Celebrating Christmas in Makati's Central Business District

From transient holiday revelers at One Greenbelt Hotel to the permanent residents of Makati City, you can expect everyone to exude the spirit of celebration this holiday season. The city, known as The Financial Capital of the Philippines, makes sure that everyone is reminded of the season and takes part in the celebrations. At this time of the year, the city shifts its visitors' attention from the high-rise buildings to the festive sights and sounds in the street and the parks. Anyone can join the fun by heading to the Central Business District and taking a casual stroll. You'll have an easy time going around and seeing the decorations since the district has a nice pedestrian system in effect.

Here are some sure signs that the city is counting down the days until Christmas:

1. Ayala Avenue, a major road in the city and one of the busiest in the metro, is usually decked with lights. White was the theme last 2012 and most of the decorations took the form of snowflakes, geometric trees, and pillars. After sunset, people would take their turns taking pictures bathing in the soft glow of the lights.

2. Flanked by Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue is Ayala Triangle, another destination for holiday tourists. Every December, this lush patch of land transforms into a garden of lights, thanks to the bulbs and decors which hang from the trees and bushes within the vicinity. Every 6 to 9 in the evening, the Christmas Light Show captivates viewers in the area with a display of colorful LED bulbs flickering and dancing to the tune of Christmas carols.

3. To fill the eyes and satisfy the palate, you can head to the different hotels in Makati to see how they've decorated their halls and lounges for the season. Some of the city's 5-star accommodations even hold competitions and partner with academic institutions to put up specially designed Christmas trees in their lobbies.

4. Speaking of Christmas trees, you can head to Glorietta 4 Park to take pictures of the Giant Christmas Tree. Located right at the heart of the shopping district, you can also indulge in good food and high-quality items after taking your souvenir photo.

After a day of walking around and taking in the sights, you can get a good night's sleep at any of the hotels in the area, such as One Greenbelt Hotel Makati.

Villa Marinelli Bed and Breakfast Introduces New Booking System on Its Website

Tagaytay City, PHILIPPINES – Staying true to its promise of refined luxury and convenience, the newly opened Villa Marinelli Bed and Breakfast in Tagaytay City, Philippines has integrated a direct-booking engine on its website, www.villamarinelli-tagaytay.com. Powered by DirectWithHotels, this system offers great benefits for those who use it to secure rooms for their holiday:

1. It requires 4 simple steps.
The booking process starts with clicking the “Check availability and prices” button and selecting the check-in and check-out dates on a calendar. The second step entails guests to choose the type and number of rooms they require. The next step is a review of the reservation details. The final step requires filling out a guest detail form and paying for the booking with a valid credit card.

2. It features useful tools.
At the second step of the process, guests can change the currency on the page using the drop-down menu found at the top right of the screen. Furthermore, a bookmarking and print option for quick and easy referencing is available.

3. It shows the real cost of the reservation.
Compared to other websites, the booking system of Villa Marinelli displays both the nightly rates of each room and the total cost per room already inclusive of taxes and fees. This eliminates the stress of having to pay additional charges when they book or check-out of the Tagaytay accommodation.

4. It is safeguarded by reliable information security partners.
Online visitors don't have to worry about the privacy of their personal and credit card details because all transactions made through the system is certified by Trustwave and secured by VeriSign.

5. It guarantees instant confirmation.
During the online process, guests just need to settle a prepayment, equivalent to 10 percent of the total room cost. This deposit will serve as guarantee that the room they booked will be available and ready on their dates of stay. This is also validated by an email confirming the reservation.

6. It presents exclusively available promos.
Aside from regular rates, Villa Marinelli also has packages and deals that can only be obtained on the website. Through the booking engine, interested parties can get these limited-time offers, thereby getting substantial savings and other valuable perks.
In addition to offering a hassle-free method of reserving rooms, Villa Marinelli affords guests with a relaxing retreat to come home to after enjoying the sights of Tagaytay. Boasting great views of the world-famous Taal Volcano, this hotel offers a wonderful getaway by presenting Italian-inspired accommodations and a bevy of facilities fit for recreation. Here, guests are invited to bask in exquisite rooms or suites, a first-rate cafe, and prime conveniences, like Wi-Fi Internet access and swimming pool.

More details on Villa Marinelli Bed and Breakfast and its booking engine can be found at www.villamarinelli-tagaytay.com.


Villa Marinelli Bed and Breakfast
301 Santa Rosa Road
San Jose, Tagaytay City
Philippines

Phone Number: (046) 413-1387

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.

The Legend Palawan: Letting You Explore the Island in One Go

Planning a vacation in the Philippines’ Last Frontier? Choose to stay at The Legend Palawan Hotel in Puerto Princesa City. Apart from presenting deluxe accommodation and facilities for both leisure and business travelers, the hotel offers an ideal location at the heart of the provincial capital.

Great Vantage Point
Situated only 1 km away from the airport and seaport, The Legend Palawan is an ideal jump-off point for different adventures not only within Puerto Princesa and other towns in the main island, but also to the rest of the islands of Palawan. From here, you can easily delight in the splendors of this top destination. Also, it is only 5 minutes away from the city's commercial district so you need not worry about the convenience of reaching several key establishments.

Lends Quick Access to Honda Bay
Being one of the premiere tourist attractions in the city, you should not miss visiting Honda Bay. Hop onto a boat and explore the islands nearby, which all boast a different beauty and vibe. There’s Pandan Island, which is a popular diving and snorkeling site; and Snake Island, which is defined by a stunning stretch of sandbar. Starfish Island, meanwhile, is home to a variety of colorful starfishes. And Cowrie Island is a pleasant place for a picnic where you can view the stunning sunset scene.

Makes You Travel Back in Time
Reaching the Palawan Museum is also easy when staying at The Legend Palawan. Established in 1991 and housed in the Old City Hall, this historic center houses important relics and artifacts in Palawan that serve as references on the province’s cultural heritage. It features different sections, namely, Anthropology, Archeology, Biology, Ethnology, and History. The depository also has a library where you can find donated books from several partner organizations.

Close to Many Dining Options
To satiate your gustatory cravings, just go out of the hotel in Puerto Princesa and you'll discover a bevy of delightful treats. Among the restaurants that you can choose from are:

Haim Chicken Inato – serves chicken inasal | Address: Manalo Extension, Puerto Princesa
Heavenly Desserts by Dorothy Bakeshop – offers gourmet desserts | Address: Golraz Bldg., Brgy. Maningning
Neva’s Place – known for homemade pizza and pasta | Address: Taft Street, Puerto Princesa City

Accessible to Several Shops
You'll certainly make the most of your trip in Palawan because your temporary abode is also close to different shopping centers, which include:

Tiange-Tiange San Miguel – where you can find Cora’s Palawan Pearls and Souvenir Shops
City Public Market – the go to place for fresh and dried seafood
Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving – a handicraft shop where you can buy hand loom-woven products.

Make sure to drop by in these places before heading back to your cozy accommodations at The Legend Palawan.

Accra Beach Resorts: The Best of City and the Shore

Staying at an Accra beach resort is not often the first thing that comes to mind when people talk about a vacation in Ghana’s capital. As a densely populated metropolis of about 4 million residents, it is the 11th largest metropolitan area in Africa. And most of its popular tourist attractions are man-made landmarks such as Independence Arch and the National Theater. It surely doesn’t fit the stereotype of a tropical island that tourists seek when planning a beach holiday.

That image aside, there are certainly some perks to choosing to stay along its coast for a vacation. For starters, you can easily have a fun stay in both a city environment and a beach setting. After all, many of Accra’s beaches are near the downtown area. As such, travelers only need to make a short drive to the shore, not spend an entire day on the road to reach it.

One good example is Labadi Beach, also known as La Pleasure Beach. Found near the town of Teshie and incorporated into the Greater Accra Area, it is the busiest beach in the capital. It is also known as a party spot for most locals, with reggae and cultural performances held on weekends and holidays. And the area is home to some of the 5-star accommodation in Accra.

Another great option is Bojo Beach. Located in the Kokrobite area, it is only located 30 minutes away from the Kotoka International Airport and 40 minutes from the downtown area. With its proximity to the city center, it’s a popular choice for those who want a nearby getaway. It’s also near Elmina Castle and Kakum National Park, making it the perfect choice for people who want to see some of Accra’s tourist attractions while en route to their holiday.

Since it’s so close to the city, the establishments that offer accommodation in this area also boast of urban comforts. For example, Bojo Beach Resort offers Wi-Fi Internet access in all its air-conditioned rooms. It also provides a jet ski and boat rides for guests who want to enjoy more of the beach. A selection of facilities, such as a swimming pool, matching poolside bar, and restaurants, are also on site. And this Accra resort is also easy to reach as it offers an airport and shuttle service for guests.

As these show, enjoying Ghana’s capital doesn’t need to be all about visiting monuments. So book at an Accra beach resort now and enjoy the sunnier side of the metropolis.

4 Exciting Family Destinations in Metro Manila

From The Mabuhay Manor, a hotel in Pasay City, Philippines near the airport, families can easily head to different tourist spots in Metro Manila that will pique the interest of both parents and kids. Depending on how much time they have in their hands, they can schedule a cultural excursion, food trip, historical tour, or — more often than not — a bonding activity with a bit of everything in between.

Here are some of the family-friendly destinations in the metro.

1. Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
Theatrical productions, art exhibits, film festival launches and screenings, international concerts, and awarding ceremonies take place in CCP on a regular basis. It's a great place to learn about classical and emerging art forms. CCP also offers parents the perfect venue to teach children how to appreciate cultural ideas and practices different from the ones they were raised with.

2. Chinatown, Binondo
Families who love to go on long walks and appreciate good meals together can plan a trip to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila. Established in 1594, the oldest Chinatown in the world has grown to be the center of businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants. Aside from the distinct architecture, the area also boasts of restaurants that serve savory dishes, famous bakeries, alternative medicine shops, and historical sites. Among the must-visit spots in Binondo are the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz and Binondo Church.

3. Intramuros
The famous walled city is the oldest and most historic area in the Manila. Within its walls, kids and their parents can explore old church ruins, historical structures, antique shops, art galleries, museums, and Fort Santiago. After a day of walking or riding the calesa and taking a lot of pictures, they can have a picnic in one of the vacant lots in the area. They can also experience how it's like to dine in the Spanish times by trying out one of the themed restaurants there.

4. Rizal Park
It is almost imperative for any tourist in Manila to take a picture, or a selfie, at Rizal Park. Aside from a family picture in front of the monument, kids and parents will enjoy the themed gardens, musical fountain show, and informative exhibits in the area. National Museum, which is located on one side of the Park, will also prove to be an entertaining and educational destination for the entire family.

After a fun-filled tour of the cities that make up Metro Manila, the whole family can troop back to their Pasay accommodation, The Mabuhay Manor.

Cubao Accommodation: An Ideal Abode for Your Quezon City Adventure

The address of your hotel in Quezon City is always a prime consideration when you're planning an urban escapade in one of the busiest cities in Metro Manila. Fortunately, there are numerous suites, inns, and hotels in Cubao that can aptly attend to the needs and wants of any traveler like you. And to know more about the benefits and perks of being at the heart of it all, read the top 5 reasons why you should stay in a Cubao accommodation.

1. Shopping malls are scattered around the area
Regarded as an important commercial district, Cubao is home to a number of shopping malls that house local and international stores and restaurants and different recreational amenities. And when you stay at a Cubao, Quezon City hotel, you'll be just a few meters away from the following establishments:

Gateway Mall - operates from 10 am to 10 pm
SM Cubao - its Hypermart is open from 8 am to 10 pm
Ali Mall - operating hours is from 10 am to 9 pm
Shopwise Supercenter - open from 10 am to 11 pm
Farmers Plaza - mall hours is from 10 am to 10 pm

2. Easy access to transportation options
Any hotel in Cubao, Quezon City also makes for an ideal lodging choice for transients, as it is located near the Araneta Center Bus Station, which provides daily trips to several provinces in Luzon and Visayas. Moreover, with easy access to EDSA and Aurora Boulevard, plus the Cubao stations of LRT 2 and MRT 3, you can conveniently reach the cities of Makati and Manila.

3. Offers a place for art enthusiasts
Also within the vicinity of Araneta Center is Cubao Expo, a hub of bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries frequented by the artists, musicians, filmmakers, and literati. This place, which was known as Marikina Shoe Expo in the 1970s, features a 2-storey building that still bears its vintage look and ambience. Located along General Romulo Street, this is now home to popular hang-out places, such as The Reading Room, Bellini's, Genre Bar, and Mogwai.

4. Very close to Smart Araneta Coliseum
For those who will attend an affair in this 15,000-seater event venue, staying in a hotel in Cubao is certainly a smart decision. Being in a very convenient location, you can definitely adhere to the coliseum's rule of lining up at 2 pm at the earliest. Just a few reminders: for any event, those with Patron, Lower Box, and Upper A and Upper B tickets may line up at the Red Gate (near North Park) or the Green Gate (near Starbucks). Meanwhile, those with General Admission tickets may line up at the Yellow Gate (near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf).

5. Great savings are yours to enjoy
Most accommodations roll out special promos during their lean seasons. To relish a great city adventure without breaking the budget, you can take advantage of these value-filled hotel deals. If you're planning a vacation on the last quarter of 2013, you can check out the current offerings of ACL Suites, a hotel on 13th Avenue that presents affordable lodgings. Just visit its website to know more about the deals and to take a glimpse of this hotel in Quezon City.

Relish a Blissful Escapade in Boracay at Blue Marina Hotel

Enjoy Boracay Island for yet another reason when you come and stay at Blue Marina Hotel, a tropical retreat the promises blissful experiences in the Philippines' most popular beach destination. This Boracay accommodation in Station 2 presents simple, fulfilling delights that will certainly complete your dream getaway. Among these are:

Rest-Conducive Spaces
All guestrooms at Blue Marina allude to the island’s rich splendor. The overall ambience here creates a relaxing mood for downtime, matched with the most sensible of amenities. Each of our air-conditioned Superior Rooms is fitted with plush beds with Egyptian linen and down pillows, and features a seating area, separate shower and tub, and a balcony. Add to these an LCD TV with satellite and cable channels, which you may utilize to fill hours with entertainment while spending time indoors.

Key Conveniences
Your vacation at this hotel in Boracay is complemented by a versatile range of excellent facilities designed to make your visit worth the trip. This include a restaurant, massage service, and free Wi-Fi Internet access in public areas. For your practical needs, the resort affords laundry, room service, concierge, currency exchange, shuttle service, and 24-hour security. The hotel also provides round-trip transfers via Caticlan (PHP1,120/pax) and Kalibo (PHP1,580/pax). Fees are exclusive of terminal, environmental, and porter fees.

Fun-Filled Pursuits
To complete your Boracay escapade, the resort offers arrangements for a number of leisure activities. Water sports enthusiasts will certainly enjoy jet skiing, snorkeling, wind surfing, and scuba diving. Meanwhile, those who prefer land activities can book hiking and local tours. All these offerings will be taken care of by the hotel's amiable and efficient staff. Just contact the front desk to get further details.

Idyllic Location
Blue Marina Hotel's address allows you to explore the island at your own pace. From here, you can easily relish different treats at the shopping centers, clubs, and cafes. Several major attractions around Stations 2 and 3, like Ariel's Point, Cocomangas, and Boracay Scuba, are also within reach.

Convenient Online Booking
It only takes a few simple steps to book an accommodation here. Upon ticking the “Check availability and prices” button at the hotel's website, a virtual calendar will appear, where you have to indicate your check-in and check-out dates. On the next page, you must then select a room and provide personal information and credit card details. A prepayment amounting to 10 percent of the total room cost will be charged to secure the reservation. Visitors who are wary of giving out their credit card details need not worry when using the online system of Blue Marina Hotel. This is because every transaction here is safeguarded by Trustwave and VeriSign, so Internet fraud is never a problem.