The Bluelane Hotel : one of Binondo's Finest

Staycation is defined as a vacation spent at home or nearby. Families usually do this on long weekends to maximize accommodations. Some do this to celebrate milestones in their life or just to relax and unwind. To make the most of your staycation, the place you're staying should cater to all the needs of your every companion from babies and kids, to adults and even seniors.

Our family's latest memorable staycation happened at the newly opened The Bluelane Hotel in Sta. Cruz Manila. You might ask, why I consider it staycation when we came all the way from the province which is more than a hundred kilometers away? Because the staff and the management of the hotel made us feel were just in the comfort of our own home, despite the long travel and heavy traffic we endured.

So how did we enjoy the home-like stay? Let me share you....

Binondo Manila is home to the 17-story building, The Blulane Hotel. The place being known as the oldest Chinatown, is rich in history and culture since its establishment in 1594. It has been the main commercial hub for the Filipino-Chinese community and has been a must0vist tourist spot for those who want to taste a mix of Old Manila and Fil-Chi culture. The place may have been renovated and modernized but the essence of its old-world charm has remained intact. Proofs are the eateries at the sidewalks, the mom-and-pop shops offering products such as lucky trinkets to traditional Chinese medicines. If you want to see some glimpse of Philippines history, it's so easy during your stay at The Bluelane Hotel.

We arrived a bit late at the hotel, but that never made our experience less interesting because the lobby itself speaks of luxury with the grand staircase giving an assurance of a hassle-free, stress-free, enjoyable, satisfactory stay at their place. We were welcomed by lovely smiles and while inside the hotel premise, we were offered with world-class hospitality and state-of-the-art-facilities. We were given a Superior Room (Php7,000 / night) which is 25 sqm big and has 2 twin bed. We were five in the family, so they added another single folding bed near the window to make sure we can all comfortably sleep. The shower room is big enough, right after I put on all our luggage in the proper place, I immediately took a warm bath and it was such a relaxing me-time. There's a TV on the wall adjacent to the twin beds, it's a bit small compared to our TV at home and it contains fewer channels for entertainment but since we brought our own router, laptops, and smartphones, our kids never had a problem of their past-time.

This hotel which has 172 rooms exudes vibrant modern luxury in the middle of an old-world vibe. Established primarily to cater to the needs of local guests, business travelers, international delegates and foreign guests, it was designed and built with a high-class and sophisticated touch. Its place is surrounded by bustling tourist attractions, neighboring recreational hubs and the country's historical landmarks which makes the place an ideal location for business-leisure activities. During our stay at the hotel, I woke up very early one morning, around 5:30am to experience the rich diverse culture that remained untouched for centuries.

Cantonese Dinner with overflowing choices for seafoods and a lot of Chinese cuisine.

Breakfast buffet at the spacious Blulane Ballroom located at the 2nd floor

The Blulane has 2 specialty restaurant that offers wide selection of authentic Cantonese and western menu. Located at the 3rd level, The Blu Dynasty, will let you feel the Cantonese experience magnificently structured in its interior, details and services. The Lauriat menu is intricately handled by the Cantonese Chefs that gives a personal mix of experience and innovation on its dishes. 

The following amenities which provided leisure and laid-back experience completed our one-of-a-kind staycation.

The Blu Café & Lounge is a perfect place to enjoy a delectable dining experience with warm interiors and tasteful Asian-inspired décor. Located on the mezzanine level of The Blulane Hotel, you can choose from an assortment of selections from the breakfast buffet, and a la carte lunch and dinner menus. Open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

Bar Lounge is open from 9:00pm to 1:30am during Fridays and Saturdays.

The Coffee Club at The Blulane Hotel Lobby Lounge is a place for business and leisure. Stay connected to work, friends or family while enjoying coffee or tea paired with homemade pastries. Unwind, unplug or converge here in an intimate but inviting atmosphere

During staycation, you can recharge and retreat into a blissful massage and sauna experience at The Blulane Hotel Spa. Let the friendly staff enhance your senses and recover from a long flight, full week or hectic meeting for a truly re-energizing stay. Spa services are available from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm daily for checked-in and walk-in guest.

We were also treated to a Videoke Night at the Function Room in the 17th floor. Soon, this will surely be a hit to all the guests who would want to cap off the day with some singing, dancing, and laughter. Watch out for its grand opening in the coming months.

A satisfying and convenient hotel stay need not be too extravagant. At The Bluelane Hotel, there's always something for everyone at a much reasonable price to make sure each guest creates a great experience while inside the premises.