Hi, everyone! My name is Gretchen Gatan Fragada. I’m a writer and managing editor based in Metro Manila, Philippines. I’m also a wife to Cayo and a first-time mom to a toddler daughter named Cambria. Welcome to Greta’s Junkyard! This is basically a creative outlet where I like to dump articles on beauty, fashion, travel, lifestyle, and more.
Sometimes, it’s also where I document milestones and memories — such as my little family’s recent staycation in Manila to celebrate Father’s Day!An Upgraded Staycation in Manila with EDSA Shangri-La
Exposing Cambria to as many experiences as possible at her tender age is one of the things Cayo and I love to do. It’s why we flew to Singapore recently and have brought her to places like Acuatico Beach Resort, Vivere Azure, and Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay. We see the positive effects on her development and personality. Moreover, it’s our way of building core memories with her! Recently, we enrolled her in swimming lessons with Aqualogic and her classes take place every Saturday morning in EDSA Shangri-La.
So as a Father’s Day gift to Cayo, I booked an overnight stay at EDSA Shangri-La! Luckily, my kabarkada from Poveda is married to the hotel’s current Food and Beverage Director. They surprised us by giving us the privilege of checking in early at 9 in the morning and checking out late the next day at 6 in the evening. They also had a sweet gift waiting for Cayo in our room: delicious chocolate cake with a Father’s Day greeting!
Our Staycation Itinerary
Since I’m a member of the Shangri-La Circle and I have the app, I was able to do a mobile check-in on Friday night.
Then, on Saturday, we left the #FraggyHome at 8 AM to drop off our dog Booboo at my parents’ since no one would be able to take care of him while we were on our staycation. (We’ve been surviving with no yaya or helper since Cambria was born!)Day 1 (Saturday)
We arrived at EDSA Shangri-La at around 8:30 AM and headed straight to the mobile check-in counter to pick up our key cards. This gave us enough time to settle in our room and prepare Cambria for her swimming lessons at 9:30.
After Cambria’s swimming lessons, we swam a little longer in the pool before taking a shower and playing in Cubs and Cubbies, the hotel’s playroom. Then, we enjoyed a lunch buffet at HEAT. After helping ourselves to a delicious buffet where I mostly devoured salmon sashimi, lamb leg, and roast beef, we took a nice, long nap on the most comfortable king-sized bed in our room.
I made sure to set an alarm at around 4:30 PM. This way, we could head to Shangri-La Plaza and have time to go around the mall. Then, we heard anticipated mass at the Saint Pedro Pio Chapel inside the mall before meeting up with my family at Kettle to have dinner.
Once dinner was over, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy our room and sleep early.
Day 2 (Sunday)
The next day, we woke up at 8 in the morning to take advantage of the breakfast buffet. Then we went swimming again! After swimming, we got ready to have lunch — this time with Cayo’s family — in Cibo, Shangri-La Plaza. When lunch was done, we went back to the hotel again so that Cambria could take a nap. As soon as she woke up, we swam again! It was even a coincidence that we bumped into her second cousins (my cousin’s daughters) who were also swimming. Apparently, they were booked for a staycation as well.
At around 5, we headed back up to our room to take a shower and pack up. We checked out a little before 6 PM before heading to my parents’ place to pick up Booboo.
A Memorable Staycation in Manila
Growing up, EDSA Shangri-La has always been one of my family’s go-to hotels. There are so many things you can do in and around the hotel. Plus, their pool area is truly a favorite among kids! I can’t wait to book another staycation with them.
If you have any questions or would like to stay updated with new articles, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @gretchengatan. Until my next article!