Hotel Review: Lanson Place Mall of Asia

Friends have been inviting us to watch the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC) ever since its show dates have been released last January. We were torn on booking between Conrad Hotel and Lanson Place but the latter being nearer to the fireworks display, we immediately secured rooms as accommodations in the Mall of Asia Complex have been selling like hotcakes for the weekends of the competition. In fact, the rooms with direct view of the fireworks were already fully booked a few days after they released the PIPC schedule so we settled for the luxury suite instead.

 

The suite's room layout include a separate living and bedroom areas which is perfect if you have friends visiting or family coming over. The living room has a mini bar with Nespresso machine, cable TV, comfortable sofa, and separate toilet so the privacy of your bedroom is secured.

Our equally impressive bedroom featured a king-sized bed, smart curtains and drapes, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and another TV with international channels. 

The bathroom was another family favorite with its separate toilet, shower, and bathtub areas. I also liked that it had double vanities - one thing I really dream of having one day soon.

I know that Lanson Place has gained popularity the past few years especially to staycationers and balikbayans but it was the longest time we had to wait for our room as we were given our key cards by 4PM already - 2 hours delayed of the standard check-in time. Good thing the hotel has a play area for kids so our daughter didn't mind and actually enjoyed the wait. 

Now for the highlight of our stay - watching the pyromusical display this close!

Pros: Unbeatable location, best hotel to see the fireworks display, friendly staff, spacious and well-appointed rooms, and nice play area for small kids.

Cons: Late check-in, limited breakfast options, and slow service.

~o~o~o~

Lanson Place Mall of Asia

Block 12, Palm Coast Avenue

Corner Seaside Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 7777-0000

Website: www.lansonplace.com/mallofasia

Royce Cacao & Chocolate Town, Sapporo JP

Royce Chocolates is our must-buy whenever we travel to Japan. My current top favorites include Nama Au Lait, Graham Chocolate Cookies, Marshmallow Chocolate, and Pistachio Chocolate. So when I saw from a friend that Royce offers tours in their Hokkaido factory, I knew I had to go. Good thing everyone in the group were up for a sweet little adventure.

How to get there: This newest tourist attraction is about 40 minutes train ride away via JR line from downtown Sapporo and has its own train stop called Royce Town Station. Upon exit, there's a free shuttle that runs every hour from 0900H to 1600H daily to/from the station to the factory.

Opened in 2023, Royce Cacao & Chocolate Town is an interactive tour facility and is designed to showcase the farm-to-bar journey of how Royce chocolates are made. 

Tip: Book your tickets in advance thru www.e-tix.jp/royce for easier and faster access. Rates are as follow: JPY1200 for adults, JPY500 for kids aged 4 to 15, free for kids below 4 years old.

While the exhibits were interesting and informative, kids and young at hearts had the most fun taking photos and playing games at the game area.

Another must-try at the Royce factory is the Chocolate Workshop!

For an extra fee of JPY1500 per person, we got to make our own customized Royce Chocolate Bar. Guests can choose between milk or white chocolate (or mix of both) as base and then design it with nuts, dried fruits, and sprinkles to make it uniquely yours. 

You also get to design your own packaging which comes complete with a strap to make it a sling.

The end of the facility tour will bring you to the souvenir shop where rows of Royce Chocolates, unique souvenirs, pastries, desserts, and freshly-baked breads are up for sale. You can also buy their best-selling soft-served ice cream or in my case, a cup of hot chocolate that kept me warm while we waited for the shuttle bus back to the train station.

This is by far the most variety of Royce I have ever seen so grab as many sweets as you can especially the limited edition ones as you only get to buy them here at the factory.

Everything pistachio!

My Weekend in Photos: Seoul, South Korea

Hotel Review: Okura Manila

I first came across the Okura hotel franchise during one of my visits to Taiwan some few years ago. It may be its contemporary architecture, its prime location, or the elegant lobby that enticed me each time our bus passes thru The Okura Prestige Taipei, so I made a vow to myself that I will book a room in one of its hotels in any of my upcoming trips. Then Covid happened.

Fast forward to 2022, the much-awaited opening of Hotel Okura Manila in Newport City further widened the roster of 5-star accommodations in the NAIA Terminal 3 vicinity alongside Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott hotels. It took 2 years for us to finally book a staycation at Okura Manila but I must say that it was well worth the wait. Konnichiwa!

Hotel Okura Manila offers only 4 room categories such as deluxe, hinoki-yu, premier corner, and grandest one - the palace suite. I was looking forward to booking a hinoki-yu room which features a hinoki wooden bathtub but it was already sold out on our dates so we settled for a deluxe room instead. Pardon the word "settled" because the deluxe room that we were given was not even close to the premier rooms in other 5-star hotels I've been in the city- it was gorgeous!

I've always wanted to have a swiveling TV and I was happy that I was able to experience one in our deluxe room in Okura. It was so convenient to just adjust it whether you're relaxing in the bed or munching snacks in the living area. Oh, the little luxuries in life!

 Room amenities in detail: 

• Luxurious king or twin-size beds
• Nespresso machine and Dilmah teas
• Japanese yukata robes
• Bedside electronic panel
• In-room safe
• Separate bathtub and shower
• Complimentary welcome amenity
  
• Japanese style bidet toilet
•  Free wifi
  

 

Breakfast is also offered in style at Yawaragi Restaurant which opens from 0630H to 1030H daily. Selection was well-thought-of with staples like a salad bar, cold cuts and cheese, breads, congee, sausage and bacon, waffle and pancakes, an omelette station, and Filipino favorites like tapa and tocino. Of course, they have to make it extra special with the addition of a sukiyaki bar and salmon and mahi-mahi dishes on the buffet spread.

 

  

Pros: Best breakfast buffet in Manila, elegant and luxurious room, professional and friendly service, great hotel amenities, free parking, and convenient location.

Cons: None - this is highly recommended!

~o~o~o~

Hotel Okura Manila

2 Portwood Street, Newport World Resorts

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 5318-2888

Website: www.hotelokuramanila.com

My Weekend in Photos: Fukuoka, Japan