Family Travel Archives - Page 2 of 18

Mother’s Day Staycation At Hive Hotel and Convention Place

For Mother’s Day, actually, a week before Mother’s Day, we got an invite to stay at one of the coolest hotel in Quezon City-Hive Hotel and Convention Place.

I say coolest because of all the amazing displays. The theme of the hotel is retro, every corner feels like a trip down memory lane! Medyo nanghinayang nga kame eh. Sana kasama namin si Mother so she could reminisce. And sana nabantayan nya ang mga kids so husband and I can go to My Bro’s Mustache Folk Bar. Next time we will do that! haha

Hive Hotel and Convention Place is an eco friendly hotel. They collect rain water for their plants. Toiletries are in dispenser so no small plastic bottles. That’s one of my major concern when I check in at hotels. The disposable of those tiny bottles that you can’t even reuse. When we travel, I bring our own toiletries so we dont have to use/ask for more toiletries from the hotel. Most notable is the use of Mason jar for complimentary water instead of bottled water.

Our room was a connecting room, a deluxe room connected to a Super Studio. It’s actually big for our family, kasya pa nga si Nanay if ever.

hat we love most in our room is the bath tub! For our stay, they gave us a complimentary bath bomb! (not always available but it comes with their special promos so watch out for it!) It’s my first time to bath tub with my kids. Super sayang bonding pala. Check: Hive Hotel Facebook Page for their weekend promos.

My husband loved the food, so that means a lot. I love any kind of food so my food opinion is not that reliable haha. But if the husband says the food is good, it really is!

Hive Hotel and Convention Place is still on soft opening phase but the hospitality and willingness to serve of the hotel staff is pang grand opening na. They specialize in staycations and of course, conventions that can fit up to 300 people!

For Mother’s Day staycation, book a room at Hive Hotel and Convention Place.Rate starts at 2400++ Pesos for a 2 person bedroom (special weekend promo rate, while regular price is at 3,600 Pesos) Try their super comfy 400 thread count bed with pocket springs and memory foam!

Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences

When you have a hotel like bed (or close to that) it is really hard to leave your house. So when we got an offer for a Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences, I was a bit hesitant. The bedroom photos are convincing though and the pool! And the fact that the residence is just a stone throw’s away from our home (stone na si Goliath ang nagbato haha). I find it amusing that we’re having a staycation a few kilometers away from our house. But I guess that’s the whole point of staycation right?

Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences

Honestly, I am excited for this staycation because we often pass by Circulo Verde, where The Cirque Serviced Residences is located. Always extending my neck as we passed by, curious on what’s inside that place. It looks expensive judging by the entrance and yet it gives you this homey aura. So it’s a dream come true to actually walk around Circulo Verde. As I have learned, Circurlo Verde is not as private as I thought it was. It has office spaces for rent, restaurants inside and of courseThe Cirque Serviced Residences is inside.

Forgot to mention pala, also another reason why I said yes to this staycation is because The Cirque Serviced Residences is managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc (Hi!). Our favorite hotel in Nueva Ecija is also managed by them (must read: Harvest Hotel Review). My expectations for The Cirque Serviced Residences is a bit high knowing who manages it.

Though I want to start my review the unit, can we just take a moment to appreciate the reception? Specially this side of the reception.. so simple pero so elegant di ano? Gusto ko po ng ganitong sala!

Our home for a night is a two bedroom suite. It’s the perfect size for our family. The unit is stylish and homey, the kind of description every homemaker wants for her home. For a moment there, I wish this was our home or we can at least copy the design and the lay out.

Quick tour of the unit: As you enter, you will be greeted by a tastefully designed sala. On your right is the laundry area which can also serve as maid’s quarter (judging by the comfort room inside). If you are planning to bring a helper, maybe you can request for a mattress.

Adjacent to the sala is the dinning area and the small but fully equipped kitchen. Fully equipped because it has microwave and induction cooker. This unit is like a real house talaga. Super ideal for families traveling to the city and needs a place to stay.

Then the 2 single bed bedroom where my 4 kids stayed. The room was perfectly designed that we decided to copy a bit of it for the boys’ bedroom. Parallel is the bathroom, which is quite big and has all the necessities a bathroom should have (hot shower, bidet, and toiletries).

Now, the master bedroom. I have nothing but praises, from bed to pillow to the linens, to the bathroom. I love this kind of luxury. And I can say, this is worth a night away from bed. The duvet is even better. Let me askm do you know where to buy hotel quality duvet and pillow? Yung tipong malulunond ka sa lambot? Please tell me! Mag ho hoard ako!

The Cirque Serviced Residences pool is located at 8th or 10th floor (I can’t remember, sorry!). Child friendly pool and lawn is covered with artificial grass, so no worries na baka madulas ang mga bagets.

Aside from swimming, there are other activities your kids will love. Forgot to mention that The Cirque Serviced Residences is pet friendly, actually, the whole Circulo Verde is, they even have a park for pets. Just walking with fur babies is already an enjoyable activity itself di ba mga momsh?

Ninja Academy is also now located inside Circulo Verde, where The Cirque Serviced Residences is located. It’s Ninja Academy, the name says a lot. If your kids wants to learn how to parkour, this is the perfect place. Sayang lang when we were there, expired na pala ang GC ko! Booo! Calling Ninja Acedemy, baka may magagawa tayo?

Save the best for last: BIKING PARK.

Yes, a whole park dedicated for BIKING! The park of free of use for The Cirque Serviced Residences guests (and minimal charge for visitors). The park is open:

Mon & Wed 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tues & Thurs 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri, Sat, Sun 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

What’s so exciting about a Bike Park? A Lot!

You can rent a bike for a very cheap price and you can also bring your own bike. And you can bike as you want, in cement, in trails and if you are up for it, try out THE RAMP!

My kids just bike around the area and in some slopy areas. Super enjoy sila with the biking, I wish nag extend pa kame ng stay! Watch our video:

Where to eat when checked in at The Cirque?

For early dinner, we had McDonald’s and then called for delivery through a food panda. Ang dami namang restaurant around Libis so food won’t be a problem and as I have mentioned, the kitchen is fully equipped. For breakfast, part of the accommodation is breakfast at Kambal Pandesal.

The Cirque Serviced Residences is located inside Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Super easy to locate specially if you are using waze. Aside from 2 bedroom flat (P7200), other accommodations are 1 bedroom pet friendly flat (P4800), and 1bedroom loft (P5760). The 1 bedroom loft looks intriguing! Parang ang sarap mag hang out dun! To book, contact The Cirque Serviced Residences through their website:https://thecirque.com.ph/

4 Tips To Planning A Great Family Vacation Without Breaking The Bank

The summer is here and it is time to go on vacation with family or friends. Planning a great vacation can take a lot of time and careful consideration.

Also must read: Kinder Joy

Depending on where you go and how many people are traveling, it could be a challenge to make sure that you accomplish everything that you have in mind for a fun trip. Many activities can be costly but they do not have to be. This article will provide some tips on how to plan a great family vacation without breaking the bank or going over budget.

Transportation. Whether you are going somewhere with your car or you are traveling by plane, you can use public transportation to get to where you want to go. Many cities have public transportation systems that include taxis, buses, underground subways, or trains. Taking public transportation is often less expensive than renting a car or driving your own car and having to pay to park at your destination. If you are not one who prefers to travel on public transportation, you can hire an Uber or Lyft car. The easiest way to do this is by using the many Ride Share Apps that are now offered on smartphones. Save time, money, and yourself from frustration by hiring your transportation while on vacation instead of renting a car.
Food. When at all possible try to get a hotel room or rent a house so that you can make meals for your friends and family. Going out to eat can be a fun every now and then but it can cost a great deal of money over time. You can save money and eat healthy by going to the supermarket and picking out fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and cheeses and cooking healthy meals at home.
Book your trip early. Often times the earlier you book your trip, the more likely you will be able to find a package deal for less than if you were to wait. It is also nice to plan ahead so that you can prepare all year long for your trip. Instead of having to buy all the items you need right before your trip, you can space them out over the year and maybe even purchase things on sale at the end of the season. For example, if you book your family vacation for June 2018 in June 2017, you have an entire year to plan and shop sales for items such as beach towels, swimsuits, sandals, shorts, and short sleeved shirts. By purchasing items on sale, you can save a great deal of money.
Pack light. If you are traveling to your vacation destination by plane, you can save yourself a chunk of change by packing light. Many airlines charge a hefty fee to check your bag on the plane but sometimes if you carry on a bag you can avoid that fee. By carrying on your bag, you also do not have to worry about the stress of losing your suitcase if you choose to check it.

There are many ways to save money on vacation and these are just a few of them. Plan ahead and save your money and you will be off to a great vacation.