Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Slow Down in the Heart of the City at The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

11:03:00 AM 0 Comments
Nothing beats a nice relaxing weekend after a tiring week of the usual home – office – home routine!
Ready to slow down for the weekend! :D
With the very busy streets and people in office attire walking around in Ortigas Center, enter The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel, which stands silently besides its busy office building neighbors. It was quite a pleasant surprise that in the middle of the central business district, one can actually slow down and relax.
The view from our room.

The view from our floor (daytime)
The view from our floor (night time) - Photo by The Hubby
The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel houses different types of accommodation that suits your needs. There’s Deluxe Classic (25-27sqm), Deluxe Premium (25-27sqm), Premier Room (29-35sqm) where there’s a choice of 1 queen-sized bed or 2 twin beds and the Suite (64.5-68.5sqm) with a Master’s Bedroom (1 queen-sized bed) and Guest Room (1 double bed).
Deluxe Classic Room
Deluxe Twin Room - Photo from The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Suite (Dining Area) - Photo from The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Suite Guest Room - Photo from The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Suite Master's Room - Photo from The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Suite Receiving Area - Photo from The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel
For our weekend stay, my family had the Premier Room, which is spacious, cozy and stylish. It has all the basics of a good hotel: complimentary bottled water, individually controlled air-conditioning, in-room safe, intercom, refrigerator, hair dryer, bathroom slippers, iron, ironing board and more to discover!
Our bed - Photo by The Hubby
I love this bookshelf! - Photo by The Hubby
Upon entering our room for the weekend, The Little Dumpling (TLD) got a little too excited and quickly laid down on the bed. Since the sheets smell so good like therapeutic in a way and the beddings are soft, it's time to relax! The pillows were plump enough to hold our heads up and seduce us to sleep.  Even if it was lunchtime and TLD was definitely hungry, she said that she wanted to stay and sleep.

Usually the Premier Room has only 1 queen-sized bed but since we’re 3 in the family, we had an extra bed for TLD to enjoy. Actually, the 3 of us can fit in a queen-sized bed but we just wanted additional comfort which the hotel provided.
Our beds - Photo by The Hubby
Inside the room is a kitchenette, which adds convenience for families with babies, or toddlers who can get hungry easily. So there’s a place to prepare something light and yummy for the little ones. There are also pots, pans, plates, bowls and other utensils that are already cleaned.
The kitchenette, cabinets and bathroom - Photo by The Hubby
Another angle of the kitchenette with utensils. There's even an exhaust! - Photo by The Hubby
There’s a rice cooker and also a table for 2 in case you’d like to cook up and enjoy a full meal inside the room.

Muffins from The Exchange Regency Residences Hotel. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Even if I was invited to stay at The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel, it was really sweet of them to give me these delightful pastries from Tully’s (which was located in the Ground Level of the hotel). TLD quickly got the chocolate muffin (she loves chocolate!) that she was able to finish on her own. Yes, she really didn’t want to leave the room so she said she’s eating the muffin instead of going out for a meal. Haha!☺
The yummy muffins!
TLD enjoying her muffin.
The bathroom is clean and roomy with all the toiletries you need: shampoo, soap, toothbrush, shaver, lotion and even a small hand soap which is a big plus!

The position of the TV is exceptional! You can move it to face the kitchenette, dining area or the bed depending on where you are. So be ready to wear your bathrobe, enjoy a meal on the heavenly bed and watch your favorite TV show!
Photo by The Hubby
Eating with TLD on our heavenly bed. - Photo by The Hubby 
Photo by The Hubby


You can also enjoy the “lazy” feeling where you’ll just lie down on bed and snooze, go online (there’s free wifi internet inside the room) or just sipping tea (or coffee which are part of the complimentary in-room amenities).

I love how the colors of green and blue hues on the 3rd level where the hotel facilities are located give a feeling of relaxation and make you forget about all the stress of the week. It’s like the environment was talking to me that this is the quality time for me, my hubby and TLD. There’s an adult and kiddie pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, children’s play area, mini golf and a game room where you can hang out and enjoy. All we have to do is take off our shoes, choose which activities to do or just putting our feet up to enjoy being idle.
The jacuzzi
By the pool side relaxing 

Doesn't this look relaxing?
Won't you like to take a dip too?
The view when you're relaxing by the pool and looking up. Love the shapes and patterns.
Children's Play Area


Game Room

Gym


In the swimming pool, my hubby had the chance to meet a French girl who was here on vacation to see her boyfriend. Since I find her really beautiful and I’m not confident enough to have my photos by the pool taken (I’m quite chunky). I asked my hubby to take her photos to share on my blog and showcase how nice the pool is. I’m really glad that she was nice enough to let us have her photos taken. 
Photo by The Hubby
On the 2nd level of the hotel, there’s a fitness and development center for kids called The Little Gym where TLD had so much fun.
TLD doing the monkey bar - Photo by The Hubby
Part of the stay was a buffet breakfast at one of the restaurants located at the Ground Level of the hotel called “Cuisine by Chef & Brewer” which offers a sumptuous breakfast to jumpstart your day. During my stay, the buffet spread includes white & garlic rice, scrambled eggs, roast pork, salad station, bread station with butter and jam, cereal station, fish fingers, assemble-your-own arroz caldo and pancakes. The drinks, like milk, juices and coffee, were also included.
Breakfast essentials - Bread ✔Coffee ✔Eggs

I actually had salad!

Arroz Caldo
The servers were really nice and attentive to what we need even if it’s a buffet set up. According to the server, the restaurant just opened in August and serves buffet breakfast everyday from 6am-10am. For non-hotel guests, it’s just P350 per person to enjoy this glorious spread! It’s actually quite a good deal for those who work in the Ortigas area.

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel also offers a Serviced Apartment Package (with a minimum of 3-month stay) for expats or those coming over from the provinces for long term stay which I believe is a lot better and cheaper too than renting a condo. Imagine no monthly dues (residents can use the amenities at the 3rd level), no electricity and water dues (until 400kwh and 5 cu.m. monthly), free wifi, telephone, cable TV and housekeeping (once a week change of linens and twice a week scheduled cleaning). According to their flyer, monthly rent starts at P47,250 as compared to condos with total dues starting at P55,300 which monthly rent is just a part of.
Al fresco area for chit chat at the 3rd level.

Take advantage of slowing down and spoiling your family this upcoming Halloween or ASEAN holidays! Visit The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel at Exchange Road cor. Meralco Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City. 1605 Philippines. For reservations, you may email reservations@theexchangeregency.com or call (632)312-9999 / (632)312-9998. 

For more details of the hotel, visit their website www.theexchangeregency.com. The hotel is managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc., which manages Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, Y2 Residence Hotel and more. You can find out more about them at www.hii.com.ph.

Friday, September 16, 2016

7 Picks at 7 Flavors

6:12:00 PM 2 Comments
In the heart of San Juan, 7 Flavors is an all day buffet dining restaurant that will surely catch anyone's attention because of its posh exterior. In the bustling city lies this property that looks like an extension of the secret garden. There are greens planted on the walls that somehow brings a relaxing feeling to tired eyes. The all day buffet dining is located at the 2nd floor while the ground floor is a cafe for those who would like to have a meeting. The cafe is also a quiet nook equipped with wifi for those who'd like to do their homework or work.

Photo from 7 Flavors's Facebook Page
The exterior somehow emulates what one is going to experience inside! Relaxation thru good food that makes one wants to stay and just munch. The big question is, with an array of choices and limited tummy space, WHAT TO EAT? Join me as I show you my top picks!

1. The Taco Station
There's a make your own taco station where you can put all the meats and veggies you like inside your taco shell. Topped it off with sour cream sauce and cheese based on your liking. I love how crunchy the shell is and it doesn't get soggy right away with all the meats I've put in it! To get my regular veggie fix, I've put in some chopped lettuce and tomato salsa. With my love for cheese, my taco is topped with lots of, lots of cheese and a dollop of sour cream!

My DIY Taco

2. The Fried Delights
Different fried goodness that's all together say hello with a smile. Anything crispy tickles my fancy taste buds!

Calamares
I like how the calamares stays crunchy despite being on a plate in a buffet for the taking. You can see that oil was drained properly before these crunchy bites were placed on the plate so that the crunchiness retains. Inside is a soft easy to bite squid that's fresh and flavorful. With a dash of vinegar on the side to dip these goodies, I'm ready for more!


Potato Croquettes
Another crispy outside soft inside delightful bites that is good to eat while chatting with friends. Simple, no fuss and straight to the point! These croquettes are the bomb!


Deep Fried California Maki
One of my no-brainer go to Japanese food favorite is California Maki! So having it fried is something weird and new for me but I'm out here to try 7 Flavors so there it goes into my mouth and woah, it's California Maki goodness with a crunch! Somehow it reminds me of crunchy salad maki when dipped in aioli sauce that comes on a side.



3. Stir Fried Pork
This simple dish is a mixture of marinated pork stir fried with bell pepper and onions. I like how the pork is soft and tender. I actually mixed this with the Pansit Canton which I feel lacks meat (yes, I'm a meat lover) and it's just oh so good.


4. Korean Ginger Chicken
Sweet, juicy with a hint of ginger, this chicken dish calls for rice. Bring in the rice please and I'll eat a plate or more of this chicken!


5. The Seafood Dishes

Fried Fish with Caprice Sauce
These fried fish fillets are coated with lemon and honey caprice sauce that enhances the fresh flavor of the fish. Eating more of this made me feel a little less guilt because fish and lemon is healthy, right? Haha! :D


Spicy Salmon Head in Coconut Milk
Salmon is another weakness of mine when it comes to seafood. I love salmon raw, smoked, cooked or as gravlax. The salmon head is fried then mixed in with coconut milk, curry and chili.


Spicy Gambas
The shrimps were al dente, a bit on the sweet side with a little spiciness.



6. Tofu Sisig
I'm not a fan of sisig but this tofu sisig is something else. It's tofu covered in this creamy sweet and salty sauce that's mixed with green and red chili that gives a spicy kick.



7. The Sweet Endings AKA Dessert Choices
I consider this the best part of most buffet. If the desserts are done right, it's like a happy ending to a romantic movie! I suggest you to leave some tummy space for these.

Mango Tapioca
Widely known as Mango Sago and can been seen in any Chinese restaurant which people usually look forward to! The rendition of 7 Flavors to this popular dessert is a blend of big mango slices, small tapioca, sweet coconut milk and nata de coco (coconut jelly). The Mango Tapioca is not too sweet so the nata de coco comes as an added sweetener.


For a blissful twist to the Mango Tapioca, I've put mine in a sundae glass filled with crushed ice then with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on top!


Ensaymada
Small round baked bread with whipped butter spread and topped with cheese. This crowd favorite is actually also being sold in 7 Flavors's cafe.


Carrot Cupcakes
Moist and delicious carrot cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting! It is quite small so having one is not enough!


A lot of photos of Chef Boy Logro are in and out of the restaurant but I did not see him around. I was told that he's a part owner and goes there from time to time. Also, he plays an active part in all of the dishes which are his recipes and curated by him.

My first plate
Assorted sushi
Roast Beef
Beef Stew
7 Flavors is located at 196 A. Mabini St. Addition Hills, San Juan. For inquiries or reservations, call 5430325. The buffet rates are P399.99 for Monday - Thursday lunch, P499.99 for Monday - Thursday dinner and P599.99 for Friday - Sunday lunch & dinner.
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