Staycation: Privato Hotel
As working professionals, a much needed break is always welcome even for just a day or two, so what better way to escape than to do a staycation. I am very fond of staycations because its easy and it requires no planning at all. Just select a hotel you like, see what's near and voila, you're good to go.
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| Hanging Poolside |
Living in the south of the metro, I haven't really explored or gone to areas up north so what better way than to stay there and explore.
I've always seen deal at Privato Hotel from one of my favorite websites (dealgorcer.com). Since there were no deals available, good thing I have my bestfriend Agoda.com and with an ongoing promo with Citibank PH that gives me an additional discount, its perfect.
The hotel is located along Shaw Boulevard so 1st stop was to go to Shangrila Mall for lunch. After shopping (ofcourse I had to buy something because Topman was on sale), we set our tummys on Vietnamese food, hence Dzao Vietnamese Bistro.
I have to say, the food was really good. The appetizer sampler was I guess enough for 2 - 3 people to share. It was already loaded with all the goodies you want, satay chicken, spring rolls, shriup balls, etc. Being someone who always wants to try something new, I had their Vietnamese Iced Coffee which was yummy.
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| Appetizer Sampler |
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| Zao Shake and Vietnamese Iced Cofee |
After lunch, it was time to go to the hotel to check-in. Checking out Google Maps, it looked like it hotel was near and it mentioned 10 minutes walking time. Being new to the area and didn't have an idea, we followed Google maps. The thing we forgot was 1. it was a hot 1PM when we decided to walk and 2. we had big bags for our stay so we were literally sweating when we arrived for check-in.
Since our preferred room was unavailable, we were luckily upgraded to a bigger room with a kitchenette (not that we'll be cooking anytime soon). The room was OK, big (since we had 2 king size beds), but it was sparingly furnished (I guess a little more stuff or paint would have made it better).
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| Family Room |
A few floors away (we were on the 20th floor) was the roof top pool. After perspiring a lot from all that walking (atleast we get to hatch Pokémon eggs and grab some cardio as well), one thing on my mind was a relaxing dip in the pool. From there you have a very good vantage point, of Ortigas CBD and a new development called Capitol Commons.
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| View of Ortigas CBD and Capitol Commons |
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| Pool with a view |
It was a nice petite pool, the beams helped keep it shaded as well. The only thing was that it seemed like it was a little shallow for adults (its like a kid's pool). the deepest probably is already at my chest and I'm not tall.
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| Still fashionable even when taking a dip |
After my dip, I wanted some coffee, good thing there's a Starbucks at capitol Commons. Good thing I still have my birthday treat so I got to have a Strawberry Cheesecake to go with my drink.
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| Starbucks at Capitol Commons |
Being new to the place, I had to check out the area. There are restaurants, a condominium on the rise, a small park and ofcourse, a mall. Estancia Mall is petite compared to the shopping malls sprouting in the metro. Although small in size, it definitely checks out with restaurants and nice shops.
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| Coffee Run at Capitol Commons |
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| Just hanging out at the park |
After going around (and trying my best not to shop), went back to the room to prep for dinner. Being so close to Kapitolyo Pasig (which is one of the food destinations in the metro), we decided to check out GastroPark Kapitolyo for to try out the food stalls.
The first time Google Maps failed me, after walking for almost 20 minutes, we were apparently going the wrong way. After asking, we were able to finally find our destination. The place is very popular, parking is scarce and the number of tables aren't as many so be prepared to grab a place if you can.
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| But first, a picture |
It definitely catches your interest with different food styles and new wacky options. How about Nitrogen ice cream?
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| Dinner |
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| My ice cream being prepared |
After a hearty dinner, we headed back to the hotel (which apparently just takes 5 minutes), to chill out by their roofdeck bar called Verona. If the pool had a view of Ortigas CBD, at Verona, you have a view of BGC which was beautifully illuminated at night.
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| BGC |
The drinks are affordable and the vibes is very laid back, no music so its just you and your friends chatting.
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| Cheers! |
After a relaxing sleep, and much needed coffee, we got back up and tried another place which I have been hearing a lot before, Kanto Freestyle Breakfast.
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| Good morning! |
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| Pampangga Tocino and Vigan Longganisa |
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| Champorado |
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| Gastropark Foodpark Kapitolyo |
After breakfast, what else to do before checking-out, head back to the pool, take a dip and lounge around.
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| Poolside necessities |
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| Blue skies |
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| Pool days |
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| BGC in the day from Verona Roofdeck bar |
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| Looking out |
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| Privato Hotel Lobby |
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| Peri-Peri Charcoacl Chicken Capitol Commons |
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| Shakira |
Mission accomplished. 1. I was able to escape and 2. I was able to explore and a new place. Now the next question is, where to staycation next? Any ideas or suggestions?
Follow me on Instagram at @cjsohot
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