Manila's Hidden Gem: Casa Micarosa Hotel & Residences (RedDoorz) - Unbelievable Luxury!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Casa Micarosa Hotel & Residences (RedDoorz) – the "Unbelievable Luxury!" of Manila. Yeah, yeah, the marketing hype. But trust me, after my stay? Whispers It's… actually pretty damn good. Let's dive in, shall we? And trust me, I'm not going to sugarcoat anything.
First Impressions: The "Is this REALLY a RedDoorz?" Moment
Okay, I'll be honest, I went in with a little skepticism. RedDoorz, in my brain, was always budget-friendly, clean-ish, and… well, not exactly "unbelievable luxury." But Casa Micarosa? Whoa. The lobby vibrates with a kind of polished, almost… majestic energy. Think high ceilings, tasteful artwork, and definitely not the typical RedDoorz feel. It's the type of place that makes you instantly feel a little more… important. (Even though, let's be real, I was still rocking my slightly-stained travel t-shirt).
The Room: My Oasis of Air-Conditioned Bliss (and Seriously Good Wi-Fi)
Now, the room. This is where Casa Micarosa really sells itself. Forget cramped, forget dingy. My room was a genuine oasis. HUGE, seriously. And the air conditioning? Glorious. Manila humidity? Not a chance. The bed was like sinking into a cloud – and a cloud that actually supported your back. And the blackout curtains? Forget jet lag. This place knows how to help you properly relax.
Wi-Fi, by the way, was blazing fast. Like, download-a-movie-in-seconds fast. Which, let’s be honest, is a crucial factor in my hotel rankings. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? High five, Casa Micarosa! They also have [LAN] internet, so if you're old school, they've got you covered.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Accessibility & Safety: They Actually Get It
This is where Casa Micarosa truly shines. They've clearly put thought into making it accessible. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Double-check. I didn't need them personally, but seeing how inclusive the place is warms the cockles of my heart.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Facilities for disabled guests
Security felt solid too. CCTV cameras everywhere (inside and outside), 24-hour security, and a generally safe vibe. Considering Manila, that level of security is incredibly welcome.
- Safety:
- CCTV in common areas
- CCTV outside property
- Fire extinguisher
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Non-smoking rooms
- Safety/security feature
- Security [24-hour]
- Smoke alarms.
- Soundproof rooms
Food, Glorious Food! And the Pool with a View (and Maybe a Tiny Bit of Disappointment)
Okay, here's the deal. The food at Casa Micarosa is… mostly excellent. The Asian breakfast? Awesome. A generous spread with congee, noodles, and a variety of tasty dishes that were perfect to kickstart my day. The international cuisine in the restaurant? On point. They've got Western Cuisine too, for those who can't do without it. Plus, you can order from a pool bar.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
The pool? Stunning. Seriously, Instagram-worthy. But here's my tiny gripe: it occasionally got packed. People! I want the pool to myself! I am kidding!
- Things to do
- Massage
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
The Spa: A Moment of Pure Bliss (and a Slightly Awkward Body Wrap)
Okay, this spa. Wow. I had a massage, and let me tell you, the masseuse was like a magician, kneading away all my stress. I also bravely tried a body wrap. Let’s just say I felt thoroughly exfoliated and moisturized. I am not going to talk about the body wrap. Overall, they really pamper you here.
- Ways to relax:
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Foot bath
- Gym/fitness
- Massage
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
Services & Convenience: They've Thought of Everything (Almost)
From the concierge who could score me concert tickets to the ever-present daily housekeeping, Casa Micarosa excels at pampering. Laundry service, dry cleaning, and even a currency exchange – they've got it all covered. The convenience store was a lifesaver for late-night snacks (because, yes, I have a problem). Though I will say, the gift shop had some interesting souvenirs.
- Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
For the Kids & Business Travelers:
- For the kids
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
- Business Travelers
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Invoice provided
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Seminars
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Actually Trying!
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this is crucial. Casa Micarosa felt remarkably clean. Staff seemed on top of hygiene. The use of anti-viral cleaning products, sanitization, and the fact that they offered room sanitization opt-out, proved they took things seriously.
- Cleanliness and safety
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Breakfast in room
- Breakfast takeaway service
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get real with a Casa Micarosa itinerary. Forget those pristine, perfectly-formatted travel guides. This is MY Casa Micarosa experience, unfiltered, chaotic, and probably involving way too much coffee.
Day 1: Arrival & the Glorious, Glorious Bed (and a Near-Disaster)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown Manila. Ugh, the heat hits you like a brick wall the second you step off that plane. Honestly, I think I sweated through my shirt before I even found my luggage. Speaking of which… it took FOREVER to find it. Seriously, the baggage carousel felt like it was playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek.
- 2:30 PM: Finally! The airport taxi is a godsend in the Manila traffic. The driver, bless his heart, seemed to think he was in a Fast and Furious movie. My stomach definitely did NOT appreciate the high-speed weaving.
- 4:00 PM: ARRIVAL at Casa Micarosa! Yes! The lobby actually felt… decent. Not overly fancy, but clean and welcoming. The RedDoorz app (thank god for it!) got me quickly checked in. The staff were polite, but I swear the guy behind the desk looked like he'd seen a thousand tourists in a day. You know the look.
- 4:30 PM: Room reveal! Okay, here's the deal: my room was… fine. Small, but clean. The A/C blasted like a polar vortex, which was a welcome relief. But the bed… oh, the bed. It was like sinking into a cloud made of marshmallows. Seriously, I could have stayed there all day.
- 5:00 PM: Disaster strikes (almost). I attempted to use the hairdryer. It let out a puff of smoke and then died. I may have shrieked. Luckily, my hair is naturally… let's call it "textured." So, I went with the "air dry" option.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a little street food vendor a few blocks away. Ate some delicious (and probably not entirely sanitary) kwek kwek (deep-fried quail eggs). I probably shouldn't have eaten that many. My stomach grumbled a lot later. Worth it, though.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the glorious bed of Casa Micarosa. Bed, bed, bed. I'm telling you! Its like I'm never leaving.
- 8:00 PM: Slept hard.
Day 2: Exploring the Chaos & Coffee (and a Near-Disaster…again)
- 8:00 AM: Woke up late! Which is kind of good. Got dressed. Got ready to explore.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfest (more like breakfast). I was hoping the hotel included free breakfast. Nope. Just a vending machince full of junk foods. Went to the nearest coffeeshop. I'll take the first coffee of the day!
- 10:00 AM: Navigating Manila's streets… A.k.a., playing Frogger with traffic. The jeepneys are iconic, but also terrifying. The sidewalks are an obstacle course of parked cars, stray dogs, and questionable puddles.
- 11:00 AM: Intramuros. The walled city. That place is a trip! I walked through the Spanish-era buildings. Amazing architecture! But the heat was unbearable.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a cafe. I found this place. It wasn't bad! But it will never be my favorite. Needed the break from walking.
- 1:00 PM: More Intramuros. Spent more time and walked through the old churches. It was truly amazing!
- 2:30 PM: Went back to Casa Micarosa. To cool down. Needed to rest.
- 4:00 PM: The hotel pool! A.k.a, the only moment of true peace. The pool wasn't big, but it was cool, and clean. I think I fell asleep for an hour or so. Amazing!
- 5:00 PM: Near-disaster time. Tried to order room service. They didn't have anything I wanted. Sigh.
- 7:00 PM: More street food. That sisig (chopped pork dish) was phenomenal! I'm pretty sure I ate enough for three people.
- 8:00 PM: Back to that glorious bed. Fell asleep almost immediately.
Day 3: Departure & the lingering scent of adventure
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Breakfast. Cofffee. Packing. Preparing to leave the wonderful bed.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Found some cool, cheap stuff.
- 10:00 AM: Checked out of Casa Micarosa.
- 11:00 AM: Airport. Flight home.
I'm leaving with a mild sunburn, a slightly upset stomach, and a serious craving for kwek kwek. But mostly, I'm leaving with a head full of memories. Manila is a chaotic, crazy place. The Casa Micarosa isn't perfect, but it was a home base, a respite from the madness. And that bed? Pure heaven. Would I go back? Absolutely. Just maybe I'll pack my own hairdryer next time.
Luxury Georgetown Condo: 2BR, 2BA, Modern Style - Unbeatable Location!
So, like, what *is* this whole thing *actually* about? I'm confused.
Right. Okay, so let's be honest, even *I'm* not entirely sure. It's like... a FAQ page about... *gestures vaguely* ...life, I guess? Or maybe just my life, filtered through a questionable amount of caffeine and a healthy dose of existential dread. Think of it as a messy, imperfect attempt to answer questions *you* might have, or questions *I* have (mostly the latter, tbh). Expect tangents. Expect typos. Expect me to completely forget what the original question was. But also, hopefully, expect a laugh or two. And maybe, just maybe, a moment of genuine connection. Don't expect perfection. Expect... *this*. And pray for me.
Okay, fine, I'll play along. What's been the absolute *worst* customer service experience you've ever had? Spill the tea!
Oh, honey, you have *no* idea. This one time... this was *years* ago, back when I was still foolishly trying to be "professional"... I had to deal with a specific online retail giant. Let's call them "Shmazon." Long story short, I ordered a very expensive leather jacket (I'm a sucker for a good jacket, even if I can't actually afford said good jacket). It arrived... and it wasn't the jacket. It was some weird, synthetic, neon-green monstrosity that looked like it'd been pulled off a radioactive alien. I kid you not. I immediately contacted their "customer service." A robotic voice. Endless menus. Transfers. Repeat. I probably spent *three hours* on hold, listening to the same insipid muzak. The worst part? The rep I *finally* talked to, after the hold music had become embedded in my brain cells, was completely useless. She kept asking me to "refresh the page" and "confirm the order details" (which, duh, it was wrong). I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I may have done both, quietly. Ultimately, I just gave up and sent the neon-green jacket back. The whole ordeal left me feeling utterly defeated and questioning the very fabric of reality. I still get a twitch whenever I hear that awful hold music.
Alright, alright, that sounds painful. What's your favorite thing about a good cup of coffee?
Ooh, now *that's* a question I can get behind. Coffee... ah, coffee. It's not just a beverage; it's a ritual, a lifeline, a tiny, caffeinated miracle. The smell, first of all. That dark, rich aroma that just *pulls* you out of bed. Then, the first sip. That perfect balance of bitterness and warmth. I love that moment of stillness before the world gets chaotic again. I also love the feeling of being productive and getting a lot done. I love that it makes me feel like I can conquer anything (even the mountain of laundry I've been ignoring). And it's the ultimate creative fuel, you know? It's what sparks the ideas, the words, the messy brilliance that hopefully, sometimes, kinda, works. But hey, I'm also perfectly happy with instant coffee, because, well, life.
Speaking of messy, what's the biggest disaster you've ever caused? Don't be shy!
Oh god. This is embarrassing. Where to start? I'm basically a walking disaster. Let's go with my baking phase. I decided, with absolutely no prior experience or talent, that I would bake a cake. A *three-tiered* cake, no less! For my (then) significant other's birthday. I envisioned a masterpiece. Something to rival the great pastry chefs of Paris. The reality? A sugary, lopsided, collapsing mess that resembled something you'd find in the aftermath of a food fight in a kindergarten class. The frosting was a disaster of epic proportions. It was clumpy, it was runny, it was smeared everywhere. I'm pretty sure I used the wrong kind of flour and the whole thing tasted like sadness and desperation. It wasn't edible. *At all*. He was very kind and pretended to eat it... but I saw the look in his eyes. He knew. Worst of all, the thing took, like, a whole day to make. I was exhausted, covered in frosting (not in a sexy way), and feeling like the world's biggest failure. We ended up ordering a pizza. I've stuck to store bought since.
What are your biggest pet peeves? And on a scale of "mildly annoying" to "rage-quit inducing," rate them!
Oh, *this* is my jam! Buckle up.
- People who chew with their mouths open: Rage-quit inducing. There's a special place in hell for this. I literally lose all ability to function. It's like nails on a chalkboard for my soul.
- Slow internet: Mildly annoying, until I'm in the middle of a Zoom call and it freezes. Then it's rage-inducing light.
- When people tell you to "just relax": Mildly annoying, but potentially rage-inducing, depending on the context. If I'm stressing, telling me to relax is the *last* thing I need.
- Unsolicited advice: Borderline rage-inducing. Unless I specifically ask, please keep your 'wisdom' to yourself. I'll figure it out, or, you know, *won't*.
- Drivers who don't use their blinkers: Honestly? Right up there with open-mouth chewers. Can't. Stand. It.
What's something you're surprisingly good at? And what's something you're shockingly bad at?
Okay, honesty time.
Surprisingly good at: Making people laugh. I like to think so, anyway. I can be a total goofball. It makes me feel good. And really, that's the bottom line.
Shockingly bad at: Anything involving a sewing machine. I've tried. I've failed. I've ended up with more tangles than fabric. It's a tragic love story.
Favorite movies? Or, you know, just go off on a movie rant!
Okay, this is dangerous territory. I *love* movies. I love them. I can talk about movies for hours.
Rant incoming: Basically, I'Around The World Hotels
