Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Life begins where WIFI is weak
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Felt almost like home!

When coming to Calayan Island the options for accommodation are limited. There are no hotels here. But one very good option is TPS Homestay, owned by Mam Tessie. The homestay is located at J.P Rizal Street not far from the pier. Just walking distance. Her helping hands are Medy and Arlene. Medy can assist you as your tour guide and driver around the island. We paid total 500 PHP per day for going around with Medy. The gasoline was included. With Arlene you can arrange so she will cook all your meals under your stay at an additional cost of course. There are some sari sari stores around where you can buy your own food and use the kitchen at no extra cost.

Limited electricity and sporadic cellphone coverage

Since we were here under low season we were the only guests at the homestay. We were very well accommodated and well taken care of. It almost felt like our home. The surroundings around the homestay were quiet so in night time we slept very well. The electricity was limited, there was only electricity in the evening from 5 to 10 PM. Beware also about the cellphone coverage and that the access to Internet can be sporadic. Hey! This is a remote island out in the middle of the sea after all. 

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
5 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here in January 2014

TPS Homestay
J. P. Rizal Street, Calayan Island, Philippines
Phone: +639399158667 or +639298375737
TPS Homestay
Entrance, TPS Homestay
Breakfast
The sitting area in the living room
Living room
Dining room
Arlene, the girl who cooked all our meals
Me and Medy, who was our driver and guide around the island
Corned beef with rice
Garden
A secret get away in the garden where you could sit
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Big casino and a Chinese restaurant

If you for some reason happen to be in Santa Ana, the almost northern tip of the whole Luzon you are really off the beaten track but probably heading for the ferry going to the Babuyan Islands. There are not much here in Santa Ana, but you have the Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort here. This is a big casino and a Chinese restaurant with accompanying bungalows. When you pass by on the road outside it looks really anonymous like a big quiet warehouse or something. It's only the signpost which tells you there is something going on inside the compound.
Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines) signpost

The signpost

Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines) entrance

The entrance

​​A surrealistic place

But don't hesitate. Just proceed through the gates and walk along the big warehouse wall until you reach the front and you will be amazed! A big entrance with fountains and nice plantings welcomes you. But it's a little bit of a surrealistic experience, in the middle of nowhere, in this small town Santa Ana you find this place and there is almost no people around. By the time we were there having dinner there was only one other guest present. 
Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines) reception

The reception hall

Conclusions

However the food was delicious and the portions were huge. We ordered hot and sour soup and beef with mushrooms. The food was price worthy and  they also had a good WiFi here. 

​Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food 
4 Service
4 Value
4 Atmosphere
I was here January 2014.

Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort Philippines
Brgy. San Vicente, Santa Ana , Cagayan Valley Philippines, 3514
Phone: +639088907646
Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines) the restaurant

Only one other guest present

Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines) the food

Hot and sour soup and beef with mushrooms

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Nice view at Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

View over Samal Island, also known as Island Garden City of Samal

Located on Samal Island

The Red Parrot Inn is located on Samal Island, one of the pearls of small islands just outside the city of Davao. To get there you can take the bus from Sasa Wharf in Davao going to Peñaplata on Samal Island. It includes a short ferry trip between the ferry terminals. In Peñaplata you switch to the bus heading for Kaputian. From the busterminal in Kaputian it's only five minutes walk to The Red Parrot Inn.
Going by ferry from Samal Island to Davao City © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Short ferry trip between the islands

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View 3 © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The Red Parrot Inn

The Red Parrot Inn, a wonderful getaway with sea view

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn View from room © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The view from the room is awesome!

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View 2 © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

This is the strait between Samal Island and Talikud Island

The Red Parrot Inn is beautifully situated by the sea. It has rooms fronting the sea and also four cottages at the back with no sea view. The AC was a little bit old but still possible to adjust the temperature ok. WiFi was only available in the main building. We had one of the cottages in the back and the room was a little bit worn but everything was nice and clean.
Breakfast at The Red Parrot Inn, Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The breakfast was not of my taste, it was too sweet!

You could cook your own food

Breakfast was not included in the price for the cottage. But you could order breakfast and other dishes in the little restaurant nicely located with a beautiful sea view. I didn't mind that the breakfast was not included because it was too sweet for my taste anyway. There was a kitchen available so you could cook your own food. We used to buy fresh fish in the market and then let the staff cook it for us for a smaller fee.
The staff at The Red Parrot Inn © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The staff at the reception

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn dog © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Can you cuddle me... please!

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View with feet © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

My feet are enjoying the view

​They had parrots here

Everybody in the staff were very friendly and helpful. The beach just outside the main building was clean and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. As a curiosity they actually had parrots here. Two red ones and one white Kakadu with the name Oskar. He was both naughty and funny and he loved to talk!
Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Parrots © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The parrots

Having lunch at the local canderia Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Lunch at the nearby canderia

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here several times early 2015

The Red Parrot Inn
Kaputian, Samal Island, Davao​
Landline: +63 82 286 1658
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​Perfectly located in Toril

Monclair Suites has a very good location in the center of Toril. It's near to everything. Just walking distance to the wet market, G-Mall or the jeepney terminal. The room was small but clean and fresh. AC was the modern style and the temperature was easy adjustable. Free WiFi was available in the room. Breakfast was not included. ​

One highlight of Toril is Eden Nature Park & Resort

Toril is is the 3rd District of the City of Davao, located 40 min by car from city center of Davao. So if you visit Davao it's probably more likely you stay near the city center of Davao instead of staying in Toril. But one highlight of Toril is Eden Nature Park & Resort which is a fantastic getaway beautifully located on the slope of Mount Apo. So Eden Nature Park & Resort might be the reason for you to spend the night in Toril and then you should check out Montclair Suites as an option.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
4 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here a couple of times in May 2015

Monclair Suites
RCFI COMPLEX (Infront of Shell Gasoline Station), Agton St., Toril, Davao City
Phone: 09498323034 (smart), 09433045380 (sun)
Review of Montclair Suites, Toril, Davao

Monclair Suites

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Good location

You have two branches of Buzzz Café in Tagbilaran. One is located in the ground floor of Luisa Galleria. Maybe this one is the most accessible of the two due to it's central location near the city square. The other one is located in Island City Mall (ICM) which is 5 min away from city square by tricycle. This review is mainly about the branch located in Luisa Galleria which also is the bigger one and have more tables available.

Locally produced with organic farming

From inside of the restaurant you have a beautiful view over the strait between Bohol and Panglao. Free WiFi is available and AC is functioning very well (read: it's not too cold inside). The unique with The Buzzz Café is that everything they sell here is locally produced with organic farming. They also have a shop here where you can buy fresh bread, pastries, honey etc.

​Healthy and delicious! 

The food is a mix of Western and Filipino style. Soups, salads, sandwiches, ribs, fish, chicken, pizzas and pasta. Vegetarian alternatives are also available. Everything is cooked with their style, unique for The Buzzz Café. Some dishes come with fresh salad and newly baked bread with delicious spreads. The have also a good selection of tea and coffee. The conclusion is clear, healthy and delicious food to reasonable prices.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 
5 Service
5 Value
5 Atmosphere
I have been here many times the past years.

The Buzzz Café
Ground Floor, Galleria Luisa, Galleries St. Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502 2288
Complimentary to every meal. Fresh bread with honey and pesto spread.
Fresh bread with pesto spread
Look at this! It's like an artwork for your soul.
Ribs
Ribs, fresh salad and red rice
Caffe latte with a carrot muffin
Grilled squid
Different kinds of honey for sale
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Don't let the first impression let you down

The whole place looks a little bit shabby from the outside. But don't let the first impression let you down. The Golden Cowrie virtually stands alone surrounded by a parking lot, which means there are always free parking space available. When you enter the restaurant all the shabbiness vanish away. It's nice and clean and you are greeted by staff. The food is Filipino style and you have many dishes to choose between and the prices are very reasonable. The only downside is when the restaurant is full of guests, which it often is the sound level tends to be high probably because of the acoustics is not that good.

A little bit unlucky this time

The food shown in one of the pics was Kangkong, a common vegetable dish consists of green leaves mixed with garlic and spices. Bicol Express which is pork with coconut milk, chili and shrimp paste. The Kangkong was delicious but the pork in the Bicol Express consisted almost only of chops of pure fat. When I told the staff about it they replaced it with pork chops which was to my satisfaction. I felt I was a little bit unlucky with my Bicol Express because I have been here several times before and usually the food have been very good.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food 
4 Service
5 Value
3 Atmosphere
I was here several times in December 2015.

Golden Cowrie Restaurant
0068 Venancio P. Inting Ave, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 1323
Golden Cowrie Restaurant
Kangkong (green leaves vegetable), Bicol Express and rice
Pork chops
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​Good priced hotel in Imus, Cavite

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens is located around 21 km south of Manila in Imus, Cavite. The area of Imus is surprisingly green as long as you stay away from the R-2 highway. Since this is not really a tourist spot you will probably not end up here unless you have a reason to visit this particular area. 
Nevertheless Casa Verde is good priced hotel, quiet surroundings with breakfast included. WiFi and AC was functioning perfect. The room was very fresh and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. Only 5 min from Casa Verde with tricycle, you reach the R-2 highway where you have plenty of public buses going back and forth to Manila or Dasmariñas.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here February 2016

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens
254 Bayan Luma III, Cavite, 4103 Imus, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 715 0661
Reviews of hotels in Imus, Cavite, Philippines Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Breakfast © LordProduction

Double breakfast was included in the double room

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​New affordable place in Tagbilaran

When I discovered this little hotel it was almost newly opened. Everything was new and fresh. It's located just a 3-5 min from the airport and 10-15 from Tagbilaran City with tricycle. The AC was not the modern silent type but still it was working reasonable well since the unit was brand new. WiFi was only available in the lobby. A simple but still good breakfast was included in the price. It's not a fancy place but still good and definitely worth the money.  

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here December 2015

Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast
136 Pamaong Extension Street, Cogon District, Tagbilaran City 6300, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 422 8073
Review of Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast, Philippines, Tagbilaran, My room © LordProduction

My room at Staylite Park B&B

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​Good value for the money

Arabelle Suites is located 5 min with tricycle from Tagbilaran airport and 8-10 min from Tagbilaran city. Big and clean rooms with modern AC which is both silent and easy to adjust the temperature with. Breakfast is included in the little restaurant inside the hotel. You can choose between Filipino and Western style breakfasts. They also have a pool where you can take your swim. Lately when I tried to get a room there they always been fully booked so obviously you should book in advance. The staff is very helpful and friendly although it can be some waiting time in the restaurant for the breakfast. At those occasions there have been trainees working there so at the same time it is understandable. The free WiFi was only available in the common areas.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
3 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here 2014

Arabelle Suites
New Calceta Street, Upper Cogon, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 0607
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Willing to make it right!

I have passed by this restaurant many times when I have been in Mall of Asia looking for something to eat. It looks nothing special from the outside. But then finally I thought I would give the place a try! 
Chili's offers a little bit of the usual stuff for this category of restaurants. Tex Mex, ribs, chicken, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, salads etc. They also offer lunch combos. Actually it took me a while for deciding what to take. Many of the dishes in the menu looked very delicious. I finally decided to go for the Monterey Chicken. Grilled chicken breast topped with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, cheese, diced tomatoes and green onions. Served with mashed potatoes and steamed fresh veggies. The waitress asked me if I wanted fried mushrooms together as a side dish. I really got the impression from her that the mushrooms were complimentary. So I didn't distinctively ask for the price, which of course I should have done.
The food was quickly on the table and the portion was huge and delicious. The price for the Monterey Chicken was 485 PHP. When I got the bill they had charged me additionally 220 PHP for the mushrooms. The portion of the mushrooms had been very small.  So I felt disappointed of the expensive price and the way the waitress had handled her upselling. 
So I asked for the supervisor and explained the situation. To my surprise she was very understanding and immediately offered me a compensation free of choice. So I ordered The Deep Fried Cheesecake as a dessert for 350 PHP. From the feeling of disappointment to satisfaction I become a very full satisfied customer.
​They also had a strong and fast WiFi net and clean and fresh comfort rooms. 

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 
4 Service
3 Value
4 Atmosphere
I was here February 2016.

Chili's Restaurant
SM Mall of Asia, South Wing, Ground Floor, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: 835 9663

Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
Chili's restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila Monterey chicken as it looked in the menu Monterey Chicken and my mushroom side dish on top Deep fried cheesecake with ice cream Related links: UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila​ Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila​ Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​ Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​ Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park​