The Island Explorer

Legaspi Suites is the only boutique hotel in Davao. What makes it boutique is its size and attention to design and ambience. Legaspi Suites is located in a complex that was once an ancestral home. The landmark still remains in tact at the middle of the complex and a 4 story apartment building was built around it to house the hotel. Once you enter the lobby, you would feel that the hotel thought about its design, which is uncommon in Davao. I would think this would be normal in Cebu already, but in Davao, good design is still scarce. I got the cheapest room, a standard room for P1,600 since I was only staying for one night. The room was huge and very bare. I'm assuming this room was made simple because of the class. The rooms have different colors, as seen from their brochures. I passed by a suite room which was open, and I thought it looked charming. My room was located on the second floor beside the spa, so I had a view of the courtyard downstairs. I love this place because it had...

The Bali Village in Tagaytay is along Maharlika Highway, a little past Taal Vista Lodge when you're headed for Batangas. The resort is still under construction, but they are already building a swimming pool, an event venue and a restaurant. The design is Filipino, so you stay in Spanish inspired cottages with Filipino materials like nipa and bamboo. Its wooden interiors give a very relaxing mountain retreat experience in Tagaytay. The rooms are relatively small, so if you are coming in as a group, better get the Big House, which has three bedrooms. You can even rent an entire house made up of three separate rooms, with a living area upstairs. I like that they have small porches in each room. The Filipino design of the resort is what I like about this place the most. Though they call it Bali Village, I still think it is more Filipino inspired. Only the roof designs are Balinese (and some decor at the reception area). Bali Village is relatively affordable as well, around P2,500 ...

Summer is definitely here. I've been so busy since the year began, so I missed out a lot on my travels that usually happen the start of the year. Seems like I will be traveling more this Summer, as trip to the Camotes Islands, Leyte and Korea are on schedule. Plus, I am planning to go back to Camarines Norte, to explore the other islands the beautiful province has to offer. So, as always, here are my recommendations for destinations this summer of 2010. 1. WEEKENDER BEACH: MORONG, BATAAN Why not travel 3 hours to Morong in Bataan. This is where Anvaya Cove is nestled, plus a string of affordable resorts stretches the coastline near the town. You could even visit a turtle sanctuary and explore the hidden coves with a unique view of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (don't worry, no radiation here). 2. REDISCOVER: GUIMARAS If you've been to Iloilo, it may be unwise not to stop over Guimaras, or better yet, spend a night or two there. Guimaras is the home of the sweetest mangoes ...

I've had a string of bad new restaurants recently. The most recent and probably the worst of the year so far was Bordeaux in Burgos Circle at the Fort. That experience was bad enough for me not to take any pictures of the place and food. French food and service at its worst. To think I had a wonderful experience at Je Suis last Valentine's. So when I was again in search of a new restaurant, I became nervous. I pass by a new restaurant called, Celsius in the Morato area, near Shakey's. The place intrigued me, but I was afraid it was another pretentious restaurant, since there were very few guests. So when I went back to the area last night, I took a bold move of having dinner there. Celsius called itself a gastronomic lounge, where you can get a unique gastronomic experience. I thought I made the wrong move going inside, since again, we were the only guests. But, as they say, you'll never know until you try. So we did, made it up to the 2nd floor lounge area. Their menu ...