Getaways Archives | Filipina Expat

Category: Getaways

05
Aug
2017

W Dubai Al Habtoor City

I would like to say that the reason I booked our hotel stay is to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.
But the truth is I reserved a room way before we went to Philippines/Hong Kong because I know that I will need another holiday to recover from my holidays.

As it turned out August 4 happens to be our church wedding anniversary.
And I now have a very valid reason for a staycation. Yes!

(Before I get condemned: we were married twice (civil and church) and years apart. Remembering dates is one of my weakness. I can’t even remember my brother’s birthday who was born 30+ years ago! Sorry Gibson and RG. It’s not you, it’s me)

I used my Airmiles points to book a room in Westin Al Habtoor but when we checked-in, the reception told us that due to on-going construction in the hotel, we were moved at W Dubai Al Habtoor City. As we’ve stayed in Westin before, I don’t mind trying W Hotel.
I read that W is generally marketed to younger crowd. It has that futuristic, modern, hip vibe.
Very us. Choz.
(more…)

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02
Aug
2017

Hong Kong Trip – July 2017

categories: Family, Getaways

You might know that there’s 20 of us who went to Hong Kong last 12th July.

And let me tell you that it ain’t easy. I planned the itinerary myself because I reckon booking through a travel agent will be more expensive. Besides, I don’t plan to visit all the top tourist spots in Hong Kong anyways.
I’m more interested in food rather than culture.

Here’s what I have drafted and shared with my siblings: (more…)

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07
Jun
2017

Al Hamra Residence & Village – Ras Al Khaimah

categories: Family, Getaways

In a month’s time, the family will go for our annual trip to the Philippines yet it’s not soon enough and I just want to take a break.
I sent some hotel deals to Gibson but he didn’t reply.
When Cole asked if we can stay in any hotel this Ramadan I knew I have to remind the hubby.

It’s always a good idea to avail various hotels’ summer promotions throughout UAE because rates are really low.
And I know I can easily convince Gibson if it won’t leave a dent on his pocket.
But I have to find a place that will be acceptable to kids, specially to Cole.
That boy has some standards yah know.

I found Al Hamra Residence & Village thru Booking.com.
Prior to this, I haven’t heard of this property.
The reviews are generally positive and the fact that it’s only AED 249 per night with breakfast (yes, AED 249 with breakfast) then it’s a place worth to try.
If it turns out to be bad, I won’t feel cheated considering that we only pay for a dinner’s worth.

(more…)

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30
May
2017

Tong Ren Tang Dubai

categories: Getaways

I told Gibson last week that I have vouchers from Air Miles and we can dine in any of the restaurants in Le Meridien Dubai.
We really enjoyed Yalumba’s Thursday buffet last January so it’s time to revisit them.
But I don’t want this dinner to be our couple’s date for the month of May.
I want our date venue to be different every month.
Note: Yalumba didn’t accept our Air Miles so we use our Entertainer vouchers instead.

Then I thought why not try an activity together.
We had a massage at Dreamworks Spa in March and we enjoyed it.
So I just need to think of something that Gibson will be willing to try.
Nothing too girly, too expensive, too dangerous and I might be able to convince him.

I remember that our insurance covers alternative medicine which includes acupuncture, ayurvedic and the likes.
Acupuncture is something I always wanted to try but never get the chance to experience.
My dear friend Sheila always had acupuncture therapies when were both working at Tetra Pak but I never asked her how’s the experience.
I think that’s a good thing so I won’t have any pre-judgement.

(more…)

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28
May
2017

Cole’s 10th Birthday Celebration at Aquaventure Waterpark

categories: Family, Getaways

This post is 5 months late but as they said better late than never!

My kids are not excited having their own birthday parties.
They prefer simple lunch or dinner and then receive birthday gifts.
That’s it.
Big factor on this attitude is having a mom who doesn’t like to plan party celebrations.
How ironic that my job requires me to organize meetings, dinner and events on regular basis. (more…)

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26
May
2017

Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City

categories: Family, Getaways

I have so many things on my draft folder and let me try to finish and post them one at a time. Today, let me share with you our experience at Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City.

Our family loves staying in hotels and before the year ended last year, we decided to have another hotel staycation.

With several SPG points to use, I started searching for hotels that we can stay in. We just wanted a Dubai-based property that we’ve never been before and Westin Dubai Al Habtoor fits the criteria. Quick Google search shows that it’s a brand new hotel just opened in September 2016. It’s part of a multi-use development in Al Habtoor City and one of the 3 hotels in the complex. The other two is the luxurious St. Regis, and urban and hip W Hotel.

As usual, I tried to check reviews and photos before our visit but since it’s the hotel is quite new I haven’t really found anything on the net. So let me make my own review.

Online reservation was smooth. Check-in was supposed to be swift but Gibson didn’t have his Emirates ID that time as his visa was under renewal. He searched through his mails to find a copy of his passport. So our check-in took longer than expected.
Good thing that check-in counters were not busy considering it’s UAE National Day. (more…)

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09
May
2017

All-inclusive Summer Deal For A Steal At Acacia By Bin Majid

categories: Getaways

I really am in this zone right now where I just want to take a break. I’ve been browsing sites for deals and this just came right into my inbox. As if the Universe heard my thoughts…

This summer deal is really a steal! I think it’s good to take this offer before or after Ramadan.

All through the hot summer months, Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts has launched an unbeatable promotion to beat the heat at Acacia By Bin Majid, the contemporary resort in Ras Al Khaimah, the northern most emirate of the UAE.

The unbeatable summer package allows guests to take advantage of an exclusive promotion at Acacia By Bin Majid at AED 399 per night, inclusive of three buffetmeals, free beach access, free kayaking for two adults and unlimited adult beverages.

Guests are welcome to check in as early as 11am and enjoy the myriad of adrenaline -filled activities and entertainment including water slides, beach volleyball, Jet Ski rentals, free kayaking and much more. The hotel offers a complimentary bus shuttle to Bin Majid Beach Resort for beach access, just a few minutes away from the hotel.

Acacia by Bin Majid is best known for spacious facilities, friendly staff, a wide choice of recreational activities and delicious food. A short drive away from Dubai, this chic resort is located alongside the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone, and is an ideal weekend getaway for individuals and families alike.

To book, call 800-7500 and mention ‘RAK-Roadtrip’

Summer in UAE means staycation, beach and fun without breaking a bank! I almost love summer just because of this reason.

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07
May
2017

Holiday plans

categories: Getaways, Musings

I am bored this past few days at work and although I am totally fine with it (means I am not stressed out), my mind wanders a lot.

Planning activities for our Hong Kong trip in July seems to be too tasking that I don’t know how to start.

Imagine doing an itinerary for 19 people that consists of 5 seniors, 4 kids, few millennials and a number of Gen X and Y – it’s complicated.

I need to plan the following:
– How to go from one place to another
– Activities
– Cost
– Where to dine
– How not to lose each other

Good thing that I already booked the hotel and flights. One less headache.

Since thinking of Hong Kong doesn’t excite me yet, I am checking hotel rates in UAE for some good staycation.

Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa has good Ramadan offer and I almost booked until I remember how far it is.

Don’t get me wrong. I like Fujairah and I love staying in hotels but staying just for 1 night is tiring. And right now, I only have weekends to spare.

Then I thought why not check Anantara in Abu Dhabi and do some desert and nature activities, I excitedly went to the website, enter my preferred dates and the price for 1 villa is AED 6k++!!
I had a migraine.
Immediately closed the tab.

Ok, let me go somewhere near. Let’s try Ajman Saray. Beautiful hotel, good reviews, close proximity from Dubai and Sharjah.
But strange that there’s no availability on all weekends from Ramadan until August.

Is it just a system glitch? Are they full? Under renovation? Or they don’t like me?
Whatever it is, I am not very keen to call and make some personal interaction. I prefer the anonymity of online browsing. It’s their loss not mine. Choz.

Then, I really want to go to Georgia this December or January to experience snow! But I want our family to travel with group of friends. When playing in snow, the more the merrier. Do you want to go?

As if that’s not enough, my siblings and I are planning to go to Paris next spring break. This is totally an upgrade to our usual travel plans. Although we’ve been travelling together to several cities and countries, this is the first time that we will go to a place where visa is required.
Hope all of us can get a visa otherwise it won’t be that fun.
All the best to us.

I have such a big problem, right? Right! 🙂

Enjoy the day friends 🙂

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26
Apr
2017

Dreamworks Spa Dubai

categories: Getaways

“Eat lightly at least an hour before you step in for any type of massage. An exaggeratedly full stomach will be painful to lie on”

I know this is one of the basic rules before a full body massage so why the hell we ate first at Noodle Bowl before our treatment?!? Only the food god knows.

Well to be fair to myself I only booked a few hours before our treatment and we have a few hours to kill before our session and the ‘light’ meal turned out to be a full-blown Asian fest. No regret though.

I’ve been researching for a massage place where I can use The Entertainer and stumbled upon Dreamworks Spa. Their rates are reasonable and it has decent reputation.
We know that having a massage here in Dubai is either dubious (think of those massage parlour cards sticked into parked vehicles) or headache-inducing expensive. (more…)

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02
Nov
2016

Global Village is now open!

categories: Getaways

Actually, it opened yesterday but I forgot to post it 😊

Last time we went there was December of last year and I recall being pleasantly surprised that it was bigger and better compared to 2 years ago when I last visited.
For me, Global Village is all about food trip. I always make sure that I’m hungry when I visit so I can try all the quirky and delicious food items offered by almost all the pavilions. Shopping is just secondary (my husband will be so happy). (more…)

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