Director's Club Groupie Experience for First Timers

For my 40th Birthday, I invited my girl friends to watch a movie at a Director's Club Cinema (DCC).  We were all excited as it was our first time to watch a movie via DCC.  

A DCC is truly an intimate, cinema experience.

You can relax and enjoy the movie (just don't sleep) in a La-Z-Boy Power Recline XR+ seats.

Patrons are served a complimentary bowl of freshly popped popcorn upon arrival.

Then order some more by just a push of a button (classy).

Me and my girl friends enjoying the experience.

Thumbs up for DCC.  Will definitely be back, next time with my kiddos.

For details visit www.smcinema.com, or follow SM Cinema at www.facebook.com/SMCinema.

The Linden Suites ~ Christmas Holiday Season Promo

Are you looking for a quick holiday staycation ~ where you can truly relax?   Then check out The Linden Suites.

 

 

With the many hotels in the metro, The Linden Suites stands out as being one that offers business or leisure travelers world class accommodations and notable service.

 

The elegance and functionality of one of the top hotels in Pasig City is known for having spacious guestrooms.

They have 12 types of suites:

Deluxe Room

One Bedroom Suites

Two Bedroom Suites

Three Bedroom Suites and

Penthouse Suites

 

They have recreation areas, dining and health facilities for a well rounded and relaxing stay.

• The hotel offers buffet breakfast; all day dining and room service, function spaces that can accommodate small and medium size groups (available for business meetings and social events).
• They have recently refurbished their suites, complete with kitchen facilities, posh lobby, indoor heated swimming pool and more.
• Their in house dine establishment, Mesclun Restaurant And Café offers world-class international cuisine. Ideal for business breakfasts, lunch meetings, work dinners and family gatherings.
• Guests can unwind at The Linden Suites Health Club which has a fully equipped gym, temperature-controlled indoor pool, jacuzzi hot tub, and a sauna and spa massage.

The Linden Suites location is perfect for families wanting to have fun and enjoy. It is located right in the heart of  Ortigas, near major shopping malls and other leisure establishments.

This holiday season The Linden Suites is offering you the Suite-est Holiday with these special rates.

 

 

 

For more information on The Linden Suites, you may visit their website and facebook page:

 

Website: http://lindensuites.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LindenSuites/

Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Hotel_Review-g298453-d1199124-Reviews-The_Linden_Suites-Pasig_Metro_Manila_Luzon.html

 

 

The Linden Suites
37 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center,
Pasig City 1600, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel: (63 2) 638 7878
Fax: (63 2) 638 7877 | (63 2) 631 6547

Sales@Lindensuites.Com
Reservations@Lindensuites.Com
 

Crowne Plaza Manila Hotel Staycation

 

What to do on a long holiday-weekend?

 

Yup, you got that one right: A family staycation at one of Ortigas premier hotels~

Crowne Plaza Hotel

 

We booked ourselves a corner Deluxe Room.

 

The room is spacious (about 50sqm.), enough for my boys to run and play around. 

You don't get this much space abroad. 

 

The room has a floor to ceiling window that overlooks the hotel pool (which it shares with Holiday Inn hotel next door). 

 

 

 

My son, found his spot.  He claimed this comfortable side chair with foot stool for watching TV.

 

There is a 42inches LED TV hooked to good selection of local and international channels (obviously ours was tuned to the Nick and Disney channel the entire time).

 

  

 

Complimentary coffee and tea

 

 

Huge bathroom, with a separate shower and bath tub.

 
 
 

 

Yes, there is bidet

 

 

 

 

 Basic toiletries...

 

 Bath robe and a safety box, completes the room.

 

 

 

VERDICT

• Location is A+. We love that it has a direct access to Robinson's Galleria mall.   
• Service is great as expected of an IHG hotel. Staff are amiable and efficient.
• Our room is spic-and-span. However, age is catching up and would soon require renovation and probably some upgrade,  I remember the last time we've stayed at his hotel and it was immaculately clean, smells new too.
• Buffet breakfast is good with a wide selection of food, but fails in comparison to our previous visit. 
• Overall it is a nice family hotel.  We would love to come stay again, just by its location alone.

 

For reservations and inquiries, please visit their website:

CROWNE PLAZA

 

 

 

Luxurious Family Staycation at Marco Polo Ortigas

I have always admired the Marco Polo Hotel brand. It is a known fact, that the Marco Polo has made a name synonymous to warm hospitality, comfort and luxury.

A staycation at its newly opened Ortigas hotel, was just simply waiting for the perfect occasion. And since we didn't want to go far this Holy Week, after last year's tiring Pangasinan trip, we thought a hotel break was in order. 

We booked Marco Polo's Easter Wonder Family Room Package, which included: breakfast for four (two adults and two kids), free access to the Piccolo Kids Play area, wi-fi access and tickets to the Easter Funtasy Egg Hunt. 

Our holiday started the moment we entered the hotel. The hotel lobby was grand and modish! Staff were genuinely courteous and hospitable.

The counter was a block buster, for a Black Saturday check-in.

Although check-in took a while (which was expected since many decided to stay in the Metro given the bad weather which was typhoon Chedeng), the stable and strong wifi internet connection, kept my boys busy; and the spacious hotel lobby with plenty of comfortable seating, served as my kiddos play ground while waiting for our room.

At check-in, we were elated to learn that we have been upgraded to a Premier Room (yehey! clap-clap).  Check out these room pictures.  

We fell in love with the rooms, right after we opened the door.

Our room is neat as pin.  The room is spacious, for the kids to run about (oh and they were running a whole lot of our time there).  Decoration is tasteful and very elegant.  While, amenities more than satisfactory.

Comfortable King sized bed

With separate seating area and welcome fruits.

Nespresso coffee machine and tea making facilities.

In room safe.

And one of the biggest bathroom we have been to.  You can fit a dozen people in there!

Separate toilets and shower area.

 

Luxurious marble bath tub, plush robes. Towels were new, fluffy and soft.

Classy triple bathroom mirror, with dual sink :P

  

Toiletries were only of very good quality.

The boys just had to check out the pool before leaving.  I love indoor pool (specially heated pools). This one is no exception.

One need not travel far to relax and have fun. For a quick weekend get-away with your love ones, MamaSpeaks recommends  Marco Polo staycation. Truly a relaxing experience. 

For booking and inquiries:

Website: Marco Polo Ortigas

Tel. (+632) 720 7777

Email: manila@marcopolohotels.com

Address: Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street

Ortigas Center, Pasig City



Ark of the Avilon Zoo

 

For a quick city edu-entertainment with you child, you might want to check out the Ark of the Avilon Zoo.

 

 

 

 

 ARK AVILON ZOO is the only indoor interactive zoo in the country.  It is two storey building resembling the biblical Noah's Ark.

I was there recently, as a chaperon to my son's school fieldtrip. It was nothing like the zoos we have visited in Singapore (you can check out our Singapore Zoo trips here: Singapore Zoo).


The Ark is quite small and you can easily tour the entire zoo in a an hour or less.  But I do appreciate that it is indoor (away from the scorching heat of the sun or otherwise monsoon weather).

 

 

The Ark Avilon's offers:

 

1. Photo opportunities with the zoo's star attractions like JENNY the Bornean Orangutan, AYLA the Palawan Bearcat, NARDO and ALEX the Cockatoos, TYSON the Burmese Python and  BUSTY the Pony;
2. Farm animals feeding at FARMLAND Fun Feeding Station;
3. Arts and crafts making using recycled materials, and
4. Venue for celebrating birthday parties and other corporate events. 

 

 

 

TIPS:

1. Bring lots of loose 20s for the animal feeding.
2. Bring insect repellant.
3. Don't expect too much from the place.  It is a bit old and requires an upkeep.
4. You can bring your own food inside the Ark, subject to P25 corkage fee per person.

 

 

Ark Avilon Zoo is located at Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue corner C-5, Pasig City, Philippines

(+632) 706 2992 / arkavilonzoo@gmail.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Entrance Fee is P400 (Below 3feet is P300)

20% discount for Senior Citizen and PWD (with Senior Citizen ID / PWD ID card)

Operating Hours: 9am to 6pm

 

Army Navy Ortigas Extension

 

This is my 2nd Army Navy experience (after my not so good review of my Army Navy at Valero Makati branch , I never thought I would be giving the brand another try). 

 

This time, we have the kiddos with us.  Everyone, was craving Mexican and there weren't any Mexican restaurants in town, so the Army Navy signage was a welcome sight.

 

We came half an hour early for lunch, which was a good thing as the place has very limited sitting. I imagine this place can be jumped packed with hungry peeps lunch time.

 

 

My boys ordered quesadillas, burritos and a starving sailor (a huge steak-sandwich).

 

 

VERDICT: Food was actually better compared to my previous order.  The boys loved the quesadillas and the starving sailor, while I enjoyed the burritos.  

AMBIANCE: The place needs some serious cleaning. The tables were filthy.  As a mom, It has became a habit to wet-wipe clean the tables as soon as we've seated.  I was shocked to see my white wipes turn dirty black. 

Oh and no matter what, please don't enter the rest room (I was close to vomiting as soon as I entered the room).  Which leaves me thinking, how clean is their kitchen?


So will there be a 3rd Army Navy, after a strike 2?  I honestly don't think so.

For the brave mamas who still wish to try, this Army Navy branch is located at Ortigas Ave Ext cor Tanguille St Cainta, Rizal (02) 570-4826. 

BSA Twin Tower Pools

I was quite impressed to know that for a small condo-hotel, BSA Twin Towers in Ortigas has two (2) pools. 

 

My boys love the water and swimming is a must whenever there is a pool around!

BSA has a lap pool and a lagoon (sort of) inspired pool. 

There was also a jacuzzi, but it was close when we went there, hence can't say much about it.

 

 

the pools were clean and pretty decent, but the water was chilling... that however, will not stop my boys from swimming!

My boys fooling around as usual!

The pools were small but it was okay, we were the only one there...

We were having such fun, when my husband cut himself on one of the pool's broken tiles.  He ran a deep cut on the sole of his foot, so we hurried the kiddos out of the water (my poor paps... ). I don't want them to hurt themselves, those broken tiles are dangerous).
 

Post script: We reported the broken tiles to one of maintenance staff before leaving and I do hope the hotel fixed it soon before somebody else gets hurt.   

KidsVille @ Podium Mall

 

My kids had swell fun playing adults at Podium Mall's KidzVille. 

 

The toys were made child size and were so cute. I found myself having fun time as well! 

 

It was a worthwhile bonding activity playing pretend with my boys!

 

 

 

playing a super hero (inside Superman's telephone booth)

 

 

a school bus sits right next to a school house

 

my boys playing mechanics this time

 

this fireman rushing via a firepole!

 

At the farm house - the boys got to feed the animals and ride them at the same time.

 

a grocery store, stocked with groceries and produce, was one my kid's favorite zones.

 



how much for the peanuts, mom?

 

the streets of kidsville - no worries no fast moving cars

playing medics



all healthy!!!

 

my eldest loves building stuffs!

All these playing made me hungry.  What's cooking son?

 



The kids had so much fun - playing adults at KidzVille.

 

We would definitely be back.

 

 

KidzVille is located at the 4F Podium Mall, ADB Avenue Pasig City.