Microtel by Wyndham – Cabanatuan City

It was a month ago when eleven fun-loving and free-spirited individuals with different backgrounds that are all connected with the passion to travel, raided the province of Nueva Ecija. Team RH, as someone coined it, just turned a year old. And to celebrate it, they headed to Microtel by Wyndham Cabanatuan for a weekend of adventures.

The one-o’ clock late summer sun was burning our skin as we alighted from the Five Star bus at Cabanatuan Central Bus Terminal. The shuttle van from the Microtel that collected us served as the perfect shelter. The scenic ride to our home lasted for 5 minutes.

We were greeted by the lovely front desk officer while processing our reservations. Checking in was swift and in no time, we were handed the keys to our rooms.

We were assigned on a Deluxe Two-Queen Bed room that has the option to be linked to another room through a connecting door (which we opted to be forever open - instant party). A total of four rooms will be our home for three days (check here for discounted room rates).

Deluxe Two-Queen Bed room

Microtel's Signature Chiropractor bed

Our room had all the essentials for a comfortable group stay; two double beds, LCD TV, dresser and wardrobe closet, bay window with daybed (which I love), individually-controlled air conditioning and complimentary drinking water. The toilet and bathroom is complete with hot and cold shower, bath towels and toiletries.

Bay window + Day bed

Complimentary hot and cold drinking water and free-flowing coffee can be found at the communal pantry near the lobby. The WiFi connection was reliable and fast even if we’re just chilling in our respective rooms.

Coffee all-you-want

We were so ready to dip into the pool when the sky suddenly turned grey, and the growl from the thunder indicated an approaching cloudburst. And then it poured, as I was paddling across the swimming pool, but it didn’t stop us from our dip.

As we were taking it easy, we noticed that the sky turned into a deep purplish red orange glow that suggested an incredible sunset that was about to happen.

Purple. Red. Orange. Yellow.

The sun was slowly creeping down into the horizon laden with rice fields as the immense glow radiated over the sky. Indeed, I witnessed one of the marvelous sunsets in my life. I adore beach sunsets, but this one’s a good contender.

Moving on, the group had a nice dinner at the city center and headed back to the hotel for our beer session that night. Liquid Bar is Microtel by Wyndham Cabanatuan’s in-house bar and restaurant located in front of it. We boozed up and chatted till around four in the morning.

I woke up late, and it has become a routine to awaken everyone which I did by using the in-room phone. They, of course, heeded my call and went straight to Liquid Bar for the complimentary buffet breakfast.

Liquid Bar's al fresco dining area

The breakfast spread was loaded with Filipino breakfast favorites, silog all-you-want.

Very Pinoy brekkie

The group dedicated the next day for exploring Cabanatuan and it lasted until nighttime. Again, we had our beer night sesh at Liquid Bar that lasted till five in the morning, the sun was starting to peek, we were crazy like that.

Snooze some more

Our heads were banging like hell as we dragged ourselves to the buffet breakfast area. Lost and dazed, everyone was feeling low on their one-hour snooze. We had to be up that early because we were planning to visit other spots that day.

We headed back to Microtel after our daytrip at Minalungao National Park. We stripped off right away as we reached the pool area and played like kids. We ended up having fun with our underwater video camera antics, laughter echoed around the garden area.

If only we could spend one more night, or maybe two, or a week perhaps, or, well, if you're in a very big group, you'd understand that there will always be some unfinished stories that needed to be heard next time. 'Coz there'll always be, for sure.

Microtel by Wyndham Cabanatuan was the perfect refuge for Team RH.