With the traffic jams worsening as the holidays approach, more and more families are considering holing up at home or in their neighborhood.
Fortunately, staycation is getting more and more popular—an option that allows them to still celebrate in a festively decorated space but without having to brave the traffic every time they go out.
Here is Lifestyle’s list of hotels offering holiday room packages with family-friendly—and even pet-inclusive—activities.
MANILA
—City of Dreams Manila has several treats lined up, including VIP access to DreamPlay and its Christmas-themed “Wild Winter” experience. On Dec. 23-24, and Dec. 26-Jan.1, DreamWorks characters Shrek, Fiona, Po of “Kung Fu Panda” and Alex and King Julien of “Madagascar” will join a Christmas parade.
If you prefer to sing, you can book one of 10 KTV rooms at Chaos nightclub.
Guests at Crown or Nobu Hotel can book one of four, fully stocked poolside cabanas for a unique holiday getaway. Each cabana can accommodate up to six guests and is equipped with a flat-screen TV, fruit, snacks and cold drinks.
Aside from access to the pools, guests can also soak in the Instagram-worthy Jacuzzi. Tel. 8008080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com.
—Marriott Manila is after every child’s heart with a life-sized gingerbread train parked at the lobby and loaded with all sorts of decadent holiday treats. Guests can pretend to be the train captain and capture the moment in a photo or two. Those who prefer the traditional gingerbread house can head to the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Tel. 9889999.
—Resorts World Manila is holding a “Grand Countdown to 2017” at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Guests who book the special room packages at either Remington Hotel or Belmont Hotel can get two gold tickets to the event and gourmet dinner for two.
Youngsters can enjoy the Kid Zone in the same venue, complete with inflatable toys, movie room, nap room and dressing room, while adults enjoy performances by French illusionist Sophie Edelstein, top Filipino band Juan Miguel Salvador and The Authority Band, and Lea Salonga and Bamboo. Musical direction is by Gerard Salonga and Ria Osorio. Tel. 9088000 loc. 8992 or 7683 or email nerizza.villanueva@rwmanila.com and pepito.urcia@rwmanila.com. Reservations must be made seven days before check-in date. For room and ticket reservations, Belmont Hotel Manila, 3188888 or Remington Hotel at 9088833.
—Bookings made at Sofitel Philippine Plaza from Dec. 1-29 with rates starting at P7,000 include breakfast for two adults and two children (11 years and below) at Spiral, complimentary in-room movies and a 20 percent discount on dining outlets.
There is a colorful Christmas market or Le Marché de Noël in the main lobby. Indulge in sensory treats like aromatic mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, local pastries, crêpes and Christmas candy as well as Christmas decor, toys, and unique souvenirs. Tel. 5515555 or e-mail H6308@sofitel.com.
—Conrad Manila embraces its luxury cruise-like architecture with a “Christmas Cruise” room package inclusive of breakfast for two adults and two children at Brasserie on 3.
Spend the day lounging with your family at the poolside or book a treatment at Conrad Spa. For New Year’s Eve, come early to secure front-row seats at C Lounge where there will be live entertainment and a cocktail buffet.
At the stroke of midnight, the skies come alive with fireworks. Tel. 8339999 or e-mail conrad.manila@conradhotels.com.
ORTIGAS
—Marco Polo Ortigas has Christmas and New Year’s Eve room packages but its unique offering is its Venetian theme—Marco Polo’s native city—that can be seen in the F&B outlets and throughout the hotel.
The property’s new chef de cuisine Giuseppe Rivoli has prepared an Italian menu guests can sample at Cucina like minced beef roll with spinach, ham, bacon, parmesan cheese and herbs (Pollpettone alla Siciliana); Slow cooked Baby Short Ribs in Balsamic Sauce with Roasted Potato and Bell Pepper; and Cacciucco with Prawns, Mussel, Clams with Garlic Crostini. Tel. 7207777 or e-mail manila@marcopolohotels.com.
—Want to go on vacay in style, basking in luxury with your pet by your side? Then head over to Oakwood Premier Joy Nostalg in Pasig.
Located in the heart of Ortigas center, it has one-bedroom suites with a king-sized bed, home entertainment system, three televisions, dining area for four, fully equipped kitchen, free-standing bathtub, and shower stall with rain shower and steam generator. Joy-Nostalg Center, 17 ADB Avenue, San Antonio, Pasig City. Tel. 9108888.
MAKATI
—Raffles and Fairmont Makati have chosen a musical theme this Christmas which they’ve interpreted in the decor, the holiday hampers and the entertainment. Enjoy tea time at Writers Bar with special performances by a quartet from the Manila Symphony Orchestra on all Saturdays of December.
On Dec. 18, an ensemble from the Manila Youth Orchestra will perform during the gingerbread house decorating event in the ballroom. Kids can decorate their own gingerbread houses with sweets, cookies and frosting for P950. At the end of the workshop, they get to bring home their works of art. Tel. 7951840 or e-mail dining.makati@raffles.com.
—Guests using the room packages at Discovery Primea for two or more nights will receive complimentary KidZania tickets. Parents can bond with school-aged kids who will enjoy the “real world” learning experiences. Use the promo code HOME when booking at dp.rsvn@discovery.com.ph. Tel. 9558888 or 9882988.
—The Makati Diamond Residences in Legazpi Street in Legazpi Village, Makati, has two Karaoke Room packages. Guests can book the property’s private cinema equipped with basic karaoke equipment and snacks and beverages for 10 for three hours.
Choose from two room packages priced at P10,000 or P12,000 with snacks like Barbecue Pulled Pork with Mini Brioche, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Vegetable Samosa with Raita Dipping Sauce or Birds Nest with Smoked Pork and Coffee Bourbon Sauce, Sausage Skewered with Vegetable and Eggplant, and Fish Sticks with Fresh Tomato Salsa.
The Karaoke Package is available from Dec. 1-30, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservation is encouraged. Tel. 3170999 loc. 1215 or e-mail events@makatidiamond.com.
—Just a stone’s throw away from Power Plant Mall, Joya Lofts and Towers is the ideal place for a staycation with your fur babies. The fully furnished, air-conditioned units have it all—from cookware to cutlery to toilet amenities. If you need to cook food, there’s Rustan’s Market Place at the basement floor of the mall. Joya Residences, 28 Rockwell Drive, Ortigas Center, Makati. Tel. 7980497.
—Ascott Makati is perfect for shoppers as it is located at Glorietta 4. Guests can use the new facilities including the lap pool and the Cubbies playroom for kids, complete with toys, books and movies. There are Cubbies activities for the little ones like drawing and crafts mounted by the Ascott Host (guest service). Tel. 7298888.
—Take in some art and culture at Ayala Museum when you book a room at Makati Shangri-La. Room stays between Dec. 16 and Jan. 8 include an Ayala Museum day pass and breakfast for two adults and two children (below 5 years old) at Circles. Additional museum tickets can be purchased at 50 percent off. The hotel has a newly renovated pool. Tel. 8138888 or e-mail slm@shangri-la.com.
BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
—Ascott Bonifacio Global City boasts of facilities such as its pool and Cubbies playroom for kids. The property also has a fully equipped gym. Since it is a serviced residence, the guest rooms furnished with kitchenettes, guests can also hold simple cooking or baking activities with their kids. Tel. 8609888.
* Kids 12 years old and below have free access to Shangri-La at the Fort’s Adventure Zone for each day of their stay. Instead of the regular inclusion of breakfast for two, the hotel’s festive offering is a Family Buffet breakfast package for two adults and two children 11 years and below at High Street Cafe.
Guests who book the Christmas package for stays from Dec. 15 to Jan. 8 will automatically join a lucky draw for a chance to win a complimentary two-night Family Weekend Stay in a one-bedroom Shangri-La Residence. Tel. 8200888 or visit www.shangri-la.com/fort.
SOUTH
—Somerset Alabang Manila is the first Ascott property in the south. Aside from its new facilities—pool, Cubbies playroom and gym—it also has bicycles it rents out to guests. Families can go biking down tree-lined streets and enjoy the view of Laguna de Bay. Tel. 6430999 or e-mail enquiry.manila@theascott.com.