HOTEL HOPPING TO WELCOME 2023

AND for the 10th time in this silly little foodie blog, I am again featuring our traditional HOTEL HOPPING to end the old and greet the new year! I know you guys may be tired of this, but sorry na lang because this is a strict family tradition and it's most likely that we'll be doing it until the boys leave us to have a million babies. 

BELAT!!

Seriously though, yes, we've been going to the same hotels and again, we've been doing the same thing over and over again. Still, every year gives a different kind of happiness, a different kind of memory, and a different sense of loving accomplishment at something that my Dad started while we were all little brats. 

The pandemic may put a pause in our lives but not our family traditions. This year, we're excited that my Mom has finally joined us. I think the last time she was part of our HOTEL HOPPING tradition was when Daddy was initiating it. Though she changed our initial plans because either she didn't want to go too far or she didn't want to stay out late, in the end, everything worked out perfectly fun. 

So here we are, sharing our HOTEL HOPPING tradition here in the blog (10th in ERICJAZFOODIES while forever in reality). 

Enjoy!!!

Or not.

I know we DEFINITELY did!

HOTEL HOPPING AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!

SOTETSU FRESA INN (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

For our JAPAN trip last 2019, my siblings planned everything. So the only thing that the boys and I were expected to do was SHOW UP.

One of the trip essentials that they took care of was the hotel. I wasn't asked for suggestions (not that I have any.. he he he) so I trusted them with choosing for the group (Mommy is treating us anyway).

Kuya Jon and Ate Jit went for SOTETSU FRESA INN, the hotel they stayed in during their last vacation in JAPAN. They showed me pictures and it looked nice and clean. Great thing too was that the hotel was in a nice and safe area that's near the train station so we don't need to walk miles just to get somewhere.

So yep! SOTETSU FRESA INN it is. Let's hope that it will be a suitable temporary home during our 5 day stay in JAPAN!  

SOTETSU FRESA INN!

EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL'S BUFFET BREAKFAST

Though I eat most of the time, ALL THE TIME, I think there's some truth to it when I say that breakfast is my favorite meal for the whole day.

Sure, a platter of steak and crabs with wine IS something. But give me a bowl of garlic rice, egg, topped with either tapa, tocilog, danggit, then paired off with coffee, and I could have it all day, everyday!!!!

AYSUSHIMITA SEN SA SARAP OMAYGASH!!!

He he he he!

That's why for our breakfast in EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, I was very excited because not only is HEAT very popular around the metro, but we will be having my most awaited meal of the day at an exclusive restaurant in a 5-star hotel.

My curiosity became hungry like me!

Though of course, I would gladly have my breakfast at street eateries, this would be a nice change.

Check out our bondat breakfast in HEAT, EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL!

BREKKY WEKKY!!!!!!!

KTG FOR 2020!

ERICJAZ FOODIES started the year with a getogether with our favorite foodies...

Photo from Timothy Cheung

THE KTG!!!!

OUR HOTEL HOPPING TO WELCOME 2020

Every year, THE YAPPY BUNCH follows the tradition of my family going on hotel hopping on New Year's Eve. (Yep. We've been doing this in the 80s pa -- waaaaaay before hotel lounging and parties were a thing in the Metro.)

When the kiddies were younger we would really do our hotel hopping on December 31. However, hotels would usually have  New Year countdowns that it's difficult for us to get a table (take note, difficult, not impossible. We were still able to get a table because the kiddies were cute {we used them...  ha ha ha ha}. Yun lang our stay is limited {aka baka dumating na yung nagpareserve} so we had to go din after 30 minutes or an hour). Because of that, we decided to just do our Hotel Hopping after Christmas in hoping that some decorations were still up.

Last year we were not able to do our Hotel Hopping Tradition because we got sooooo busy. That's why for this year, we really made a point to go out for this (to think that we came pa from Antipolo). We're surprised that even the little guys were up for it (usually they'd sulk and ask to go home). So yeah it's a sign. It's time to carry on with the tradition.

Check out our fun Hotel Hopping (or hop) tradition in welcoming the year 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

We're going HOTEL HOPPING!!!!!

BREAKFAST AT ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY

THE YAPPY BUNCH are having an awesome weekend staycation in ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY, and we're glad that for the price we paid to book our room, breakfast was included!

Up and early for brekky!!!!!

ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY (PART ONE)

Summer was about to end and I thought that it's high time for THE YAPPY BUNCH to have our own family getaway.

Don't get me wrong, going on trips with our family and close friends are fun, but it's a different kind of bonding when it's just the 4 of us. The Yub and I agreed that with our very busy times these days, it's something that we should really do with the kids on a regular basis.

Now where to go????

The Yub and I have been hearing rave reviews about ANYA RESORT in Tagaytay from my sister and a friend. I checked it out and yep, it really did look nice. However, everytime I looked at their weekend rates, inangkupush... P14,000.00 for one night? I'm all for indulging once in a while but I somehow can't stomach P14,000.000 (ha ha ha especially that I'll be paying for the hotel while the Yub will take care of the restos). Sorry, I'm just being honest. Ha ha ha ha ha! Ang dami ko nang magagawa for P14,000.00 (like get hair implants on my big noo).

Then one night, lo and behold I saw that for one weekend, the rate for their Junior Suite Twin was only about P9,000.00! Yipeee! How meant to be for us! We immediately booked and made our plans on where to go to Tagaytay.

And how was our weekend?

It was SUPER fun. I think it's our best weekend for the summer!!!! Of course, all getaways with the family are the best, but for that trip, ANYA RESORT made a very big contribution!

:P

We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship.....

TO THE SOUTH!

Uy ang fresh ko pa!

LA VITA ITALIA IN MARCO POLO HOTEL

Sunday is sacred for family days and I could not imagine spending the last day of the weekend without them. It is also on this day that the Yub and I usually plan something special with the little guys (we have always stressed the importance of Sundays for family and made sure to always reserve the day only for them). That's why when MARCO POLO MANILA invited ERICJAZ FOODIES and the boys for the LA VITA ITALIA buffet in CUCINA, we were excited that we will enjoy it as a family. The great thing too is that besides being back again in the "hands" of Forbes Travel Guide's 5-Star Awardee, MARCO POLO MANILA, we will also get to meet world champion of pizza acrobatics Chef Pasqualino Barbasso and taste his creations.

Of course, THE YAPPY BUNCH is fine anywhere as long as we're together. But if you add to the mix authentic Italian pizza, pizza making lessons for the kiddies, and pizza acrobatics by a world champion, (not to mention CUCINA'S popular buffet serving fresh and mouth watering dishes), THEN, WE. ARE. SO. SOLD.

Heck, I'll even desert the kids for that! He he he he! Family Shmamily.

That's a 180-degree turn for you.

OH I'M KIDDING.

See what delicious food does to us?

Check out our buon appetito Sunday lunch in CUCINA, MARCO POLO HOTEL, and see how you too could have the same authentic Italian experience!!!

THE YAPPY BUNCH spent the first day of the Ber months in CUCINA!!!

OUR HOTEL IN KOREA 2019 ( RAMADA ENCORE BY WYNDHAM )

When we go out of the country, looking for our hotel accommodations is very important. Before when it was just me and the Yub, we're fine wherever it was cheap. However when the little lords arrived, we became very particular with the cleanliness, security, AND safety of where we're going to stay. Of course, price was still very much a factor (HELLOOOOO we're proudly kuripots... ha ha ha ha) and it's great that we're still able to find accommodations with those qualifications. He he he he he he!

For our recent KOREA trip, we availed the services of a travel agency so we were at their mercy when it comes to our hotel. They gave us the name and upon checking their site online, it was just okay. I mean, we'd prefer somewhere else, but this was what's included in our package and I think it's near the touristy district of Korea.

Lo and behold, when we arrived in Korea, we were informed by our guide that there have been changes in our accommodations. Instead of hotel X, we will now be staying at RAMADA ENCORE by WYNDHAM. She proudly stated that it's a 4 star hotel (as opposed to Hotel X which was only 3 stars) and it recently opened. The only drawback was that it was SOOOOO far from our touristy places (think a 1 hour drive everyday) that whatever plans we made were going to change.

At first we were all peeved with the change in location. However, when we got to the hotel, we appreciated all the space and the sosy wosy interiors (compared to Hotel X). And yes, it may be far from the tourist spots but at least we get an additional hour's sleep in the bus everyday before getting to our destination (this was perfect because we always wake up early for the "call time").

Sharing with you our hotel stay in KOREA! This just goes on to prove though that in whatever obstacles (or changes) that come in your life, you should still learn to make the best of it and appreciate everything. O di ba, we were still all happy in the end.

YIIHAW!  

RAMADA ENCORE BY WYNDHAM!!!!

MEDLEY OKADA HOTEL (BREAKFAST BUFFET)

Breakfast was thankfully included in our OKADA HOTEL staycation and we got more excited especially when dear Ivy showed me the dishes served. You see for hotel breakfasts we're so used to the ever present eggs, bacon, garlic fried rice, salad bar, soup bar, etc (I'm not complaining there because I just LOOOOVE breakfast food). But in OKADA MANILA, they also included sushi, sashimi, plus many more items that you would expect for a lunch or dinner buffet!

Woah! That is surely bang for your buck!!!

So we all got up early (yep 9:00am is early) for our OKADA HOTEL breakfast, and we were all wowed with what we saw. Check out how many plates we finished because as I would always say during staycations, "Hanggang dinner na yan!"

KIDDING!!

Or am I?

:P

Yep! Breakfast is the best meal of the day!

I'm the King of the World!!!!!!!!

LA PIAZZA RISTORANTE ITALIANO (OKADA HOTEL)

The family was having a weekend staycation at OKADA MANILA HOTEL and for dinner plans, we made reservations in LA PIAZZA RISTORANTE ITALIANO.

We're going to have Italian tonight!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION (PART TWO)

It's day two of our staycation in OKADA MANILA HOTEL with the Yub's family to celebrate our wedding anniversary and mil's (or Mother in Law) birthday. Like I said in the previous blog post, I'm not really much into staycations now because I would rather stay at home and Netflix my ass off in bed. But then this is free and it would mean a lot to the Yub, so fine. I'll just Netflix my ass off in THEIR bed.

Har de har har.

Anyways everything's so meh for me UNTIL I got news from dear Ivy (wife of Yub's bro) saying that instead of 2 rooms, she managed to get an upgrade for a 2 bedroom suite. NOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!!! And if you've seen how big the room is you'll understand my sudden 360 degree excitement. Ika nga ni Pareng Thor, "It's still worthy..." -- pertaining to the weekend.

He he he he he! Yes, I'm SOOOO shallow I know.

Galeng Ivy!!! I'm impressed!!!! How to be you pohz? He he he he!

Anyways, so this is day two where we made most of the time left we have in this OKADA MANILA staycation.

Like what I would always say though, the Yub, Mati, Andrei and I, collectively known as THE YAPPY BUNCH, are actually fine anywhere as long as we're together.

HOWEVER....

It wouldn't hurt if it's also in a 2 bedroom suite in OKADA MANILA fosho. He he he he!!!! 

OKADA MANILA HOTEL!!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION (PART ONE)

Mother-in-law (or mil) treated the family to a weekend staycation in celebration of her birthday and my wedding Anniversary with the Yub in OKADA MANILA HOTEL.

To be honest at first I was like MEH. We've had our fill of staycations before that now the thought of packing up and going somewhere else to sleep in is just something that bores me. I have come to realize too that when you have a happy home, you don't need to go somewhere else to celebrate -- staying put with the family is a party enough.

Anyway, 2 rooms were booked then lo and behold, my dear sister-in-law Ivy did some magic and was able to get the Manila Bay suite for us!!!!!!

WOAH with a capital W and O! He he he he he he!!!!! Do you guys know how much the Manila Bay Suite of OKADA MANILA HOTEL is??? Check in their website to find out!!! Yep!!! Galeng ni Ivy!! With her efforts, we will be able to stay in this prime suite with the family!

So finally I looked forward to the weekend. At least this would really be a happy treat for the family.

And was it as awesome as we thought it would be?

Yep! It definitely was!!!! Especially that it was a weekend for more bonding with THE YAPPY BUNCH!

WOHOO!!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL!

YAKUMI (SOLAIRE)

The Yub and I don't go to Solaire often because it's far from where we live. I have been there for some of their shows (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, etc) but we only stayed within the theatre area.

One time my officemate invited me and the family to eat lunch at YAKUMI in SOLAIRE because she had a special discount. She said it will be her advance birthday gift to me.

Game!!!!! I answered without any hesitation. I don't even know where it is in SOLAIRE but you know me, when it comes to Japanese I never think twice. Tapos birthday treat pa, so SUGOD MGA KAPATID! ha ha ha ha!

Another officemate was supposed to come with us but they cancelled the last minute. Now who to invite to come with us????

Mam Zeny said I could just invite whoever pa since sayang naman her very big discount. My Mom and Kuya Jon cannot go because they're looking after the business while Andrei naman is on his field trip.

So who else? Hmmmm... Decisions... Decisions.

With that I thought of my kumareng Gail!!!

We were just together last night for her birthday treat to me in DUCK AND BUVETTE. And what better way to say "thank you" by taking her with me to a Japanese extravaganza?

As expected, she said yes. YAYYYY!!! Japanese food here we come!!!

O, iyan na mare "treat" ko sa yo sa birthday mo in December ha?

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! 

YAKUMI!!!!!!!!!!!

BELMONT STAYCATION (2019)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are once again in BELMONT HOTEL for a staycation with our BP (Bawal Panget) Family to celebrate dear Gem's birthday. Every year, Team Navarro would always treat the whole group for a hotel stay during the weekend that's why it's a birthday celebration that we always look forward to!

Of course, I know that I have already blogged about BELMONT HOTEL and our stay there with friends. Still, this weekend gave us a lot of happy family memories that we would like put on record on this silly little blog. This is after all, my online diary.

Sharing with you our simple but very fun (and wet) BELMONT HOTEL staycation with THE YAPPY BUNCH!! Hope we still have some more more mooooore!!!!!!!!

BELMONT HOTEL!!!!!!!!!

We arrived in BELMONT HOTEL past their check-in time because we came from lunch with KTG mates.

TAPENADE, DISCOVERY PRIMEA (2018)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a staycation in DISCOVERY PRIMEA for the birthday of the December celebrants and the Christmas season as well.

For our dinner that night, we decided that it should be somewhere special. We are after all celebrating something special anyways. We wanted to go out but we realized that since it's the holidays, traffic would be terrible and the restaurants would probably be jampacked (reservations are zero pa on weekends).

Aning and I decided that it would be best if we just stay put in the hotel and have dinner in TAPENADE. We remember how much we enjoyed the food before and I'm happy that this time, we would be with the boys. Yun lang, since it's a Saturday on a Christmas season, they cannot take our reservations for our big group of 20. Good thing that since DISCOVERY PRIMEA values their hotel guests (and because we're soooo CUTE), they finally agreed. 

TAPENADE! HURRAH!!!!

ELEMENTS BUFFET BREAKFAST (NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL BAGUIO)

While I was deciding where to stay in our BAGUIO TRIP, my kumareng Gail recommended that I check out NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL. She said that the rooms rates were reasonable and that the beds were big. She added that breakfast was included in the booking and it was delicious!!!

Oooooh. Really now????

So I booked because of all of those reasons and was generally happy with the hotel when we checked in.

Lo and behold, the FOOD ALPHABET family was also staying there for the weekend and I learned that it's actually their second time there. Of course I asked how they found the hotel and they gave me the same answer: room rates were reasonable and the beds were big. But what really put a twinkle in my kumpareng pogi's eyes was when he said "Breakfast IS included and it was great!!!"

Aba dalawa na nagsasabi non ah!!!!

So I went down with my family hungry and excited for our breakfast in NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL. It was, of course, my favorite meal of the day (besides and dinner and lunch... Ha ha ha ha).

How did I find it? Read below and see. You'll all see!!!!!!!

:P

The breakfast in NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL was served in their restaurant, ELEMENTS.

Checking their buffet rates, I'd say that the prices are indeed very reasonable. 

NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL BAGUIO

THE YAPPY BUNCH were going to BAGUIO to have a pre-birthday celebration for the bunsoy Andrei and while we were planning it, he requested to for his Lola, my Mom, to join us.

That's great!!! I thought to myself. I was really planning on treating my Mommy to join us in BAGUIO and it felt good that my own son was thinking of the same thing.

Yup! My boys love their Lola (and Lolo Pogi - rip) soooo much!!!!

So when we were plotting our itinerary and planning our BAGUIO trip, we looked for hotels that would comfortably accommodate my family. We already stayed in  somebody's house, GRAND SIERRA PINES, and CHALET HOTEL, so we wanted to try something else.

When I was deciding where to go, my bunsoy whispered if it was okay to get his own bed. He said since it was his (pre) birthday celebration, maybe he doesn't have to share with his Kuya even just this once. Okay I said. I thought since my Mom will be joining us, it would be better to get a separate room for her anyways.

When asking around, my Mareng Gail recommended that I check out NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL. She stayed there before and loved the spacious rooms, queen-sized beds, the heated pool, and the buffet breakfast! The best part too was that it was super affordable.

SOLD! He he he he he!

I checked out NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL online and saw that yes, booking two rooms for two nights was still within my budget. I was glad too that even if it was a long weekend, there were still rooms available for us.

So YAYY! We're booked and ready to go!

Another great thing was that I discovered our good friends THE FOOD ALPHABET family also made reservations in the same hotel that weekend.

See? Everything was meant to be.

(Ang OA... he he he).

:P 

We're here in NEWTOWN!!!!

Haaaaay! FINALLY after 11 hours!!!

Yup! I won't stop ranting about it.

HEROES HOTEL PART ONE

It was supposed to be the "usual" weekend for us: wake up to a late breakfast, Kali for Master Mati in the afternoon, then dinner and movie night for our Saturdate. However, we were invited by HEROES HOTEL for a weekend hotel staycation, so that meant our schedule for that particular Saturday and Sunday would be a wee different. But since we know how our usual staycations go, it's still going to be a fun "routine" for us. With that, I immediately made a mental checklist to pack our swimsuits, our midnight snacks, gameboards, movies, etc. etc.

But guess what? We didn't use ANY of them.

Saying that we had a different kind of weekend in HEROES HOTEL would be an understatement. It may not be the 5-star, flashy, and grand hotel that is popular in the metro but still, the family and I all had a unique and unforgettable stay.

And seriously I'm sure you will agree because HEROES HOTEL is indeed "the little hotel that could" in so many fun yet honorable ways!

Where else could you find a hotel that will make heroes out of you?

Read on and find out!

Yohoo! We're in HEROES HOTEL!!!!!

CHALET BAGUIO HOTEL BREAKFAST (2018)

THE YAPPY BUNCH had an impromptu vacation in the City of Pines and was able to book a holiday weekend in CHALET BAGUIO HOTEL. What appealed to us in this simple lodge-like place was that it was affordable, ghost-free, and most importantly, available for our late booking. As we were checking their website we discovered that our accommodations also included free dinners AND breakfast for 2 pax.

HUWAW! Isn't that cool???

Breakfast is already my favorite meal of the day but to have it free and in buffet form? It will definitely make any kind of vacation more special. He he he he he he!

I know I'm OA but yeah breakfast does that to me. It's the meal I swear I could NEVER get full from. If it had the premise of not getting me fat and full of cholesterol, I would have breakfast for HOURS.

Check out the enjoyable 2-day breakfast that we had in CHALET BAGUIO HOTEL! It was certainly enough to make us happy and energized for the whole day!

Let's have brekky in CHALET BAGUIO HOTEL!!!!

Their buffet breakfast was served at San Marcelino Hall.