The Mansion Garden Hotel (Subic Bay, Zambales)

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of weekend revelers, Mansion Garden Hotel is ideally located at the fringes of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, about a kilometer or so away from the main commercial hub of hotels and restaurants, but close enough for a leisurely stroll. It is relatively new so everything seems to work in place. The compound is roughly divided into two buildings, while a new and bigger wing is under construction. The rooms are impressively spacious too. 

I booked for 3 rooms, 2 deluxe suites (rooms 233 and 235 - the last two available upon booking) and a double standard (room 221), all three has the pool view. Unfortunately, you don't get to see much of the pool because of the bamboo trees planted beside the swimming pool from ground level.

There is a bridgeway that connects the main receiving area and the rooms which boasts of verandas. It's important to realize that the hotel is a family restaurant thus it attracts this clientele. Being so, there's a bit of noise involved. With poor sound insulation, you do hear children frolicking at the pool, or that wailing infant crying his heart out. But it's all good. Inside your room is a haven of relation. Very comfortable beds with soft and immaculately clean pillows. The duvet, this visit, is colored green with silken covers, they slide wonderfully on your skin. Sony LCD cable TV, a Hitachi AC inverter, a Eurotex mini-ref, provisions for a kettle with coffee and complimentary bottles of water (2 for the standard rooms, 4 for deluxe double suites). Best of all, wifi is briskly connected all throughout the hotel.

Breakfast is to be had at the Function Hall (ground floor) in Building 2 (7 AM to 9:30 AM), but there's Garden Cafe beside the front desk that serves choice meals. There's a lift that takes you to the 2nd and 3rd level. The swimming pool is smallish but kept clean all day. 

There are a couple of duty-free shops a block or two away with American brands and items coming from Thailand, China, Vietnam and Korea. Nearby is a must-try Meat Plus Cafe which serves the best steaks in the freeport zone (set meals between PhP250-300).

The Malawaan Park has huge trees all around, and the beachfront promenade (called the boardwalk) are within walking distance. The Pirates Bistro, which is highly rated by tripadvisor travelers, is also nearby.

All in all, Mansion Garden Hotel is highly recommended.

This is the Eye in the Sky! 

Room 233, deluxe suite, check out all that space.

Two double beds at room 233, a deluxe suite.

Room 221, a double standard room. Just a wee bit smaller space compared to the deluxe rooms - and single beds.

Satiny sheets

Seating room at the 2nd level, building 2. Beside it is the bridgeway connecting buildings 1 and 2.

Mansion Garden Cafe's breakfast buffet offers Filipino fare. When there are few guests, a la carte choices are offered instead.

At the background is the Garden Cafe.

At the lobby.

#mansiongardenhotel   #subicbay   #accommodation   #zambales

The Pool at Mergrande - Summer Water Frolicking (Davao City)

The swimming pool at Mergrande Ocean Resort has well defined borders, and it's wide enough for an enjoyable water adventure. The area is decked by palms and ferns, vines creeping on trellis, colorful slides, and dolphin figures. At the entrance are faded photographs of celebrities who have visited the resort. There's Sam Milby and Edu Manzano, among others. A lifeguard diligently does his rounds despite no hints of danger noted.

An events pavilion for special occasions like J.S. proms stands beside the pool's entrance. At the ticket counter (tickets are bought at the main entrance), there's a miniature galleon ship on display. The shower hall and changing rooms are at the back. Usual pool etiquette is to be observed here, including corkage fees for those taking in food and beverages.

The pool is designed like a lagoon, and would suffice for big groups. I like how they incorporated plants into the picture. They render a little more life into this leisure haven.

The pool opens daily at 8:30 AM and closes at 9:45 PM. Yes, there's definitely night swimming to be had here. Imagine how this place looks at night. I wouldn't mind staying in, that's for sure. Entry into Mergrande Ocean Resort costs PhP25, excluding swimming pool entry which will fetch PhP60 per person. If you want updated information and rates, please call the resort directly, as rates may change anytime. For more information about Mergrande, refer to our previous post or check on their website posted below.

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Celebrity guests (above and below).

The events pavilion hosts occasions like a JS prom and wedding. There's a separate convention hall elsewhere near the mini-golf course for more formal, sit-down occasions.

Mergrande Ocean Resort is located in Bago Aplaya, Talomo, Davao City. If you're staying at the city center, it'd probably take you 45 minutes to an hour to get there, which is south of the center, considering traffic - and the ridiculous speed limits that the city has adopted. Please do not inquire in this blog for rates and reservations. Contact them at (063-82) 298-4100 or 298-4101. You may also email them at info@mergrande.com.  There's a corresponding corkage fee for each beverage taken inside the resort. I reckon you don't have to because food and beverages at their restaurant aren't resort rates. It's an inexpensive place for dining.

The beach and surroundings of Mergrande Ocean Resort:
- http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2015/03/mergrande-ocean-resort-and-idyllic.html

Villa Carmelita In-Land Resort and Hostel - Beating the Summer Heat (Davao City)

Davao City scorches from late March to early June. During the succeeding summer holiday, what better way to spend your lazy days than lounging in pools, if beaches are too much of a production number to arrange. Just grab your towel and swimming outfit, and head straight to take a dip. One such no-frills place to check out is Villa Carmelita In-Land Resort and Hostel.

The pool area opened in 2009. Two years later, a three-story building rose beside it, offering 21 rooms for accommodation priced between PhP1,500 (for standard rooms) and PhP2,800 (for family rooms). Other than this, the focal point for leisure is the expansive swimming pool with 4 depth-varieties (as I observed) marked at different corners (10 feet, 3 feet, etc.) The kiddie pool by the corner has a slide, and there are tables and chairs scattered at each side of the compound.

Usual public pool etiquette applies, like showering before taking a dip; T-shirts, maong and cotton garments aren't allowed when swimming; Inebriated fellows as well aren't welcome; Personal flotation device needs to be cleared by management. No eating and drinking at the pool. Remember, this is Davao City where public smoking will get you in trouble. There's a lifeguard manning the swimming premises and a security guard at the ticket entrance.

Entry costs PhP100 ($2.25) for adults and PhP80 ($1.80) for children between 2-10 years old. There's a corkage fee for those taking in food: PhP40 for food and PhP20 for beverages. The resort is open daily and closes at 10 PM. It's located along 14 McArthur Highway in Toril, Davao City. If you're traveling from the city center, it'd take 30-45 minutes to get there, considering the ridiculous speed limits being implemented in this turtle-paced metropolis. For more information, please call (63-82) 295-2688. Please do not ask this blog for reservations and bookings as we're not in any way connected with the resort. Go call them.

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Ticket booth

Parking space at the entrance.