Hotel and Inn Review: The Blanket Hotel Restaurant Coffee (City of Ilagan, Isabela)

Date of Stay: May 4 to 11, 2023

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: *******

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

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

Room Comfort: ********

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

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: ********

 

The Blanket Hotel Restaurant Coffee

This cozy, 13-room, 3-star bed and breakfast, opened last 2017, was our home for 7 nights while covering the 2024 Mammangi Festival of the City of Ilagan. It has an onsite coffee shop (ground floor), a 50-pax function hall at the second floor (where our group had our daily breakfasts and occasional late lunches and early dinners), a garden outdoor dining area and a 24-hour Front Desk.  

Hotel entrance

Breakfast is included in some room types. All accommodations include bed, linens and towels while select rooms have a mini fridge and a terrace.

Media group in front of hotel (photo: George Buid)

The De Luxe Room (Php1,800) that I stayed in (Room 4), one of four rooms which sleeps 2,  was comfortable and clean.  It had window type airconditioning, a 32-inch flat screen TV (with 50 cable channels), coffee making facility and tiled floors.  The private ensuite bathroom had a rainshower head, bidet, water heater and soap and shampoo dispenser. 

 

De Luxe Room

Other room types are one Twin De Luxe Room (which also sleeps 2, Php2,300), three Premium De Luxe Rooms (which sleeps 3, Php2,800), one Family Room (which sleeps 4, Php3,400), two Garden Hostel Rooms (which sleeps 8, Php6,800) and one Garden Family Hostel Room (which sleeps 7, Php6,300).

The tastefully decorated and furnished lounge area

 

The 24-hour Front Desk

There are, however, no service phones inside the room, for making outside calls or connections to the Front Desk. There is also no dedicated parking space.  You have to park along the street.  

Coffee Shop

Dining area

However, though my room had no working desk, you can work on your computer at the tastefully decorated common lounge which is also ideal for  get-togethers.  Free wi-fi is available throughout the property.

 

The 50-pax Function Hall

The al fresco dining area 

Plus, the room rates were affordable and their service was outstanding.  Ms. Camille Bianca Tan (a 2009 BS Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management graduate of DLSU-College of St. Benilde), the Operations Manager, and the staff were courteous and friendly and always wearing a smile. Even the hotel mascot, a pug named Buck (think Frank of  Men in Bkack 1 and Men in Black 2) was very friendly, welcoming us during our every meal at the hotel, asking for a belly rub.

 

Operations Manager Camille Bianca Tan with Buck (photo: Azrael Coladilla)

The food was light and tasty, with lots of variety in the menu (Filipino dishes, burgers, pasta, cakes, cookies, etc.), and the coffee was very good.  Some of us even ordered boxes of their delectable ensaymadas and cinnamon buns for pasalubong.

 

Media group at the function hall

The hotel is conveniently located at the very heart of the city, being just 110 m. from Rizal Park, 180 m. from the City of Ilagan Community Center (where the Barangay Night was held), 200 m. from St. Ferdinand Parish Church, 260 m. from Xentro Mall and 550 m. from Ilagan City Hall (where we had a press conference with City Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz). 

 

Ramp fromthe lounge to the function hall

It is also located 860 m. from the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel and 1 km. from the City of Ilagan Sports Complex (where the Search for Binibining Ilagan 2024, Street Dancing Parade Competition and Grand Concert was held). 

Check out “Japanese Tunnel” and “St.Ferdinand Parish Church”

 

An Instagrammable spot

It is also located 3.6 kms. from the Isabela State University, 3.9 kms. from Bonifacio Park (where a Dancing Fountain and the World’s Largest Butaka can be found), 7.4 kms. from Queen Isabela Park, 7.6 kms. from the Isabela Provincial Capitol, 8.4 kms. from NorthStar Mall Ilagan, 12.4 kms. (a 30-min. drive) to Fuyot Spring Natural Park, and 34.1 kms. (a 45-min. drive) to SM Cauayan.  The Cagayan River is a 2-min. drive or a 15-min. walk from the hotel.

 

Garden area

The hotel also offers daily housekeeping, room service and transportation (surcharge) to Cauayan Airport located 36.5 kms. (a 1-hour drive) away. 

The Blanket Hotel Restaurant Coffee: Rizal cor. Taft St., Brgy. Sta. Barbara, City of Ilagan 3300, Isabela.  Tel: (078) 323-2913.  Mobile number: (0977) 707-0597.

 

City Tourism Office: 2/F, City Hall Bldg., 3300 City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 624-1511. E-mail: tourism@cityofilagan.gov.ph. 

City of Ilagan Tourist Information and Assistance Center: Bonifacio Park, 3300 City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 324-7769.  E-mail: ilaganinfocenter@gmail.com. 

Isabela Provincial Tourism Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-3146.  Mobile number: (0917) 317-3820.  E-mail: isabelatourismoffice@gmail.com.  

Isabela Provincial Information Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-0248.  Mobile number: (0927) 395-7555.  E-mail: letters_info@yahoo.com. 

How to Get There: The City of Ilagan is located 429.3 kms. (an 8-hour drive) from Manila and 35.5 kms. (a 1-hour drive) from Cauayan City.

Restaurant Review: Otep's Tinuno (Cauayan City, Isabela)

 

Otep's Tinuno

After our morning visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Pillar, we were to have our lunch at Otep’s Tinuno, a hidden gem of Cauayan City.  At this local version of Gerry’s Grill in Cauayan City, this one-storey, native-style family restaurant serves comfort Filipino food in an al fresco but relaxing tropical ambiance.  The word tinuno is an Ilocano term for “grilled.” 

Check out “Church of Our Lady of the Pillar”

 

Cauayan's hidden gem

From the entrance, it was a short walk, through a pasalubong counter, an open court (with synthetic grass), a gravel and flagstone walkway and nipa and bamboo picnic sheds, to our reserved spot.  Since we were a large group, we occupied a dining area that could accommodate 20 people.  Though alfresco, it had ceiling fans, a synthetic grass floor and a chain link fence hung with potted plants.  Our fare consisted of two orders of their bestseller Boodle 3: Fiesta (Php1,915.00) served on banana leaves.   

 

Entrance foyer

The sumptuous fare consisted of Crispy Pata and Fried Chicken plus the best freshly grilled Filipino eats such as Inihaw na Tilapia, Inihaw na Liempo and Inihaw na Tanigue, all served with Ensaladang Kamatis, Sili, Talong, Steamed Rice and Otep’s Pancit. It was a great boodle fight experience!  The food was tasty and the meat tender. Though without airconditioning, the ambiance was still cozy and comfortable.  The menu was reasonably priced and the customer service was good as well.

 

Pasalubong counter

Their two other boodle sets (Php1,195) feature, aside from  Inihaw na Hito (or Tilapia) and Stuffed Baby Squid, Tortang Talong, Crispy Pork Bangoongan, Chicken Barbecue and Laing ni Lola for the  Boodle 1: Klasik and Daing na Banus, Lechon Kawali, Inihaw na Liempo and Ensaladang Talong for Boodle 2: Isla.

 

Our media group.  The author is on the right

 For appetizers (good for 2 to 3 people, Php85-295), they offer Chicharon Bulaklak, Salmon Sashimi, Kalabasa Soup, Calamares & Onion Rings, Potato Fries and Kilawing Tanigue/Tuna. Favorites include Sizzling Pork Sisig, Beef Bulalo, Binagoongan Crispy Pork, Kare-Kareng Pata, Pinakbet and Tortang Talong. 

 

Boodle 2: Fiesta

For their Pinoy-style tinuno (Php105-365), they serve chicken (thigh, breast, wing and leg), pork (barbecue and liempo), fish (tanigue, tuna, hito, bangus and tilapia) and squid.  Their specials, good for 2 to 3 people (Php205-420), include Broccoli with Beef, Chopsuey, Buttered Fried Chicken, Sinigang na Bangus, Salted Egg Yolk Fried Chicken, Kare-Kareng Crispy Liempo and Fried Pampano.    

 

Open court

The restaurant has sufficient parking space and, come evening, they have an acoustic performance. As they want to preserve a family-friendly atmosphere, light beer is only served from 8 – 10 PM.

 

Another dining area

Otep’s Tinuno: Don Lucas Banigan St., Brgy. San Fermin, Cauayan City, 3305 Isabela. Tel: (078) 652-3721 and 652-5128.  Mobile number: (0956) 980-8847, (0927)418-0849 and (0975) 321-3988.  E-mail: otepstinuno@gmail.com.  Website: www.otepstinuno.business.site. Open daily, 10 AM - 9 PM.

How to Get There: Cauayan City is located 390.1 kms. (a 7.5-hr. drive), via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26, from Manila and 35.5 kms. (a 50-min. drive) from the City of Ilagan.

Hotel and Inn Review: The Hotel Sophia (Cauayan City, Isabela)

Date of Stay: January 27-31, 2020

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: *******

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: *****

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: *******

The Hotel Sophia

This 3-star, 3-storey boutique hotel, with its chic, dark brown and white motif, was named after owner Theo Garcia’s and Angela Bernardo’s daughter.  Opened in 2013, it currently has 110 air-conditioned non-smoking rooms.  

Rates (promo and regular) are Economy (PhP980-1,100), Standard (PhP1,500-2,200), Standard Room with Terrace (PhP1,650-2,500), Standard Twin (PhP1,800-2,600), Matrimonial (PhP1,800-2,600), De Luxe (PhP1,980-2,700), Triple (PhP2,400-2,800), Superior De Luxe (PhP2,400-2,800), Superior De Luxe Twin (PhP2,500-3,200), Family Room (PhP2,900-3,600), Superior Pool View (PhP3,200-3,800) and Presidential Suite (PhP6,000-8,200).  All room rates are inclusive of breakfast and pool access.

Lavende Suite (L25)

Our 20-man media group, covering the 2020 Bambanti Festival in nearby Ilagan City, stayed in the recently built but partially furnished Lavender Suites.  The suite I stayed in (L25) had a magnetic door lock, a king-size bed and a flat screen TV with 9 cable channels (7 local and plus Kix and Cartoon channel).  

Lavender Suite bathroom

It had a still unfurnished area for a living room.  Outlets suggest a future NDD/IDD phone, a mini fridge and possibly an in room safe. There might probably be a provision for an executive work desk too. Other rooms still didn’t have a TV installed.

Lavender Suites (L25) 

The only window is found in the bathroom and I could understand why as my room faces the nearby airport’s runway, thus necessitating blocking jet noise by using the bathroom as a buffer.  The rooms on the other side of the hallway have openings to the outside (but smaller bathrooms) as they have a poolside view.

Shower stall

My ensuite bathroom was huge, with a bidet and complimentary toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap and toothbrush) but still no mirror (it seems the window above the lavatory won't allow for it) installed.  

Lavender Suite

My glass shower enclosure had a rainshower head and 6 body sprays.  Hot water, though available to the rooms at the end of the hallway, never reached my shower. This, as well as slow draining floor drain, has to be remedied.  An electrical outlet and a water supply stub out at the back end of the bathroom suggests a future whirlpool tub.

 

Poolside view rooms of Lavender Suites

Nighttime view of Lavender Suites

Armchair recliners

Rooms at the Lavender Suites have wall-mounted split type airconditioning but the older rooms are said have, according to previous tenants, window-type airconditioners which are located so high up for average-size persons to reach for the controls.  Airconditioning temperature in our rooms was very good.  Some public areas have a number of armchair recliners.

 

The 24-hour Front Desk

Free WiFi was not yet available in our rooms but was available at the older rooms and the public areas. It was spotty at best. To avail of it, you have to get a password from the 24-hour Front Desk.  

The internet was good for two days only and you have to secure a new password when it expires. The magnetic door lock card key also has to be renewed after three days. It seems, housekeeping is only available upon request.

 

The current on-site restaurant

Function Room

Function Room

The on-site restaurant was small with seating for possibly 20 people.  It had a flat screen TV where you can watch the morning news while dining.  However, you can dine al fresco at the trellised outdoor dining area.  

We only dined here for breakfast in the morning and I noticed that the menu choices was very limited – soup, coffee (3-in-1 only, brewed was ordered a la carte), sliced bread, fried or hardboiled egg, fried or plain rice and one or two viands (fish, vegetables or meat, I thoroughly enjoyed the Isabela longanisa though). Not much choice for a foreigner used to Continental fare.  Things may change as soon the new, bigger restaurant (plus additional rooms), currently being constructed, will be opened.

The grand hotel lobby

Hallway

Stairway

The new hotel lobby (the old lobby was located where the function room is now) was huge, with several seating areas, comfortable sofas, area rugs, high ceiling, gold trim, ritzy chandeliers, winding stairway, fanciful artwork, flat-screen TV and 24-hour Front Desk. Complimentary iced tea is also available here.

During the duration of our 4-day stay at the hotel, a number of oil paintings, done by Isabela-based artists, were on display (and for sale) at the lobby.  Hotel security was top notch, with luggage X-ray machines and metal detectors provided at the entrance. There was parking for possibly 8 to 9 cars at the front.  

On our last day in Isabela, we had a farewell brunch, with Vice-Gov. Faustino "Bogie" Dy II, at the aforementioned 30-pax, airconditioned function room.

Secondary seating area at lobby

The spacious main seating area

There were also two swimming pools (adult and children).  

The adult pool had a poolside bar, sun loungers, cabanas and a monster-size flat screen TV beside it. The terraces of some of the ground floor rooms open up to this swimming pool. 

The adult swimming pool with its poolside bar (left) and big screen TV (at the end)

Poolside cabanas

Children's pool

Cauayan Airport is just a few steps (300 m.) away but The Hotel Sophia  is 5.2 kms. (a 15-20-min. drive) to the city.  

However, tricycles are available for those wishing for a night out or shopping (at SM Cauayan) in the city.  The hotel is also located 33.3 kms. (a 55-min. drive) to the City of Ilagan, 38.3 (a 1-hour drive) to Gamu, 61.6 kms. (a 1.5-hr. drive) from Tumauini Church and 85.3 kms. (a 2-hour drive) to the San Pablo Church Ruins.

The hotel's interior court

The luggage X-ray machine

The hotel, being near the airport, is very convenient (land travel takes nearly nine hours and 400 kms.) for those flying in from Manila.  Cebu Pacific Air has one-hour, 15-min. morning flights from Cauayan (CYZ) to Manila's (MNL) NAIA Terminal 4.  

As soon as hotel hotel management can iron out some of these major and minor hiccups and the hotel expansion is completed, The Hotel Sophia has the potential to be one of the best, if not the best, hotel accommodation in the whole Cagayan Valley Region. 

The author (second from left) relaxing with other media colleagues by the pool

Media group with our hosts posing at the hotel lobby

The Hotel Sophia: Airport Access Rd., Brgy. San Fermin, Cauayan City 3305, Isabela.  Tel: (078) 307-5184. Mobile number: (0917) 881-2379. E-mail: thehotelsophia@yahoo.com.