Hotel Review: Fairmont Raffles Manila

As I travel quite often for work, I’m going to keep a record of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, to serve as a reminder of what works and what doesn’t. It’ll make future bookings much easier.

Location: In downtown Makati opposite Greenbelt 4 Shopping Area and Glorietta mall. Great for food and shopping options. Easy access to Museum cafe!

Room: Renovated in 2014. Decently sized rooms, although the carpets are beginning to smell and my room had a musky smell. Bed is soft yet supportive of my back, so I sleep decently well here.

Gym: The treadmills and ellipticals overlook the Greenbelt shopping area There are so many weight machines here, upper and lower and core. Free weights as well. Huge open space to do yoga, circuits, etc. The perfect gym.

Breakfast: The spread is wide, but I don't fancy what they offer. It's either too sweet or too salty. So I only eat their omelette and bread, with fresh juice. I'd rather eat at Starbucks.

Would I return? Only for the gym and the great hotel location. This hotel has joined the Accor group on July 1st 2018, so member benefits will apply (but I have none!). Although there are other similar hotels nearby, such as New World Hotel. Maybe I will stay there next time.

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Hotel Review: Novotel Halong Bay

As I travel quite often for work, I’m going to keep a record of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, to serve as a reminder of what works and what doesn’t. It’ll make future bookings much easier. Unfortunately there was no SPG/Marriott hotel in Halong Bay area, so i ended up with Novotel. Location: Along the western side of Halong, right across some ongoing construction. Room: Decor is dark wooden, taking a spin on modern Chinese. Wood flooring and a huge king size bed that's abit hard and uncomfortable. I like the decor though. Gym: This has got to be the saddest hotel gym i've ever seen. I decided to run outside instead. Breakfast: The selection is so limited, and it's not even that good. Nice decor though. Would I return? Definitely not to this 4 star hotel. Thankfully I was only here for 1 night. Although the place is filled with Korean tourists, you can eat some basic Korean breakfast here, but that's not my preference.

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Eyes On Retirement

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