A pleasant stay at Hotel XYZ

Last week, we came back to Tacloban and this time we stayed in another hotel near downtown. This time, we chose Hotel XYZ for our short stay and they didn't let us down. It was a perfect place to come back and sleep at after a long tiring day. 

Hotel XYZ, even from the outside, exudes a modern vibe. From the lobby, you could already see how they spent effort in designing the place making it look cozy and stylish that I never even knew that a hotel like this exists in the province and a city that was just hit by a typhoon. 

We booked a standard twin room on the 4th floor. Room was small but I didn't bother as it looked so cozy and clean. It didn't felt like you were cramped in a small space as they made use of the mirror effect in a stylish way. I specifically love the bed and the comforter. I always had a hard time waking up as I find the bed so comfy and soft. AC was working properly

The room comes with a flat screen TV equipped with cable channels. It also comes with a fridge, kettle and flashlight and a spacious cabinet with hangers.

Plus points for having a electric socket beside the bed!

Bathroom was surprisingly spacious. It was well equipped with the essentials.

Water pressure and heater was working fine. Shower area has good amount of space and there's also a wire where you could hang your clothes or towel. Looks odd but I say, it's pretty practical.

The inhouse restaurant called ABCD, and Illy cafe that offers pastries and coffee is located at the lobby. Breakfast can be served at your room (call the kitchen for room service) or you may go take it at ABCD cafe. You get to choose from their set menu. I may say that they have one of the best breakfast food I had. I specifically love their longanisa and tocino which has a generous serving. Interior of ABCD Cafe was equally stylish and modern as how the theme goes throughout the hotel.

 

During our stay, there was a construction going on on the upper floor which they advised us about upon checking in. On 2nd day, we already came back late at night and as we were all tired and wanted to have a longer sleep we asked the front desk if they could delay the construction for awhile as we are trying to sleep till late the next day before we get back to Manila. Nice of them to fulfill our wish as we were able to sleep well that night and wasn't bothered by any noise from the construction in the morning. 

Lobby

What the hallway looks like. Adequately lit with ambient music playing.

Being relatively new, almost everything was still in place. Hopefully, they'll be able to maintain it as I'll definitely be my first choice of accommodation if I ever get back to Tacloban.

Eating out in CDO: Kagay-anon, RedTail and Panagatan

This will be just a short post regarding three of the places we ate at while we’re at the City of Golden Friendship. Cagayan de Oro’s already a bustling city almost like Manila. I like their Centrio mall with the landscaping in one part of the mall that looks so nice to chill at. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to blog about the famous white water rafting and a lot more fun activities you may do in CDO as I WASN”T ABLE TO TRY ANY OF IT. Yes. I also feel sorry for myself. Tss. I’ll be back, CDO. I shall return.

Well anyway, moving on. Wherever I go, may it be local or abroad, I see to it that I would able to sample out the local fare or go on dine on restaurants which are originally from that place.  So here are 3 restaurants that you might also want to try while in CDO:

1.       Kagay-anon

It is an authentic Filipino restaurant famous in Cagayan de Oro located near Limketkai Center. Kagay-anon basically means someone from Cagayan de Oro. The interior of the restaurant was simple with tables and chairs made of wood. Even their plates are also wooden. The place is spacious enough for big groups and family gathering which they mostly cater to. We ordered Ostrich Salpicao, Crispy Shrimp and another 2 viands that I forgot. As recommended by the server, we tried the Ostrich Salpicao which is very tasty but basically just tastes like a normal meat but still good. I loved the crispy shrimp because of its, uh…  crispiness. Haha! I’m bad with these, sorry. Anyway, Kagay-anon is good for gathering as they offer a lot of choices. Servings are enough with the price which is in the mid-range level. Kind of reminds me of Cabalen. We waited for a bit for our food to be served maybe due to our late arrival, I guess. Well, still it’s worth a try as it’s been recommended by a lot and I even saw it an in-flight magazine on the way to CDO. From the numerous awards I saw in their counter, it seems that they're already an established and very known name in Cagayan so be sure to try out their feast when in CDO.

Limketkai Center, Rosario Crescent, Cagayan de Oro

Contact No.: +63 (88) 856-3688
(8822) 728958/729003

Operating Hours: 9am – 8pm

2.       Red Tail Shrimps and More

We had our lunch here on our 2nd day and just minutes after were seated, groups of people came in filling up the place. Red Tail is located at Papa Jaunito’s Square which is just a walk away from Mallberry Suites hotel. Basically, it’s just like your ordinary seafood restaurant but with a twist. What makes them different from others s on how they serve the food and how they let you eat it. And that is exactly the reason why I loved this restaurant, because of their concept of “kamayan” or eating with your bare hands. Well, not exactly with your bare hands as they also provide you plastic gloves and a bib to prevent food particles in your clothes. They would also line up your table with plastic paper and once your food is served, you may now start your sumptuous meal enjoying it with your bare hands and no one cares if you make a mess.

So on with the food. Those juicy and tasty shrimps are served in a plastic bag submerged in its sauce of your choice that they shake for a bit before serving.  Besides their best selling shrimp (Php335 / lb) in medium redtail style sauce, we also ordered grilled pork belly and Calamari which are all so good, too. You first choose the catch you want (shrimps - Php335/lb, crabs - Php335/lb, local mussels – Php155/lb  or a combination of the three – P395/lb).  Then you choose the flavor (RedTail Style (garlic and butter in a blend of assorted spices), Garlic Butter or Coco Loco) and the level of spiciness (non spicy, mild or spicy) and you’re good to go. If you love shrimps this would be like heaven for you. Definitely a fun dining experience you must try.

Papa Juanito's Square (Limketkai Drive), Cagayan de Oro

Contact No.: 880-3950 / 09178755347

Operating Hours: 11 am – 10 pm

3.       Panagatan

We got to first try this at Centrio Mall but I still suggest you try dining in on their main branch along the main highway at Opol, Misamis Oriental which is on the right side of the road, about 20 mins. from the city. The main branch offers an al fresco dining experience right along the bay. The sea breeze and the view is such a nice treat while enjoying your seafood lunch/dinner.

We ate at the main branch during lunch where a fair group of diners filled the area near the bay. While in Centrio, there’s not much when we visited for dinner on a weekday. Generally, service time on both branch is a bit slow like a minimum of 20-30mins. before food starts to arrive. We ordered a lot that I already couldn’t list everything but the Bouillabaisse soup is the one that stood out the most and also their Bicol Express. The baked scallops and pinakbet was a bit of a miss though, I just expected much more as those are one of my favorites. And also their prawns are acceptable, too,  but I’m still loyal to RedTail on that department. Haha! Anyway, Panagatan is another good choice if you want a variety of Filipino dishes to choose from.

Opol, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines

Centrio Mall Branch: 3^rd floor, Centrio Garden

Contact No.: (088) 754 487 / 09228586071

Oprating Hours: 6:30am – 10:30 pm 

If I'd choose between the three, I'll go with RedTail for the juicy shrimps, tasty spicy sauce and fun dining experience. But don't get me wrong, the other two is still worth a try among all the other restaurants in CDO. Even if you ask the locals, they'll most probably recommend any of the three, too. It's just that Ocho Seafood and Grill in Tacloban made my standards in seafood and Filipino cuisine, higher than ever. haha!

Hotel Review: Mallberry Suites Business Hotel @ CDO

I stayed at Mallberry Suites Business Hotel for 4D3N last October 5-8, 2014. From Laguindingan airport, it took almost an hour going to the hotel which is conveniently located at the city center near Limketkai Mall. I stayed at the Corporate Solo room which is  good for 1 person only. The room was small as expected but just enough for one people to move around. The bed, which is positioned beside the wall, was just big enough enough for one person to sleep comfortably. 

Before sleeping I usually like to watch some tv shows while lying in bed trying to get sleepy but the the problem is, the cable TV in this room was placed exactly near the foot side of the bed. That's why it's hard to watch without sitting up or positioning your head up while in bed. "tamad problems", yes, but any considerations? Not that it’s a major thing and I know this may be due to room space, but a higher platform might have been handy for this.  In addition, internet in my room was no chance, though it was available in the 5th floor superior room that my colleagues are staying (Update: my boss and another colleague of mine also booked here months after and wifi doesn't work in their room, too).  Corp solo room does not come with a personal ref in the room as compared to the superior room. So if you'll be booking a corporate solo room, just expect the basics.

Bathroom was small. Just enough space for one to take a bath and do one’s own business. Yes, they provide basic toiletries, but it’s better if you bring your own as it could be frustrating as for both shampoo and soap doesn't lather up as much as it should be.

They have 5 elevators, the other 3 is on the other side which is obviously facing a different corridor on the floor. What’s just amusing and annoying  is how I got “lost” on the 2nd day going down from breakfast. It can be quite confusing also (or is it just me?) as the floor where the rooms are have corridors that looks like a maze. Hallway light was dim which I don't usually bother to but not for the day when we watched Anabelle, just imagine me thinking happy thoughts and dashing straight to the end of the corridor where my room is situated, alone. But honestly, a brighter light in the hallway should be considered.

Breakfast buffet was standard, no cereals though. They offer rice, scrambled eggs, meat, fish and fruits. What I only loved and hoarded from their buffet is their creamy scrambled egg, and that's it.

Hotel lobby was spacious, and has a lot of sofa and chairs to lounge on which is a big thumbs up. You can also access the hotel wifi in here which is overly poor inside the room. An open bar is located also at the lobby with a flat screen mounted in the wall where you can watch the news while lounging.

We go out as early as 8am and gets back to the hotel by 10 pm so we weren’t able to try the hotel amenities. Upon touring around the hotel on the 1st night of our stay, I noticed they have 3 in house restaurants, indoor swimming pool, spa, meeting rooms, theater, gym and a game room (billiards, darts and chess). In conclusion, stay was average. Hopefully they’ll do something with their wifi connection. Being known as a business hotel, it's fitting to have a decent wifi connection not only in the lobby but most especially in the rooms, too.