Discovery Shores Boracay

Discovery Shores Boracay is probably the best hotel-resort in the island!

After receiving the Discovery Shores Boracay bracelet tags, a staff assisted us to their van to bring us to the boat transfer.

A group of 10 people can sit comfortably in the van.

It is an S.O.P. for their drivers to offer a box of mints to the guests.
FYI: You may use the service van to go to D'Mall :)

We reached the boat docking station in about five minutes.

The staff gave us each a wet towel to freshen up, a bottled water and some cookies.

Service and Luxury are what you're paying for when you book in Discovery Shores Boracay.

 After the 10-minute boat ride, there's another 10-15-minute van transfer to the resort.

Guests were given a glass of pandan water and wet towels to cool down from the boracay heat :)

FYI:  You may request for pandan water in your room and also while dining.

A very welcoming snack was also prepared in the room

That's not the end of it. As part of welcoming their guests, we were all given a quick foot massage :)
Oh, and there's a complimentary bag, small SPF lotion and body mist spray.

Completely relaxed already, how do they expect the guests from leaving their rooms?

FYI: We stayed at the Junior Suite (it's not two queen beds but two double beds)

"Averaging 40 to 45 square meters, guests can select from rooms with either two queen size beds or one king size bed, depending on the occupants’ requirements.  All Junior Suites come with an extra day bed for lounging which doubles as sleeping for the third occupant in the room.  Bathrooms have an open feel because of the full glass feature on one wall that overlooks a rock garden."- from their website

Again, SERVICE+LUXURY = Discovery Shores Boracay

The toiletries were complete - with mouthwash, bath scrub, cotton balls, cotton pads, etc.

However, the quality wasn't good.

We've learned that they also own Misibis Bay in Bicol. We hope that they could also serve the same toiletries like the ones in Misibis Bay - L'Occitane.

The rooms were provided with a box Twinings tea, sweeteners, creamers, a coffee maker and a pouch of ground coffee too.

Yes, they also have a safe box, emergency flashlight and iron.

For those who'd like to stay in the room all day (I know some people like that), Discovery Shores Boracay also provided a tic-tac-toe game board in the room as well as some interesting magazines :)

It's nice to know that they are concerned with the environment :)

I found these door handle tags cute and unique; as well as the way they present you the towels :)

LUNCH TIME: Discovery Shores Boracay Sands Restaurant

The crabs and other seafood were really good :)

The rest were okay.

*burp* and now we're off to the beach

We loved how they set up those beach beds for us. 

Fresh towels were also provided at once.

We loved it here!
Station 1 is really the best spot in Boracay - lesser vendors roaming around!

The pool was also nice. 

A snack bar sits perfectly beside the pool so they can serve you ice cold sago't gulaman, grape juice or strawberry juice, along with sweetened camote fries! YUM!

The buffet dinner was a treat, but be sure to make a reservation since the area gets full real quick.

 After the heavy dinner, we went swimming again. 

TIP: The pool lighting was perfect for underwater shots and video :)

FYI: Night swimming is only allowed till 9:00PM

Our beds were made up and floor mats and slippers were prepared for us when we went back to our rooms.

They also gave us a goodnight dessert treat along with the goodnight note :)

The following day was yet another FOOD FEST day for us.

The buffet breakfast was wonderful!!! 

We LOVED it!!!

My breakfast meal was the best!!!

"Magandang Umaga" indeed!

 A bubble machine was beside our room -- kids and those kids at heart enjoyed this very much :p

We had lunch at the resort again before going to the airport.

Unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment :(

The three-cheese pizza tasted like a trying hard 3M pizza copycat; and, the oysters did not seem fresh at all.

The chicken baguette and the pork binagoongan were just okay.

 Despite the not-so-good finale of our trip, we still find Discovery Shores the best hotel-resort in Boracay :)

We wish to come back and enjoy a luxurious Boracay overnight get-away again :)

DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY

Station 1, Balabag Boracay Island

5608 Malay, Aklan Philippines

Telephone (63 36) 288.4500 / (63 2) 720.8888

Facsimile (63 36) 288.4505 / (63 2) 720.5555

Email:  dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph

Manila Sales and Reservations Office

Discovery Center

25 ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Telephone (63 2) 719.8888 / 914.9888 / 310.7788

Facsimile (63 2) 719.6696

Email: inquiry@discovery.com.ph

6D/5N Bicol Itinerary - Day Five/Six - Other Things to do in Legazpi City, Albay

6D/5N Bicol Itinerary - Day Five/Six - Other Things to do in Legazpi City, Albay

Day 5 was our LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY TOUR DAY (Php 3,500 - Louwil Arellano)

7:00 AM - Breakfast at HOTEL ST. ELLIS

Our first activity should have been the ATV TOUR to MAYON LAVA WATCH. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty bad. It was pouring cats and dogs :(

TIP: You may go to LIGNON HILL to reserve ATVs and schedule your tour.

They have changed the rates recently but you may try negotiating to their previous rates, which was Php 1,800 per ATV (2 pax per ATV). Now, it's already Php 1,800 per person per ATV.

We went ahead to TABACO CITY, which is the most accessible way to reach MAYON VOLCANO. This is also where the MAYON PLANETARIUM is.

(Along the way, you will see wooden crosses on the road, representing the 13 Stations of the Cross)

It is the perfect venue for those who wanted to enjoy a closer look at the volcano since it is more than halfway up the peak itself. But then again, due to the fog, we were not able to catch a glimpse of it.

FYI: TABACO CITY: Where it got its name: "One of the many versions on how this city got her name is the Legend of Pagkamoot, which tells about a woman who was well-loved by her people because she was their healer, prophetess and servant. She was called Pagkamoot, meaning Love. One day, a Spanish vessel arrived asking about the place's name. A middle-aged man, some say, the healer's father, feared that his daughter would be taken captive by the foreigners, shouted at the top of his voice, "Tabak ko! Tabak ko!," which means, "My bolo! My bolo!." The Spaniards thought their question was answered and went their way believing that the place they had just left was called Tabaco." - from an Albay Tourist Flyer

Next stop: ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH (also in Tabaco City)

FYI: This temple of faith was built in 1864, with hand-hewn stones glued with hay, molasses and egg yolks.

FYI: Tabaco City is well-known for their handcrafted bolos, scissors and other knives.

Next stop: PUTSAN POTTERY FACTORY

When we got here, it was CLOSED (it was a Sunday.) That sucked because we wanted to try making our own mini clay pots.

To make up for our disappointment, LOUWIL ARELLANO (our Bicol Tour Guide) brought us to the most famous halo-halo in Bicol, DJC HALO-HALO :)

WOW!!!! Now we know why this is called the BEST HALO-HALO in BICOL!!!

After our snack break, we went to BUSAN FALLS (Php 10 per person)

It was still raining a bit when we got there. Also, there were plenty of drunks in the area so Louwil advised us not to go any further. We just took a picture and left.

We also went to HOYOP-HOYOPAN CAVE but since it was still raining, the group decided that  it would be best to go back and buy pasalubongs instead.

Louwil brought us to the first pilinut candy maker in Bicol: ALBAY PILINUT CANDY

The items here are way more expensive than the usual candy stores in Bicol because they sell export quality candies.

The cheaper alternative: LEGAZPI GRAND TERMINAL market

They sell all kinds of goods: from food to slippers :)

Items here are cheaper for sure :)

Abaca slippers are Php 20 a pair (on the average)

LAST STOP: EMBARCADERO

This is the latest and coolest hang-out place in Legazpi City :)

DINNER: Hotel St. Ellis

 Food in Hotel St. Ellis was SUPERB!!!

The next day, we were served ANGUS BEEF TAPA for breakfast (YUMMY) and then headed to the Legazpi Airport to go back to Manila.

Bicol was awesome!

We'll definitely come back again someday!

video was made by Ligia May Tankiang :)

Day One - Wakeboarding at CWC and Fun Time in Lago Del Ray

Day Two - Gota Village and Caramoan Island Hopping

Day Three - Firefly Watching in Sorsogon

Day Four (Part One) - Swim with the Butandings/Whalesharks in Sorsogon

Day Four (Part Two) - What to do in Legazpi City

Legazpi For A Day

DJC Halo-Halo in Bicol

DJC Halo-Halo in Bicol

We've heard that Bicol has the best halo-halo so we asked Louwil (our Bicol Tour Guide) to bring us to the restaurant serving the most famous - DJC Halo-Halo.

Since we're all a bit hungry, we ordered something else to eat too.

PALABOK (Php 40)

 This was super disappointing! The noodles were not drained fully so the sauce and the noodles were sitting on a little pool of water on the plate :(

PANCIT BIHON (Php 90)

 This was okay, good to share with 2-3 persons.

TOASTED SIOPAO (Php 25)

SUPER YUMMY with the dry giniling (ground meat) inside :)

and we saved the best for last...

 DJC HALO-HALO (Php 50)

DJC HALO-HALO IS THE BEST HALO-HALO IN BICOL!!!

The creamy leche flan was super good!!! 

(That's my favorite ingredient in their halo-halo)

Do you know what made Bicol's Halo-Halo extra special?

THEY PUT GRATED CHEESE ON IT :)

DJC HALO-HALO

Contact Numbers:

LEGAZPI - (63) (52) 480-6868

TIWI - (63) (52) 488-5220; (Address: 330 San Lorenzo St., Tiwi)

NAGA - (63) (54) 472-0446

Hotel St. Ellis in Legazpi, ALbay

Hotel St. Ellis in Legazpi, ALbay

 "At the heart of Legazpi City’s vibrant downtown, rises a modern day interpretation of timeless elegance- Hotel St. Ellis. Located along Rizal Street, it is a short 3 kilometer drive from the airport. Business establishments, department stores, places of worship and the Embarcadero are all within walking distance. It is all you need for a pleasurable trip." - Genesis Hotels and Resorts 

FYI: 'Genesis Hotels and Resorts' manages properties such as Bellarocca in Marinduque and Astoria Boracay.

The rooms were super nice and we got them at discounted rates :)   

Php 4,000 per night with breakfast for two; Php 1,400 per night per extra person

The rooms were really spacious but there was no view because outside the window was the firewall :)

It was fine for us since we enjoyed each other's company so much that we need not a view to feel good.

GIMIK NIGHT: EMBARCADERO

It's the newest place in Legaspi City built by the owners of Misibis Bay and Hotel St. Ellis

an E-Jeep or electronic jeep is available for free to bring you to Embarcadero (if you are staying in Hotel St. Ellis.)

Embarcadero was nice :) It was like Eastwood City at night but when we got there, it rained so hard that we decided to have dessert at the hotel instead.

WE LOVED THE FOOD IN HOTEL ST. ELLIS :)


BREAKFAST:

During weekends, they offer BUFFET BREAKFAST for the guests.

 They offer rice, two viands, porridge, bread, fruits...

....cereals, omelets...

and pancakes!!!

TIP: Ask for a side of peanut butter, blueberries and crushed pili nuts. Next: ENJOY!

During weekdays, your choices of breakfast are American or Filipino :)

We chose the ANGUS BEEF TAPA

 This was one of the BEST BEEF TAPA ever!

The beef slices were so tender and flavorful! YUM!

DINNER:


Appetizer: CRAB and GREEN ONION STUFFED WONTONS with SOY BRAISED CABBAGE with Sweet Chili Sauce (Php 300)

This was good but the shell was too hard to be called crispy

 

GRILLED TUNA SALAD (Php 260)

Grilled marinated tuna, flaked and served with lettuce, olives, boiled egg, potatoes on mustard thyme dressing.

Serving was big - enough to be shared by 3-4 persons. 

So good!!! Plus, it's healthy :)

SPICY CRAB and ALIGUE FETTUCINE (Php 355)

Spicy flaked crab and aligue sauteed with garlic, butter, tomato sauce and cream served with fresh chopped basil and lemon.

I would order this again and again and again and again!!!

This was the best!!! Also, this is good to share with 3-4 persons.

CINQUE FORMAGGI (Php 440)

Mozzarella, cheddar, parmigiano, feta, cream cheese and herbed Bechamel sauce

Another piece of heaven that we decided to order one more!!!

DESSERTS IN HOTEL ST. ELLIS:

MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE (Php 130) - Milk Chocolate and Fudge Pie topped with whipped cream and Dark Chocolate shavings

Looked really yummy but I didn't like it.

PILI NUT CHEESECAKE (Php 175) - Neuchatel Cream Cheese cake with sugar graham crust topped with Caramelized Pili Nuts

This was sooooo good!!! How we wish we were able to reserve at least two slices for tomorrow!!!

This was sold out real quick!

HOTEL ST. ELLIS

Bicol Office:
Rizal Street, Legazpi City, Albay Philippines 4500
Tel: (+63 52) 480 8088
Manila Sales Office:
Unit 1109 Tektite West Tower
PSE Center, Ortigas, Pasig City
Tel: (+63 2) 470 4403
Email: reservations@hotelstellis.com.ph