Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore

Just like the rest of the world travellers, we were fuzzed by the legendary Marina Bay Sands that in spite the fact, that we can only book an overnight stay because of our impromptu vacation, we obliged and the amazement of the structure was just surreal. Here are a few snaps from our stay, the only room available as per our travel agent was a deluxe space. Never really thought, that you have to book ahead of time if you want to stay in this five star hotel.

View from our room. We were placed at the Bay view room 'cos 'twas the only room available. Our view is the Gardens by the Bay.

So their deluxe room is consists of two single beds and an ample view of the bay. The bathroom's standard but they don't have bath tubs which somehow made me sad but it was neat. Maybe the other higher class rooms has one. What I like about the bathroom is the unique door - Japanese like and the condiments were all nice.

All controls are touch button. It was totally nice and the television is a computer /message machine too and you can browse through things you could do within the vicinity by clicking on the remote control. The best part is that all their telephone customer service operators are nice and friendly. Some are Filipinos and others race.

The highlight of them all - the unique infinity swimming pool on the topmost level - 'twas beautiful <3 p="">

Mind you, that freaking water is freaking mother effing COLD! I won't be posting my photo in it because I looked so terrible - I was shaking and my skin was literally having goose bumps under the water LOL but it had a nice view. My parents enjoyed it so much. I didn't bother to go over the edge - my fears of height was insane hahaha

Another sight to check at MBS is their Sky Deck Viewing area. Gives you a tremendous view of the fantastic landmarks in Singapore :)

Taken from a floor near the elevator. The building below is Marina shop where all branded brands you can think of stands and were the basement of it offers a boat ride within the mall itself and also the train station is below it. 

The only photo I took inside the Marina shop. LOL

All in all MBS was a great place to stay in - if you just want to stay inside the room and chill in the pool area. For more details check www.marinabaysands.com

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore

On my second time in Singapore but never really have any idea as to which hotel is the closest and at the heart of the city apart from The Fullerton Bay Hotel and Marina Bay Sands. The first time I stepped foot in Singapore was a few years back and I stayed at YMCA. 

This time around, we asked help from an agent to book a room for us since this travel was on the spot - I mean we literally decided to travel a week before the date we chose. But couldn't be more happier with the hotel that we stayed in. The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel is located at Coleman Rd., totally at the heart of it all. Everything was at walking distance - Clarke Quay, Raffles City, Raffles Exchange,  Suntec, Esplanade, Bugis and even China Town if you're not lazy. Not to mention, we had the best view of MBS and almost everything from our suite room.

We arrived around 7p in the hotel and this was the view from our suite room. We were situated on the 19th floor but I'm guessing the 20th to 21st floor had some serious gorge view :)

And this is around 1 in the morning. They basically shut off the lights from the water and the Esplanade but it was still breath-taking. At around 10p of every day the lights from the Marina Bay Sands sky deck dances indicating of a party like vibe on top.

View at around 7a. Singapore has late sunrise unlike the Philippines that rises at around 5.30 to 6a.

A view of the Clarke Quay on the side.

And the river fronting MBS on the other side. 

Entrance and condiments on the side. Oh! They provide unlimited coffee sachets and stuff :D

Living room.

King size bed and window seats on all sides of the room with moveable table, where you can place your drinks or food and stuff and the room has two televisions - one on the room side near the study table and the other on the living room. And since there were three of us, we opted for an extra bed for me which we placed on the living room and waking up to the view was just fascinating :)

Study table that has a perfect view of the bay :)

Bath tub that has glass windows that faces the living room. For this restroom, there were two doors (forgot to take a photo), one that opens from the entrance of the room and the other near the bed. Also forgot to the a photo of the shower but it was like that of Quest Hotel - glass separate toilet and shower. 

All in all, it was a good stay. I was too busy with schedule planning and stuff that I forgot to take photos of their buffet breakfast :D All reserved rooms comes with free breakfast but you have to be there earlier to enjoy the unlimited choices of food cos once you come in late then food is scarce. For room rates, you can check 

http://www.peninsulaexcelsiorhotelsingapore.com

I highly recommend this hotel for people who are more open to exploring the centre of Singapore by foot. They also have indoor pool and gym, restaurants, bars and sky deck on the 22nd floor where you can dine and have a view of the city. Again, pardon if I can't post the photos, it was either I was busy enjoying the sights or I was to lazy to snap and use my mobile and cameras. And if you're checking in, you can look for Shan via front desk and there are also other Filipinos who are working there :) And if you want the same room as ours, try booking for room 1914 or 2014 and 2114 :)

Cafe Maxims

My parents and I decided to spend a weekend at Manila, specifically at Resorts World Manila which happens to be my current favourite place in Luzon ('cos it reminded me of the Venetian in Macau). Had always passed by Cafe Maxims but never dined until during this trip.

We dined on a Saturday and they have this band playing some Christmas cheers and must I say, they're fine at it - a tiny orchestra :)

Their menu is consists of entrée that are commonly found in hotels but have to take a photo of this because the price of that pot of tea is disturbing :D It's vintage as per the lady who assisted us and it's just 7 grams of tea for that price. They also have this lists of coffee that's insane expensive but then again - this is Maxims and by that, I think most of their clients are high profile individuals who can readily afford to spend such price brackets :)

This is Chicken Carbonara and have to say, the sauce is nuts delish! There weren't much spices on it but its creaminess was heaven and the way the chicken was cooked was really fantastico! The serving kind of reminded me of my friend Eunice who served us with the same presentation when she made Bolognese for us back home.

Ramen Beef Burger - just have to try this out. It was really interesting but I have to admit - it was complicated to eat 'cos you'll basically end up mixing the crisp ramen with those burger toppings creating a stir fried noodle meal but I think I'm imagining too much. There's probably a right way of eating this but my dad and I decided to put the ramen aside and just eat the burger patty which was perfectly cooked :)

It was a good experience. I wouldn't suggest their coffee orders cos the taste is just so so, I still think Radisson Blu has the best Cafe Mocha ever :) The price is hotel standard price, so don't expect to pay less if you order less. They also offer coffee sets (like for meals, you'll have coffee and some macaroons  and biscuits and stuff).

TWG Tea 1837

My parent's are tea lovers - as for myself not so much but I just have to visit one particular shop in my mini vacation last week... a tea haven where the finest of the finest teas are served with elegance and grace - the TWG Tea 1837 shop.

I have to admit, I was in deep awe with the tin cans that surrounded the place, it felt like I was somewhere in Europe - it was a tea shop but it was damn sophisticated. Here are a few photos.

Entrance. A part from teas in bulk cans, they're also selling cute tea pots and cups from other countries. Some are made from the finest materials of silvers and porcelains. Prices are a bit expensive. Lowest price would be around 10,000php - close to 300usd.

My tea dates - my financiers :D

While I was having a hard time choosing my tea for the night, my mom was also struck with the place. Why I was having a hard time? They have like a hundred or more tea choices from different countries. They prolly have a thousand choices because our butler gave us a book which was half an inch thick, to which I forgot to take a photo of. I eventually ended with a familiar brand from a country which I'm so looking forward to visiting one day - Turkey. 

Pardon the constant photos of the things in our table but everything in there had the marking of TWG Tea even the knives, teaspoons and the cloth napkins :D Just perfectly beautiful :)

Our sides for the teas we ordered. Macarons (which I must say wasn't that awesome. i still prefer the ones made by Shangri-la in Greenbelt), Singaporean Pie (not sure of the name but it had Singapore in it, it has strawberries and creams. not really my brand of dessert), some... I dunno what that kind of bread is called - my mom ordered it (it's paired with cream and jams).

My Turkish Tea, the taste was more mellow than the one I had in Saigon and it automatically is my personal favourite from now here on wards if I get to dine at TWG Tea 1837 again :D

My dad who insisted on me taking a stolen shot of him as he pours himself a cup of - Chamomile Tea (i don't know what they ordered).

The interior and crew were all wonderful. I think what really attracted me to this place a part from the uber refine setting - are the burst of colours. I have to admit that the reason why I like Saigon is the excitement of the colours that I see on the locals painting and clothing shops and that's one reason why I also love the Middle Eastern Countries because they're so alive with colours even the spices in the local markets are bursting into colours and it amazes me all the time. And I am so looking forward to going back to this place soon :D 

Some selfies. Their tea pots are as shiny as the mirror - I think it was solely make of mirror - NOT. :D And here's yours truly trying to act mature but an epic failure because I am still a kid at heart and as my mother puts it "you're still my baby and you haven't changed a single bit"

All in all, 'twas truly a grand experience for me. The place had the private hotel lobby kind of vibe but better and I would so love to go on a date in this place over and over again :D One pot of a tea costs around 200php or 4usd but that's the cheapest, it could go as high as 8usd per pot depending on your choice of tea. 

Now, if you're uncertain of what to order then you can stick with the basic Green Tea or if you're adventurous, try the ones from other countries. I would totally have to suggest something that's some the Middle Eastern countries because I know they offer goo tasting blends. Or you could opt for the Silver Moon Tea which smells like heaven and taste like heaven :) 

They also offer food choices and they're kid friendly, so head on there now :)

Waterfront Davao

At the heart of Davao city lies The Waterfront Insular Hotel that is adjacent to the famous Samal Island. It was my first time to visit the place and check out the food. Here are a few photos.

Since it is a resort, the lobby area and the restaurant are open air spaces.

The food on the menu that we tried out. Prices ranged from 200php to 1000php. If you noticed, it's mostly pizza because the restaurant was an Italian and pizza and pastas were their specialities. Taste was so so, very traditional when it comes to ingredients but I love the pizza crusts that were thinly created. Must be proud, their chefs were Filipinos.

The famous Mango Shake, to which the Philippines is known for.

The area is surrounded by coconut trees which should be because it is fronting the sea, the name Waterfront literally applies to this hotel. It is very different from their branch in Cebu. Waterfront Cebu is more elegant and the restaurants are far more creative when it comes to services and food presentations. 

If you're curious as to how The Waterfront Cebu looks like, check this: 

http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/waterfront-cebu-city-hotels-casino/