💲1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 😏
Extended Stay At A Special Place In The Philippines -
The Henry Hotel
(This Is My Entry to the Pinmapple If I Had $1000 Contest)
'Holy Cow!'
...'If I had US💲1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣?'😏
Duh! Of course I'd plan a mini break with my husband 
With US$1000 at my disposal, I'd splurge it on luxurious nights with "Henry", and I'd add a twist.
'I'd do Cross-Country Rendezvous at The Henry Hotels with "Henry", hubby and I.'
How about that?
Sounds good to me!😎
💡(After all, the inter-island borders are now open allowing freedom of travel across the Philippines. Also, this would help to support the local economy of The Philippines).
Besides, November 30th marks our 12th Wedding Anniversary, so I honestly wouldn't feel guilty spending that money on fun and luxury, as that's what life is all about.
I'd maximise our time and really try to get to know the amazing "Henry" (EVERYTHING THAT HENRY HAS TO OFFER!)
Best way I think, would be a 5-Day City Break, exploring 3 amazing cities across The Philippines - Cebu, Manila, and Dumaguete, an adventure possible with a budget of US$1000 (approximately PHP 48,000.00).
My Base (Rural Tourist Town, Moalboal, Cebu)
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7100 islands in Southeastern Asia between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. There are some landlocked areas, but most parts are surrounded by water of some sort.
My current home is located in Moalboal, a seaside town 89km from Cebu City.
Route Suggestions:
Option 1:
Moalboal ➡️ Bato Port via 🚖 then ⛴ to Dumaguete (1st leg) 2hr duration
Dumaguete➡️Manila via ✈️ (2nd leg) 1hr 20 m duration
Manila ➡️ Cebu via ✈️ (3rd leg) 1hr 25 m duration
Cebu City ➡️ Moalboal via 🚖( final leg) ~ 3hr duration
Option 2:
Moalboal ➡️ Cebu City via 🚖(1st leg) ~ 3hr duration
Cebu ➡️ Manila via ✈️ (2nd leg) 1hr 25 m duration
Manila ➡️ Dumaguete via ✈️ (3rd leg) 1hr 20 m duration
Dumaguete ➡️ Bato Port via ⛴ then 🚖 ➡️ Moalboal (final leg) 2hr duration
I've chosen Option 2, because I like the idea of seeing "Henry" at our usual rendezvous, The Henry Hotel Cebu. Henry would get the chance to give me briefings of what his other 2 homes, The Henry Hotel Manila, and The Henry Resort Dumaguete, entail.
Wouldn't that be a long trek you're probably wondering?
But, Why Not?
Sometimes you just have to "grab the bulls by the horns" and follow your heart - and our hearts always lead to The Henry.
The Henry Hotels, Philippines
'Why I think this is a brilliant idea?'
"Henry" has three homes, namely: The Henry Hotel Cebu, The Henry Hotel Manila, and his newest addition, The Henry Resort Dumaguete.
Each boutique hotel has a different theme, with quirky interiors and vintage furnishings and decor - with that alone, it's worth it.
The Henry Hotel Cebu is definitely not average, it's a special place in the Philippines. My favourite hotel.
'It's like sleeping in an art gallery and waking up to see beautiful treasures, and being smitten with Henry, I think it's time I get to know him better.' Hence, my desire to discover his other homes.
🔊 (In case you missed it, please check out my original post where I professed my love for "Henry":)
According to Henry's website, The Henry Hotel Manila is "Vintage Hip", and promises to "awaken the old soul in you". While his newest home, The Henry Resort Dumaguete; all rooms are housed in lush gardens, all decorated with local pieces of furnishings and craft, with a pool deep enough for scuba diving lessons right on property.
Doesn't that sound amazing?
Woo Woo !---------US$ 1000 Budget !!!!!--------------
Here's a breakdown of estimated Expenses:
- TAXI/ FERRY 100.00 USD
- FOOD 250.00 USD
- ACCOMMODATION 300.00 USD
- FLIGHTS 200.00 USD
- ACTIVITIES 100.00 USD
- STAFF TIPS 50.00 USD
TOTAL 1000.00 USD
You can always find great deals online when booking The Henry Hotel!
Itinerary & Surprise Plans
Since it's going to be a 3-hour drive from Moalboal to Cebu City, we'll order the taxi to pick us from home at 10:00 am, and without much traffic, we should arrive Cebu City at about 1:00pm.
Arrival At The Henry Hotel, Cebu
First things first, a kiss and welcome from Henry, while one of his minions offers us a welcome drink each.
We'll register at the Front Desk and store our bags there, and have a coffee or lunch at the restaurant, and then by 2:00pm we'll be able to check-in.
Shhh, 1st surprise:
I've booked the XL category room (the very first room we stayed in the first time my husband and I met "Henry".
N.B. All 5 categories of rooms are amazing and offer superior comfort and are individually but equally tastefully decorated. However, since it's a special occasion (12th Wedding Anniversary), I definitely want to reignite the spark my husband and I had when we first met "Henry", so luckily my request for the very 1st room we ever stayed in at The Henry Cebu is granted.
The European influence with rustic industrial chic is quirky, and the wall mural is spectacular.
"Henry" surely made the best first impression, which has lasted. We actually wished for "Henry" to adopt was forever (kidnap would have been fine with us too).
Here's a picture of another room at The Henry Hotel Cebu
This place is magical.
- Quiet central air-con unit, which offers good circulation
- Shower with strong water pressure
- Closet with safe box
- A full size comfy couch
- So spacious - 76 sqm
- Complimentary amenities
- Comfy bed and pillows
- Amazing artwork with a stunning mural.
- Reliable free wifi
Just awesome!!!!!
Hmmmm, I'm feeling thirsty!
Fancy a drink?
Let's head to the pool.
Garden View Pool
Just a quick press of an elevator button, and adjacent to the lobby and bar/restaurant, is Henry's inviting pool where he leaves complimentary towels and lounge chairs and tables for guests.
Good Wifi Signal at the pool too :)
I'll surprise hubby with the news that we have flights for Manila tomorrow morning and then onwards to Dumaguete...
We'll be drinking champagne and wine to that...
"Cheers" (Hotel Dining Room)
Continuing Onwards to Manila, Dumaguete and then to Moalboal
For Cebu to Manila: there are regular flights from Mactan-Cebu to Manila with Philippines Airlines, Philippines AirAsia and Cebu Pacific.
For Manila to Dumaguete: Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines have four flights weekly at the moment.
Normally you can find great deals if booked in advance. However, with a lucrative budget (of US$1000), we're not stressed.
It's one night only with Henry at The Henry Hotel Cebu, and we are booked for a flight to Manila tomorrow morning. We'll be staying at The Henry Hotel Manila for 2 nights.
Henry has some great suggestions of things to do and places to go on his website, so we think we're in for a real treat.
Our last stop with "Henry" will be at his newest home, The Henry Resort Dumaguete. There, I'll book a dive for
Information on the 3 cities: Source: Wikipedia
Cebu City
Cebu City, officially the City of Cebu is a 1st class highly urbanized city of the island of Cebu in the Central Visayas Region, Philippines.
Cebu is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island and more than 150 smaller surrounding islands and islets. Its prosperous port capital, Cebu City, retains landmarks from its 16th-century Spanish colonial past, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño church and triangular Fort San Pedro. Tops, an observation deck on Mt. Busay, has sweeping views over the city.
🔊 Want to know about the "Best of Cebu"? Here's another link to my post about the best of Cebu:
@millycf1976/the-best-of-cebu-city
Manila
Manila officially the City of Manila, is the capital of the Philippines and a highly urbanized city. It is the most densely populated city proper in the world as of 2019. Manila, alongside Mexico City and Madrid, is considered the world's original set of Global Cities due to Manila's commercial networks being the first to traverse the Pacific Ocean, thus connecting Asia with the Spanish Americas, marking the first time in world history when an uninterrupted chain of trade routes circled the planet. Manila is also the second most natural disaster-afflicted capital city in the world next to Tokyo, yet it is simultaneously among the most populous and fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia.
Dumaguete
Dumaguete, officially the City of Dumaguete (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dumaguete), is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 131,377 people. [4] It is the capital and most populous city of the province of Negros Oriental.
Dumaguete is referred to as a university city because of the presence of four universities and a number of other colleges where students of the province converge to enroll for tertiary education. The city is also a popular educational destination for students of surrounding provinces and cities in Visayas and Mindanao. The city is best known for Silliman University, the first Protestant and American university in the country and in Asia.[6][7] There are also 18 public elementary schools and 8 public high schools. The city's student population is estimated at 45,000.
Famous Sulliman University in the town centre of Dumaguete
The power source of the city comes from the geothermal power plant in Palinpinon, Valencia. The city has redundant fiber optic lines and is a focal point for telecommunications. It is the landing point for fiber optic cables linking it to the whole Visayas, Manila (the capital of the nation) and cities south of Luzon, as well as to other cities north of Mindanao.
Here's another link to my previous trip to Dumaguete, you'll see pictures of the geothermal power
@millycf1976/dumaguete-weekend-getaway-south-cebu
Hubby and I both share a love for quirky, rustic, craftsy, and items made from recycled materials - somethings visibly prominent in Henry's philosophy and practices. ♻️
We spend most of our time in Cebu City and the idea of exploring Manila is super appealing.
We're both very familiar with Dumaguete and enjoy hanging out on the boulevard by the sea at nights licking chocolate and rum raisin ice cream, which we definitely plan to do.
⏰ Beep Beep Beep
🙆♂ What a lovely dream! 🤑
If I had US$1000...#pinmapplethousand
Thanks for creating this awesome competition for #dreamers like me:)
