A Quick Weekend Getaway to Subic In a Budget

If you're feeling cooped or has been dreaming of a weekend getaway with your family or friends without overspending, then Subic is a perfect destination for you.

Subic in Olangapo is a place in the Philippines that is teeming with beautiful beaches, mangroves, and plenty of fun activities to do. It is in the northern part of Luzon which is very close to Manila. Getting there is not very complicated if you are already coming from nearby metro areas like Caloocan, Manila, and Quezon City, and nearby towns along the North Express Way which is one of the main artery leading to Subic, Olongapo. You can either take a public transportation via bus or drive your own car for faster navigation. What ever your choice is to get there, you will surely find your way with GPS, the traditional map, by following the directions given by your travel guide or Subic Hotel booking confirmation's details, or simply follow the street signs.

Accommodation

There are many accommodations to choose from in Subic. You do not have to spend a fortune to book a family room too. An example is, a family room for max. of 6 pax in Golden Slumber Resort for an overnight stay and the rate is based on today's date in Traveloka when you search for Subic hotels is only Php 3,800 inclusive of tax. You can use the resort's amenities like the pool for a quick dip.

Activities

(Photo credit:  zoobic.com.ph)

There are plenty of things to do in Subic while you are there over the weekend.  You can visit Zoobic Safari and experience nature up close, go trekking or even pet small animals too.

Entrance rates vary for adults and kids:

Adult: Php 545
Kid:  Php 445 (4 ft. and below)
FREE: kids 3 ft. and below

And if you buy your tickets online, you get 10% discount! (Based on Zoobic Safari's website)


If the zoo is not your thing, then you can head on to Ocean Adventure and watch cute dolphins and sea lions perform their acts in front of many spectators. Ocean Adventure has a 4+1 promo right now which costs Php 3,155 for 4 pax and plus 1, making it a 5 pax rate! However, the rate is valid only until 16 Dec. 2016 but the reservation is not required for the 4+1 promo.

(Photo credit: chancesfading.blogspot.com)

Is your group into hiking and marveling on the beauty of mother nature? Then enjoy Pamulaklakin Forest Trail. Here you will get to walk for 30 minutes along a trail with a guide who will teach you how to follow a trail and even give trivia on some of the plants' medicinal properties that you will find along the way.  The entrance fee is also relatively cheap.


Is thrilling activities and adventure your group's thing?  Feel like a superhero or Tarzan as you zip through one tree to another with Tree Top Adventure's adrenalin pumping rides like the canopy ride, superman ride, silver surfer, and others. Rates vary per ride or as combination. However, with your Php 100, you will surely have some activity to do in Tree Top Adventure.

Dining

Aside from the thrills and nature encounters, there are plenty of food outlets to try to satisfy your cravings without burning a whole in your pocket.  Check out some local food outlets in Subic and stretch your budget to enjoy your meals.

Hotshots - a Garden Fresh salad will cost your Php 179 and the Filipino Style Barbecue is only Php 159.

The Coffee Shop Restaurant - known  now for their coffee but for their giant tacos for only Php 90!


Or you may even try the ubiquitous McDonald's, Jollibee, amongst others.


So, stop thinking about that weekend trip you have been longing to take and just do it! Having fun with your family or friends need not be costly as you can split the cost amongst other members of the group so everyone gets to enjoy and save too! Happy trip!

Palm Plaza Hotel Review in Manila

I booked a double bedroom for a night last Sep. 24-25, 2015 in Palm Plaza Hotel which is near the famous landmarks in Manila like Luneta, Malate, Roxas Blvd. and other places of interest within easy reach.

The hotel is very easy to find. It is located along the stretch of Pedro Gil, very near to Robinson's Place Manila, Department of Justice, Philippine General Hospital, and the Malate area. You can go to the hotel via public transportations like the railway transit, public jeepneys, buses or taxis plying the route of Manila.

What I like:
Free wifi
Very polite and customer-service oriented staff
Clean rooms
Location
Accessibility via various transportation means
Near malls, churches
Plenty of restaurants and food outlet within walking distance
The price is ok considering it is an old hotel. I still consider the rate within the budget range.


What I don't like:
Outdated furnitures
Tiled floor which tends to get cold when you don't have spare slippers to wear around
Slight noise from public transportations and nearby bars
The lights are not enough in the room. I feel it was a bit dark.
No available parking in the hotel. Parking is nearby on other establishment.


Room rate: 
I booked using Booking.com and got a good deal of around Php 1200++ per double bedroom per night without breakfast.


Nearby attractions:
Malate Church
Luneta Park
Intramuros
Roxas Boulevard



My recommendation: 3 out of 5



I am still giving this hotel a good rate because of the friendly, efficient and very courteous staff. Everyone was helpful and we felt at home and secured in their premise. I also like the fact that it offered free wi-fi and the location was fantastic!

I am not sure if this hotel is a good fit for families with younger kids as this location is near the "Red Light District" but not really in that locale. You will find videoke bars and restaurants nearby.

If you wish to book in this hotel or find other accommodations in Manila or anywhere in the world, check out the search field below for other budget accommodations:


Booking.com
This hotel has 133 rooms and other usual amenities like air-conditioned rooms, business center, laundry/pressing, room service, etc.
Located at 524 Pedro Gil Corner M. Adriatico Street, Malate, Malate, 1004 Manila, Philippines

Disclaimer:
I personally booked and paid for this stay. I was not compensated by the property in any way to write this review.


(All photos are my personal property. Pls. do not use without my permission.)

Review - Moxy Milan Malpensa Hotel

Moxy Milan Malpensa Hotel is a very chic, trendy and modern accommodation just right in front of Malpensa Airport Terminal 2. It is a very convenient hotel especially for those who are just stopping to Milan for a brief stay or business meeting and need to connect to the airport quickly.

The city centre of Milan is not a short drive from Malpensa Airport. My daughter and I decided to book our 1 night stay the day before we left Milan so we didn't have to hassle our relatives by driving us to the airport at the wee hours of the morning. Our flight via EasyJet to Barcelona was around 6:30 a.m. so it was a good decision to check in this hotel. I had a great deal with this hotel via Booking.com and it was perfect in many levels!

What I like:
Location. I can't stress that enough. It's located right in front of Malpensa Airport Terminal 2 so there is no need to catch a cab to get to the airport. It was barely 5 minutes walk from the hotel. We were lucky enough to find few bag carts outside the hotel so we didn't have to pull heavy luggages.

Check-out was fast because everything was paid for, including the meals I have ordered. Although I had the option to pay afterwards. I decided to pay for the coffee, snacks and other meals I have ordered upfront so I didn't have to worry about check-out.

The hotel's lobby is ultra modern with many novelty furniture and lighting to add pizzazz. There are plenty of seating space in the lobby and it wasn't very crowded when we were there.

(There are plenty of seating areas in the lobby of Moxy. You can eat there if you like or just read books or surf the internet. Your choice!)

The room was just the right size for my daughter and I. It's' practically ok in European standards. We had enough space for our luggages without having to bump to the bed or chair.

The room is well-lit.

There are plenty of electrical socket unlike the other hotels we have stayed at in the past.

The amenities are very modern and hi-tech. There are USB and HDMI ports along with the electrical sockets so we could watch using our hard disk or USB or laptop.

The flat screen TV is huge and has English channels.

The bed was soft and yet so comfortable. We had a very sound sleep.

The room is soundproofed too! Like I said earlier, it was very, very close to the airport and we didn't hear any of the aircraft taking off or landing or any outside noise for that matter. The rooms are soundproofed.

The bathroom is spacious and clean. It has bathroom amenities and well-supplied too. The towels have Marriott logos too. There is a bidet and a flush toilet. The shower area is separate and spacious.

There is free wi-fi all over the hotel.

Accessibility is not an issue as the hotel offers ramps in and out for guests with disability.

They also allow pets. However, check their hotel's policies before booking.

They offer grab-n-go meal and drink selection which you can have in the many seating areas in the lobby or take them in your room.

(Bar/resto/coffee nook of the hotel. Yummy cappuccino too! The far end of the bar serves as the check-in/out counter too.)

There is plenty of condiments to use and also microwaves to heat your food.

What I don't like:
Nothing. This is a perfect hotel for us.


Price:
Standard Double Room for €59 including tax for a night. via Booking.com


My recommendation: 5 out of 5

I highly recommend this property for families, business travellers, travellers with pets and couples. This is a mod property in front of Malpensa Airport Terminal 2 and the location is perfect. It is not near the city centre but the hotel also offers shuttles for guest to and from Malpensa Terminal 1 so guests can catch the train to connect to the city.


Nearby attractions:
Rho Fiera Milano
Milan Expo 2015


Moxy Milan Malpensa hotel is part of the Marriott chain of properties. It is located at Milan Malpensa Airport - Terminal 2, 21010 Case Nuove, Italy.


If you want to book this hotel or find similar hotels near Case Nuove area, you may search hotels in this booking.com app below:
Booking.com
Disclosure:
This hotel review is my personal review. I have paid for this stay and in no way sponsored by the property nor Booking.com. I love to book via Booking.com because I always find a very competitive rate or great deals when compared to other booking sites. My opinion is 100% mine and may vary from yours.