Mother's Day Staycation at City Garden Suites

Last Mother's Day I spent an overnight just to relax, watch movies, sleep, and eat at City Garden Suites Manila.   Honestly speakin...

Last Mother's Day I spent an overnight just to relax, watch movies, sleep, and eat at City Garden Suites Manila.  

Honestly speaking, this opportunity to stay for a night came at a perfect time, not only because of the occasion but because I was having exhausting weeks before our stay.  I said to myself that I just wanted to get away, relax, and do nothing.  God heard my prayer indeed!

Our De Luxe room was upgraded to a One (1) Bedroom Suite, with a FREE massage for ME!  Because it was Mother's Day!  This was part of the hotel's Mother's Day promo.  Unfortunately, nakakatawa, when the masseuse was right at our door during the schedule I booked her, I had to pass the chance because my period came at the most perfect time!  I asked, BAKIT NGAYON PA?  I badly needed the massage honestly speaking.  So I sent her off.  Sayang!  But for those moms who stayed at City Garden Suites and availed of the massage, good for all of you moms!

City Garden Suites' lobby and reception area is mighty spacious to welcome guests comfortably.  I remember having 2 huge lounge areas for guests.  Checking in was easy and we were welcomed warmly by their front desk staff.  We received two key cards and hurray - a WiFi password for our room.
 
While waiting shortly for the processing of our check in, we were treated to welcome drinks - a glass of orange juice - which the kids more especially enjoyed.  Look at this little one, he already finished his and wanted to get a hand at his dad's glass.  Of course we gave in. :)
As soon as we had checked in, we immediately headed to our room so that I could finally finally lie down on the bed and do nothing.  Let me take you around our room in this "unrooming" photo series.

The one bedroom suite that we were checked in had the following:


  • One (1) Queen bed and one (1) single bed in room
  • An LED TV powered by cable and also HMDI/USB ready for movies
  • A desk with office supplies in its drawer (which was very useful for my second son)
  • High speed wireless internet
  • A living area with LED TV
  • A small refrigerator stocked with beverages and snacks
  • Mini-bar with more sweet treats for the kids
  • Four (4) complimentary water bottles
  • Coffee and tea making facility
  • Complete toiletries (dental kit, liquid soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, roll of tissue)
  • Towels
  • Safe and laundry basket inside the closet
WHAT THE KIDS DID
If you're a follower of my hotel staycation reviews, you know that our family chooses those that has swimming pools.  City Garden Suites unfortunately has no swimming pool.  But it was best at the time of our stay because as I've said, we just really wanted to rest, sleep, do nothing, and just eat.

Bath tubs are subject to availability.  At the time of our check in, the rooms with bath tubs had already been booked.  Too bad, we were looking forward to fun bath time during our stay.  But that wasn't our priority anyway, so it's all good.

But nevertheless, we had a relaxing stay and the kids were never bored.  Thanks to my husband's baon-baon na external hard disc where he downloaded new movies to watch during our staycation.  And thanks as well to our room's high-speed WiFi.

No pool, no problem.  Here are what the kids did during our stay that kept them busy:
Dandre is seen here Spotifying, watching YouTube videos, chatting with friends, and FB/IG-ing.
My second boy who's turning 8 this year is an artist!  He loves to draw and color.  Just make paper, pens, and coloring materials available, even scissors, he can create something really nice out of nothing.  Happy to have a drawer filled with supplies that kept him busy creating. :)
Our dear bunso Damien is in his exploratory and experimental stage.  He loves imitating his big brothers.  But this time, he occupied the couch and lounged there to snack on his biscuits.  When not eating, he joins his older brother and tries to draw something.  He also played with the laundry basket by putting it on his head as a head gear and walked around the room with it.

WHAT MOM AND DAD DID
I was supposed to get a one hour full body massage as part of the promo we availed during our stay.  But as I've mentioned earlier, I had to cancel LAST MINUTE!!! Huhuhu!  Sayang, I badly needed the massage.  So yeah, that plan was Xed from my list to achieve during my rest day.

So, we enjoyed the air-conditioning in the comfortable and spacious room, lied down the bed, cuddled while watching a movie or two.  Ang saya ng moment na I really didn't do anything at all, no dishes to wash, no dinner to cook, no mess to organize and other errands.  I achieved the objective of this stay - TO REST!

We went to the nearest mall which was Robinsons Place Manila because we were craving for some Korean BBQ for our Mother's Day dinner.  But lo and behold, we were 19th in the waiting list.  No can do.  We were too HANGRY already, so we settled for the Filipino restaurant next to it, which unfortunately I didn't get the name - I just really wanted to eat, I didn't notice.  Poor me.  We ordered all our favorites and had a filling and sumptuous dinner!  Who wouldn't with Crispy Pata, Sinigang na Hipon, and Sisig right?  Extra rice please!

Back to the hotel, I was surprised with a FREE Kit-Kat Ice Cream plate!  Perfect timing because we hadn't had dessert yet.  So again, we all devoured this treat, especially the littlest one! :) 

My husband and I had another round of movie before we dozed off to sleep.
BREAKFAST AT CITY GARDEN SUITES
Another objective achieved during our Mother's Day staycation was our delicious and heavy breakfast buffet at City Garden Suites' Cafe Miranda.
The cafe or dining area is well-lit because of the natural light coming through the glass walls - which I appreciate very much.  Having natural light reminds me of positive vibes and love which of course only comes from God!

The tables are big enough to accommodate the diners' number of plates from their sumptuous spread of breakfast foods.  The chairs are cushioned to ensure diners' are comfortable while having their meals.  I like it that there are long couches, perfect for families like mine who still has small kids.  I need not worry if they would fall.  
Let's now talk about breakfast food, shall we?

Our family is group of heavy breakfast eaters.  I got this from my own family, my mom makes sure she served us the heaviest breakfast every day when I was younger.  This was passed on to me, so rice and viand plus breakfast, coffee and chocolate drink it is every morning in our household.

When staying in a hotel, we look forward to breakfast buffet.  And let me tell you that one of the more filling and complete spread of breakfast choices that we've had is in Cafe Miranda of City Garden Suites!  

For breakfast tribe like my family, their breakfast buffet spread is superb!
Some start their meal with salad and fruits.  We don't we have it anytime during our breakfast meal!  
They have a small egg station where you could request your eggs cooked the way you want them.  We had sunny side ups and omelette as well.  Though let me say that the omelette could still improve by stuffing it more with the available fillers like seen below.  Or maybe I should've requested it?
Beverages available: Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Tea and Coffee.
Apart from rice in the morning, we also are bread lovers.  Pan de sal is number one on the list then loaf bread (white or wheat - any would do!)  Pancake and waffle is also my kids' favorite!
Pair the bread with any of the following: butter, strawberry jam, mango jam, peanut butter or orange marmalade.  We tried them all!
If you are just a light eater with Muesli or Corn Flakes with milk for breakie, they have it too!  My second son loves corn flakes with milk so he came back to this area twice.
BACON is one of my musts in a hotel breakfast buffet for me to say this breakfast buffet rocks!  And YES they have BACON!  So this makes breakfast all the more superb because my breakfast star is present to add more sunshine to my morning.
 We didn't feel short-changed with the selection of viands or meals in their breakfast buffet.  
For rice, we had a choice between garlic and plain rice, we chose both please!
They had chicken adobo, hash brown, mixed vegetables, bacon, pasta, and soup. 
Wish list: champorado and lugaw please? :)
On my plate: almost All mentioned above! :)
CITY GARDEN SUITES AMENITIES:
Though City Garden Suites doesn't have a swimming pool for added fun during your staycation, they have a gym which you could have all to yourselves early in the morning!  The have a treadmill and stationary bike (those that I could name only!) and other machines.  Bench press, and weights are also available for use.  But what I enjoyed was their massage chair.  Hot and cold water is also within reach here.  
At the ground floor is where you'll find their function room the Lotus Ballroom, which could be divided to three smaller rooms.  This photo is without the divider and when I asked it can seat up to 300 pax.  This could be an option for your next big party or corporate event.  Food is good and usually, good food leaves good impressions on your event right?
OVERALL STAYCATION EXPERIENCE
If like me you're looking for a simple and relaxing stay with good food, then City Garden Suites is worth a try.  The hotel is more great for business travelers who want to stay near convention or exhibition centers and the airport or tourists or families who would want to experience Manila's richness in culture by visiting the Luneta Park, Intramuros, and taking a kalesa ride.

Too bad it was the Barangay elections on our Day 2 of stay so we weren't able to take advantage of their FREE Walking Tour to Intramuros which starts at 9:00 am ti 11:30am every day.  If you're also considering a full day of experiencing Old Manila as an educational tour or trip for yourself and your kids, consider staying at City Garden Suites because it's near historical places in Manila such as but not limited to: The National Museum, Intramuros, Luneta Park, Escolta, Binondo.  Do your thrift shopping as well in Divisoria, the Lucky China Mall, and many more then come home to City Garden Suites to rest your tired eyes, feet, and pockets!  Bring the kids to nearby kiddie attractions such as the Manila Ocean Park, Museo Pambata, CCP, and more!

Their staff is notably hospitable, pleasant, professional, and always smiling.  Nothing but good customer service which is the heart of any establishment.  Our room was clean and spacious, still I wish we were booked in a room with a bath tub! :)  But aargh, FOOD was great! We definitely had a memorable breakfast buffet experience. Parking is limited though and on a first come first served basis.  Room price is value for money!  Will we come back?  Yes we would!

FATHER'S DAY PROMO and MORE!
I experienced their Suite Treat For Moms promo, now they have another special promo for all the DADs out there!  Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show dad how much you care and City Garden Suites is taking it up a notch by celebrating it the whole month of June!!!

From June 1-30, 2018, the whole family may spend quality time with dad with the following inclusions for only Php 3,998.00:

  • Instant room upgrade from Deluxe Room to a One Bedroom Suite
  • Buffet breakfast for two (2) adults and two (2) children
  • Relaxing one hour massage for dad
  • Complimentary bottle of wine

For bookings, other promos, and reservations, you may visit https://bit.ly/2kzEItF or call (+632) 835-3831 or (+632) 536-1451.
For updates and more information, visit their website www.citygardensuites.com/.  You may also follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @citygardensuites.  You may also call 02-536-1451 for other inquiries.  City Garden Suites is located at 1158 A. Mabini St. Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines 1004.

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Mommy Practicality is a home and lifestyle blog that's about positive, informative, 
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