THUNDERBIRD RESORT: LUXURY IN LA UNION

BY: Ysabs Villaflor

If you want a quick getaway to just relax and eat good food, Thunderbird Resort may just be your salvo.

LOCATION: Pora Point, La Union, Philippines

FEEL: Mediterranean/Greek-inspired, Modern.

PERSONAL: Tagged along with my folks who were there for a wedding.

RECEPTION: Spacious, airy and welcoming. First thing that greets you is the blue-painted dome and a staff that offers you a welcome drink and cold mini-towels to wipe off the heat of the sun.  It was a nice first impression.

THE ROOMS:  Junior Suite Beach View - The rooms are spacious and good for 4 people. The beds are so comfortable that it would tempt you to stay in than to stay out.  There is a kitchenette with microwave, a mini-bar, and the fastest wi-fi service imaginable.  Yes, it is tempting just to stay in and turn on the 42 inch LED and just doze off.  It is luxurious, spacious and the welcome chocolates surely made for a lasting impression.  There is a dining area out in the balcony over-looking the sea with nice woven seats for nice meals and leisurely reading.

 

   

 

THE BATHROOM:  The bathroom had a tub and separate shower area. The shower area has see-through glass doors with wooden floors and stones. Very modern. The tub however, is a Jacuzzi with turbo jets for a nice massage (and a nice playtime for the kids). It doesn’t feel cramped even when there are 5 people using the bathroom.

The toiletries available are from VMV – a hypo-allergenic brand with a loofah and scrub.

THE COST:  Is a bit pricey but is worth every penny.  A Junior Suite Beach View room  can ring up P8,000+ (US $188+) and the Master Suites can fetch up to Php 17,000+ (US$ 400+). Tip: book for a week day and get a discount of less than Php2,000 on the published rate and sometime, you might even get an upgrade! J

THE FOOD:   The buffet at breakfast is delicious with a variety of continental fare. What is remarkable though- is their Lemongrass Iced Tea, which is brewed fresh daily and the beautiful view overlooking the sea and the pool while digging in your breakfast.

One of the things that one must try is their pizzas and Greek dishes.  The pizzas are thin-crust and homemade.  Something to try while lounging in the pool or reading a book on the balcony.

  

THE SERVICE:   The service is personal and friendly. The staff is extra helpful when we had a problem with the toilet. A quick call and someone was already at the door ready to assess the problem and ask for the maintenance to fix it.

OTHER AMENITIES:   The resort has its own gold course, a casino and pool and beach area. 

this welcomes you before you take a dip in the pool

going down to the pool

this device shows you all the activities and promos Thunderbird has in store for its guests.

MY RATING: 4/5 stars :) A return trip is not far.

For more information:  http://www.thunderbirdresortsporopoint.com/ppc/index.php

Sofitel Le Sphinx, Cairo, Egypt 

By Ysabs Villaflor

this guy greets you as you enter Sofitel Le Sphinx

LOCATION: right in the middle of down town Cairo.

the street leading to Le Sphinx

THE WELCOME MAT: spacious, dry but warm 

Welcome to the Le Sphinx

the facade of the Le Sphinx

the laidback lobby. no fuss, comfy and unpretentious

the sprawling gardens in the courtyard

FEEL: outside, it feels like a tropical resort with the wonderful indoor and outdoor pool, the two storey building, inside the rooms, it feels like the modern 5-star hotel you see in the cities.

our first family group photo during the trip

PERSONAL: i was with a tour group and we were all booked right next to each other.


THE ROOMS: clean and roomy. it also has little balconies and a connecting door right on the lawn of the hotel. the beds are so luxurious and sleep was always sweet.

ALL MINE :)

my own verandah leading to the outdoor gardens of Sofitel

THE BATHROOM: with heater and no bathtub. However, you would have to bring your own shampoo and toiletries since the hotel (and other hotels in middle east) offer the 3-in-1 kind shampoo/bathwash/conditioner. 


THE FOOD: they have an international buffet for breakfast which is standard in these hotels. they also serve some Egyptian dishes

our first Egyptian dinner

the breakfast nook 

Red Hibiscus Juice and Egyptian Yogurt for breakfast

THE SERVICE: the staff is friendly and courteous.


OTHER AMENITIES: indoor and outdoor pool, a roof deck bar, and an AMAZING view of the Pyramid of Giza at night.

the indoor  pool

the gym

the outdoor pool

a small fragrance oil shop in the lobby