Staycation: Sofitel Philippine Plaza

According to my friend “Wiki” , Staycation (Stay at Home + Vacation = Staycation)  is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance or taking a vacation to a location relatively close to home.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza has been a favorite staycation venue for my family whenever we have special occasions to celebrate. Reason for this is because the hotel in itself is only located in Roxas Boulevard, the resort style lagoon pools overlooking the Manila Bay sunset, plus the good breakfast selection at Spiral convinced us that Sofitel is truly an oasis resort within the bustling city of Manila.

                            

We booked a standard room good enough for a family of four 

aaww :) a welcome note from the management on my 2nd visit

Pool View from our room veranda.

My kids having fun at the pool 

There is even mini sandbox and kid's play area near the pool. A great opportunity to make friends too:)

Hammocks and loungers are spread within the garden overlooking the Manila Bay a great venue for some photo ops activities like these :)

    

And this is the magnificent Manila Bay sunset...Ang ganda di ba?

Our stay was during the month of February and there was a Pyromusical Competition held at Mall of Asia that time. Thus, at the pool area we were able to have a glimpse of the spectacular fireworks for free :)

  

The only cons with the fireworks competition that time....we were not able to go out of the hotel due to the congested traffic outside and instead obliged to have a room service for dinner :(

What I love even more with Sofitel is the Breakfast Buffet selection at Spiral. My Kids are still free of charge that time yipee so there's no add-on with the rate I booked for the Standard Room with free breakfast for two.

                 

J1 and J2 enjoying the donuts' section

                                 

and this is my buffet breakfast plate Spiral Edition :)

Over-all considering the ambiance and the kid-friendly activities, Sofitel is a good choice for a staycation for family with young kids.  A peso value of around Php6k++ (Please check the reservation for the updated rate) of an overnight stay with breakfast plus the amenities for your kids is already a good steal for a luxurious staycation at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. 

Sofitel Philippine Plaza

CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard,

Pasay City

Tel No: (+632) 551-5555

Fax No:(+632) 551-5610

Date of Visit: February 2011

Club Punta Fuego-Nasugbu, Batangas

Club Punta Fuego is a premiere residential beach resort at Nasugbu, Batangas. Managed by Landco and Fuego Hotel and Properties, Club Punta Fuego is nestled in an 88 hectare flame-shaped peninsula along the coast of Nasugbu, Batangas. The panoramic view of the sky and the pristine beaches with a scenic view of the West Philippine Sea made Punta Fuego one of the sought after beach resort in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Its exclusivity complimented by its world class facilities and modern day amenities, made Punta Fuego as one of our favorite venue for our Company’s corporate events and activities.  

An enclave within the stretch of Nasugbu coastline, Club Punta Fuego comprises three properties offering various activities that would surely surpass the resort guest’s expectations.

Peninsula de Punta Fuego

This is where the Main Club is located. It boasts a wide array of facilities such as the mini golf-course, 33 casitas, restaurants, function halls, spa, tennis court that would surely make your stay worthwhile and enjoyable. What made Peninsula truly stand out among the other properties is the signature double infinity pool with a nice view of the West Philippine Sea.

The signature double infinity pool at the Main Clubhouse

Casitas with a good view of the sea

San Diego Restaurant

Some of the dishes we tasted at the Restaurant

 

Near the Main Clubhouse is a 2-3 minute shuttle ride down the lower beach

Pool at the Lower Beach

Picturesque view at the lower beach

Kid's playground 

The Punta Fuego Yacht Club

For marina aficionados out there, a hobby which distinctly belongs to the rich and famous, The Punta Fuego Yacht Club has marina facilities with floating berth which can accommodate 30 boats and 100 boats on dry dock. It has locker rooms and bar from which it serves as a jump start of some water sports activities.Club Punta Fuego is also a host to the annual Regatta event competition.

Terrazas de Punta Fuego

About 15 minutes ride from the Main Club is the Terrazas de Punta Fuego, as guest of Peninsula, you can also use the facilities of Terrazas de Punta Fuego. It boasts a nice stretch of the beach, open-air Balinese style cabanas, multi-level pool  and some water sports facilities.

Balinese Style Cabanas

Date of Visit: November 2011

Club Punta Fuego

Balaytigue, Nasugbu, Batangas

Website: http://www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph/

A Blast from the Past @ Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar, Bagac, Bataan

With our great enthusiasm to shoot and explore our wannabe photographic “tsamba” shots, me and officemates decided to have our very first photowalk experience at Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar, Bagac, Bataan. Armed with our cameras, companions from our family as well as the Filipiniana Costume (yes since this is our very first photowalk, we decided to wear this so we could have a thematic shots for our folio, feeling professional right?) we headed up to this historical site depicting the Spanish colonial architecture.

With only about 1 ½ - 2 hour drive from Manila via NLEX and SCTEX, this heritage site is a project of New San Jose Builders. The village is a picturesque collection of Spanish colonial houses tucked in cobblestone pavements.

Accordingly some of the colonial houses were uprooted from different parts of the country and were restored and rebuild to its original perfection.

Aside from the living museum of Spanish colonial houses, it is also a heritage resort with a good view of the West Philippine Sea.  

a "batis" concept pool

batis pool with a view of the West Philippine Sea

You can also ride a cartela to roam around the complex.

We stayed in Paseo de Escolta which offers modern amenities, comfy bed and a veranda with a good view of the complex.

nice facade of the exterior of Paseo de Escolta 

and here is the interior, a comfy bed with immaculate linen and mattresses with big bathroom

                       

A cultural show at night will make your dining experience even more special and entertaining.

see my kids in their Filipiniana costume

A visit to this place will surely transport you to the Philippine Spanish era or even transformed yourself as one of the characters in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Vamonos!!! and have a blast from the past at Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar.

Date of Visit : March 2010

Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar

Bo. Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan

For reservations contact their Manila sales and reservations office at 332-5338; 355-3032 or visit their website @  http://lascasasfilipinas.com