Second Friday of the month: Kids / Bonding / Parenting
"Remember the giant gingerbread house in the hotel? Is it still there?" The girl vividly recalled our memorable post-Christmas stay-cation at the new Acacia Hotel Manila two years ago when I told her we've been invited to stay over for some R & R. That was our first time to spend a family weekend in the southern city of Alabang. We were treated like kings and queens during our stay at Acacia Hotel, so naturally, we were all too excited to go back for a quick weekend getaway.
October is Acacia Hotel Manila's anniversary month, and this "5-star Filipino luxury hotel" just turned three. It's a fairly new modern hotel located in the center of Alabang's Filinvest Corporate City. My new year feature of Acacia Hotel here would show you that my family had a wonderful time. Our recent accommodation was no different, if not better.
Four weekends ago, we were warmly welcomed once again by Acacia Hotel Manila. The hotel is still the same bright, energetic, and happy place I remembered it to be. I'm very pleased to share that they have maintained their excellent service as we have experienced two years ago. We really felt at home.
Scroll down and take this (virtual) tour with me...
Room 1112. This was our cozy and spacious Junior Suite, perfect for our family of 4.
I really appreciated the personalized service and thoughtful welcome treats prepared by Acacia. My kids are both below 12 years old so they shared this super comfy king-sized bed with me, while J slept soundly on his own bed. The boys didn't want to leave the room!
Scroll down and take this (virtual) tour with me...
Room 1112. This was our cozy and spacious Junior Suite, perfect for our family of 4.
I really appreciated the personalized service and thoughtful welcome treats prepared by Acacia. My kids are both below 12 years old so they shared this super comfy king-sized bed with me, while J slept soundly on his own bed. The boys didn't want to leave the room!
- Corner suite with picture windows for a nice view of the city
- King-sized "Dream Bed" - customized orthopedic beds with memory foam top
- Pillow selection for utmost comfort and sleep quality
- Extra bed upon request
- 40" flat-screen TV with cable channels
- Spacious living area
You know, this would be a really good room to book for weddings. The well-appointed suite has all the modern amenities for a comfortable and convenient stay.
- Wi-Fi access
- Electronic "Do Not Disturb" and "Make-up Room" signs
- Room Service menu
- Cabinet with robes, slippers, laundry bag, safe, flashlight, ironing board and flat iron
- Fully stocked mini bar (stylishly hidden inside the cabinet below the coffee and tea tray) with complimentary bottled water and fresh fruit platter (we brought more water and snacks, heehee)
Just like the first time, very clean bath room, has all the modern fixtures and with complete set of toiletries. It has a separate shower area and bath tub.
It's worth mentioning that they now have a bidet (lower right photo, sprayer beside the water closet), which they didn't have during our first time here.
All checked-in guests have free use of hotel facilities, like the swimming pool, gym, and Saturday movie night for kids. Before, the kids were not able to swim coz the girl suffered itchy eczema. This time, I made sure they get to swim.
Too bad for the boy, he still did not get to swim coz he wasn't feeling so well. It was windy that day too, so I changed my mind and just watched over the girl. =) She ended up having the pool (and the whole pool area) all to herself that Friday afternoon. We were served free flowing iced tea by the pool bar. She said she had the best time! No doubt.
Too bad for the boy, he still did not get to swim coz he wasn't feeling so well. It was windy that day too, so I changed my mind and just watched over the girl. =) She ended up having the pool (and the whole pool area) all to herself that Friday afternoon. We were served free flowing iced tea by the pool bar. She said she had the best time! No doubt.
M jumped in and out of the kiddie pool, as well as in the adult pool. She was also tempted to try the jacuzzi! By then, it started to drizzle so we headed back to our suite to get ready for dinner.
While the girl had her chance to swim, I was finally able to enjoy a complimentary aromatherapy massage at the Lurra Wellness Spa. You see, I already missed this chance the first time since the kids wouldn't let me go then. They even offered the In-room massage.
Here's the girl, checking out the spa and the gym. She was very curious how a spa looks like so I brought her in to see the spa after her swim. That evening, I booked for my me-time after dinner (I had the couple's room to myself since J had to stay with the kids).
Dinner time!
My husband and kids enjoy the luxury of having room service when they get the chance. My boy especially looks forward to having his meals brought in the room. That's his guilty pleasure every time we stay in a hotel. Well, sorry to burst his bubble, but I already told them that we had room service the first time and I missed the food porn at the buffet. So, they all followed mommy that evening and went to Acaci Restaurant for the dinner buffet of delectable continental cuisine.
There were so many stations to choose from, like the fresh seafood and salad area, Japanese and Asian selections, pasta and grill station, ham and steak carving station, dessert bar, and free flowing drinks and coffee. Other hotels may have a more impressive spread, but Acaci can hold it's own and even offers special themed dinners every Friday. I had sushi, tempura, beef, seafood -- slurped fresh oysters, and had my fill of Cajun dishes.
Incidentally, we were there on a Friday and the theme that night was New Orleans. I enjoyed the Spiced Pan Fried Snapper and flavorful Cajun Barbecue Pork Ribs with that Red Beans & Sausage Rice (below, right).
Acaci's themed Friday Dinner rate is very reasonable at Php 1,288 net per head.
After dinner, we walked around the hotel to help digest the heavy dinner...hehehe! That's the girl, fooling around while I took pictures at the lobby.
Saturday morning.
With our Dream Bed and fluffy pillows, we all slept soundly and woke up to a perfect sunny day. Buffet breakfast was served at Acaci restaurant. We had our usual fare of American and Filipino breakfast -- bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, puto, arroz caldo, even taho and wheatgrass-honey juice for the girl! We both had seconds of the warm bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
With our Dream Bed and fluffy pillows, we all slept soundly and woke up to a perfect sunny day. Buffet breakfast was served at Acaci restaurant. We had our usual fare of American and Filipino breakfast -- bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, puto, arroz caldo, even taho and wheatgrass-honey juice for the girl! We both had seconds of the warm bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
M went for a swim after breakfast. The pool was crowded by mid morning -- wished the pool was bigger, especially the kiddie pool. The girl jumped in nonetheless.
Thankfully, we were given a late check-out time so there was no rush to leave the hotel. I asked my parents to join us that day since I planned to check out the weekend market nearby. We were still able to relax and have a light lunch at The Lobby at Acacia.
The boy had his usual ripe mango smoothie and ordered from the Kids Menu. Daddy and the girl had a bowl of ramen. She tried the Make My Shake with her own mix of vanilla ice cream, Snickers and Nutella, topped with mini marshmallows. It was yummy! Mine was not light, hahaha... a hearty set meal for me. Gyuniku Teriyaki Bento has grilled beef teriyaki with rice, kani salad, salmon and tuna sashimi, with miso soup. Busog!
Aside from the staff's personal attention to details, which we really witnessed and experienced during our family stay-cation, Acacia Hotel Manila also offers free shuttle service from Acacia to nearby commercial centers so checked-in guests can explore the city. Simply schedule a shuttle ride at the concierge to take you to Alabang Town Center, CommerCenter which is just across the street, Fun Ranch with the kids, Westgate Center, and more!
Acacia Hotel Manila's convenient location makes it an ideal venue for business and leisure in Alabang. It has family-friendly amenities with five-star service. We felt so welcome and cared for during our stay -- thank you again for having us, Acacia Hotel Manila. You truly exemplify Filipino hospitality. Happy 3rd anniversary!
See the life-sized gingerbread house from our first holiday staycation at Acacia Hotel here.
Get updates, event announcements and promos at www.facebook.com/Acaciahotels.
Consider staying over the holidays with their special packages:
Acacia cares too! This holiday season, Acacia Hotel Manila launches SHARE-A-LUNCH Project where you can book a lunch event, and you can choose a beneficiary to be treated to a lunch feast.
For inquiries or reservations, contact:
5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Tel: (632) 720-2000 / 588-5888
Email: enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com
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