Hotel Hopping

Mahaba-habang lakaran at matagal-tagal na research ang ginawa namin para makahanap ng tamang hotel for the wedding preparations. Since we are on the final stages of our preps and the bulk of our budget is mostly allocated, medyo limited na kami sa mapagpipilian. Para mas madali, nag-brainstorm muna kami kung ano ba ang kailangan namin sa isang hotel.

Ito ang mga naging criteria sa pagpili ng lugar na angkop (wow, lalim) sa aming mga pangangailangan... in order of priority.

1. Malapit sa Camp Aguinaldo.
2. Kaya ng budget.
3. Pwedeng tumuloy ang pamilya namin (siyam na tao kay Obi at walong tao kay Kath).
4. Presentable ang itsura ng lugar para sa photo ops.
5. Kasya ang suppliers (HMUA, video and photo crew, at event organizer).
6. May connecting rooms OR kahit magkatabi/magkalapit lang sana OR at least, on the same floor yung kwarto na mapapa-book namin.

GAME!

Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center

17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

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Nakapag ocular kami sa dalawang rooms dito (a one bedroom suite and a deluxe room). Willing kaming nag hintay ng ilang oras para magkaroon ng bakante for ocular. The rooms are modern in design and very neat. Kumpleto ang furnishings ng living room at kitchen area ng suite. May LCD screen pa sa bathroom! 

living room of the suite

A suite can accommodate four occupants while the deluxe room is two. Around 10 people can move comfortably inside the suite while five for the deluxe room so it's just enough for our suppliers. Wala silang connecting rooms.

panoramic shot of the lobby

Libre mag photo shoot sa lobby at corridors. Kapag sa pool area naman, kailangan na ng authorization from the management. Maganda ang register ng hotel sa camera dahil sapat ang ilaw nila at madaming magandang spots yung lugar.

Their rate is not too expensive (justifiable) so naging option namin ito.

Satisfaction Level: 5 out of 7

Holiday Inn Manila Galleria
1 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

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Malapit lang ito sa Oakwood kaya dito kami pumunta right after it. Filipiniana ang ambiance ng lobby so perfect for the more traditional wedding (not for us though). Medyo maliit nga lang ang receiving area so medyo tricky mag photo shoot within the premise (pero wala din silang restriction for photos).

living room of the suite (the lady looking at the connecting room entrance)

We were able to do an ocular for a deluxe room. Wooden yung theme (from furniture to paneling) ng rooms. May connecting rooms sila. Medyo madilim nga lang ang lightings at amoy baul yung kwarto (not sure if kasama sa ambiance). Room size is pretty spacious. Mas malaki pa sa deluxe ng Oakwood.

the room

Walking distance lang to Robinsons Galleria so kung may last minute needs na kailangang bilihin, pwedeng ihabol conveniently. Mura ang mga rooms nila. Pero hindi namin nagustuhan dito.

Satisfaction Level: 3 out of 7

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
Ortigas Avenue corner ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

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Walang available na rooms for ocular noong pumunta kami dito. 

The lobby was really nice and quite expansive. Madaming photo shoot opportunities. Yun nga lang, may bayad kada place kung saan magpapakuha (usually the lobby area, the staircase, and the pool area). So doon pa lang, tagilid na kami.

Room rates are on the expensive side so out of the question na ito.

Satisfaction Level: 4 out of 7

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas
21 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center

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Wala ding available na rooms for ocular noong pumunta kami dito.

Malaki din ang lobby dito at sobrang perfect for wedding photos dahil maganda ang facade. May mezzanine level overlooking the ground floor and it ends with a spiral staircase. Madami na agad creative images na pwedeng ma-formulate, doon pa lang.

pretty pillars

Libre magpakuha kahit saang public areas ng hotel. Pwede din magpasok ng food sa rooms without any corkage fee. Our coordinator actually recommended this place dahil hindi masyadong stickler sa rules when it comes to wedding preps.

Rate ranges from 6K to 10K. This has been another close competitor sa mga pinagpipilian namin.

Satisfaction Level: 5 out of 7

Pero ang nagwagi... *drum roll please*

Astoria Plaza

15 J. Escriba Drive, Ortigas Business District

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This is the last hotel we visited at hindi namin inaasahan na we'll end up booking it. We didn't get to do an ocular on their rooms but we have friends who have been there and can vouch for its looks and if the virtual tour on their website is accurate, that too should suffice.

the lobby

First thing that caught our attention, the price! Ang twin-room suites nila ay katumbas lang ng isang single-room suite sa Oakwood. May friend pa kami na member ng Club Astoria who can book for us on a discounted rate... woot! Super thanks Pammy!

The lobby area doesn't look too opulent but it's attractive enough for photo shoots. It's free of charge and no glaring restrictions. Same thing goes for the pool area, though I'm not even sure if we really need to use it for our photos.

With that, our plan now is to get two twin-room suites and extend one of the rooms for one more day. Para may mapagtambakan kami ng mga gamit during the wedding day without worrying to immediately vacate the rooms to check out (morning wedding kasi kami). Mas masaya that way dahil kasama namin ang family namin in a room.

Satisfaction Level: 6 out of 7 

This is it!


* New items on the Wedding Updates page.
* New items on the Bookmarks section.