Hotel and Inn Review: Hollywood Hotel (Hong Kong)

Date of Stay: May 31-June 1, 2007

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: *******

Hollywood Hotel

The Art Deco-style  Hollywood Hotel is one of two hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland (the other is the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel).  This Hollywood-themed hotel has 600 airconditioned rooms (Garden View, Sea View and Park View) with ensuite bath, flat screen LCD TV, work desk, refrigerator, in-room safe and in-room high-speed internet access.

Suite 3737

The stylish but contemporary rooms all pay tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood with special Disney furnishings. 



It also has restaurants (Chef Mickey, the full-service Studio Lounge bar, the al fresco Sunset Terrace), a coffee shop (Hollywood & Dine) that offers Western and Asian cuisine, a piano-shaped swimming pool, pool bar, toy shop, gift shop, a 21-acre landscaped garden (that appears like a map of Los Angeles) and a children’s playground. It also offers guest limousine service, laundry and valet service and complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and Hong Kong Disneyland.

1941 Willys

Disney’s Hollywood Hotel: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island, Hong Kong.  Tel: +852 3510-5000.  Fax: +852 3510-5333.

Hotel and Inn Review: Kimberley Hotel (Hong Kong)

Date of Stay: May 29-31, 2007

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ******

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: ******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: ******

Value for Money: ******

Kimberley Hotel

The 21-storey Kimberley Hotel, located in the thriving shopping and entertainment district of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, has 546 air-conditioned rooms (double room with extra bed, standard, superior, deluxe and suites) with bath, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, personal safe and ironing facilities.

The hotel lobby

The hotel also has a Chinese and Japanese (Hanamizuki) restaurants, coffee shop, bar as well as a business center, souvenir/gift shop, gym, health spa (Cavalier Health Spa) and mini-golf driving range.

Our hotel room

It also offers airport transfers, safety deposit boxes, laundry, dry cleaning, babysitting, currency exchange, tours and room service.  The hotel is just a 5-min. walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station and a 3-min. from Miramar Shopping Centre and Park Lane Shopping Boulevard.

Kimberley Hotel: 28 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2723 3888. Fax: +852 2723 1318. E-mail: hotel@kimberley.com.hk. Website: www.kimberley.hk.

Resort Feature: Villa Carlos Resort (Boac, Marinduque)

Date of Stay: April 5 - 9, 2007

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: ******

Other Amenities: ******

Value for Money: *******

Villa Carlos Resort

Our suite

Villa Carlos Resort, along the gray sand Ihatub Beach, has airconditioned suites (PhP1,600) with 3 king-size beds, a small TV, compartmentalized bathroom (shower and water closet had separate compartments with the lavatory between both) and private balcony overlooking the sea. 

The resort also had a restaurant and a videoke.   A covered badminton court was still being built during our stay.  

The dining hall

Cheska sunbathing by the balcony

People frolicking at Ihatub Beach

The suite's balcony was perfect for viewing the gathering of tuba (coconut wine) in the morning, people frolicking along  the black sand Ihatub Beach in the afternoon and, come dusk, a beautiful sunset.  

In 2007, management of the resort changed hands and the resort was renamed Villa sa Aplaya Beach Resort.  It now has 11 airconditioned rooms with bath, 21" cable TV and refrigerator plus, aside from the abovementioned facilities, a 25-pax conference room.  The badminton court is now operational.

The beautiful sunset at the resort

Villa sa Aplaya Beach Resort: Brgy. Ihatub, Boac, Marinduque.  Tel: (042) 332-1881 to 82.

Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club (Lipa City, Batangas)

The 200-hectare Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club, a private proprietary club, developed by the Active Group, is nestled at the foot of the mountain range for which it was named.  It has a 27-hole, flood-free, all-weather championship golf course designed by  Bob Moore of the internationally renowned J. Michael Poellet (JMP) Golf Design Group.  

It consists of three courses named  for peaks in the Malarayat Range -the 18-hole, 6,284-yard, par 72 Mt. Lubo and Mt. Malepunyo golf courses and the 9-hole, 3,168-yard par 36 Mt. Makulot golf course.  The tight and challenging layout is complemented by beautiful scenery. The rough and fairways are Tifton 419 bermuda grass.  On the first 18 holes, water hazards are found on Hole No. 1, 7, 8, 9 and 18 and, on the third nine, Hole No. 6 and 9.  There are sand traps on the fairways and on the greens.  The 591-yard Hole No. 4 is the longest hole.        

Facilities here include a 40-room hotel adjacent to the golf course, a driving range, practice putting green, clubhouse with restaurant, bar, pro shop, function room, tee houses, lounge, lockers, jacuzzi, sauna, massage areas, gym, boutique, children's center, equestrian center, indoor sports club (basketball, billiards, darts, badminton, tennis, squash, pingpong and bowling) and golf clinic.  Guest must be accompanied or introduced by a member.   

Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club: Lipa City, Batangas.  Tel: (043) 756-7000. Fax: (043) 756-7008.

Hotel and Inn Review: Subic International Hotel (Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales)

Date of Stay: December 17 - 18, 2005

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: ******

Condition and Cleanliness: ******

Staff Performance: ******

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: *****

Value for Money: *******

Subic International Hotel

Our de luxe room

The Subic International Hotel has two wings.  The 5-storey Bravo Wing Building has 134 de luxe rooms with airconditioning, 21" cable TV, mini refrigerator, safety deposit box, IDD/NDD phone  (through telephone operator) and bath.  The wing also has 8 suites.  

The Delta Wing Building, on the other hand, has 53 double rooms, 10 superior rooms with king-size beds and 4 suites, all with the same amenities.  

The hotel also has restaurants (Golden Dragon and Golden Tea House); coffee shops (the 24-hour Cafe Subic at Bravo Bldg. and Terrace Cafe at Delta Bldg.); an outdoor swimming pool; business center; nine 10-600-pax meeting and function rooms; health club; lobby shop and medical clinic.  It also offers currency exchange, transportation, valet and laundry services.

Subic International Hotel: Rizal St. cor. Sta. Rita Rd., Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales.  Tel: (047) 252-2222 and 252-6703. Website: www.subichotel.com. 

Manila booking office: Suite 612, Pacific Bldg., 460 Quintin Paredes St., Binondo, Manila. Tel: (632) 243-2222 to 33. Fax: (632) 243-0852 to 53. E-mail: sales@subichotel.com. 

Hotel and Inn Review: Casino Filipino Hotel (Bacolod City, Negros Occidental)

Date of Stay: June 19 - 20, 2005

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: *******

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: ******

Lobby of Casino Filipino Hotel

My de luxe room

The Casino Filipino Hotel within the Goldenfield Commercial Complex, is the premier night life area in the city. The hotel has a total of 94 airconditioned rooms with bath, TV and fridge (90 de luxe, two executive and two presidential suites, PhP1,188-5,600).  

Its food and beverage outlets include the Seafood Market, Kicho Nihon (Japanese), Cafe Gerardo and Lobby Cafe).  It also has a 70-800-pax conference halls, two swimming pools (adult and children), disco (Quorum) and a 40-lane Super Bowling Lanes (the largest in the Visayas).  Its Casino Filipino outlet, open from 12 noon to 4 AM, has a10,405 sq.  ft. gaming space featuring 264 gaming machines and 16 table games. 

Casino Filipino Hotel: Goldenfield Commercial Complex, Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.  Tel: (034) 434-8901-10 & 433-3111-19.  Fax: (034) 434-8913, 434-4433 & 433-1234. 

Restaurant Review: Cafe Leona (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur)

Leona Florentino House

Frank, Cherry, Mandy and Tellie

The very popular Café Leona, housed at the Leona Florentino House, was opened in 1997. 

It serves a mixture of different cuisines - Filipino (daing na bangus, paksiw na tilapia, chicken sisig, etc.), Japanese (sushi), Thai, Continental (smoked salmon pate, steaks, etc.) and Italian (longanisa pizza, pepperoni pizza, seafood pizza, pinakbet pizza, puttanesca, etc.). 

However, we decided to indulge on true Ilocano fare; feasting on the delicious but cholesterol-rich bagnet (local version of the crispy pata) and the healthier pinakbet (vegetable stew), all in big servings.  Other Ilocano dishes served include Vigan longanisa, sinanglao, fish tamales (made from ipon) and Vigan-style morcon.  

The ambiance is quite dull and dark and the service quite slow though.  Come nighttime, the restaurant sets up floor space outside for al fresco dining. 

Cafe Leona: Mena Crisologo St., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Tel: (077) 722-2212.  Fax: (077) 722-3089. Mobile number: (0920) 906-8144.  E-mail: cafeleona@yahoo.com.

Hotel and inn Feature: Cordillera Inn (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur)

Date of Stay: April 3 - 4, 2004

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: ******

Food and Beverage: ******

Other Amenities: ******

Value for Money: *******

Cordillera Inn

The cozy interior

The Cordillera Inn, formerly the Casa de Don Gaspar de Bartolome, was built between 1871-1900 and is one of many ancestral homes in the city turned into cozy hotels and pension houses. 

Located at the heart of cobblestoned Mena Crisologo St. (parking is not allowed here, park at the rear of the hotel) and the city's Heritage Village, near Plaza Burgos, it is surrounded by lots of quaint antique shops and coffee shops serving Ilocano fare.

The large, pleasant reception area, with its stone floor, huge, round center table and antique lamps on the walls, adjoins the small congenial in-house restaurant which serves authentic Ilocano cuisine. 

The inn has 23 airconditioned family rooms with four-poster beds, private bath and cable TV (PhP1,500).  The inn's original rooms have been divided to create these smaller rooms, especially with the standard rooms.  Some rooms have no windows. Their decor is simple and sober. A large staircase leads to the rooms on the upper floors. 

Grace and the kids at the stairway of Cordillera Inn

This economy-class hotel also has a bar, lounge, multi-purpose hall, function/ meeting room, roof deck garden and curio/souvenir shop and offers laundry, currency exchange, safety deposit box, wi-fi service, tours, fax and 24-hour room service. 

Cordillera Inn: 29 Mena Crisologo cor. Gen. Luna Sts., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Tel: (077) 722-2526. Fax: (077) 722-2739 & 722-2727.  Mobile number: (0927) 313-5616.

Hotel and Inn Review: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino (Cebu City, Cebu)

Date of Stay: May 23 - 24, 2003

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: *********

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: *******

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has 562 (the biggest hotel in the country with regards to number of rooms) airconditioned rooms with bath, cable TV, safety deposit boxes and minibar (193 standard, 159 de luxe, 146 superior, 23 de luxe suites, 14 executive suites, 13 ambassador rooms, 10 ambassador suites, one penthouse suite, one chairman’s suite and one presidential suite).  

This hotel also has specialty restaurants (Tin Gow Chinese Restaurant, Port Seafood Restaurant, Va Bene Restorante Italiano, Kanchiku Japanese Restaurant), coffee shop (Café Uno), bars (Sally’s Piano Bar, The Abbey, 7 Stars Sports Bar, Lucky Ace KTV Bar, Pool Aquarius Bar), disco (H2O), lobby lounge, swimming pool, convention center, business center, nine function rooms, gym, health and fitness club and shopping arcade.  It offers laundry, tours and travel, safety deposit boxes and limousine service. 

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino: 1 Salinas Drive, Lahug District, Cebu City, Cebu. Tel: (032) 232-6888. Fax: (032) 232-6880.  E-mail: wcch@waterfronthotels.com.  Website: www.waterfronthotels.net.  

Manila booking office: 27/F, Wynsum Corporate Plaza, 22 Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center in Pasig City.   Tel: 687-0888.    Fax: 687-5970 & 687-5973-74.  E-mail: msro@waterfronthotel.com and wpi@the.net.ph.  Website: www.waterfronthotel.com.ph. 

Resort Feature: Arthur's Place Dive Resort (Mabini, Batangas)

Arthur's Place

Arthur’s Place, opened in 1984 (with two rooms) by the late Arthur Abrigonda was, together with Aqua Tropical Sports (opened in 1967) and Aquaventure Reef Club, the first to open resorts in the area.  

It now has 12 rooms with bath (two of them airconditioned), a restaurant, dive shop, picnic tables, shower rooms and offers two boats for diving trips.   

Offshore is a dive site aptly named Arthur’s Place, gradually sloping from five to 21 meters with plenty of reef fish, small coral heads, soft corals, feather stars, hydroids, anemones and sponges. Diving is good all year round but the best season is from November to May. 

Arthur's Place Dive Resort: Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. Mobile numbers (Ms. Estelita M. Abrigonda): (0919) 716-7973 and (0919) 312-3938.  E-mail: arthursplace_ph@yahoo.com.  Website: www.arthurs-place.com.