Breakfast at Olives Restaurant, Thunderbird Resort

I woke up in time for breakfast with this view from our room's veranda. If breakfast is not served buffet style, I would have just ordered room service again and eat here. There's a form in the room where you can choose from either Filipino, Continental or American breakfast, hang it in your doorknob and food will be served in your room at your desired time. Spell spoiled and convenient!

Buffet breakfast is served at Olives Restaurant which is located right beside the room below us.

The restaurant was half full when we arrived. We immediately scouted the spread to take note which one's to get first. First stop was the salad/cold cuts/fresh fruits/cheese/yogurt and muesli bar.

The cook at the egg station was so kind and nice. He checks on me every time I pass by his station if I wanted eggs so he'll cook it right away daw.

If you're a heavy eater and likes rice in the morning, there are a lot of viands that you can choose from.

Crispy Bacon

Chicken Adobo

Daing na Bangus

Pork Mechado

Aside from overflowing coffee and tea, there are available fresh fruit juices and chocolate drink for kids. Beside that are containers of cereals and a bread and pastry tower.

We were able to try pretty much everything in the buffet. The more notable ones for me are

Chicken Arroz Caldo -- Tasty and had chunks of chicken. I love that I can
put lots of garlic and leeks in it which I absolutely like.

Muesli -- I can eat this everyday. Paging Mom!

Appetizing Smoked Tanigue, Mushroom Ham and Cheese

Scrambled egg with lots of vegetables inside

Ultra Crispy Bacon, Tender Pork Mechado and Yummy Daing na Bangus with Rice

Refreshing Watermelon Juice

I slept like a baby the night before then had an amazing brunch at the restaurant before going back to our room to sleep again. This is what a real vacation is, I wouldn't trade this for anything else.

~o~o~o~

Olives Restaurant at Thunderbird Resort
VOA Compound, Pennsylvania Avenue
San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines
Tel.: (6372) 888-7777
Fax: (6372) 888-3888
Website: http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/

Thunderbird Resort | The Room

Thunderbird Resort is probably in the top 3 of the most luxurious resorts in the Northern part of the Philippines so expect to spend a bit more to experience leisure living at its finest. There are four types of room here -- Deluxe, Deluxe Suite, Junior Suite and Master Suite rooms.

We booked the deluxe room being the cheapest which ranges from Php8000 to Php9000 per night depending if its a weekday or a weekend stay during peak season, but still felt like royalty as soon as we step foot in this 47sqm abode.

It didn't took long enough before the doorbell rang and we were served glasses of refreshing juice. By the way, there's a Do Not Disturb button near the side table if you prefer some quiet time.

The room is equipped with a pantry with coffee and tea making facilities, in-room storage box, iPod docking station with speakers, WIFI access and an HD LCD Television with home theater surround system.

You can borrow movies from the concierge with just one call. While waiting for room service, we asked for the available movies that they have and guess what they brought -- Confessions of a Shopaholic. Talk about personalized service!

And now I present Thunderbird Resort's famous bed which has almost become synonymous to comfort. Its so nice that we just want to stay in bed and order room service during our entire vacation. The pillows are so fluffy and smells great.

Random paintings adorn the wall. Does putting Santorini photos too much already?

In-room safe and the softest bath robes and slippers I have ever tried on.

The bathroom is too big I had to ask the bellboy who brought us to the room if the open space is for a bath tub not yet installed. He then told me that the difference between the Deluxe and Deluxe Suite room is the latter's hot tub. I guess I would be making tumbling exercises here after all.

A set of VMV Hypoallergenics toiletries are placed on one side of the sink along with a personalized comb, dental kit, shower cap and loofah. The housekeeping staff are so generous they gave me toiletries thrice a day.

Another view of the expansive modern bathroom.

I didn't felt sorry for not having a bath tub with this nice shower with working hot and cold water.

We initially agreed on  having lunch downstairs at Olives Restaurant by the lobby but the room was so nice and cold and pretty we didn't want to leave. Good thing there's room service. Oh, and its fast too!

Here's what we had for lunch still ordered from Olives Restaurant but delivered to our room, no need to go outside the sweltering weather. No appetizers so let's get down to business.

It was still hot when we took off the plate cover, enough to smell the food and remember how hungry we are. With Confessions of a Shopaholic still playing on the TV, we started having lunch within the comforts of our room.

Spicy Lamb Shank - Php590.00 + 10% service charge

Braised with ginger, saffron, chillies and raisins served with couscous.

I tried both but leaned towards the Devilled Chicken more. I love how spicy and tender it was, probably the most perfectly roasted chicken I have ever tasted. The lamb shank by the way did not disappoint either, we just wished the serving was bigger.

Devilled Chicken - Php420.00 + 10% service charge

Half chicken with green olives, chili flakes, tomato, red wine and vegetables on the side.

We did not bother ordering dessert and just settled with the fresh fruits in the room.

As much as we wanted to stay indoors and watch as many movies as we can, we still have to go out and see the rest of the resort before night time. We walked, we swam, we explored the place, we played in the sand, we took pictures and we waited for the sunset. We did pretty much everything we want to and we had a great time!

Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we were greeted with this nice little touch by the resort.

Who doesn't love chocolates right? But it would be more surprising if it came with flowers. *wink*

~o~o~o~

Thunderbird Resort
VOA Compound, Pennsylvania Avenue
San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines
Tel.: (6372) 888-7777
Fax: (6372) 888-3888
Website: http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/

Sunset at Thunderbird Resort

We made our way to Thunderbird Resort's beachfront area just in time for sunset. From the hotel, you have to walk about 5 minutes towards the right side of the estate.

The setting of John Estrada and Priscilla Meirelles' wedding last year. With a gorgeous view and a beautiful sunset, I bet the ceremony was lovely and serene.

We made a stop at the beginning of the pathway leading to the beach to admire the beauty right in front us. It was too windy to get a decent shot of me without looking like a 7-month preggy lady.

There's no lifeguard on duty so swim at your own risk. I hope they will put lounge chairs here so people who don't want to swim and just chill by the beach will have a place to sit.

The sand is not Boracay fine, more like Puka Beach with seashells and tiny corals. The water is deep and the waves will literally bury your feet to the sand. Just like the beach in Pagudpod.

I looked around and did not see Derek Ramsay anywhere near the beach to save me if I drown or something *wink* so I just settled with playing the sand on my feet by the shore.

Then the sunset set in.

I live for these moments.

Thunderbird Resort Poro Point

The most talked about and probably the most searched resort on the web since Priscilla Meirelles and John Estrada's wedding early last year, then it became the setting of the box-office movie -- No Other Woman with Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes, Thunderbird Resort sure does live up to everybody's expectation of how grandeur and beautiful it is including ours.

Greece has been a dream destination of mine and since I don't have the means to go there yet, this resort will be a welcome substitute with its white and blue colors, very Santorini!

The trip from Manila took about 6 hours including a stop over at NLEX for breakfast. Its not hard to look for Thunderbird because signs are very visible starting from McArthur Highway, just take the same route to Baguio City until you see the road that splits to Agoo, La Union.

Like most resorts and hotels, standard check-in is 2pm. Since Thunderbird is fully booked (as always), early check-in is a no-go and we had to wait until the room is fixed. We spent the hour waiting in the lobby like most of the guests sweating buckets because there's no aircon or even a fan to relieve the heat.

The estate is not yet fully developed but there's a scale model to see how it will look after all the construction is done. By the way, Thunderbird is not only a resort, you can opt to buy a property here and feel like everyday is a vacation.

We were allowed to check in at exactly 2pm. It only took me about 5 minutes signing the forms while listening to the reception guy tell me the things we can do in the resort, it was a breeze.

Our room is located on the second floor of the North Wing.

All the rooms here has a mini veranda with the amazing view of the beach.

The boardwalk area is perfect for an afternoon jogging or biking. There's also a half-court basketball right beside the pool area if you feel like playing.

I love the little details like this lamp on the table at Patio Santorini.

One of the main attractions here is the Santorini swimming pool located at the back of the hotel. Almost everything here is named after the famous tourist place, I sometimes feel like I was really in Greece!

The deepest part of the pool is about 4 feet so no worries even if there's no lifeguard on duty. There's also a kiddie pool and a mini-playground for the young ones. We took a dip at around 5pm and the water is so warm it felt like we were in a jacuzzi minus the bubbles.

Thunderbird Resorts also offers a day trip package only if they're not fully booked. If I remember correctly, the package include free use of the pool and lunch only, you have to pay an additional fee if you want to go and swim in the beach.

Since we are guests of the hotel, we were able to wander around the resort and the beach area. Right across the pool is the rocky side of the beach, not suited for swimming but perfect pictorial spot.

We wanted to go out for dinner and try the local food of La Union so after asking the concierge for some recommendations, we hopped in the car and drove to the town proper.

One last shot before we leave for dinner.

Our overall experience at Thunderbird Resort Poro Point was exceptional! The staff are courteous and helpful, the rooms are so nice and comfortable we can stay there all day long no problem, the views are amazing and the pools and beach very inviting. We had so much fun here that I would love to come back maybe next year or two years from now when the construction's finished and all the amenities fully operational.

This year has quite been about staying and experiencing world-class resorts in the Philippines. Misibis Bay in January, Plantation Bay in March then this time, Thunderbird Resort. It somehow made me realize that you don't have to spend so much on airline tickets to travel the world because our country has so many great places to offer, you just have to know where to go.

~o~o~o~

Thunderbird Resort
VOA Compound, Pennsylvania Avenue
San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines
Tel.: (6372) 888-7777
Fax: (6372) 888-3888
Website: http://www.thunderbird-asia.com/