Amihan, Habagat, no matter what time of year, Boracay is beautiful. It steals the hearts of anyone who steps on the island and walks on fine white sand, dip in the cool, crystal blue waters and catch the sun setting on the horizon. 

I have been in and out of the island numerous times, each visit is as amazing as the last, if not more. What’s more amazing is the company I keep. Friends that have become “siblings from another mother,” and friends who have welcomed me into their families and homes. 

There’s one residence that welcomes me every time I visit Boracay. It’s like a library of happy memories where volumes are added on the shelves as days go by. It has heard tons of laughter, and it still does to this day. It has seen countless parties, big and small, with family and friends present, outdoor barbecues at the patio, sit-down dinners at the dining table for eight, sometimes more. It watched children play and grow up. It gathered chefs and cooks for  cooking sessions in the spacious kitchen.  It has heard intimate chit-chats and Yogis chanting in the living room, and stories exchanged under the full moon or just simply hanging out in the garden for fresh air with a good cup of coffee at sunrise or tea in the evening. The main door is where warm hugs are exchanged as one enters or leaves. 

The home exudes love and happy energy. If you want to find out how it feels-- or want to add to it-- then you’re in luck. Now, the family is opening their humble abode to those who seek a home in Boracay Island. Pluto, the adorable and gentle fur baby will welcome and keep you company. 

Enjoy the home designed for the tropics. The social areas—dining, living and kitchen—is planned in an open concept, thus the airy vibe. Natural lights flood these spaces through panels of framed glass windows and glass accordion doors, which open up to the wraparound terrace that leads to a garden, or to the spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms. 

Your home in the island is a few steps from two popular beaches: the Bolabog Beach where you can catch the sunrise or watch the kite boarders and windsurfers ride the wind or take a leisurely stroll along the brick path and scout for the next bar and restaurant to hangout in; and eight-minute away through Lake Town and D’ Mall is the legendary White Beach, the spot to get a good tan, catch the famed sunset at day's end and wine, dine and party at night. 

This lovely home is now listed on Airbnb as “Sweet Home Boracay” and you will find out why on your visit. Check it out. 

On this trip to Taipei, I listed two on my to-do list: visit contemporary art museums and do a “bib hop” aka chase the Michelin Bib Gourmand-stamped restaurants across the city. Little did I know that I will end up with two cakes in a pan in my billet. In fact, it was a surprise beyond expectation. 

In the heart of the city, along Dunhua North Road in the Shongshan District, a European architecture-inspired edifice rises above the verdant tree-lined avenue of the bustling business district: Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, a luxurious retreat for travelers and, surprisingly, for art lovers, too. 

Think: Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris’ or The Center Pompidou’s collection inside the marbled halls of the Palais de Versailles, breathtaking fusion of the modern and the sophisticated and opulent. Mandarin Oriental exudes this aura—a classical-style residence with exquisitely crafted spaces cradling a curated collection of more than 1,700 art pieces—paintings and sculptures, antiques, prints and drawings, decorative objects and contemporary art—by notable artists from across the globe, including Wei Zhu, the world’s most renowned contemporary Chinese ink painter. This is the refined luxury Mandarin Oriental is known for. 

A dazzling designer crystal chandelier welcomes guests in grandeur. It took over nine months to create the 3.9 meter high masterpiece’s 50,000-piece Czech crystal beads that fall like raindrops from the lobby’s lofty ceiling. With every step from then on, art awaits, surprising you even in the most unexpected spots. Art greets you at the receiving area (as impressive as the warm and efficient reception of the frontliners), meets you at elevator landing on all levels, accompanies you along galleries and social halls. 

Art is like a loyal lover in the sleeping chambers— in all 256 guestrooms and 47 suites. The rooms are the most spacious in Taipei, elegantly designed melding classical style and oriental influences, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology (tread on heated marble floors!). Marie Antoinette would give a nod to the elegant marble bathroom, an aquaphile’s heaven with it’s appointments. Adding to the bedrooms’ elegant features are the original art pieces, but the headboard wall exhibits the piece de resistance— English artist Amy Murray’s hand-sculpted Peonies on wall panels of fine leather. The stunning piece in the color of either cool Robin egg blue or warm champagne gold is soothing. It’s your lullaby at bedtime and the gentle morning kiss that rouses you from a restful night. 

In this art-filled residence, the innovative cuisine is elevated into an art form in the six stylish dining venues, where select pieces of the hotel’s art collection are also on display. Café Un Deux Trois embodies the spirit of a modern restaurant delivers an impressive array of international cuisine; Bencotto, embodying contemporary elegance, prepares authentic Italian cuisine with the freshest organic, seasonal produce in an open kitchen concept; M.O. Bar takes inspiration from the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and offers a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, fine champagnes and wines; The Jade Lounge is Taipei’s sophisticated spot for an afternoon of the finest teas and exquisite pastries; and, the Mandarin Cake Shop is styled as an opulent Patisserie where shop from a range of fine pastries, artisan breads and pralines and chocolates. Then there’s Ya Ge, the elegantly designed Chinese Restaurant that ticked off the other entry in my Taipei to-do list of “Michelin bib hop,” only this restaurant is above the bib. Ya Ge, which serves authentic, unique and refined Cantonese cuisine, is a six-time Michelin one-star restaurant since 2018. 

Ya Ge Chef de Cuisine Cheng Kwok-Hung from Hong Kong is no stranger to the Michelin stars, he has worked in several prestigious establishments with the same recognition in his hometown. Over lunch with MarCom executives Luanne Li and Tiffany Lin, I was introduced to the chef, who prepared a delightful six-course meal crafted from locally-grown produce (the lobster and Wagyu beef courses were just divine!) What to expect? Chef Cheng whips up Cantonese classic dishes with a modern touch. His creations are fresh, light, and delicate, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. What may seem to be a simple dish has complex techniques and culinary mastery behind it. 

Dining at Ya Ge is like having a meal in a chic Oriental art gallery where stunning contemporary pieces of Chinese and Korean artists present a stylish contrast to the modern, opulent Oriental setting. And there’s another art-filled room in the house that’s only accessible to Oriental Club guests. Large scale paintings by an Australian artist fill the walls of the elegant room where members can enjoy meals and refreshments, afternoon tea and evening cocktails among its plus offerings. 

Beyond tangible art, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei brand of service is art in itself, deserving of admiration and applause. It complements and completes the hotel’s showcase of ultimate luxury, comfort, indulgence. Yes, I’m a fan of The Fan. Visit, dine, stay, and you will be, too. 

The sun rising over skyscraper city is the view from the window of rooms facing East while the West wing rooms capture the view of the Manila Bay and the famed sunset as its backdrop. Which of nature’s wonders would you want to witness?

Two towers stand abreast south of Manila—Kingsford Hotel and Grand Westside Hotel, sister hotels from the Megaworld family. Which hotel would you like to stay in to watch nature’s wonders?

Choices.

Designed with similar aesthetics of modern contemporary architecture and interiors, Kingsford Hotel rises alongside Grand Westside Hotel in the same address, at the Westside City within the vibrant Entertainment City, where the bustling entertainment complexes, conventions venues and exciting shopping malls make up the neighborhood. It’s a destination today, and the district is growing. The location, within close proximity to the international airports, makes both hotels attractive to both business and leisure travelers either for a quick trip or a long vacation.

Is it ideal for a staycation? Certainly. The rooms are designed for it—comfortable and appointed with amenities any type of travel may need. Staycation is me-time, to unwind and recharge, stay in, be lazy and do nothing, turn off work mode and read a book or watch tv all day, stay indoors, swim, dine. At least, that's what I would do—and it does wonders for me. However, if malling and retail therapy, theater, bar hopping, dance and party, or aligning 7s on a machine relaxes you, then go for it. We define our own meaning of self love. Whatever it is that will suit your fancy, Kingsford and Grand Westside will be the right address for either. However, the two hotels have something up its sleeve to entice staycationers to stay indoors. 

It’s tempting to step out to shop and party, but the 529-rooms Kingsford Hotel can keep you engaged indoors with its facilities—a pool that catches the sunrise, a fitness center, steam room and sauna, and in-room massage service. If those are not enough to keep you busy, perhaps the food will. Executive Chef Chubby Timban and his team will take you in a unique culinary adventure fit for royalty. The cuisine? It’s East meets West, reimagined dishes, culturally-rich, which will please both the eyes and the palate. The Halal selections are not to be missed. It’s a trip to a favorite spice-rich destination. The menu also lists a selection of Filipino dishes that has earned the thumbs up from diners. Perhaps you will do the same. Aaah, there’s this divine dessert that will tempt both the sweet-toothed and not—the Deconstructed Mango Cheesecake is laid out like a work of art. Too beautiful to eat, but who are we kidding? It will be gone in seconds. But if the neighbors beckon, then Kingsford can shuttle you to your destination.

Right next door is the newly inaugurated Grand Westside hotel, the youngest of the Megaworld brood but the largest with 1,530 rooms. It features several suite categories including the presidential suites, with a more sophisticated look in subdued tones than Kingsford. The higher room category gains access to the Executive Lounge (aka Club Floor, to others), where extra amenities are extended. 

A bigger hotel means more offerings. Grand Westside has a variety of dining outlets, including Café by Westside, an all-day dining restaurant serving a wide range of cuisines, and the soon-to-open specialty restaurant, LaMeza, which will highlight a new take on Filipino fare. For drinks, have one (or several) at Zabana at the lobby or by the poolside bar, where you can catch the Manila Bay sunset. It’s on this same level where the fitness center is, if you care to shed off a few calories, the sauna, where you can relax and detoxify, and the massage rooms, the most indulging element of a staycation.

Exciting additions to Grand Westside offerings will be rolled out soon. Connected to the hotel via a bridgeway is the Westside Resort, a sprawling entertainment complex that will feature performing arts theaters, the largest of which will be The Grand Opera House. Yes, there will be more dining options in this edifice.

So on your next business trip or staycation in Manila, decide which hotel you would like to stay at, which room you wish to catch the sun in action, and what cuisine entices you. Is it Kingsford or Grand Westside? You choose.