Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa

The perfect serenity of life is nowhere to be found but in places of love and retreat. Avail the Hanging Gardens Retreat or Getaway package of Luljetta’s and discover an oasis of solitude and bliss in a lovely hillside resort in Antipolo. 

A Spanish term, Luljetta was named after Lolita, the owner of Loreland Farm Resort, where the spa is secretly tucked away. In fact, Luljetta is the more private, quieter part of the resort, overlooking Laguna de Bay and Metro Manila. It has scenic infinity and hydro pools, native huts and lounges in a garden setting, and offers holistic spa services to cleanse, revitalize, and indulge the stressed out human senses.

All-day dipping in the water, detoxifying in sauna, getting nibbled by fishes, eating greens, meditating in the pocket garden, chilling at the Buddha and Zen lounges, and reveling in God’s sunset have that healing power to drain the toxins and negative vibes in my life and body.

And even though once I return to my real world, things might be uncertain, in my heart, I know for sure, 1984 will never happen at Luljetta’s.

Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa

Loreland Farm Resort

Sitio Loreland, Brgy. San Roque

Antipolo City, Rizal
Tel. No.: 622-8779, 0917-5444432

Brasserie CiÇou

A Parisian in Greenhills makes an amazing kouign amann.

Complimentary bread

Les escargots

Oven-baked garoupa with golden almond crust

Vegetarian pasta

Braised beef cheeks in red wine sauce

Chocolate kouign amann

After shopping in Greenhills, drop by Chef Cyril Soenen’s homey and quite religious French bistro and enjoy authentic French food. Say grace before meals. God hears even the very silent prayer of a sincere heart.

Brasserie CiÇou

#57 Annapolis St., Greenhills

San Juan City

Tel. No.: 661-9200

Maja’s Home Café

The first Jedi principle of combat is to survive. But in order to survive, you need to be brave, devoid of any fear.

As Master Yoda said, fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to hunger. And when hunger strikes, Maja’s is the best place to be. At least for Jedis.

Stark tropical fruit juice

Saber rolls

Gungan’s Thermidor

Three mushrooms and truffle pasta

Ewok’s mango tango

R2-D2 cake

Swarming with 200+ Stormtrooper and Darth Vader paper toys, I really find the café cute. After all, I’m a Star Wars baby who could still recall the unlikely friendship of R2-D2 and C-3PO and the almost incestuous relationship of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.

Though I find it also a bit eccentric to see Iron Man, Amazon Box Robot and some biblical verses on the board, the one I love the most “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs, 4:23).”

Maja’s Home Café
#111 A. Adela Bldg. Aguirre Ave.
BF Homes, Parañaque City
Tel. No.: 519-5619

Orchid Garden Suites

Every scar tells a story. A story that says I survived.

There are few survivors left in this modern and bustling city of Manila. I’m not talking of people but of old buildings and mansions that predates the war. Architecturally speaking, I admire the beauty and charm of old Manila. But there are only a few remnants that remind us of the genteel era. One living example is the Orchid Garden Suites, a survivor which has a rich story to tell. Well I'm glad Reina and I tagged along with Doc one lunch time to visit this historical hotel.

Partly hidden amidst a lush tropical garden in Pablo Ocampo, Malate right across the more modern Century Park Hotel, the Orchid Garden claims to be the first boutique hotel in Manila. A pre-war mansion built in 1930, it was originally owned by Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Villareal, son of Luis Enciso Villareal, one of the 13 martyrs of Bagumbayan. It was designed by one of the pioneers of modern Philippine architecture and Filipino national artist Pablo Antonio, in his own brand of Art Deco style.

After the war, it housed the Russian and Indonesian Embassies. As time goes by, additional modern structure was added to convert the mansion into a hotel. In 2006, the hotel was nominated for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Architectural Adaptive Re-use.

The hotel lobby looks bright and elegant. Christmas decorations, chandelier, mirrors, paintings, and theater-like curtains adorn the room, making it quite nostalgic.

A wooden staircase leads to some rooms and function areas.

Rooms have a cozy modern feel. Long-term lease is available to accommodate guests who want to stay longer.

Cattleya Restaurant, the all-day dining facility of the hotel, boasts of their sumptuous local and international cuisine in buffet and ala-carte style.

 

They also have an extensive selection of wines come happy hour.

For outdoor recreation activities, there’s a swimming pool partly surrounded by trees and orchids.

We do everything we can to preserve and protect love so it can endure forever. Well, I hope this heritage structure can be lovingly preserved too for the future generations to see.

Orchid Garden Suites

#620 Pablo Ocampo Sr. St.

Malate, Manila

Tel. No.: 523-9870, 523-9860