Hotel Review: Okura Manila

I first came across the Okura hotel franchise during one of my visits to Taiwan some few years ago. It may be its contemporary architecture, its prime location, or the elegant lobby that enticed me each time our bus passes thru The Okura Prestige Taipei, so I made a vow to myself that I will book a room in one of its hotels in any of my upcoming trips. Then Covid happened.

Fast forward to 2022, the much-awaited opening of Hotel Okura Manila in Newport City further widened the roster of 5-star accommodations in the NAIA Terminal 3 vicinity alongside Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott hotels. It took 2 years for us to finally book a staycation at Okura Manila but I must say that it was well worth the wait. Konnichiwa!

Hotel Okura Manila offers only 4 room categories such as deluxe, hinoki-yu, premier corner, and grandest one - the palace suite. I was looking forward to booking a hinoki-yu room which features a hinoki wooden bathtub but it was already sold out on our dates so we settled for a deluxe room instead. Pardon the word "settled" because the deluxe room that we were given was not even close to the premier rooms in other 5-star hotels I've been in the city- it was gorgeous!

I've always wanted to have a swiveling TV and I was happy that I was able to experience one in our deluxe room in Okura. It was so convenient to just adjust it whether you're relaxing in the bed or munching snacks in the living area. Oh, the little luxuries in life!

 Room amenities in detail: 

• Luxurious king or twin-size beds
• Nespresso machine and Dilmah teas
• Japanese yukata robes
• Bedside electronic panel
• In-room safe
• Separate bathtub and shower
• Complimentary welcome amenity
  
• Japanese style bidet toilet
•  Free wifi
  

 

Breakfast is also offered in style at Yawaragi Restaurant which opens from 0630H to 1030H daily. Selection was well-thought-of with staples like a salad bar, cold cuts and cheese, breads, congee, sausage and bacon, waffle and pancakes, an omelette station, and Filipino favorites like tapa and tocino. Of course, they have to make it extra special with the addition of a sukiyaki bar and salmon and mahi-mahi dishes on the buffet spread.

 

  

Pros: Best breakfast buffet in Manila, elegant and luxurious room, professional and friendly service, great hotel amenities, free parking, and convenient location.

Cons: None - this is highly recommended!

~o~o~o~

Hotel Okura Manila

2 Portwood Street, Newport World Resorts

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 5318-2888

Website: www.hotelokuramanila.com

My Weekend in Photos: Fukuoka, Japan

 

Baguio's Best: Chaya x Lemon and Olives

Its been a while since we last drove up to Baguio and this time around, we had a toddler in tow to consider when looking for a hotel to stay in and restaurants to try. Our first choice was The Manor but it was full so we stayed in the nearby Le Monet Hotel. It was my first time to book there and it was disappointing given that the room we stayed in was not maintained properly (holes in the bedding, carpet stains, etc.) and there was no air-conditioning! I know Baguio's weather is cooler compared to Manila but it can also get pretty hot especially during day time so I can't imagine how it is during summer time - good thing we were there on a gloomy August weekend.

We had a chance to go back to Chaya, our no. 1 favorite restaurant in Baguio!

Location is still the same but they now offer a bigger dining area compared to our last visit a few years back. Menu also became quite extensive but still delicious, affordable, and served in generous servings. We were so happy to be back in Chaya! Even our daughter loved the food that we ordered for her - kani and tamago sushi.

Spicy Tuna Salad - Php320 (half serving)

Chirashi - Php490.00

 

~o~o~o~

 

Chaya Restaurant

72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Benguet, Philippines

Tel.: (6374) 424-4726

Pita and Hummus - Php130.00

 

Now, this restaurant is our new discovery being on the list of highly recommended restaurants to try when in Baguio. Though Lemon and Olives has been around since 2017, this was our first time here and I must say that the food, the ambiance, and the service were impressive. Staff were courteous and friendly and the food were superb! I wanted to try a few more other dishes but servings were big enough for sharing so maybe next time. 

 

If only Lemon and Olives is an hour drive, we'd probably dine here every week! I can imagine spending our lazy Sunday lunches here with our daughter who's a sweetheart and tries everything Mama and Dada puts in her plate. We definitely have a foodie in the making!

Cucumber & Yogurt Drink

Lamb Rack - Php990.00

Pork Greek Kebab - Php300.00

Greek Yogurt - Php150.00

~o~o~o~

Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna

26 Outlook Drive, Baguio City
Benguet, Philippines

Tel.: (6374) 442-4079

Mt. Fuji - Hakone One Day Tour by JTB

Doing DIY tours is usually the cheaper option when traveling but not the case when you go to Japan. I've never been a huge fan of organized tours but I welcomed the idea of joining one in Japan especially when traveling far from the city as it was more convenient and saved time and money because public transportation can be quite a challenge unless you speak the local language. For the Mt. Fuji-Hakone day tour, we chose JTB, one of Japan's largest travel service provider.

Back in 2018, the English guided tour costs around USD170/person inclusive of the following:

• Trip to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station 
• Cruise on the pristine Lake Ashi
• Ride to Komagatake Ropeway which offers a majestic view of Hakone National Park
• Bus ride from Shinjuku and return via Shinkansen from Odawara Station back to Tokyo
  
• Local lunch
  

Pros: Very organized and enjoyable tour, clean and well-maintained bus, no hidden fees, no forced commission-based shopping stops, delicious Japanese lunch, tour guide was polite and spoke good English, and with Shinkansen one-way ticket back to Tokyo.

Cons: Nothing -- this tour is highly recommended!

A Dinner to Remember at Tokyo's Standing Sushi Bar

It's already been 3 years but I can still vividly remember how amazing this random dinner was. We were strolling along the side streets of Shinjuku when we chanced upon this standing sushi bar with a fairly manageable queue outside. Curious that we were, CS and I spent a good few minutes waiting for our number to be called for what we didn't know was a treat fit for the lucky few. Yes, the experience was really good that we still dream of going back there someday.

Menu was simple and uncomplicated but tough choices have to be made as it was a feast of the best and freshest sushi available that day. Customers can fill up the forms provided or you can just swing it by telling the chef which ones you like from the items displayed on the bar; we chose to the latter because we love surprises!

These were some of the best sushi we've had in all of our trips to Japan. It was sooo good that we didn't mind if we were spending 2 days worth of food budget for a dinner because honestly, you'll get carried away ordering and trying to get a bite of each sushi they're offering that day.

Toro Sushi

Shimesaba Sushi

Unagi Sushi

Sake Sushi

Akagai Sushi

Salmon Belly Sushi

Maguro Sushi

Address in Shinjuku unknown; I don't even know the bar's English name aside from the "Standing Sushi Bar" so I highly doubt I can find it if and when we travel back to Tokyo soon. But hey, good things come to those who wait and I'm one patient girl.