5 Cool Home-Away-From-Home Ideas For The ASEAN Break

Staying at home this long weekend may be a good (and practical!) idea. But it would also be nice to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate elsewhere, for a change of scenery. Staycation in a hotel or a serviced apartment? Yes please! A change in environment is always a welcome solution to inspire creativity and have a refreshed mind and well rested body, so you’re all geared up for more busy days ahead.

Because of the 31st ASEAN Summit, November 13-15 were declared as special non-working days in NCR, Pampanga, and Bulacan. If you’re yet to decide on how to spend these free days, why not go on a staycation—whether in or out of Manila? Here are five places worth checking out:  

 

1. The Cirque Serviced Residences

This new serviced apartment just opened last September. It has 55 rooms available for overnight and extended stays. The rooms are available in three types and are on promo soft opening rates until December 2017: 1 Bedroom Flat with a twin size bed (P4,800), 1 Bedroom Loft with a queen size bed (P5,750), and 2 Bedroom Suite with a queen or a twin size bed (P7,200).

What’s unique about Cirque is that it is pet-friendly; it not only allows pets to roam around, it even has an off-leash dog amenity called Hachi Park. A must-check out for fitness enthusiasts is the indoor cycling park called The Bike Playground. Cirque has a convenient location at Circulo Verde that is close by commercial centers and shopping malls like Greenhills, Eastwood City, Cubao, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria mall.      

Located at Circulo Verde, #70 Calle Industria, Bgy. Bagumbayan, Quezon City

 

2. I’M Hotel

This modern 5-star hotel in the Poblacion district of Makati features 434 rooms, 182 of which are suites outfitted with Electrolux kitchenettes, living rooms, and dining areas. Sure, I’M Hotel’s rooms are designed with a sophisticated yet homey look, but we can’t blame you if you’d want to spend a lot of time outside your room—specifically at its Onsen Spa. I’M Hotel is the first to have this in the Philippines.

In an interview with Metro Home & Entertaining, Marketing Manager Melissa Lim says, “Our Onsen baths feature a unique carbonated bath with technology imported from Japan. This enables us to mimic the mineral composition of the most nourishing hot springs so the therapeutic and beautifying effects can also be enjoyed by our guests.”

Another iconic element of the hotel is the acrylic-bottomed infinity pool. Guests also have five restaurant options in here, but if you feel like eating something else, you can just step outside of the hotel and choose from the many restaurants that are in the Poblacion neighborhood.

Currently, I’M Hotel offers a Spa-cation Package priced at P6,990/night, which includes a buffet breakfast for two; one-time 60-minute massage for two; one-time buffet lunch or dinner for two; and complimentary accesses to I’M Onsen Spa Wellness Suites, gym and infinity pool, and club lounge.   

Located at Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City

 

3. Escala Tagaytay

Imagine waking up with the scenic Taal Lake as your view. This hotel offers that and more. Escala provides a beautiful venue with modern amenities, for a peaceful and worthwhile escape from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila. It features six types of rooms—Deluxe, Premiere, Family, Prestige Family, Executive, and Prestige—with rates starting from P8,500.

Despite the cool Tagaytay breeze, Escala’s main feature, the infinity pool, proves to be a favorite of guests as it offers an unparalleled view of the Taal Lake. The hotel also has a sky deck, a gym and fitness center, and an in-room massage service; soon, it will also have a spa.

Escala is near Tagaytay’s tourist spots such as the Sky Ranch, The Pink Sisters Convent, and Caleruega Church.

Located at Purok 102, Poblete Street, Barangay Maharlika West, Tagaytay City

 

4. Hotel 1925

Hotel 1925’s traditional yet modern, classy hotel vibe is inspired by the Spanish colonial era, with interiors that are underscored by 1900s Machuca tiles. The exquisite rooms are available in three types: Balcony Suite King (P6,050), Suite King (P5,500), and Suite Twin (P4,950).

The hotel’s other amenities include the Il Capo A Gentleman’s Barber Shop, D’ursi Autentica Pizzeria Napoletana restaurant (must-tries are the thin crust pizza baked from woodfired oven and the homemade gelato), and Weird Cycles Bike Shop (a specialty shop that sells mountain bikes, trekking bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, push bikes and accessories from Germany and the Netherlands). A gym and a Filipino restaurant will open soon.

Located in the beautiful Lipa City, Hotel 1925 is close to tourist spots like the heritage house museum Casa de Segunda, Milea Bee Farm, and Museo ng Katipunan.

Located at Lamar, Pilahan Street, Sabang, Lipa City, Batangas

 

5. Kamiseta Hotel

If you feel like going on a long road trip all the way to Baguio on a whim, why not check out this chic hotel? From the same owners of the clothing store Kamiseta and restaurant Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Kamiseta Hotel carries the same fun and feminine aesthetic the aforementioned brands are known for. As what can be expected, the rooms at the hotel are every kikay girl’s dream—pretty, girly, and dreamy. There are six guestrooms and suites available: Cristina - Suites (starts from P6,400), Petra - Suites (starts from P6,400), Natalia - Deluxe (starts from P5,600), Natalie - Deluxe (starts from 5,600), Alicia - Superior (starts from P3,600), and Katie – Superior (starts from P3,600). 

Located at #20 Villamor St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City