THE dust of the recent Christmas season had just settled, but lurking just around the corner is a series of occasions—Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, which are opportunities for staycations for family and friends.
For holidays sandwiched by weekdays, or for the typical weekend, some would opt for a quick getaway in a so-called urban oasis in the urban jungle.
An ideal hideaway is the three-star B Hotel brand, situated in the quiet neighborhoods of Alabang and Quezon City which have managed to preserve their quaint character in the densely-populated metropolis.
Proudly standing in the posh Madrigal Business Park, B Hotel Alabang is a 150-room boutique accommodation which boasts of its “elegance in simplicity” ideal for business travelers or young families. While streamlined of the frills of a five-star hotel, it has managed to preserve the de luxe vibe as guests, under certain promo rates, can access the recreational facilities of its bigger sister, The Bellevue Hotel, just a few minutes away.
The intimate ambiance is immediately felt at the cozy lobby where one can lounge, grab a bite at the Prime Café or sink their teeth on the Filipino classic ensaymada while sipping brewed coffee at the Pastry Corner.
The hotel also offers a gustatory journey with its wide array of delectable fusion food and Filipino dishes which have been rendered a fresh twist.
Adding a country feel to the hotel is the neighborhood which boasts of a master-planned community with open spaces, tree-lined promenades and greeneries ideal for jogging or a relaxed walk.
Visitors can marvel at the soothing panorama of the few remaining swathes of greeneries of the big city, the placid Laguna de Bay, and the mighty Sierra Madre mountain ranges in the horizon. Just a couple of days ago, the hotel opened its jacuzzi pool to treat guests to a consummate out-of-town feel in an urban setting, minus the hustle of the long weekend drive.
B’s Bohemian version in Quezon City has a “sleek and snazzy” feel, where you can be all you can be, without the trappings of the more formal hotel.
Designed for those with active lifestyles, including millennials, the hotel has a pronounced New York-style industrial and less stiff features, as if coming straight out of a steampunk novel. With an infinity of unique images such as exposed pipes, bicycle motifs, still-life, murals, cement-washed walls and picture-perfect nooks, it is an Instagrammer’s virtual haven.
The hotel’s hip character continues in the rooms, which have neither the high-brow nor all-too-familiar look, and exudes a contemporary feel in a relaxed space.
The suite room boasts of a convenient space for a family, as its sala doubles up as a second bedroom. The unit is so spacious that it has figured in a couple of teleserye episodes depicting a mansion’s living room.
For daylong cravings, there is The Lobby Café for the main meals, the Pastry Corner for snacks and the Mezzanine Bar for after-dinner chill out. Livening up the weekend evenings are an acoustic guitarist and sultry where guests can jam with throwback or current hits.
Steak lovers are in for a feast at Johnny’s Steak and Grill, a resto attached to the hotel, which has the most tender beef you can sink into in this side of town.
Guests can soak in the infinity pool with an overlooking view of the skyline, or stroll around the block to admire the area which is noted for its Old World charm in its American-era and postwar ancestral homes.
Moreover, pet lovers will be delighted to know that B Hotel Quezon City has become pet-friendly to be a truly family-oriented facility.
Likewise, advocates of Mother Nature will be happy to note that the hotel chain has adopted “green” campaigns for a more sustainable environment—the use of paper straws in its restaurants, organic shampoos and soaps, and the use of water pitchers in place of plastic bottles.
It has also partnered with World Wildlife Foundation-Philippines to undertake environment conservation projects in communities where it operates as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Prior to this, its sister Bellevue properties in Alabang and Bohol have been undertaking earth-friendly programs, particularly in using organically-grown ingredients for their food outlets and implementing zero-waste systems.
To bring the hotel experience closer to the family, the group is set to launch this summer the B Hoteliers Kid Internship Program for children aged 4-12 where they can get a feel of how it is to work in a hotel. The monthlong fun-filled activity promises to create pleasant and lasting memories that would make children appreciate the hospitality industry.
With the warmth of the proverbial home away from home and a social conscience for Mother Earth, B Hotels is indeed the place where all that you can be.
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran