Apartment 1B at The Henry Manila

Apartment 1B has been on my list of restaurants to try for years now but its Makati address always turns me off with the infamous Manila traffic and over the top parking fees. While I always look into the places we are supposed to visit, I've been busy juggling stuff before our The Henry Manila staycation so imagine my surprise seeing the Apartment 1B logo proudly displayed by the lobby's entrance. When CS asked me if I wanted to have lunch there, I immediately said YES!

Service was on point; the servers expertly explained to us the menu while we browse thinking what to get. With its cozy and intimate ambiance, Apartment 1B is your perfect venue for special celebrations with family, friends, or your significant other.

Besides, the pricey menu is quite steep for the working class' everyday dining.

On the table

Fresh Dalandan Juice - Php130.00

It was refreshing! Pure and freshly-squeezed dalandan to beat the summer heat. I would have loved to order another glass but settled with service water as I was taken aback with the price tag.

Three Cheese Vegetable Lasagna - Php580.00

Both orders were amazing! Comfort food taken to the next level with no less than excellent ingredients in every bite. My Cheesy Meatballs was as rich, cheesy, and flavorful as it can get, good thing it was accompanied by sliced baguette to balance the strong flavors. Not my idea of my first Apartment 1B meal as I was looking forward to trying out their Eggs Benedict for the longest time but meatballs topple eggs benedict anytime, anywhere!

Cheesy Meatballs

We simply couldn't resist trying out Adam's Ice Cream for dessert (yes, its priced at Php360.00 for a 240ml pot) so we agreed on getting The Infanta's Favorite -- fresh grade-A Madagascar vanilla, Spanish brandy, and roasted hazelnuts. The tagline says it all because it was seriously good!

The Infanta's Favorite - Php360.00

~o~o~o~

Apartment 1B
The Henry Manila
2680 F.B. Harrison St.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 807-8888

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok: A Riverside Luxury

Located on the banks of the vibrant Chao Phraya River, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok is a famous landmark in the city with its two adjacent towers - the Shangri-La Wing and the Krungthep Wing, comprising a total of 802 guest rooms. From Suvarnabhumi International Airport, it took our Uber ride about 40 minutes before reaching the vast drive way of the hotel where a staff immediately opened the door and greeted us with a warm and genuine smile.

Shangri-La's signature fragrance is strong enough to refresh but mild enough to calm and relax, just what we needed after a bumpy flight from Manila. Since we were staying in one of the Horizon Club rooms at the Shangri-La Wing, the staff ushered us to the club floor for check-in.

More on the amazing Horizon Club Lounge later.

Horizon Club Rooms depicts the charming old Siam with its rich wood flooring that leads to the carpeted sleeping area, Thai art decors, grand chandelier and gold accents. 

Our luxurious king bed was always a welcome retreat after a hot day exploring the city.

Room amenities include an LED satellite television with in-house movie channels, a day bed overlooking the Chao Phraya River, complimentary high-speed internet, an executive writing desk, electronic safe suitable for laptops, a fully-stocked mini bar, complimentary water, coffee and tea, plush slippers and bathrobes, ironing facility and bedside controls for the lights and curtains.

The marble-floored bathroom contains L'Occitane and other premium Shangri-La toiletries, cotton towels, hair dryer, a soaking tub and a separate glass-enclosed shower.

Apart from the river view, the outdoor swimming pool can also be admired from our room. Too bad we had a hectic schedule that we were not able to squeeze in even a quick dip.

Waking up to a beautiful sunrise with this fantastic view is something I am extremely grateful for. And coming home at night to an even more mesmerizing sight never fails to give me chills thinking how lucky I am to be able to enjoy such view even for a limited period of time.

Life is indeed beautiful!

Pros: Great accessible location with an amazing view of Chao Phraya River, free shuttle to/from Asiatique, luxurious hotel amenities, attentive and hospitable staff, and well-maintained rooms.

Cons: Nothing because we loved everything about Shangri-La Bangkok that we didn't want to leave!

~o~o~o~

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok

89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road

Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand

Tel.: (662) 236-7777

Website: www.shangri-la.com/bangkok/shangrila

My Weekend in Photos: Sunny California