MANILA, Philippines - The Holy Week and, yes, even summer holidays require planning if only to fully enjoy this seasonal break. For a destination, why not go for Puerto Princesa City? It is the top choice for most family and group travelers, as it offers a wide range of diverse tourist-friendly attractions and activities to choose from.
The city also boasts of convenient and hassle-free arrangements, something that big or small groups will appreciate. Good news indeed for families, especially those traveling with kids. For this advantage, only the city’s top-notch and grandest hotel, Hotel Centro, can fit the bill.
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Hotel Centro is the only hotel in the city that has a travel concierge for individual or group travel arrangements. In Hotel Centro’s book, arrangements are not limited to accommodations and tours.
Guests are in for their easiest vacation yet: the hotel will make all the arrangements for them, including lunch and dinner reservations and souvenir shopping. The hotel prides itself for its customized and personalized service, so that even in faraway Puerto Princesa one gets to feel at home.
So if a family is planning to go on tour, the hotel will put together a worry-free itinerary that is kid-friendly and parent-approved. Indeed, Hotel Centro understands what a true vacation is: a getaway that is well planned, saved up for, and highly anticipated.
Palawan has no-fail tours that always excite tourists. Hotel Centro will happily arrange for guests the following tours. For starters, Palawan’s islands are among the favorites of beach lovers. In fact, Palawan has been hailed by Travel+Leisure Magazine as the World’s Best Island in 2013.
Honda Bay is tops in any Palawan tourist’s list. It is the jump-off point to many natural wonders and thrilling adventures. Island-hopping is a must, with eye-catching islands and white-sand beaches as top draws. Fish feeding, snorkeling and diving are Honda Bay staples. These activities give travelers more than just water fun — there are natural wonders and aquatic creatures to see and experience.
If staying on dry land is one’s cup of tea, then the city tour does the trick. Puerto Princesa’s histo-cultural appeal is found in the City Museum, the Plaza Quartel, and the Binuatan Weaving Creations. The environmental and ecological tour is made up of the Palawan Rescue and Wildlife Center and the famous Crocodile Farm.
These should be a great way for parents to bond with their kids, being able to allow them to get up-close with nature’s wildlife and learn about the city’s culture. The tour virtually serves as a classroom on wheels, done with more fun, of course.
Of course, how could one miss out on one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the Underground River? Widely considered as the longest navigable and most beautiful subterranean river in the world, the Underground River’s main attraction is its 8.2-kilometer stretch which ends in the South China Sea. It is best to book in advance for the Underground River tour as permits are required for the 900 visitors allowed to come here per day.
Hotel Centro is found within Puerto Princesa City’s new leisure and business district. It is a six-hectare property that stands out for its wide-open spaces that maintains the resort feel for its guests while being in close proximity to shopping malls and entertainment centers. Its central location gives guests the advantage of the complete city experience. The venues for native cuisine and nightlife are made easier, safer, and more suitable even past midnight. Public transport is available 24/7.
The hotel’s features are bound to relax: try the fitness center or take a brisk walk around the hotel’s mini-forest. Enjoy a blissful treatment at the spa, which may be had at the spa room, in the privacy of one’s room, or even by the poolside over cocktails. It sounds decadent but why hold back at a time like this? In addition, parents can have their spa treatments in the cabanas while their kids can play in the pool — under the watchful eyes of the pool’s well-trained life guards.
If one is on vacation, might as well go all-out for it. So in the evening, take it slow with sunset drinks by the pool or al fresco dining at the poolside garden, where the nightly BBQ & Sizzling Buffet is serving some mean meats and fantastic dishes.
Bond with the entire family over a bumper-crop of food and beverage selections at the hotel’s three outlets: Expressions Restaurant, Soul Pool Bar, and Sicily Club Lounge. Nothing could be better than enjoying quality time with the family over a meal at Expressions. The Soul Pool Bar, which is right by the swimming pool, and its beach-themed food fare should prove to be a fun proposition for families.
Hotel Centro has 111 guestrooms, each uniquely designed from the other. Guestroom amenities include a DVD player, a mini bar, an environment-friendly refrigerator, and LED lights. There is Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, so families and even the barkada can immediately share their Palawan experiences and photos on social media.
Meetings and conferences also have places in the hotel. The grand ballroom of the Centro Conference and Meeting Center has a capacity of 250 people while the five conference rooms can accommodate 120 to 300 guests. For themed dinners and cocktail parties, Hotel Centro’s large outdoor garden venue is on the ready.
For the Holy Week and Summer HoliDATE, Hotel Centro has three great offerings to choose from. The R&B (Room and Breakfast) Deal is inclusive of an overnight stay, roundtrip airport transfers, and buffet breakfast fit for business travelers and transient holidaymakers who no longer need tour arrangements. The package starts at P2,288 per person per night, minimum booking of two persons.
For families looking to maximize the Holy Week or a long weekend this summer, the Summer Family HoliDATE is inclusive of a three-day, two-night stay, buffet breakfast, dinner for two, snacks for two kids, and a limited-edition souvenir. It also comes with a guaranteed early check-in and late checkout. Rate starts at P2,688 per person per night, minimum booking of two persons and two nights. Best of all, the two kids are free in room and breakfast.
If one comes during the Holy Week, there is a peak season surcharge but one gets to avail himself of free Holy Week day tours such as pilgrimage tours, Visita Iglesia, and free land transfers to the Kamia Mountain Bay Resort. If one’s holiday falls on Easter, the package comes with an Easter lunch and Easter egg hunt.
For guests who want the total experience, they can avail themselves of Hotel Centro’s signature tour vacation package. UR Holidays Sit-in-Coach is inclusive of a three-day, two-night stay, buffet breakfast, and Puerto Princesa’s top tour packages: Underground River tour, Honda Bay tour, and city tour.
As a summer treat, get this package price off from P12,888 to P7,588 per person, minimum booking of two persons. This package includes two kids free in room and breakfast and an early check-in and late checkout.
All three great summer offerings come with vacation value vouchers as added perks to make that vacation more enjoyable, such as free drinks at the pool bar, 10 percent discount in F&B outlets and spa, van rentals, and tours.
So for this coming Holy Week and summer, make it Hotel Centro and experience a vacation that is fun, safe, and convenient. Hotel Centro’s dedicated team will gladly arrange hassle-free tour arrangements for families and other groups. The only thing they have to do is show up for the tour. So if one wants to be well taken care of, this is where it’s at.
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Hotel Centro is located at San Pedro National Highway, Puerto Princesa City. For inquiries or reservations, call Manila (02) 556-5656, Palawan (048) 434-1110 or (0917) 599-1912. E-mail at customercare@hotelcentro.ph. or log on to www.hotelcentro.ph.