Tag Archives: emerald legaspi

The 3 Reasons Why You Should Stay In Boutique Hotels

At a time of Airbnb and backpacker hotels, the pull of big, grand hotels is getting weaker – and the reasons are obvious. People care less about luxury and care more about value for money and how a hotel can help them have a great time in their destination city. So next time you book a hotel, choose a smaller one that can deliver the comforts of a typical hotel minus the high costs and the seemingly detached service many bigger hotels are known for.

Boutique hotels have better locations

Because of its small size, boutique hotels are often squeezed in right smack in the middle of a city you fancy. Location is very important in hotel selection. You just can’t afford to not enjoy the sights and sounds of a city because your hotel is tucked in a remote area with very limited transportation options, or too far you cannot just stroll around and get to know the place right when you go out the door. Emerald Boutique Hotel is right in the middle of Legazpi City. When you decide to eat local food you are just a short walk to the nearest Café. Location matters so when you book a hotel, Google it and find out how close it is to the heart of the city.

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Small hotels have practical, intimate service

Boutique hotels do not need to be very rigid with its service processes. Most of its people would be willing to multitask just to please a guest. You can easily talk to the Chef and ask for some special additions to your ordered food. You can ask for small favors from the staff and there would be no need to formalize that request and then get delayed with service protocols (like in big hotels where services are very structured). This makes small hotels very intimate when it comes to delighting guests.

If you stay for three days it would feel more like a home than a hotel and you know everybody already from the housekeeping staff to the waiter in the charming restaurant downstairs. Contrary to popular belief that small hotels lack the refined service of grand, luxury hotels, what it lacks in grandeur it makes it up for quick, reliable, and personalized service.

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Boutique hotels give the best value

While it is good to make your vacation as affordable as possible, you have to remember that the quality of your sleep will dictate the overall experience of your vacation. It is easy to be a cheapskate and stay in very affordable hotels and inns but if you do this there is a big chance you will regret it later – plumbing does not work, the room is too humid (no air-conditioning), bed is uncomfortable, awful smell inside, and many more “issues”. Staying in a boutique hotel, though priced higher, can give you the best experience with its air-conditioned room, very comfortable beds, and simple yet very nice rooms with amenities that you need and want for a comfy stay.

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At Emerald Boutique Hotel we go beyond what people expect in a small hotel. We have 5-star hotel quality mattresses, well maintained and brand new rooms, cable TV, fast Internet connection, an impressive menu at our restaurant, and many more things that can surely impress you.

If you plan to visit Albay or the Bicol Region, Emerald is a very good hotel to book in. Our location is an ideal jump-off point to the many tourist attractions in the Albay and Sorsogon provinces in Region V. Visit our website at www.emeraldboutiquehotel.com or like our FB page at www.facebook.com/emeraldhotellegazpi to know more. See you soon!

Legazpi: Just A Stone Throw’s Away From You

Legazpi is one of Philippine’s most visited cities by local and foreign tourists today. The amazing beaches, the majestic Mt. Mayon, the many stone churches in and around Albay, and other scenic places to visit (not to mention the many festivals year round) makes Legazpi a tourist favorite.

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An aerial view of the city. It is beautiful and captivating with the miles and miles of shoreline framed by the majestic Mayon in its rear. What a sight to behold!

But do you know that this city is much easier to visit than ever before? Both the increased number of flights from Manila and Cebu and the many bus lines that have Legazpi as one of its key destinations in South Luzon makes it very possible and affordable to enjoy the natural beauty of this city.

So some basic things:

Where to stay?

There are many hotels in town, many of which have just the perfect location for either a quick spin around popular local destinations or a long-term exploration of the Sorsogon-Albay-Catanduanes provinces.

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One of the newest hotels in Legazpi – the Emerald Boutique Hotel. It might be small compared to some of its competitors but this hotel aims to go above and beyond their guest’s expectations. Book with them and experience the difference.

Legazpi sits right in the middle of the tourism frenzy so it does not matter what you are after, you will surely get it here. Aside from hotels there are also small bed and breakfast businesses and mid-sized Inns in the city. Hotel rooms can cost you P6000 and up if you are into luxury accommodations. But you can also have a decent place to sleep for as low as P500 a night, a must-have option for the more frugal traveler.

How about available tours?

There are many tour operators in town. If you are into guided tours there are several local companies that can cater to that need, some can even get you halfway to Mayon’s crater (if the ban is lifted anyway). Do you want more daring adventures? Perhaps an ATV ride all the way to the foot of Mayon, or zip-lining over the water at Embarcadero? That can be arranged too.

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Riding the ATV to the foot of Mayon is loads of fun. You should try it!

How about navigating a hanging bridge on the side of Lignon Hill with Mayon as the background? You can even have a swim with butandings (whale shark) at Donsol. If you love the ocean then the vanishing island in Malilipot is the ideal kind of adventure for you. All these attractions and activities can be had easily with local tourism service operators.

How to get to Legazpi?

Talking about accessibility, Legazpi can be reached by air and land. Your options:

By Plane

There are many flights to Legazpi from Manila and vice versa. You will have no problem going in and out of the city by air. There is a 4:55 AM early flight from Manila to Legazpi. The same plane would fly passengers to Manila for its turnaround flight. There is also a daily flight from Cebu to Legazpi at 3:25PM. With Manila and Cebu welcoming flights from all over the world and the Philippines, flying to Legazpi is easy and thanks to budget airlines – affordable!

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The flight schedules for Manila to Legazpi. This should make your flights plans easier!

By Bus

Travelling by Bus to Legazpi is more convenient than many people think. There are many bus companies that focus on the Bicol market, coming up with services that improve the travel experience of Bicolanos who frequent Manila. This consequently allows for the overall improvement of the by-land travel of tourists from Manila to Legazpi and vice-versa.

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Cagsawa’s Royal Class Bus. This boasts very generous legroom with seats that recline almost completely allowing passengers to sleep through the Manila-Legazpi trip.

Two of the leading bus lines serving the Manila-Legazpi route are Cagsawa and Penafrancia. They have multiple trips all throughout the day. The most convenient of all are the night trips that depart from Manila at around 7:00 PM. These buses have a very spacious leg room with recliner seats and foot rests that will allow you to sleep thought the 12-hour trip to Legazpi. The same bus departs from Legazpi to Manila at around the same time. Bus fares differ from one bus lines to the next but with the quality of your trip at stake, go for the more expensive and convenient trip available.

 

Emerald Boutique Hotel Opens Its New Events Venue

When it seems like Emerald Boutique Hotel is done surprising people with its affordable rooms and beyond-expectations service, it is now announcing another exciting addition to its offering – opening the doors of its one of a kind events venue they call “The Garden”.

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The Garden without its current transparent roof. This space was already so full of charm prior to its renovation. Its airy ambiance made this one of the most popular hangouts among hotel guests especially in the cool of the day.

The Garden was originally an outdoor space that allowed guests to enjoy the fresh air outside. However due to Bicol’s unpredictable weather, the management chose to install a roof over the outdoor space. However it was also important for the hotel to keep the outdoor charm of the area so the perfect compromise would be to install a transparent roof that will keep the water out but will let the natural light in. This also allows guests to have dinner under the stars, a pretty romantic place to enjoy a meal for two.

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The Garden with its transparent Resin Roof Panels that allow natural light to flood the place without exposing guests to the elements. The Garden is fully air-conditioned.

The Garden can accommodate up to 60 people. It is fully air-conditioned and it comes with comfortable tables and chairs. But the deal clincher for this venue is its very reasonable rental costs.

The Garden has attractive food packages and there are also inclusions that will surely make your event not only memorable but cost-effective.

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With Emerald Bistro Cafe providing for the food in the new events venue, you can be sure you are not only getting a nice place to have your party, you are also dining with amazingly good food prepared by Emerald’s in-house Chef.

The food is provided by the Emerald Bistro Café. This means amazingly delicious menu options prepared by no other than Emerald’s in-house Chef.

There are also two VIP videoke rooms you can use (separate fees apply). These can add another fun element to your event. These rooms have direct access to The Garden so your guests can conveniently enjoy this added amenity.

Emerald's VIP Videoke rooms are second to none. Rent these out too and make your event more special!
Emerald’s VIP Videoke rooms are second to none. Rent these out too and make your event more special!

Interested to book at The Garden? Call/text Emerald Boutique Hotel at these numbers: (052) 201 – 0402 or +63 917 322 5232.

A New Boutique Hotel Opens In Legazpi

There is just something special about Small Hotels or Inns in a quiet street, especially those that strive for the comfort of their guests. This is what boutique hotels are known for – small in size but big in offerings and personality.

Enter the Emerald Boutique Hotel in Legazpi City. It is intimate and charming with nicely furnished rooms. What it lacks in luxurious space, it makes up with its unique style, comfort, and service.

The Rooms

The rooms at Emerald Hotel Legazpi have thick, 5-star quality mattresses with anti-bacterial sheets. The toiletries of this small hotel are also beyond the expectations of many people, considering the published rates of its rooms. The toilet and bath are nice and it is complete with rainshower head showers.

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Emerald Boutique Hotel’s Standard Room. The comfy mattress says it all. Quality accommodations is here for the price of a budget hotel.

And if it is any consolation, the water that comes out from the faucets (showers too) is treated by the hotel’s own water purification system. Simply put, the water that you take a bath with is safe to drink, comparable to the bottled water you buy from the store.

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This is Emerald’s Twin Deluxe Room. Two beds, generous floor space, elegantly furnished toilet and bath, with Cable TV and 24/7 Internet access.

The rooms are all equipped with cable TV and each floor has its own dedicated Internet line. In fact every part of the hotel has a decent WiFi signal, even the lobby, corridors, and outdoor spaces. Some of the third floor rooms have a Mayon view, while some rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors have access to a veranda.

The Location

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A 3-minute walk to any direction will get you to the very heart of Legazpi City. Restaurants abound and Jeepneys drive through Rizal St.. These can ferry you through almost all routes in the city.

Emerald Boutique hotel is located right in the heart of Legazpi City. It is just a 3-minute walk to the seat of power of the province of Albay and the local government of Legazpi. Restaurants are also near the hotel. If you fancy roaming around the city the hotel is just a few meters away from one of the of main streets of Legazpi (Rizal St.) where public utility jeepneys pass through driving people in and around the major routes in the city.

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Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol Bay is a feasible adventure if you are staying at the Emerald Boutique Hotel. Photo by Q Phia via Flickr
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The Cagsawa Ruins, a World Heritage Site, is one Jeepney ride from Emerald Hotel Legaspi. Photo by Ayan Villafuerte

Do you want to visit the famous Cagsawa Ruins? One jeepney ride from the hotel is all you need. Do you want to hike up to the top of Lignon Hill and witness the majestic beauty of Mayon? It is just another jeepney ride away from Emerald Hotel Legazpi. This is one of the most important features of the Hotel – its accessibility to the many tourist attractions in the city and beyond.

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If you fancy visiting the Cagraray EcoPark then Legazpi City is a convenient jump off point. Photo by Sayson Ballesteros

Emerald is in Legazpi and the city is at the very heart of Albay Province making it a convenient jump-off point to many local attractions like the Vanishing Island in Malilipot, The Mayon Rest House in Tabaco, Vera Falls in Malinao, Kawa-Kawa Hill in Ligao, Danao Lake in Polangui, the Japanese Tunnels in Camalig, and the Cagraray EcoPark, even the Misibis Bay Resort and Casino.

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The Vera Falls in Malinao. This is just a short drive away from Legazpi City. Photo credits to the owner

Everything is within reach of Emerald Boutique Hotel and this includes Donsol Bay where the whale sharks or Butanding show up during the summer months.

Dining and Entertainment

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The Emerald Bistro Cafe. This is open all day to serve sumptuous meals to hotel guests. Coffee is also available here.

Emerald Boutique Hotel has its own Bistro-Café in the ground floor which serves the guests with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. It is open from 6:00AM to 10:00PM. The restaurant also offers mouth-watering Bicol gastronomic treats. Gourmet coffee will also be available soon in the Café.

The Emerald Bistro Café opens up to an outdoor space, to “The Garden” which will soon have live acoustic entertainment on the weekends. With the parasols, the open skies, and the comfortable seating, this area will surely be a new favorite hangout area for guests and Legazpi locals.

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The Garden, an outdoor space that connects the indoor dining area to the elements outside. You can dine here if you want to.

For those who love to sing their hearts out there is the Emerald KTV rooms. The sound proof rooms are fully equipped with high quality audio-visual equipment ready to provide music and vocals even for the most demanding and seasoned karaoke singers.

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People are having so much fun in Emerald’s KTV rooms. This room is sound proof and equipped with top of the line audio visual equipment.

The Videoke rooms can be rented out exclusively for three hours for only Php2500. This rate includes a consumable food package that can fill up the appetite of up to 10 people. Not a bad deal at all.

The Ambiance

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Emerald Boutique Hotel’s lobby. This intimate and welcoming space represents the very feel of this charming hotel.

Emerald Boutique Hotel offers intimate accommodation with 30 fully air-conditioned rooms. This gives the hotel a homey feel and with its friendly customer service this hotel delights and delivers. Even with the limitations of its size, the hotel has all the amenities that matter most even to a seasoned traveler.

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The hotel’s front desk. That green lighting reflects the emerald standard pursued by this up and coming boutique hotel.

With room rates going for as low as Php1500 per night, the Emerald Boutique Hotel is bound to exceed all your expectations.