Tagaytay Accommodations: Mar Ermino's

Unplanned overnight trips can be challenging and our excursion to Tagaytay was definitely a challenge. Just imagine looking for a place at 8pm in a strange touristy city... hmm, good thing the much vaunted Filipino hospitality and friendliness to lost strangers worked for us.

It was dark when we left Picnic Grove and after our dinner at Andok's, we retraced our steps and walked down Kaykulot Road (right across Tagaytay Picnic Grove) and found Kuya Mar Ermino's hostel/rooms for rent. An a/c room to accommodate all five of us for ₱1200 was a good deal so we plunked down the money, was handed the key for room 4 and got ready for bed.

The house is in a quiet neighborhood, the mattresses were firm, the bathroom clean (no hot water though). The store in front of the house is also very convenient, we bought coffee and bread there for our breakfast and Kuya Mar was kind enough to give us hot water.

Ermino's is a no-frills, value for money place. A good night's sleep was had by all and we were grateful to have this place to stay in Tagaytay City when we needed it. If you ever find yourself stuck at the Picnic Grove at night--you're not the picky type and don't mind cold showers--then Ermino's is for you.

Update: Mar Ermino's has improved! They have free wi-fi now, cable TV and hot shower. ₱1800 for 24 hours, good for 2-4 pax. You can actually haggle for a discount down to ₱1500 with breakfast. :)

Mar Ermino's Rooms
Kaykulot Road, Sungay East
4120 Tagaytay City
(across Picnic Grove Exit Gate)
Tel.: +639172483189

La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel

 We stayed at La Carmela de Boracay on our Boracay trip. The standard quadruple-sharing room we got was just right for us. It was spotless and there was enough room for our luggages which was a relief.

The bathroom was clean with the usual complimentary toiletries but the glass enclosure was elevated off the floor which made the toilet area wet after someone uses the shower.

The complimentary breakfast was good enough, but choices were limited and the restaurant is small so you better show up for breakfast earlier if you wanted to be served immediately.

The pool is nice but I had the feeling when I jumped in that every kid there has urinated in it because the water was weirdly warm and way too chlorinated.

Nevertheless, we had fun at La Carmela. The building is beachfront and is very close to D'mall, D' Talipapa and the fire dancing bars. The 3200/night we paid for our room was more than worth the fun we had at "the world's best beach".

La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel
Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan
Email: info@lacarmeladeboracay.com
Phone: +63 36 288 5423, +63 2 8979184

Silka Seaview Hotel, Hong Kong

clean and comfy

Silka Seaview (formerly Dorsett Seaview) in Yau Ma Tei was the hotel I chose for our Hong Kong trip because it's just right across Hui Lau Shan, the dessert place I was dying to try. Darn my sweet tooth!

the sparkling lobby

There were other cheaper hotels recommended by my travel agent but its proximity to Hui Lau Shan (the Temple Street Night Market was an added bonus also) did it for me.

small but comfortable...

Silka Seaview was newly-renamed and renovated so its lobby looked shiny. The staff were nice and efficient even if it was crowded sometimes. They agreed to keep our bags when we arrived before check in time so we can leave for our tour unencumbered. Even with tourists' comings and goings, we were checked in quickly (with a $300 deposit) when we arrived.

The room and bathroom were small but very clean, with towels and toiletries they replenished each day. They also put an extra bed for me, because my mom, sister and I preferred to stay in one room. There was a flat TV, small refrigerator, kettle and complimentary water, coffee and tea. It's nothing fancy, but it's great value for money.

We had breakfast included in the room package we got. The breakfast they serve at the Jade/Feng Shui Cafe looked the same every morning but since I'm happy as long as I have coffee, ham, bacon and eggs, it was not a problem.

yummy breakfast

nice view of Kowloon

sis and mom in front of Tin Hau Temple across the street

                                   
We enjoyed our stay at The Silka Seaview and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a hotel near the city center (Tsim Sha Tsui) and it is very close to the train station, Nathan Road, Temple Street Night Market, Jade Market and Ladies Market. The place around the hotel was safe as we walked around looking for bargains. This hotel's definitely worth a try.

Silka Seaview Hotel
268 Shanghai St.
Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 27820882
Email: info.seaview@silkahotel.com

Residencia de Salvacion, Caramoan

homey and real...

Residencia de Salvacion is a bed and breakfast located 5 minutes away from Guijalo port. We stayed here because our sister-in-law’s cousin Davey is related to the owner and he promised we’d have a terrific time here and he was right.

posing with the amazing RDS staff

The house was great and big enough for our party of twelve. We got a package for 3 days and 2 nights for ₱3200 inclusive of room, transfers (except for the boat rent) and all meals, it’s normally ₱3500, but they gave us a discount since we’re kind of family. It’s pretty cheap, huh?

yay, pinakro!

The staff led by manay Gina, was very accommodating and the food they served, to die for. I still can’t get over how good the aniit (mud crabs) tasted and the sweet and sour fish was amazing, they made us some pinakro (unripe banana cooked in coconut milk) for merienda too, which was a real treat for me since I haven’t had that in years. Ah, authentic Bicol cuisine at its best.

showering in the rain, brrr!

Even an apparently unscheduled water service interruption--after we arrived from our last day of island-hopping--could not dampen our enthusiasm for this place. Our family being the fun, easy-going, crazy type, just showered in the rain, screaming all the while, because the water was so cold! All in all, we had a wonderful stay at Residencia de Salvacion.

Residencia de Salvacion
No. 45, Km. 580 Brgy. Salvacion
Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Tel. +639393101135, +639173712143