Hidden Paradise in Aborlan, Palawan: Surya Beach Palawan

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
Surya Beach Palawan

Palawan is definitely one among the beautiful vacation and holiday destinations in the Philippines. Palawan offers an array of beautiful places to visit. If you are planning to travel to Palawan, the popular tourist destinations are  El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa.

Surya Beach Palawan

For someone who longs to explore new places, we decided to try Surya Beach Palawan in one of the least popular destinations in Palawan – the municipality of Aborlan. Prior to our visit, I checked online for videos specifically about Aborlan and Surya Beach Palawan. I watched one video and was amazed by the unique beauty of the place! Truly, it’s a less explored and hidden paradise in Palawan!

Aborlan, Palawan

Transfers

Surya Beach Palawan offers airport transfers and travel time from Puerto Princesa City to the resort is 2 hours. In our case, since we are in Puerto Princesa already as we’ve stayed at The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa for 3 nights, we asked Surya Beach Palawan to pick us up at The Funny Lion. 

Quiet and Serene Resort

We arrived at Surya Beach Palawan and we were the only guests at the resort. We immediately liked the place as it was quiet and serene. We felt like we had the entire resort and the beach to ourselves.

Sunset at Surya

Beachfront Villa

Since having a great view from our accommodation is one of our trip requirements, we booked the Beachfront Villa, as it offers the best view of the beach. The villa, which is actually an A-frame, can accommodate up to 7 persons, making it perfect for families or groups of friends. It includes a queen-size bed, 2 single beds, and another queen-size bed in the loft.

Beachfront Villa at Surya

Surprisingly, the villa comes with a Smart TV so you can watch your favorite Netflix series or watch your favorite YouTube channels. And note that their internet service provider is Starlink so the internet is ultra-fast. Additionally, the villa is equipped with a refrigerator, a coffee and tea area with an electric kettle, drinking glasses, mugs, and complimentary drinking water. However, please note that coffee is not provided, so be sure to bring your own.

Another pleasant surprise is the spacious and beautifully designed toilet & bath. Toiletries, towels, and guest kits are provided, which include a toothbrush, small toothpaste, and a small soap.

Our favorite spot is the veranda, equipped with a lounging area and a dining set, where you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of the beach.

Beachfront Villa Rates start at 5,400 Php a night. For bookings, please check-out their Cloudbeds listing.

Good Food

You can bring your own food to Surya and even cook there with corkage. However, since Surya has a chef and serves delicious dishes, I highly recommend ordering food from them. 

Activities

In addition to enjoying the views and swimming, they offer relaxing beachside massages, but remember to book a day in advance. They also have kayaks but we were unable to try due to wavy conditions during our stay. At night, ask one of their staff to set-up a beach bonfire which is free of charge. Lastly, during low tide, stroll along the shore and appreciate the beach’s untouched beauty.

Overall, we had a restful and enjoyable stay at Surya Beach Palawan. The staff are very helpful, the beachfront villa is nice, the place is relaxing and serene. I can not gate keep this place as everyone needs to know that there’s a hidden paradise in Aborlan, Palawan!

You may also watch my vlog and review of Surya Beach Palawan below:

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NLEX SCTEX Toll Rates 2019

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
NLEX tollgate

Traveling to Northern Luzon by land? Here is the complete NLEX and SCTEX tollgate rates this 2019.

DISCLAIMER: I don not own the below matrices, source is from Department of Transportation Toll Regulatory Board website.

CLASS A Vehicles

Vehicles under this type are the following:
cars
jeepneys
pick-ups
taxis
vans
vehicles with 2-axles and 7 ft. in height
CLASS B Vehicles

Vehicles considered Class B are:
buses
trucks with 2-axles and above 7 ft. in height
light vehicles with more than 2 axles and 7 ft. in height
CLASS C Vehicles

Class 3 vehicles are trucks with 3 or more axles and are 7 ft. above in height.

Will accordingly update this blog post in the event of changes in NLEX asnd/or SCTEX toll rates this 2019.

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Cheapest Beachfront Resort in Boracay Station 1? Casa Fiesta Boracay

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
Casa Fiesta facade

If you are planning to visit the new Boracay but on a tight budget, you are probably looking for a cheap accommodation in the island. There are indeed numerous cheap hotels and accommodations in Boracay. But these properties are not beachfront. Most cheaply priced accommodations in Boracay are usually far from the white beach and are near the main road .

Casa Fiesta facade
Casa Fiesta facade

One of our goals is to find the cheapest beachfront resort in Station 1 during our recent Boracay trip. Since hotel or accommodation reservation is required before entering the island, we booked the cheapest Boracay beachfront room – Casa Fiesta.

Here’s my short video of Casa Fiesta Boracay:

Here’s my Boracay VLOG:

 

Good Location

Casa Fiesta is located in Boracay Station 1 which has the finest sands among the 3 stations. Casa Fiesta is situated in the most dense part of Station 1. Meaning, restaurants and bars are just an arm’s reach away. Nearby facilities are Original Hawaiian Bar-B-Que, Jona’s fruit shake, Starbucks, Yellow Cab Pizza, Free Willy Diving and All Flip-Flops.  It’s strategically located as it is just 3 to 5 minute walk to D’mall which is tourists’ primary go to place for dining and shopping. Casa Fiesta’s beachfront also serves as the pick-up point for Paraw sailing during sunset.

Casa Fiesta Map

Simple, Homey and Private

I like the simplicity of Casa Fiesta. It is not a fancy resort but the has this homey feel and vibe.

Unlike other Boracay hotels and accommodations, Casa Fiesta Boracay has a limited number of rooms. With a total of 8 rooms, the entire property is less dense and private.

Surprise Upgrade

We planned to stay in Boracay for 3 nights. Among all beachfront accommodations, Casa Fiesta’s rates are the cheapest in Agoda. So we booked our 3 nights stay with them. Booked our first 2 nights in a cheaper non beach view room and our last night on a more expensive beach view room. We were surprised as they gave us the beach view room for three nights!

Beach View Room

Beach view room at Casa Fiesta
Beach view room at Casa Fiesta

Jen and I were very happy for the room upgrade. The beach view room comes with a private veranda. Casa Fiesta is located in Station 1 with coconut trees accross the white beach. It was such a joy to get that tropical feel while relaxing on our room’s veranda.

View from our room's veranda
View from our room’s veranda

Our beach view air-conditioned room also comes with a queen size bed, an LCD TV and a dresser. The room is spacious. It can accommodate 4 persons. The toilet and bath is spacious too! It also has a hot & cold shower.

The room along with the toilet and bath are very clean. Not the type you get when staying in a high-end Boracay resorts like Shangri-la. Nonetheless, with the beach view, you truly get value for your money!

1,700 Pesos ($33) a night! Cheapest Boracay Beachfront Resort in Station 1?

Jen and I were certain that we got the cheapest possible beachfront room when we booked Casa Fiesta online. During our stay in the resort, we were surprised that their rates are way cheaper especially during off peak season! Here’s the complete Casa Fiesta Boracay room rates:

  • Off Season (June 16 to November 15) – 1,700 Php ($33) for 2 PAX
  • Peak Season (November 16 to June 15) – 2,700 Php ($53) for 2 PAX
  • High Peak Season (December 20 – January 3, Holy week) – 3,700 Php ($73) for 2 PAX

Extra person – 500 Php ($9.80) per night

Tip: Casa Fiesta easily gets fully booked especially during peak and high peak season. Book ahead of time and enjoy your discounted room HERE.

Friendly Staff

Casa Fiesta’s staff are friendly and welcoming! Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and accommodated. During our 3 day stay, they were very kind to provide hot water every morning for our coffee. They even provided an extra pillow we requested. All the staff never fail to greet and smile at us every time we see them. We felt like we were staying in a relative’s house.

Highly Recommended Beachfront Resort in Boracay Station 1

If you are on a limited budget and is looking for a beachfront resort in Boracay, I would highly recommend Casa Fiesta! It is strategically located,  staff are very friendly and more importantly, you get a decent accommodation in a beachfront property at a very affordable price!!

Casa Fiesta Boracay

  • Address: Boracay Island, Balabag, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
  • Contact Number: 036-288-3898
  • Cellular: +639192466522 / +639178292406
  • E-Mail: [email protected]
  • Discounted online booking HERE.

Raymen Beach Resort Guimaras – Blog Review + Room Rates

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
Me enjoying the fine white sands

Apart from sweet mangos, Guimaras island has pristine white sand beaches. Locals say that the most beautiful beach in the island is Alubihod located in Nueva Valencia. Alibuhod beach has three resorts namely Raymen Beach Resort, California Coral Beach Resort and Alobihod Cove.

Alubihod Beach Guimaras Alubihod Beach Guimaras

My Guimaras VLOG: 

Short video of Raymen Beach Resort:

 

Raymen Beach Resort – Most Popular Guimaras Beach Resort

During our 3 days and 2 nights trip in Guimaras Island, we spent our first night in Raymen Beach Resort. According to our tour guide, Raymen beach resort is the most frequented beach resort by locals and tourists from the nearby Iloilo province.

I initially felt worried as I’m not a fan of crowded beach resorts. We were lucky that we visited Guimaras on November and it was an off-peak season. According to our tour guide, Alibuhod beach becomes crowed during summer season and holy week.

Tip: If you want to fully enjoy the beauty of Alibuhod beach, visit Guimaras during off-peak season.

View from our room View from our room

Budget Resort in Guimaras

There are many beach resorts in Guimaras but only few offer direct access to beachfront. Raymen Beach Resort Guimaras is one of these resorts. You get to enjoy the fine white sands and crystal clear waters of Alibuhod beach if you’re staying in Raymen.  The resort has beachfront rooms and huts for day tour guests which are literally few steps away from the shore.

Me enjoying the fine white sands Me enjoying Raymen’s beachfront

Just like any other white beaches in the Philippines, Raymen Beach Resort’s Alibuhod beach in Guimaras offers calming view of the sea. The white sands may not be fine as Boracay’s but is comparable to the fine white sands of Bantayan Island in Cebu and Cagbalete Islands in Quezon. The beach is not rocky so you need not to worry if you forgot your aqua shoes. If you love sun basking, there are no beach beds in the resort. I would highly recommend you bring sarong instead.

There are also buoys in the beach for safety purposes.

Budget Beach Resort

If you are on a budget and is looking for a cheap resort in Guimaras, you should consider Raymen Beach Resort. An overnight stay for 2 in a beachfront room is only 1,650 Php. They also have huts for rent for as low as 600 Php. Truly a budget-friendly beach resort in Guimaras!

Raymen Beach Resort Room Rates

Fan Rooms (East Building)

  • Rose (2 rooms, each room is good for 6 PAX) – 4,000 Php ($80)
  • Daisy (3 rooms, each room is good for 4 PAX) – 2,700 Php ($54)

Air-conditioned  Rooms (East Building) 

  • 8 PAX (with refrigerator, cable TV, hot & cold shower) – 3,500 Php
  • 6 PAX(with refrigerator, cable TV, hot & cold shower, dining area) – 5,500 Php
  • 4 PAX (with cable TV, hot & cold shower) – 2,400 Php
  • 4 PAX (with TV, hot & cold shower) – 2,100 Php
  • 2 PAX (with cable TV, hot & cold shower) – 1,650 Php

Air-conditioned  Rooms (West Building)

  • 4 PAX (with cable TV, hot & cold shower, intercom) – 2,900 Php
  • Family room (facing beach, with cable TV, hot & cold shower, intercom) – 4,500 Php
  • Family room (facing mountain, with cable TV, hot & cold shower, intercom) – 4,200 Php
Nipa Huts Nipa Huts

If you do not have plans to stay overnight, Raymen Beach Resort has picnic huts ranging from 400 Php to 750 Php a day.

Family Room

Our room was a family room facing the beach. We booked a bit late prior to our trip and the family room is the only remaining room in Agoda. Too bad, we were clueless that Raymen Beach Resort has cheaper rooms.

Tip: Family room facing the beach is 4,500 Php and we booked it at only 3,373 Php. You too can enjoy huge discount if you book your Raymen Beach Resort room HERE.

Family room Family room

Our room is very spacious. It has one double bed and one queen bed. The room is air-conditioned and also comes with a cable TV, dresser and a dining set. It is also one among the few rooms in Raymen Beach Resort having intercom. Meaning, you can call the resort’s restaurant to order food and it will be delivered in your room!

The toilet & bath is spacious too. Basic toiletries such as soap, toilet paper and towels are provided. Toilet could have been better if it includes bidet. Nonetheless, there is a hot & cold shower.

Overall, the room is generally clean. Not the type you get to experience in high-end resorts but is truly value for your money!

Best Restaurant in Guimaras

There are various restaurants in Guimaras but Raymen Beach Resort’s is a must visit when you are going to the island. They offer a wide array of food choices on their menu at an affordable price!

I didn’t really expect that their restaurant serves delicious food as they are cheaply priced. We have tried dining at the expensive Danilo’s restaurant in Andana Resort Guimaras. I should say that Raymen Beach Resort’s restaurant definitely serves better tasting food.

Upon checking-in, we immediately ordered lunch. Instead of eating in the restaurant, we requested our food to be delivered on our room. We enjoyed the crabs and pancit canton!

crab Yummy buttered garlic crab (220 Php only!)

For our breakfast, we ordered tapa and chorizo meals for only 95 Php each! Since we loved Raymen Beach Resort’s restaurant, we even decided to have our lunch there after checking-out.

Below is the complete menu of Raymen Beach Resort’s Restaurant: (click image to enlarge)

Menu 1 Menu 1
Menu 2 Menu 2

Raymen Beach Resort Island Hopping Rates

If you want to make your Guimaras trip memorable. Raymen Beach Resort also offers affordable island hopping tour. Below are the rates:

  • 1 to 10 PAX – 600 Php & 200 Php for succeeding hour
  • 11 to 15 PAX- 900 Php & 300 Php for succeeding hour
  • 16 to 20 PAX- 1,200 Php & 300 Php for succeeding hour
  • 21 to 30 PAX – 1,500 Php & 300 Php for succeeding hour

Itinerary of the island tour are Fairy Castle, Baras Cave, Ave Maria Island, Sea Turtle Sanctuary, Natago Beach Resort, Lamurawan Beach Resort and Isla Naburot.

Raymen Beach Resort Corp.

  • Contact numbers: +63 9185207271 / +63 9175605107
  • E-Mail Address: [email protected]
  • Website: www.raymenbeachresort.com
  • Contact persons: Ma.Fe and Jesil
  • Discounted online Booking HERE
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RedDoorz Philippines Blog Review + RedDoorz Poblacion & Katipunan

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
RedDoorz

RedDoorz Philippines is the newest platform offering budget accommodation for travelers. In 2015, the brand RedDoorz opened its very first property in Jakarta, Indonesia. It has then expanded in Singapore and Philippines in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

RedDoorz
RedDoorz

What is RedDoorz?

Note that RedDoorz is not a hotel chain but a platform offering budget accommodation. RedDoorz acts as a middle man between hotels and travelers. They help hotels and property owners by handling distribution, pricing, sales & marketing.  To date, RedDoorz can be found in more than 500 properties across Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Meaning, there are more than 500 properties with RedDoorz rooms.

RedDoorz Service Guarantee

Unlike other budget accommodations, guests get to enjoy standardized services provided by RedDoorz. When you book a room at any RedDoorz property, they guarantee the following:

  • Free WiFi
  • Satellite Television
  • Mineral water
  • Spotless linen
  • Clean washrooms
  • Toiletries

RedDoorz Philippines Budget Friendly Accommodations

RedDoorz Philippines rooms are currently available in Manila, Cebu, Pampanga and Cavite. Here’s the complete list of properties with RedDoorz accommodations:

Manila

  • Tayuman, Manila
  • San Antonio, Makati
  • Banawe, Quezon City
  • near Capitol Commons
  • Bel Air, Makati
  • near Mckinley Hill, Taguig City
  • near Quirino Station, Manila
  • South Triangle, Quezon City
  • Project 6, Quezon City
  • Poblacion, Makati
  • EDSA Pasay
  • EDSA Congressional
  • near UST Hospital
  • near Arca South, Taguig City
  • EDSA shaw
  • near Trinoma

Cebu

  • V Rama, Cebu
  • Bonifacio St., Cebu
  • near JY Square Mall, Cebu
  • AS Fortuna, Cebu
  • Wireless Mandaue, Cebu
  • Hernan Cortes Cebu
  • Fuente Osmena, Cebu
  • Mabolo, Cebu

Pampanga

  • Balibago, Angeles City
  • Fields Avenue, Angeles City
  • Malabanias, Angeles City
  • Hensonville, Angeles City
  • near Angeles University Foundation
  • near McArthur Highway
  • Josefa Subdivision, Angeles City
  • Kore Town Angeles City

Cavite

  • The Ridge, Tagaytay
  • Sta. Rosa Tagaytay Road

RedDoorz Poblacion Makati Review (Nest Nano Suites Makati)

Our first time experience with RedDoorz Philippines was at Poblacion, Makati. We booked a room at Nest Nano Suites in Poblacion Makati via Agoda. We were clueless that the room we booked was actually a RedDoorz room.

Tip: I’m giving you a discounted room rate at RedDoorz Poblacion (Nest Nano Suites) by booking HERE.

RedDoorz Makati Philippines
RedDoorz Makati Philippines

Upon entering the room, we were surprised that the bed has the signature RedDoorz bed runner and RedDoorz pillow. There were also complimentary bottled water, WiFi and toiletries. The room is quite small. Nonetheless, it was very neat and clean. The room also comes with an airconditioning unit, LCD cable TV, service telephone, microwave oven, electric kettle and a mini refrigerator. If you are bringing work at Nest Nano Suites, there is also a mini work area for your convenience. Surprisingly, the toilet and bath is spacious. There is hot and cold shower with strong water pressure. Basic toiletries, liquid bath soap and shampoo are also provided.

The only downside is the parking. There is a limited parking on the basement of hotel and they charge 200 Php for it.

You would not get superb customer service at Nest Nano Suites. Receptionists were helpful but they need to more friendly and accommodating to get at par with other hotels in Poblacion, Makati. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our staycation at RedDoorz Poblacion (Nest Nano Suites).

RedDoorz Katipunan Review (The Studio 89 Residences)

Since RedDoorz Philippines’ cheap room rates are promising, we were convinced to book another RedDoorz room. We chose RedDoorz near Katipunan as we wanted to visit Maginhawa street and UP Diliman.

Here’s my VLOG of our RedDoorz Katipunan staycation plus UP Diliman and Maginhawa visit.

Located in Esteban Abada St, Quezon City, RedDoorz Katipunan rooms are in The Studio 89 Residences.

Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by the security guard on duty. He even assisted us to secure a parking. The check-in was fast and the receptionists were very welcoming and accommodating.

I personally did not expect anything grand as we booked it at only 1,300 Php for two nights. However, we were surprised and couldn’t believe that we booked a spacious room with an executive vibe. Our room reminded me of F1 Hotel in BGC.

RedDoorz Katipunan Philippines
RedDoorz Katipunan Philippines

The double bed and the pillows are very comfortable. The room comes with a single sofa chair, mini refrigerator, electric kettle, LCD cable TV, cabinet, service telephone and safe deposit box. Just like any other RedDoorz room, 2 complimentary bottled water with 2 sachets of instant coffee are provided as well. The toilet and bath come with toiletries, liquid bath soap and shampoo. I love the glass partition separating the shower from the toilet. Apart from the executive feels in the room, what I liked the most is the strong WiFi and fast internet connection!

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at RedDoorz Katipunan. All the staff, from security guard, receptionists and housekeepers are very courteous, friendly and accommodating. The rooms are truly value for your money!

Recommended for Budget Travelers & Backpackers

If you are a budget traveler, a backpacker or simply on a tight budget, I would recommend booking a room with RedDoorz Philippines. Their rates are very affordable compared to other hotels and accommodations. Staying in a RedDoorz room is like staying in a 3-star hotel. You experience comfort and security at an affordable price!

RedDoorz Philippines Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/reddoorzph/

 

 

LATEST LIST of Accredited Boracay Island Resorts, Hotels & Establishments as of November 7, 2018

Posted on by One Armed Wanderer
Me enjoying the beautiful beach front of Henann Prime Beach Resort

After 6 months of closure, Boracay is finally open for tourists and visitors. The island started welcoming tourists last October 26, 2018. However, not all beach resorts, hotels, accommodations and establishments are given accreditation to operate. An establishment must first comply with the requirements by the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and must be accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). As of 1st week of November 2018, a total of 192 Boracay hotels, beach resorts and accommodations have been given go signal to accept reservations and bookings. Thus, can operate business as usual.

If you are planning for a vacation in Boracay, before making your reservations or booking, make sure that your chosen accommodation is included in the list of accredited beach resorts and hotels. Wondering if your favorite Boracay hotel is legal to operate? See below for the updated list of Boracay establishments with permit to operate as of November 7, 2018:

Me enjoying the beautiful beach front of Henann Prime Beach Resort
Me enjoying the beautiful beach front of Henann Prime Beach Resort

SOURCE: The below list is from the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force and as announced Philippine Department of Tourism Facebook page.

Latest List of Accredited Boracay Island Resorts, Hotels & Establishments as of November 7, 2018

Important: You may be asked to present your hotel reservation slip before entering the island. This is to ensure your only booking with accredited Boracay beach resort or hotel and to prevent hassle upon arrival.

Tip: I am giving you huge discounts on your Boracay beach resort, hotel, accommodation if you book HERE.

Sadly, my favorite Boracay resort – Henann Prime Beach Resort is not yet included in the DOT list of accredited establishments. Hoping that Henann Group of Resorts in Boracay will soon open. I’ll be visiting Boracay this month (November 2018) and will accordingly update this blog post.