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27 May 2013

Remington Hotel – Affordable Enjoyment at Resorts World Manila

Resorts World is one of those places that leave you wishing you could’ve stayed longer. The place is always a good place to play, dine, and relax – with new stores, attractions and events, it’s almost impossible to fit them all in one day (and still look chic and fresh).



One of the things I’ve learned over all of my hotel stays is that to make the most of somewhere, you have to sleep there! You bet, otherwise the travel time and fun is capped by the urging idea of traffic, getting home, etc.

 

If you think this will cost an arm and leg, there are hotels like Remington who is targeted to the smart, budget-savvy traveler (and party-goer). Here is a genuine review and experience of my stay and how Remington allowed me to enjoy Resorts World to the fullest. I hope this also serves as your itinerary for your next visit.

Remington Hotel is just across Resorts World Manila, it has a McDonald’s chain on the ground floor as well as a convenient 7eleven. Both are plus points for budget conscious travelers like me, and then the eternally hungry folks looking for a quick grub 24/7.

Dining at Resorts World Manila

Before checking-in, we dined at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants – Mr. Kurosawa. I went with my husband and this was the most relaxed dining experience ever. It was a good start to our Resorts World adventure and that is already one item out of our to-do/to-eat list. Don't forget to use your Resorts World Membership card to get a 10% discount on your bill.




After our early lunch, we walked to Remington Hotel. There were plenty of couches in the check-in area which is good if there is a queue. During our stay, all check-in desks were attended by staff and check-in was fast and simple.



We were given a twin bedroom in the 10th floor with a winning view of the NAIA3 airport. I’ve never stayed put so near airplanes before and I hoped this would cure my fear of flying. With this view, you’d think a room like this is super expensive.



Standard Room costs Php 4,200+

Back to the room, the furniture and amenities are pretty straightforward. I appreciate the minimalist approach and how it is compensated by unique floor amenities like a vending machine. What you’ll find inside the room: your twin beds, an expansive counter beside the window where you can work, a wall mounted LCD TV, a small bathroom complete with towels, toiletries, and complimentary bottled water. There’s also a spacious place for your luggage if you’re not traveling light.

 

 

There is no electric kettle and refrigerator, but with what we are up to at Resorts World – this is barely our concern and are happy to give these amenities a pass.

I pegged the room as a place to rest in between activities, to freshen up and dress up. Perfect if you have an all-nighter date or gimmick with friends. In our case, we were reliving our single days before our son Ashton :)




So after a brief siesta and watching a movie called The Maiden Heist, we decided to move on our next agenda – TWG Tea Parlor.

Afternoon Tea at TWG, Resorts World



 


TWG in Resorts World is not as packed as it’s brother in Greenbelt 5. Again, stress-free. How many times can we just walk to TWG from our bed right? Nothing really compares! For the first time, I was able to enjoy a Chic Tea Set in peace and my husband, a to die for Wagyu Burger Meal.

In true Resorts World fashion, we met up with some friends to attend an event that was also happening in Remington Hotel. Nothing really compares when you can drink all the Cabernet Sauvignon you want, I was in wine heaven. Too bad I was too full from TWG to enjoy the food.

 

Remington Hotel has its own bar called R Bar which is my type of place as it is well stocked with drinks, there’s some sports playing on TV screens, and very comfortable sofas that you can enjoy alone or with your friends. The lighting is always generous but soft. I don’t really like dark drinking places! I actually spent some alone time here after all the walking and talking. Heaven.

 

All of the time, I enjoyed the feeling of timelessness and Resorts World is a place that just never sleeps! On normal days, I would watch my favorite soap then sleep. But this was no ordinary day, this is a day that nothing compares with! But… I didn’t miss my soap. After the cocktails, I went up to my room to freshen up, help my stomach digest by drinking my wheat grass (really, after all the tea and wine I consumed), put my feet up and watched my soap opera.

Bar 360 at Resorts World Manila




Next thing I knew I was getting ready to go to Bar 360 at the Resorts World casino! If you do this normally and in succession, and if you are in the quarter of your life like me – you would be exhausted. But not with Remington Hotel.



Bar 360 is something I just discovered during my stay with friends. I always pass it by but never knew how fun it is to hang out here and watch the live performances. We enjoyed lots of good food like the Adobo pizza, tuna kinilaw, cheese sticks, and lots of other grub in the menu.

 

I am surprised at how affordable yet enjoyable the food at Bar 360 is. The mojito is also very good and you can easily order more than 2 glasses.

You’d think the night is over but the cinema was beckoning us to watch Iron Man 3. Diners like Stackers, Pepper Lunch, etc. were all still open. It’s just so fun here in a place that never sleeps! If you have difficulty winding down, head to the Spa at Resorts World like we did:



Our room looked even more attractive when we came back, with the city lights visible and the bed looking so clean and comfortable to sleep in. I slept like a princess who has fulfilled all her duties :)

Breakfast Buffet at Remington Hotel




 


The morning after, we treated ourselves to a buffet breakfast at the ground floor. R Bar looks so different during the day but the food remains delicious. The choices were reasonable with meat, fish, and pork. I especially enjoyed a Filipino breakfast of Tapa, Fried Rice, and Eggs.

Unlike major hotels, Remington wasn’t as crowded and I even enjoyed making new friends over breakfast. The place is very conducive to have conversations while digesting hearty food.

Service

The service of Remington Hotel is worth more than you pay for. Everything was fast, it was very easy to make requests, and staff are all personable. One thing I would suggest is to revise their uniform hehe, but this is a very minor detail.

 

If you want some more amenities in your room, you can go for their newly launched premium rooms which has a min bar, a refrigerator, a small dining area, and a microwave upon request.

Overall, I really really enjoyed the Remington Hotel. It’s hard not to equate the hotel with all the activities and fun that can be had at Resorts World. They are all part of the luxury here and Remington Hotel makes it possible for more people to enjoy it.






04 May 2013

Ocean's Harvest Seafood Buffet at The Marriott Cafe

You don't have to be a scuba diver to appreciate underwater creatures, at M Cafe all you need to have is a hearty appetite!

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Reminiscent of dampa style dining where you can pick seafood and see it cooked, M Cafe offers the same experience but with fresher and wider selection of seafood that will put your favorite dampa diner to shame. Really.


Sweet chili crabs

The best thing is, it's a seafood buffet! Pick and enjoy all the seafood your heart desires. Be warned that it is challenging to select from a wide array of fish, shrimps, mussels, clams, scallops, and lobster. Lobster? Yes!


Baked scallops are the first order of the day

This is from my experience dining at M Cafe on a weekday. Weekday buffets tend to be drab and not as exciting as weekend offerings, but that's not the case here. Aside from seafood, the seafood buffet is inclusive of M Cafe favorites like the Teppanyaki station, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and International selections.

Photo 6 Sushi chefs ready to transform diner’s choice into fancy sushi or sashimi rolls

5 ways to make the most out of The Marriott Seafood Buffet


1. Make a reservation - it always pays to phone M Cafe and let their hospitable staff know your arrival time and number of companions. It's a must-practice if you want to feel "expected" and avoid the hassle of waiting for a table.


Nilasing na hipon, you can eat the shell too!

2. Grab friendly company - bring your friends, family, workmates, etc. This dampa style buffet is best enjoyed with a group. You might run out of ideas on the best way to cook your fish or lobster, your friends can suggest recipes like "nilasing na hipon" or "sinigang". All of which the chefs at M Cafe can concoct for your enjoyment.



I am not good at cooking seafood so I let my companions do the ordering. All you have to do is select the seafood, go to the designated stations and asked for it to be cooked your way. You will be given a number you can hang on your table. The food will automatically come to you - no hassle, no problems. Just eat! :)


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3. Ask the chefs - M Cafe chefs are all helpful and can suggest their best recipes to treat your seafood with. I love how the cooked the lobsters in special sauce. They even shell it out for you.

Photo 5 Marriott Manila’s kitchen brigade manning the wok-fry station of the buffet

4. Save space for more - you can cross to other stations and treat yourself to Japanese or Chinese food in between fishes and lobsters. It's good to keep your palette interested during this time. I recommend having rice cooked in the Teppanyaki station for a different and more flavorful twist to go with your meal.

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5. Dessert, save the best for last - I love M Cafe because they simply do not scrimp when it comes to dessert. M Cafe favorites are gelato, cheesecakes, and fresh fruits that cleans your palette after a heavy meal. I love it!



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All that's left for me to wish is a glass of wine to go with the seafood. I settled for sparkling water, San Pellegrino which costs just Php 300+ for one bottle that you can share.



Or you can also order the Drink of the Month and get Mr. Lobster for free! He is so cute :)

The Seafood Buffet at M Cafe is a one of a kind experience for me. It has every bit I love in dampa restaurants minus all the stuff I hate about it - the crowd, bugs, smell, and noise. M Cafe is my go-to place for a relaxed satisfying meal that comes with exemplary service.




The Ocean's Harvest buffet costs Php 2,300 and happens every Friday and Saturday nights only. Visit Marriott Hotel on Facebook for more updates.

Catch you there :)