Friday, August 12, 2016

You Should Definitely Check Out These Melaka Destinations

Once you step in Melaka, you’ll immediately see the traces of history etched in every street and building. No, the city doesn’t look old nor do the buildings look decrepit. Buildings like The Shore Hotel Melaka or the modern establishments that pepper the city shows its unique blend of the old and the new.

From being one of the most important trading ports in Malaysia, it has become one of the most interesting tourist hubs in the country. Boasting delicious local cuisine and amazing natural attractions, Melaka is a place you definitely do not want to miss.

So while you’re browsing through different Melaka hotels you can stay in on your visit, check out this list of destinations you must visit on your Melaka trip.

Botanical Garden

Formerly known as the Hutan Rekreasi Ayer Keroh, the Botanical Gardens is surrounded by a forest that houses about 300 different kinds of flora and fauna. You can enjoy a scenic walk in lush greenery or a bike ride in its pathways. Around the park you will see stone carvings of prehistoric animals that were native in the area.

Once you’re done with your stroll, visit the Book Village located right at the heart of the park. The Book Village has over 15,000 titles available for reading.

Melaka River Cruise

The Melaka river cuts across town through the historic Straits of Melaka. If you want a quick tour of the city, you should try going on a Melaka River Cruise. On this cruise, you will get a unique view of the historical city, get a glimpse Kampung Morten, a traditional Malay village located in the middle of the city.

To be in the cruise, you can go to one of two jetties: the Muara jetty located near the Quayside Heritage Centre, and the Taman Rempah jetty next to Hang Jebat bridge.

Menara Taming Sara

The Menara Taming Sari is a gyro tower that is located in Bandar Hilir. At a height of 8 metres, the ride takes 7 minutes, but in that short time, you will be able to get a 360-view of Melaka city. You will see popular spots like St. Paul’s Hill, Flor De La Mar ship, and the Pulau Selat Mosque.

The ride costs RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children below 12 years old. Don’t worry about missing out on certain spots because binoculars will be provided for you.

Jonker Walk

A Melaka holiday is not complete without going to the famous Jonker Walk, located at the Chinatown street of Melaka. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Melaka and to experience the exciting nightlife and unique dining options the city offers.

The best part about Jonker Walk is the night market that happens on Fridays and Saturdays. Outlets and stalls come out to sell different products from local cuisine to novelty objects and keepsakes.

There are still lots of things Melaka can surprise you with. So as you’re browsing through Melaka hotel promotions for your getaway, take the time to create a list of places you find might interest you.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

4 Popular Public Parks in Baguio

Here are some of the open spaces you can visit outside your Microtel Baguio accommodation:

1. Burnham Park
A familiar image found among mass-produced postcards and shirts from Baguio, Burnham Park is one of the most famous publicly accessible open spaces in the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Centrally located in the heart of the city, Baguio visitors find it an imperative to have at least one picture with the park as background. The park took its name after the famed American architect and urban planner Daniel Hudson Burnham who laid out the plans for the entire city. Among its key features are its man-made lake at the center, skating rink at the south end, and the Orchidarium and children's park on the west. Burnham, however, is as functional as it is beautiful. In the aftermath of the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake, many families sought and found refuge within its tree-covered grounds.

2. Wright Park
Wright Park is located right across the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Just like Burnham, this place—or at least, its famous Igorot regulars wearing their traditional costumes—have been featured in many tourism brochures and postcards. Here, one can truly feel that they are having a holiday in the city of pines dues to the distinct scent that come from the pine trees surrounding the area. A favorite destination of families during the weekend, Wright Park is the place to be for a delightful pony ride for an hour or so.

3. Mines View Park
The most popular Baguio attraction, Mines View Park is a great destination that comes with a beautiful scenery, tasty snacks, and great souvenir shopping options. Located close to Wright Park and a number of hotels in Baguio, Mines View offers visitors an astounding panorama of Benguet's gold and copper mines. Visits should be planned early in the day because it can get quite foggy in the afternoons. Close to the park entrance are stalls selling native handicrafts, wood carvings, silver products, or snacks that go well with the great view and the cool air.

4. Crosby Park
Far from a typical landscaped park, Crosby is a 6-hectare land characterized by views of mountains, gorges, valleys, and slopes. A place for more adventurous visitors, its terrain is fit for trekking, walking, photo shoots, picnics, and other types of outdoor activities.

Save for Crosby Park, which is located in Itogon, all these open spaces are set close to each other. If you're planning a visit to kick back and relax in the cool weather, there are plenty of hotels such as Microtel Baguio located in the middle of the city.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

The Stunning Nightlife at Penang, Malaysia

Penang is more than just the historical sites and tourist spots you visit during the day. As soon as the sun goes down, a whole new life takes over the city. There’s just something about Penang’s various bars, pubs, and an impressive array of family-friendly activities that electrify the night. So on your next trip, right after you’ve looked at which hotel in Penang you’re going to stay, check out our list of the night-life spots and after-dark shopping sites you can enjoy during your stay in Penang, Malaysia.

Keeping it real at Upper Penang Road
The Upper Penang Road is considered to be the centre of nightlife in Georgetown, Penang. Its historic road, which used to the prime place for bakeries, is now lined with different pubs, karaoke joints, discotheques, restaurants, and shops. It has become one of Malaysia’s a la mode district where both the locals and tourists flock for their dose of nightly entertainment, dining, and unlimited shopping. Notable places you can look out for are Slippery Senoritas, Monkey Bar, 32 Mansion, and Soho Free House.

Shopping after dark
The night markets offer a different kind of shopping experience. With countless shops open for business until the wee hours of the night and an extensive array of items up for sale, visitors will definitely spend the whole night haggling and shopping the night away. Popular night markets to go to are Batu Ferringhi, Macallum Street, Farlim, and Tanjung Bungah.

Lounging about to enjoy the sunset
Ever had a dream where you were sipping cocktail, and your toes are curling on the sand as you look into the horizon and see the sun setting by the sea? Well, you can turn that into reality at Penang’s beach bars. You’ll be able to enjoy the company of your friends or family at the most relaxing setting. Must-try beach bars include Beach Blanket Babylon at George Town, Bora Bora at Batu Ferringhi, and QEII at Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown.

Even historical Malaysia hotels in Penang offer the best beachfront setting like Hotel Sentral Seaview Penang with their amazing Horizon Café and Seaview Lounge. You will quite literally be enjoying the cool sea breeze while spoiling yourself with delectable dishes and fresh cocktails.

Munching around at hawker stalls
Going to hawker stalls is one of the best ways to learn about the island. It’s a bit unconventional, but the local dishes served in hawker stalls are cooked using old family recipes and old-fashioned cooking methods. Some of the hawker stalls are extensions of Chinese restaurants, but most are still open air centres. Among the most visited hawker centres in Penang are New Lane Hawker Centre, Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, Weld Quay Food Court, Presgrave Street Hawker Centre, and Kimberley St. Hawker Stalls.

Enjoying live performances
You can get lost in Penang’s local music scene. There are annual music festivals are always to celebrate the thriving music industry of Penang. There is the Penang Island Jazz Festival which is the second largest performing arts event held in August. Another music festival would be the Penang World Music Festival which is held between March and April. For visitors who wouldn’t be able to come to these events, there are year-round performances in island bars. Among these is the iconic Hard Rock Café where both local and international artists take the stage. If you want a chill atmosphere, the Reggae Mansion has an outer lounge where they encourage open mic performers.

There are still lots to do in Penang, but the amazing activities when the sun comes down are a part of what makes the island beautiful. So let’s say you’re staying at Hotel Sentral Seaview Penang getting comfortable with the food and other accommodation in Penang being offered to you, but deep inside you’re itching for a new adventure. Get up, and go out to some of these night time destinations. There’s a whole new culture at night, and going on a trip to experience this side Penang is most certainly worth it.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa Launches Website, Now Accepts Online Bookings

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines – Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa recently launched its new website that contains information about this resort in Palawan. At www.princesagardenisland.com, guests can easily navigate through the different webpages to find pertinent information on the following:

Accommodation: Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa features Asian-themed rooms, suites, and villas, all luxuriously designed with the traveler’s comfort in mind. Common in-room amenities include wireless Internet access, a mini-bar, safe, and a private bathroom with complete set of bath amenities and bathrobes. The suites further feature a private lanai with sunbeds, jacuzzi, iPod dock, 46-inch LCD TV, and 12-inch rainshower.

Facilities: Guests can enjoy utmost leisure in the wide array of facilities offered by this Puerto Princesa resort. Here, they can bask in the 1,640-sqm chlorine-free swimming pool or hop on to the boat that will take them to the nearest sandbar. Those who want to spoil their taste buds can head to any of the 3 on-site dining spots, namely Rice, Tomato and Basil Cuisina Italiana, and Golden Elephant Seafood Village. For guests who wish to relax and rejuvenate, the resort’s Hilot Spa offers the pampering they deserve. And guests seeking a unique venue for special occasions can make use of the chapel, ballroom, and function hall.

Services: Helpful assistance like airport transfer service, room service, shuttle service, housekeeping, and tour desk are provided by the resort. Wi-Fi Internet access is also offered, keeping guests connected to the world even during their vacation.

Location: Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa is found in the village of Bancao-Bancao, 5 minutes away from Puerto Princesa International Airport. From here, guests can access many of Palawan’s best attractions, including the Subterranean National River Park, Honda Bay, Iwahig Firefly Watching, Baker’s Hill, Crocodile Farm, Mitra’s Ranch, Palawan Museum, and Iwahig Penal Colony Farm.

Moreover, the website of Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa makes it easy for travelers worldwide to book a stay here, with the integration of an online reservation system. By using the booking engine that is powered by DirectWithHotels, guests experience the following benefits:
  1. Getting instant confirmation of their bookings. All that’s needed is to complete a short booking process to reserve a room under their name and on their desired stay dates.
  2. Taking advantage of special deals that are found exclusively on the website. Rate plans other than the best available rates may appear on the booking engine when guests book on dates that fall within a promo’s validity period.
  3. Having no worries on payment processing, as all transactions done through the resort’s reservation system is secured by Trustwave, DigiCert, and AsiaPay.
  4. Directly booking with the hotel, eliminating the need for a third-party travel agent.
To reserve a room directly at Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, guests can log on www.princesagardenisland.com. More information about this Puerto Princesa accommodation may be found on its website.


PRINCESA GARDEN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA
Caniguiran Street, Barangay Bancao-Bancao
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Philippines

Phone Numbers: +63-02-7447979 to 82


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.

Monday, August 1, 2016

TRAVEL GUIDE: 4 Things to do When in General Trias, Cavite, Philippines

Why fly long distance when you can go sightseeing just a few hours from Metro Manila, Philippines? Book yourself a hotel in General Trias, Cavite and embark on a trip filled with leisure and learning. Here are 4 things that you should not miss during your “Gentri” trip.

1. Visit old churches
It is nice to see the different churches when you are in a new town because they reveal the locale's architectural history. Gentri has many parishes but the St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church are the most notable ones. The former was built in 1611 by Franciscan missionaries and also has the distinction of being the first site where the Philippine National Anthem was played. The latter, on the other hand, features a modern design and is set in the middle of the Gateway Business Park. Regardless of which you visit, you will definitely have some Instagram and Facebook-worthy photos to take back with you.

2. Go museum hopping
Here in Gen. Trias, you can relive those field trip moments when you see paintings, murals, exhibitions, and other galleries inside the GBR Museum and Museo De La Salle. Located inside the Gateway Business Park, the GBR Museum contains more than 3,000 vintage photographs as well as hundreds of model airplanes donated by founder Mr. Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. from his personal collection of the city's memorabilia. Museo De La Salle, meanwhile, houses a rich collection of antiques from the Spanish occupation.

3. Snap photos of statues and markers
You can also take pictures of Cavite's best sons by visiting markers scattered around town. The General Mariano Trias Marker is located in front of the general's ancestral house in the town plaza. General Mariano Trias fought bravely during the Philippines' revolution against the Spanish conquistadors. But aside from the good general, there are also other heroes who sacrificed their lives during the battles. One of them was Diego Mojica, who led a group of revolutionaries in attacking the Spanish headquarters on 1896. A marker in his honor is also located in the area.

4. Stay at The Bayleaf Cavite
There's no better way to end your "Gentrip" in a rest-conducive lodging like The Bayleaf Cavite. This accommodation in General Trias is the first of it’s kind in the area. With a total of 148 guest rooms and suites, which can be booked online, it is configured to accommodate room requirements from a single bed to as many as four beds per room. An all-day dining cafe, an entertainment center, skylit atrium lounge, outdoor wedding park, and pool bar complements the property’s services. The 45–meter long, free form swimming pool adds a special touch to the vibrant atmosphere of this hotel in General Trias, Cavite.

Friday, July 29, 2016

TRAVEL 101: 5 Family-Friendly Attractions in Manila, Philippines

Find an excellent hotel in Manila, Philippines to enjoy a delightful vacation with your family. By choosing to stay in an accommodation in Ermita, you will get convenient access to several theme parks and amusement sites that offer lots of fun and adventure. Among these are:

1. Manila Ocean Park (MOP)
Considered as the first world-class marine theme park in the country, MOP is an urban resort that serves as a learning facility. It boasts marine life attractions that will surely capture the interest of your children. These include an oceanarium that showcases different kinds of coral reefs, sharks, sting rays, and other species of fish and an open water marine habitat, which is an outdoor pool where visitors can go snorkeling or diving.

2. Star City
Star City is the go-to place for families looking for an action-packed escapade. This is a 35,000 sq m amusement park that offers a wide range of kiddie and adult rides, a playground, and theater. Your kids will certainly enjoy the Kiddie Bumpercar, Little Tyke, Magic Tea Cups, and Rodeo. Meanwhile, the adults will definitely relish exciting experiences at the Jumping Star, Wild River, Star Flyer, Blizzard, and Surf Dance.

3. Museo Pambata
Children who want to visit a museum will be extremely pleased at the Museo Pambata. Located along Roxas Boulevard and near the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel, this depository features hands-on exhibits that encourage children to play and explore. The museum is divided into 8 theme rooms: Old Manila, Career Options, Kalikasan, I Love My Planet Earth, My Blood Works, Karapatan Hall, Pamilihang Bayan, and Global Village. Museo Pambata is open from 8 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Saturday) and from 1 pm to 5 pm (Sunday). Admission fee for both adult and kids is PHP100.

4. Manila Zoo
The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is a 14-acre sanctuary that is considered as one of the premiere academic centers in the country. Established in 1959, the zoo allows the viewing public to learn important information about the diverse Philippine flora and fauna. Here, you will see nearly 100 species of indigenous and endemic wildlife, such as the Philippine crocodile, tamaraw, and
mouse deer.

5. Luneta Park
Known as Asia's first urban park, Luneta Park is an iconic place that is home to an array of historical markers, beautiful gardens, educational facilities, and entertainment spots. Some of the attractions that you'll find here are the Rizal Monument, bronze statue of the Philippine national hero, and the gigantic Lapu-Lapu Monument that is also known as the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

4 Picture Perfect Destinations in Seremban

Travellers used to trot the globe for new and exciting things to experience like thrilling adventures, adrenaline-pumping activities, unique food treats and so on. But something has changed about how travellers choose their next destinations, one other item has been added to this list: it should be photograph worthy.

With apps like Instagram and VSCO becoming so popular, a lot of people have been on the lookout for picture perfect destinations they can post everywhere. While Seremban may have been overlooked for some time, it offers a picturesque landscape and eclectic architecture that has made it a worthy stop when visitors are in Malaysia.

So while you’re rummaging for a Seremban hotel promotion you can use on your stay, check out our list of some of the best photo stops you should make when you find yourself in Seremban.

Istana Besar

Located in Johor Bahru, Istana Besar is also known as the Grand Palace, the royal palace of the Sultan of Johor. It was built in 1866 by Sultan Abu Bakr and overlooks the Straits of Johor that separates Johor to mainland Eurasia. It has an Anglo-Malay architecture design, with a distinctive Malay dome that contrasts the Anglo-influenced blue roof.

Lake Gardens

The Lake Gardens is located right in the city, spanning 92 hectares with various attractions within it. It was built around an artificial lake and is mostly known for the lush greenery that surrounds it. More than just the ideal place to rest for workers around the city, it has also become a spot for joggers. A jogging route is set in place for health buffs of Seremban where workout stations can be found along the way.

Islamic Relation Centre

Fashioned in the architectural style of the mosque of Xian in China, the Islamic Relation Centre was built to provide Muslims a place where they can deepen their understanding of Islam and a place where they can pray together. They organise classes for the Qur’an and various community activities.

Masjid Jamek

Its distinct architectural style is what makes the old mosque unique. It used a fusion of an old Malacca mosque style with its tiered pyramid roof and a tall minaret, a Mughal influence with its yellow domes, and local elements such as the serambi and the orange hue of the mosque.

There are some who seem to miss these places, but don’t worry because The Royale Bintang Resort & Spa is a hotel at Seremban that makes these locations perfectly accessible to you. Even the hotel itself offers a picturesque view for people who would love to take a panoramic photo of the hilly landscapes of Seremban.

As you hop out of the plane, drop your bags off at the hotel, Seremban is definitely ready to model for you.