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!!!

A TASTE OF ISTANBUL IN MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

ERICJAZ FOODIES was recently invited by MARCO POLO ORTIGAS to try out their latest featured cuisine, A TASTE OF ISTANBUL.

To be honest, the Yub and I were not really familiar with the dishes from Turkey. We were fans of Shawarma and I loved Indian food but we're not so sure how those fared up to what we will be having later on. I was extra worried too that the Yub was a bit picky with his food (he's got a very sensitive taste AND tummy... he he he he he). But of course, we were still curious with what MARCO POLO ORTIGAS has cooked up for us.

One thing we were sure of however was that since A TASTE OF ISTANBUL will be in the award winning CUCINA restaurant and cooked by a master chef flown in from Turkey just for this event, we know that we will be savoring every morsel and bite of this exotic cuisine. So we didn't hesitate to give our confirmation "A" to the "S-A-P"... ASAP!

Check out our wonderful dinner at CUCINA in MARCO POLO ORTIGAS where we savored the delicious delicacies from Istanbul!

The Chinese Dimpol and I will enjoy Istanbul tonight!!!!!

It was a Thursday and the Yub and were happy that we're right on time!!!!

CAFE PRONTO - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

The YAPPY BUNCH just checked out from our awesome 5-star staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL and we were feeling a bit hungry. Good thing that CAFE PRONTO was just downstairs and it was perfect for that "something light" that we were craving for. This was good news especially to hotel guests because they don't have to go to a fast food joint or a convenience store -- CAFE PRONTO is just there to make our tummies happy.

Not only that, it also meant that we could somehow "extend" our experience in Forbes Travel Guide's 5-star awardee while munching on delicious snacks. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Well, sleeping is the best of course. But we'll do THAT after we get ourselves full from CAFE PRONTO!!! He he he he!

CAFE PRONTO!

The chic cafe could be found beside the main entrance of MARCO POLO HOTEL.

CONNECT LOUNGE - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a staycation at Forbe's Travel Guide's 5-star awardee MARCO POLO HOTEL, and having a 5-star time!!!!

For that afternoon after checking in, we thought of just lounging around being lazy but we wanted to have some munchies. With that, I remembered how much fun my bunsoy Andrei and I had when we had a mini-date at CONNECT LOUNGE with their scrumptious Afternoon Tea!!!!

CONNECT LOUNGE!

CONNECT LOUNGE is on the 24th floor of MARCO POLO HOTEL near the lobby.  The place gives a breath-taking view of the Metro while you have your drinks and enjoy their fast (and free) wifi service!

OUR FAMILY DINNER AT LUNG HIN - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

Chinese cuisine is one of THE YAPPY BUNCH's favorites. And whenever a strong craving arises, we have our usual places to go to that serve the greasy and saucy dishes we are very familiar with and love.

Sometimes though, it is just fitting that you go somewhere special. And for our 5-Star staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL, we didn't need to go far to get that extra-ordinary serving of award-winning delicious Chinese food -- we just have to go up to the 44th floor and indulge in the wonders of LUNG HIN RESTAURANT!

Welcome!

When you enter LUNG HIN, you'll be immediately greeted by their awards and recognitions. Hmmm... This just made me more curious of the meal ahead. (Mas awarded pa LUNG HIN sa akin e! Ha ha ha ha ha!)

OUR 5-STAR MARCO POLO STAYCATION (DAY 2)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a glorious time in MARCO POLO HOTEL and experiencing why it was awarded recently by Forbes Travel Magazine with a whopping 5-stars.

Now why is that 5-stars a big deal from Forbes Travel Magazine a big deal?

If you've seen star ratings from hotel establishments, it was Forbes Travel Magazine who started it way back in 1958. For many years they have institutionalized the standards of hotels with their exclusive ratings system done meticulously by their quality inspectors.  It is only in 2017 that the Philippines was given recognition, and one of the two hotels was MARCO POLO ORTIGAS.

So yeah. We would CERTAINLY love to get a piece of the hotel that was named "One of the Finest Five-Star properties in the World for 2017".  We would be so crazy not to!

Now even if it was already our second time here, we were still enjoying every minute of our staycation and discovering a new level of fun with the family. I guess THAT is indeed the 5-star way!

Now I know I should've just shortened this post into one blog but I can't -- there are just too many great times that I never ever want to forget. And you know me, I always post everything in detail especially if it produced maximum enjoyment for my family. He he he he!

Check out day 2 of our awesome 5-star staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL and I hope it will give you an idea of how your stay will be like.

OH.

YEAAAH.

It's day 2 of our MARCO POLO STAYCATION!!!!!!!!!

OUR 5-STAR MARCO POLO STAYCATION (DAY 1)

The YAPPY BUNCH already had a staycation in MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA early this year when the Chinese Dimpol booked the family for Master Mati's birthday. I remember how much fun we had because even if we got the De Luxe room, we were treated like VIPs who were staying in their penthouse.

Imagine our surprise and excitement when MARCO POLO ORTIGAS invited  the family for a Halloween staycation to fully experience why they were recently awarded by Forbes Travel Guide with 5- Stars!

Oh wowness!!!!!!! To think that we already felt pampered and taken cared for the last time!!!!

We accepted the invitation fast, and REALLY blocked it off our schedule. There may be other invites for that day but so sorry -- we are going to have a staycation, "5-star style"!

And that we did! MARCO POLO ORTIGAS surely knows how to give their guests the exquisite 5-star experience. We enjoyed every minute of our over-the-top staycation that we were already planning (and saving up) for our next one. It was surely 2 days well-spent with the family. The only problem for us was....

How are we going to go back to ordinary life now???

Kidding! He he he he!

:P

MARCO POLO 5-star staycation baby!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived at MARCO POLO HOTEL after Sunday lunch. Whopeee!!!!

Why were we so excited to experience a recent 5-star awardee of Forbes Travel Guide you might ask?

Well for one, if you see star ratings in hotels, that was started by the Forbes Travel Guide. They made this rating system back in 1958 in order to give guests a grand picture of the kind of accommodations the hotel offered. The institution had a vast team of quality inspectors who anonymously check such establishments around the world. And guess what? It is ONLY this year that the Philippines was given this recognition and one of the 5-star awardees for 2017 was MARCO POLO HOTEL.

So you may have had other staycations in the country, but FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE assures you that NOTHING will be like what they'll give you with MARCO POLO HOTEL!!!!!!!!

FROM PALETTE TO PALATE AT MARCO POLO MANILA

International dishes may become the rave from time to time but no cuisine reigns more supreme for us than Filipino food. With that, MARCO POLO MANILA, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star awardee, invites you to celebrate the awesomeness of our taste with "From Palette to Palate!"

From August 22 to 31, 2017, our very own Chef Ramon Antonio will show how Filipino food is like a work of art -- literally. The world-class chef is known for sketching his dishes and bringing it to life for his diners. With "From Palette to Palate" you will experience first-hand a feast for the eyes AND for your insatiable hunger at CUCINA for as low as P1,500.00!

Check out my date with the Chinese Dimpol as we enjoy Chef Ramon Antonio's beautiful and tasty dishes at CUCINA, in MARCO POLO HOTEL Manila!

ERICJAZ FOODIES are going to have a date night with Chef Ramon Antonio's creations! 

Enter....

Too bad we were not able to attend the launch last August 22, 2017 but we were still able to see Chef Antonio's sketches displayed throughout CUCINA!

FESTA ITALIANA AT CUCINA

MARCO POLO HOTEL is celebrating the bold flavors of Italy with FESTA ITALIANA! From June 7 to 18, 2017, feast on the mouth-watering dishes prepared by award-winning guest chef Andrea Delzanno from Marco Polo Hong Kong.

And that's what we just did!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES were able to indulge and savor these delectable Italian favorites served for a limited time in CUCINA. We felt so happy that we almost posted a selfie with the caption #blessed (inangku) because Chef Delzanno's creations were all molto delizioso. Not only that, we also got to satisfy our cravings with CUCINA'S buffet spread.

Check out our fun night with MARCO POLO's Italian feast plus MORE below!!!  

FESTA ITALIANA in CUCINA!!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES are with our KTG mates The Food Alphabet and Frannywanny!!!!

CUCINA BREAKFAST BUFFET (MARCO POLO STAYCATION)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a family staycation at MARCO POLO HOTEL in Ortigas and after sleeping really late last night, we woke up frantic....

We're going to miss breakfast!!!!

We all dressed up hurriedly and rushed downstairs to CUCINA for MARCO POLO HOTEL's breakfast buffet. We're grateful to discover that we were still on time! Yey!!! Now that's an early reason to rejoice!!!!

If you've enjoyed the food at CUCINA, you will certainly know why we're doing the happy dance!

CUCINA!!!