Days Hotel Tagaytay and Westin Philippine Plaza

Why do I group these two places together? They seem so unrelated and they are actually, except for the fact that we got to stay overnight in each courtesy of a friend (Vicky) who had GCs which she gave me.

Days Hotel has a nice view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. We checked in late December so the air was cool, maybe even cold. We went to look at the pool and looked at Taal again. Bougainvileas were all over.

The bedroom was a bit dark but comfortable. What disappointed us, however, was the eating area. It was dark and gloomy and had swinging screen doors. It reminded me of a retreat house's cafeteria. I didn't think it suited the image of Days Hotel or what my concept of a dining area in a hotel should be, anyway. Disappointing.

Philippine Plaza was fun. Our room offered a view of Manila Bay. And from our room, too, we could see the floating casino of Stanley Ho. Just took pictures of it. That night, we would have wanted to go to the bar to watch a band and use the GC specific to that bar except that when the floor manager saw my son, he said "cannot be. Too young." He suggested that we just order food and take this to our room, which we did. While we were waiting for our order, a man and his wife (I hope) were about to go inside the bar when the floor manager stopped them. The man was in slippers. Strict no? These days those slippers might be allowed in because they have been glorified, having been branded Havaianas, termed flipflops, thongs, etc. They were "smagol" in Negros when I grow up and they cost less than 10 pesos. Now they cost over P500! Worth trying out these days if anyone in Havianas or smagol can get inside that bar.

The next morning, we had GCs for the buffet breakfast and how we enjoyed it. There were so many choices and all five-star cooking (remember Fort Ilocandia which didn't have five-star food?)Nice place Philippine Plaza. And oh yes, the afternoon before, as we were just wandering around the grounds, we saw a garden wedding. Non-Catholic, I think because the Catholic Church has disallowed such.