My Busy Birthday
Its August and I'm celebrating my birthday. After my recent Davao trip, I wanted to stay in the city instead of going out of town and a staycation is just what I need for a quick R&R.
After my stay last December at Crimson Filinvest City, I thought it would be nice to stay there again and celebrate my birthday. Thanks to Agoda.com, I booked a deluxe room for a weekend stay.
I always liked the lobby of Crimson Hotel in Alabang, and I especially like the abstract looking ceiling.
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| Crimson Filinvest City lobby |
Rooms are spacious and tastefully done, not too much stuff going on but still comfy and homey.
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| Deluxe Room |
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| Deluxe Room |
I also liked that the room was high up on the 18th floor which gives sweeping views of Alabang.
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| View of Alabang |
First on the agenda was checking out the pool and having a quick dip, but first, a drink to get the party started.
It was obviously a family day and I'm thinking because its a holiday the next day, many families decided to also have a quick staycation at Crimson. Its nice to see families bonding and kids enjoying swimming at the pool.
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| Caipirinha and hot chocolate |
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| Pool days and my Caipirinha |
After a quick dip in the pool, what a nice surprise, in my room. Someone left a big stuff toy for my birthday on my bed. :)
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| Surprise |
After a quick nap (a much needed beauty sleep), time to head out for dinner. But first, let me take a selfie at the lobby.
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| Crimson ground floor lobby |
For dinner, I wanted to celebrate at The Nest at Vivere Hotel which was a short walk from where I was staying. Need I say more, time for another selfie, this time at Vivere Hotel's lobby.
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| Vivere Hotel lobby |
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| Vivere Hotel lobby |
The Nest is located at the top most floor of the hotel which gives you an incredible view of Alabang and on a clear day, you can see as far as Makati and The Fort.
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| The Nest at Vivere Hotel |
Although a little cloudy, it was still a beautiful night and you can see the lights of the city. I think I can see my room at Crimson Hotel. :)
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| View from The Nest at Vivere Hotel |
To start off dinner, some Apple Sour Martini to get the appetite going. The mood of the restaurant is perfect for dinner.
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| Apple Sour Martini |
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| The Nest bar area |
Unfortunately, since I was already so hungry, I wasn't able to take a picture of my food and started to eat already. :D After a hearty dinner, it was time to head back (since I was already a little sleepy).
The only thing that delayed me was ofcourse me taking more pictures at Vivere Hotel.
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| Hanging lamps from The Nest restaurant |
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| Vivere Restroom. I like the vase/lamp |
The next day, and after sleeping like a baby at Crimson's comfy beds, I wanted to just stay in and just relax at my bed. First on the agenda, coffee and checking out pictures!
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| Just woke up, I need coffee |
Nest, thanks to some Watsons Facial Masks that I bought the other day, I got a spa treatment in the comfort of my own room.
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| Pampering day |
And the last surprise to cap my day, a new Technomarine watch. I just love how this birthday staycation turned out to be. Another watch to add to my collection.
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| Technomarine Jellyfish |
I'm definitely loving Crimson and my 2nd time is definitely worth it. I might consider staying here again for another staycation to celebrate another occasion.
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| Crimson Lobby |
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| Crimson Filinvest City Alabang |
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| Poolside |
After my staycation at Crimson Hotel, time to spend time
with the family. On the day of my birthday we had lunch at Sambokojin SM
Southmall.
Like my birthday last year, we celebrated here because 1. its a buffet and 2. Mom and Dad get to eat for half of the price and 3. I get to eat for free!
I definitely have a sweet tooth and while I was checking out the buffet, I can't help but look at the mouth watering desserts.
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| Yummy desserts |
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| Yummy desserts |
The place is very popular with birthday celebrants because of the birthday offer. After an hour or so, you'll hear the birthday song being played and the staff going around the restaurant singing and putting up a signage for a photo op. Also, cakes were distributed to the celebrants (as if the dessert table wasn't enough sweets).
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| Me and my cake |
The celebration wasn't over and the next day, I was again out and about and this time around went to MOA to hang-out. One good thing about the MOA complex is that you have a lot of things to do there. You have the mall which ofcourse has everything already, but you also have the bayside where you can walk and enjoy the sunset or check out the new hotel, Conrad Manila which we did.
First on the list was getting some snacks and what better way than to enjoy some street food that was readily available at the transportation terminal of the mall.
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| Tokneneng and 1 Day Old |
Also, being my normal self, selfies are definitely on the agenda. Why not take one in this elevated walkway?
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| Walking around MOA |
As mentioned, Conrad Manila is a new hotel located at the MOA Complex which sits conveniently beside the mall and SMX Convention Center. Talk about location. The design obviously matches the surrounding as it kinda looks like a yacht.
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| On my way to Conrad Manila |
The hotel also comes with a luxury mall called S Maison which occupies the first 2 floors of the building.
The interiors are posh and even though there are just a few stores open, you know that the spaces will be occupied by high end labels and brands.
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| S Maison interiors |
The mall is very artsy and I liked that vibe. There's even a little art exhibit in one of the spaces. I saw these sitting areas that you feel kinda like being inside an egg. The mall is definitely a place where you can take your Instagram photos.
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| Lounging around. I feel like being inside an egg |
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| Someone is enjoying the art |
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| Now where to eat, what to do |
After walking around (which is fairly quick since the mall is small), we went to hang-out at Starbucks Reserve. I love the ceiling décor.
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| Starbucks Reserve |
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| Starbucks Reserve |
The mall comes with a deck that faces the bay, which makes it a perfect place to admire the beauty of the famed Manila Bay sunset. Since it was just around 4PM, it was still too hot to go out but I still managed to take some photos of the building's architecture.
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| Conrad Hotel Manila and the MOA Eye |
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| Conrad Hotel Manila |
Being a posh mall, it also comes with a Director's Club cinema where you can watch your movie in Lazy Boy chairs and provide you with popcorn service.
After the movie, it was just past sunset so it was time to go back out and take pictures. It was a beautiful evening so it was perfect for more pictures.
Today was a day well spent. It was my first time at S Maison and I love going to new places. Also, it was my first time watching at a Director's Club cinema so double yay! Lastly, I liked that I was able to take pictures, definitely something to look back to.
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| View of the MOA Eye from Conrad Hotel Manila |
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| Conrad Hotel Manila |
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| Conrad Hotel Manila |
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| MOA Eye |
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| Conrad Hotel Manila |
It was a long birthday celebration but was well worth it. Was able to do the stuff I wanted and spent time with people that mattered to me.
Follow me on Instagram at @cjsohot
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