I woke up a few minutes after dawn. Seeing my buddy still asleep, I eased myself off to bed. I slowly walked toward the window and pushed aside the heavy drapes that revealed the huge glass window, the soft light from the morning sun touched my face. The vastness of Manila Bay was such a refreshing sight, sunrise on this famed spot was a first. I sat on the carpeted floor and closed my eyes. Mornings at Hotel H2O can be this peaceful and relaxing.
It was yet another staycation for the usual suspects and this
time we’re in for a great adventure. The plan was to conquer the first ever
marine theme park in the metro and staying at its hotel was just perfect (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Metro Manila).
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| Club H2O Lounge |
It was a Friday and the bustling streets of Manila
welcomed us as we dashed into Roxas Boulevard, leaving our cab behind, and
walked to our point of destination. Manila’s traffic can be as problematic as
your Algebra class or your love life.
We arrived at Manila Ocean Park’s premises and went straight
to the hotel lobby located at the third level. The cool ambience from the hotel
lobby was in perfect contrast with the stressful scene outside. We were offered
some welcome drinks that cooled down our worn-out bodies.
Hotel H2O opened its doors in 2009 with 128 rooms and
19 suites on two floors. They have eleven differently-themed rooms (check room types and rates).
The group specifically wanted to have a unique experience so we opted to be housed on different rooms. Everyone was rooting for the Aqua
Room which was immediately picked by one of us. I fell in love with the Jellies
Room but was instantly chosen again. In an instant (because of the pressure), I picked the Club
Bay Room because of its great view of Manila Bay.
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| Club Jellies Room |
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| Club Jellies Room |
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| Aqua Room |
We were handed our individual key cards and off we
went to our respective rooms. We’re on the same floor but the hotel was so vast that it felt like we’re on a maze as we raided each and every room.
As I tapped on the card, it opened up to a loft with a
wardrobe closet on the right side and glass-enclosed bathroom with a Jacuzzi on the left, yes, a
Jacuzzi (which I actually used).
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| My Jacuzzi! |
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| Club Bay Room |
I climbed down five steps and went straight to the heavy
drapes that revealed a panoramic view of Manila Bay. I comfortably sat on a funky
yellow lounge chair and enjoyed the sunset from the comforts of my room. And it
was wonderful.
Afterwards, I checked out the amenities of our Club
Bay Room. It was well-equipped with a queen-sized bed, side tables with lamps,
individually-powered air-conditioning, flatscreen TV with local and
international channels, coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary mini-bar,
separate work station and complimentary WiFi connection.
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| Ze view |
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| Everything is free! |
For dinner, the group headed to Makan Makan Asian Food
Village. Located at the second floor of Manila Ocean Park, the in-house restaurant
of Hotel H2O is a fusion of Asian favorites. The open kitchen cum hawker stalls
was very enticing. I was itching to get Kopi
Ice and Teh Tarik right away that
I asked for it even before I could skim through the menu.
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| Makan Makan Asian Food Village |
It was a feast; an Asian feast that is. For a group of
ten, the selection was kinda extreme, bordering to gluttony. After our
two-month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia with some of the team, I
definitely was craving for our favorites; Hello Mee Goreng!
We had Indonesian
Roti Prata (P150), Chinese Dimsum
Platter (P850), Indonesian Satay Pork
and Chicken (P150/5 pcs.), Singaporean
Punggol Mee Goreng (P220), Singaporean
Laksa Seafood (P200), Chinese Deep
Fried Spareribs with Salt and Pepper (P350), Singaporean Hainanese Chicken (P450/half), Singaporean Crispy Cereal Prawn (P550), and Chinese Makan Fried Chicken (P800/whole).
I super loved the Crispy Cereal Prawn and the Chicken Satay. I would definitely come back here, even just for Asian food quick-fix.
I super loved the Crispy Cereal Prawn and the Chicken Satay. I would definitely come back here, even just for Asian food quick-fix.
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| Pork and Chicken Satay |
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| Dimsum Platter |
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| Deep Fried Spareribs with salt and pepper |
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| Crispy Cereal Prawn |
The celebration lasted until the restaurant closed. We
continued the party somewhere in Malate and had our beer session that lasted in the wee hours of morning. We went back to the hotel at around four in the
morning. The dawn was starting to break and as we reached the room, I
surrendered to the comfy bed.
It was weird but after just two hours of sleep I
effortlessly woke up and noticed the skies turning from deep blueish to purple
to magenta to orange and finally to its flaming red state. I sat on the
carpeted floor and for the first time I finally experienced sunrise at Manila
Bay.
I went back to bed and cocooned myself inside the
duvet. In no time I went back to dream world.
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| So snuggly |
All in-house guests are treated to complimentary
buffet breakfast at Makan Makan Restaurant. Local and international breakfast
fares are on the spread.
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| My brekkie plate |
We had a full day ahead so we decided to check out Zenyu Eco Spa. We tried the hot bed and fish spa. After which, we headed
to the private spa rooms and were treated on a very relaxing Swedish massage.
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| Zenyu Eco Spa |
We also checked out the outdoor lounge pool located at
the ground level of Manila Ocean Park complex. It was a Suaturday and the
neighboring restaurant was packed with diners so we didn’t really have the chance for a private
pool party.
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| Manila Ocean Park's lounge pool |
After checking out, we headed to Manila Ocean Park to
have a quick trip. Being first-timers, we're running around like kids as we explore the attractions inside this huge complex.
Manila Ocean Park is the first marine theme park in
Metro Manila. Divided into different sections, you could actually choose what
to see and skip during tours. There are separate entrance fees on each section
but fortunately they have promos for combined attractions.
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| Oceanarium |
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| Oceanarium |
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| Oceanarium |
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| Oceanarium |
Jellies Exhibit was my favorite (I dunno why) and Oceanarium
was next. The Sharks and Ray Encounter and Sea Lion Show were my least
favorite. Maybe because I have this thing for caged animals, well, that’s just
me. The finale being the Symphony Evening Show which filled the Acquatica area
of Manila Ocean Park.
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| Sea Lion Show |
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| Jellies Exhibit |
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| The Tunnel |
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| Symphony Evening Show |
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| Manila Bay Sunset |
Hotel H2O (book online)
Rizal Park, Manila, Metro Manila
Contact Number: (+632) 238.6100
Manila Ocean Park (book online)
Rizal Park, Manila, Metro Manila
Contact Number: (+632) 567.7777 local 118, 119, 123
I stayed at the Manila Hotel about a week after this post. While I should have stayed at the H2O (it looks beautiful), I did see burning trash from the bus parking depot next door. Save your money if you plan to do a staycation at the Manila Hotel. Too many mosquitos in the room and dirty blankets on the bed.
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