movies or knock some pins down in game of bowling, you should head over to Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center. And if it is affordable yet quality apparel that you want, then The Landmark should be your destination.

5. Spending a few hours at the spa
What better way there is to end a fun-filled day than by entering an establishment that promises nothing but relief? Whether it is a full-body massage, your much-desired pedicure session, or a soothing aromatherapy bath, you can have it in Makati. And among the most well-known places that deliver these services is Aegle Wellness Center, the on-site integrative health and wellness center of The Alpha Suites. To get an exclusive access to this facility, book a room in this serviced apartment in Makati.

7 Life Lessons To Be Learned While Stand-Up Paddling in Loboc

Throughout history, many things have been said about the parallels of sports and real life. Athletes and the common folk push their bodies and spirits amid training and hardships to achieve triumph—or at the very least—wisdom and character building. 

This goes the same, when trying to learn the elegant and challenging art of stand-up paddle boarding in Loboc River in Bohol, Philippines.
 

1. GET THE RIGHT TOOLS 

Painters need the right brushes, canvas, and paint. Stand-up paddlers need the appropriate gear. First, pick the widest, thickest and longest board you can find. It will help keep you steady and balanced. Next up, the paddle needs to be around 25 cm longer than you for better grip and traction. Finally, the leash has to be either as long as or a bit shorter than your board. 

2. START IN CALM WATERS 

Just like training wheels when you were first learning how to ride a bike, you need to take it slow find your balance in calm waters at the beginning. 

3. DON’T BE AFRAID 

You will fall. And you will fall a lot! But don’t let that stop you! In the words of the Batman’s trusty friend and butler, Alfred Pennyworth: “Why do we fall sir? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” 

4. LEARN TO TAKE A FALL 

While it doesn’t look pretty when they take a tumble, stuntmen and skateboarders are expert when it comes to take a fall. Ask your instructor or coach to teach you. Learning how to fall will help you avoid getting injured.
 

 
5. DON’T LOOK AT YOUR FEET 

Always look forward. It just like taking dance lessons. You look at your partner or instructor and not below so you don’t crash into others. 

6. TACKLE THE WAVES YOU KNOW YOU CAN TACKLE 

There are a handful of videos and stories online about high school kids and knucklehead fans challenging – and trash talking–professional basketball players. And every time, they end up getting beat and humiliated. Lesson here: Don’t bite more than you can chew.
 

 
7. WEAR A VEST 

It could be an actual life vest or a metaphorical one. You need a thick skin to succeed and survive in sports and in life. 

To know more about stand-up paddle boarding, check out Loboc River Resort in Bohol, Philippines at www.lobocriverresort.com.