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.

Reasons Why City Suites Ramos Tower is a Top Condotel in Cebu

Cebu City, one of the major metropolises in the Philippines, is home to a long list of hotels. City Suites Ramos Tower is among those that stand out. If you're planning a vacation here and still looking for a remarkable temporary home, it is best to consider this condotel among your top choices. To know what's in store for you in this retreat, read about the hotel's offerings, which we have listed down for you.

Great location in the provincial capital

With its address along F. Ramos Street, the accommodation lets you conveniently reach the city's prime points of interest. For one, you only have to travel 30 minutes from this location to reach Mactan-Cebu International Airport. And because the condotel is in mainland Cebu, you will also have easy access to top attractions like a good number of museums and historic sites, namely Magellan's Cross, Lapu-Lapu Shrine, and Fort San Pedro.

Smart and stylish living spaces

Travelers love the accommodation's 91 rooms and suites because of their elegant and calming interiors, plush amenities, and reasonable rates. Each guestroom is complete with air-conditioning, posturepedic mattresses, a 32-inch LCD cable TV, kitchenette and dining area, terrace, private toilet and bath, automatic generator, video intercom, and Internet connection.

Facilities and services that deliver ease

This condotel is one of the few hotels in Cebu City, Philippines that have mastered the art of combining leisure, business, and practicality. Here, your vacation will be made more hassle-free with facilities like free private parking, a bar, ballroom, function halls, and meeting rooms. Meanwhile, the accommodation also offers 24-hour front desk, laundry and ironing services, car rental, round-the-clock phone operator, and room service.

Fast and safe online booking system

Gone are the days when you have to make tens of phone calls and send endless inquiries via email just so you can successfully book a hotel room in Cebu. By simply visiting City Suites Ramos Tower's website, you can secure that accommodation in just a few minutes. You only have to click the “Check availability and prices” button, which will launch a reservation engine that is powered by DirectWithHotels and secured by Trustwave and VeriSign. The best thing is that instant confirmation is always guaranteed.

Reasonable accommodation policies

Choosing this condotel is practical not only because of its high-quality and affordably priced guestrooms but also because of its reasonable accommodation policies. For example, children who are aged 12 or younger are allowed to sleep in free of charge. Also, City Suites Ramos Tower offers free cancellation as long as you will do it at least 3 days prior to your scheduled check-in.

5 Reasons Why Suvarnabhumi Suite is a Good Accommodation Choice in Bangkok

Are you planning a vacation in Thailand's capital and still looking for an accommodation in Bangkok that can give you as much as you need to relish comfort during your holiday? Since you're visiting the largest, most popular, and among the most developed metropolises in the country, you won't find it too difficult to spot one. But to save you some time, we're giving you one great option — Suvarnabhumi Suite in Latkrabang District. Keep reading to discover why this accommodation is right for you.

1. A location that is close to the airport
It is only apt that the hotel shares the name of one of the 2 international airports serving the city. This is because this airport hotel in Bangkok, Thailand is located only 5 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport. With this address, it provides an ideal home for travelers looking for a convenient base in the metropolis, as well as those who are in transit en route to neighboring cities.

2. Spacious and affordable rooms
If you are an avid traveler, you must know that pinching pennies often results to less comfort. But that won't be the case once you choose Suvarnabhumi Suite as your home in Bangkok. With the accommodation's spacious and well-fitted guestrooms, which are also reasonably priced, you will experience perks that are usually offered by more expensive hotels in the capital. Each living space comes with a 32-inch LCD satellite TV, IDD phone, electronic safety box, mini-bar, and coffee or tea maker. Plus, you will also enjoy access to high-speed Internet connection.

3. A staff that delivers excellent service
Complementing the hotel's inviting rooms is the quality service delivered by its staff. Surely, your holiday will be hassle- and worry-free, because the accommodation offers 24-hour reception, a concierge, laundry assistance, airport transfer, and room service.

4. Remarkable facilities for recreation
In addition to its great location, affordable living spaces, and top-notch service, the accommodation features a range of facilities that can fill your vacation with enjoyment and convenience. Among these are a souvenir corner, garden, spa, sauna, restaurant, bar, parking spaces, and swimming pools for kids and adults.

5. A fast and safe online booking engine
Rounding up Suvarnabhumi Suite's topnotch offerings is its ultra-convenient online reservation system, which is powered by DirectWithHotels. With this, you can get instant confirmation for your booking with only a few clicks, all done via the Internet. To access this facility, you only have to visit the website of the accommodation in Bangkok and click the “Check availability and prices” button.

Sol y Viento Pansol: The Hot Spring Resort in Laguna for Team-Building

A company team-building outing is not often the first thing that comes to mind when talking about a hot spring resort. Laguna, after all, has a range of establishments that are built specifically for that purpose. Meanwhile, most places with hot spring pools are primarily designed for rest and relaxation and might not have the necessary facilities for large groups. But that doesn't mean that you can't find a property that's perfect for both purposes. It exists in the form of Sol y Viento Pansol.

Managed by the University of Perpetual Help System, this 6-hectare Calamba resort offers the 3 essentials for a great team-building trip, explained in detail below:

1. Fun activities
These are essential for fostering camaraderie, building team spirit, and more importantly, the best ways to enjoy a stay with co-workers. At Sol y Viento, these come in the form of an obstacle course, eco-trail for hiking and biking, and even a camp site. Those are on top of the hot spring facilities offered at the resort, which include a large swimming pool, 3 public jacuzzis, and a 6-foot basin of natural spring water.

2. Budget-friendly accommodation
Booking a bunch of guestrooms that are only good for a maximum of 2 persons is quite expensive. That's why this resort in Calamba, Laguna offers 36 Team Rooms, each suitable for 4 to 8 guests. Offering magnificent views of Laguna de Bay, all Team Rooms feature a spacious, dormitory-style layout with comfortable bunk beds plus a range of amenities. These include individually controlled air-conditioning units, cable TV, and a private hot and cold shower. Rates for a Team Room for 4 are pegged at PHP2,600 per night, breakfast not included.

3. Great F&B options
After spending a day on the eco-trail or conquering the obstacle course, people will be surely too tired to cook or to find food elsewhere. But guests don't need to look far and wide as they can simply troop to Sol y Viento's Cafe Sabroso, which can seat 120 guests and serves local specialties. This restaurant is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays, and up to 12:00 midnight on weekends.

There are also a number of watering holes open inside the property for guests who want some drinks to cap the night. These include the Fabero Chill-out Bar and 3 pool bars: Mallorca, Talavera, and Porto.

As you can see, you won't be able to say that you can't hold a successful team-building event and relax afterward, all inside a hot spring resort. Laguna certainly has the perfect venue for those two purposes: Sol y Viento Pansol.

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.