This past weekend reminded me of my first Mother’s Days I celebrated as a mom. I baked a cake for my mom, created something special for Nino’s mom, and honored my sister who became a mom before me. Of course, I had to document the occasion, complete with photos of my little one in her pretty pink bonnet. The pressure of bringing all the things together was real, and the responsibility of caring for another human being who looked to me for her every need was new, but the obligation to honor the mothers who came before me was important. Mother’s Day with three young adults and a big kid, is so much different than that first Mother’s Day (for me) in 2000! Now, my kids can cook for me. Looking after everyone’s needs is not as demanding, and Nino and I can even steal away for a moment to ourselves. Just this past weekend, when I enjoyed a prelude to my Mother’s Day celebrations with Marco Polo Manila’s Mother’s Day Suite Treat.
Checking in on the 24th floor was easy breezy and Gelli felt right at home in Connect Cafe.
Dine
Prior to the pandemic, Marco Polo Manila was one of our top choices to visit for dim sum and Chinese food. Lung Hin is a dramatic stage set high up in the metro that is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner. Whenever we would visit my sister, who works in the area, we would indulge in the elegant presentation of Gold Leaf Hakaw, Truffle Steamed Siomai, and their signature Roast Pork Baked Buns.
During a not so recent lunch, I had the opportunity to chat with General Manager, Colin Healy, who hails from Jersey, in the United Kingdom. Our conversation quickly traversed topics from revenge spending, the economy, to values in parenting, and his conservative approach to bringing this five star property out of the Covid slumber, as we all recover from the effects of quarantine living.
Mr. Healy holds his staff and service professionals to the highest standards of safety, while providing opportunities for hotel guests, certified foodies, and business travelers to step through Marco Polo Manila’s doors with an assurance of health, stringent protocols, and luxurious standards.
High Tea in the Connect Lounge is something I will visit again and again. I have always enjoyed High Tea, just as much as I enjoy brunch. I’m glad to know of a new spot that I can have tea with the ladies, or one of my kiddos when we need some QT.
Honored for the sixth year in a row as a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awardee, Marco Polo Manila is the premier sky hotel in the metro that offers guests hospitality and service allowing one to move seamlessly from business meeting to bonding moments with the family.
Miguel did, in fact, have to work a little bit while we were checked in. We had scheduled this shoot a few weeks ago, knowing that he would be done with final exams by this time. It made for an even better backdrop for his photos and videos to be in a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel.
Date
Taking care of our marriage first, allows Nino and I to take better care of our family. This is something we have both learned through our many mistakes as a couple trying to thrive in our relationship. Dating Nino looks like so many different things as we have gotten older.
I dated these three all weekend. So many times we looked at each other and would say out loud how much Gia and Diego would enjoy what we were doing too.
Sometimes it’s brunch, sometimes it’s Netflix and snacks, and other times, it’s sneaking away after running errands for merienda or a drink. But whatever it is, we try to do things that we both love which will provide time for us to talk uninterrupted and tune into one another. We are still learning how to be better listeners.
We scheduled our couple’s spa experience early in our stay so we could kick off the weekend stress free. Photo Credit: Marco Polo Manila
The date that we enjoyed on Friday night after we first checked in to Marco Polo Manila was a bit different than the usual, but all the more relaxing, and very much needed. Availing of spa services from FLOW was a wonderful way to kick off the weekend after Gelli and Miguel ate dinner. Our couple’s spa treatments provided relaxation with lots of laughs in between.
I suppose because we knew we were kicking off a weekend of fun, we could also let loose a little bit? Nino enjoyed a two hour Swedish Massage, while I relished in a combination body scrub, massage, and facial in the “For Her” signature treatment. Needless to say, we both slept very well after such relaxing treatments.
Decompress
So often, we go about all of our daily duties, and there is very little time to exhale. Truth be told, I am often working on 4 different deliverables at any given moment, sitting at home and working on the laptop. I may even be cooking a meal at the same time. Or maybe, I’m keeping an eye on Gelli, (while she’s on her own device) and we are sitting together at the dining table which doubles as my desk when the kids are in school.
This little girl was so excited to spend some time at “the hotel.” Her childhood has been so different than here older siblings and so much of it has been spent indoors because of the quarantine restrictions.
But the little respite that we can take as a family? That is gold. It’s when Nino and I both make a conscious effort to be present, put the phone down, and listen. It’s also when (as of late) we keep reminding ourselves just how much we miss the rest of #TeamGellibean, because Gia and Jegs are set to come home from Florida, this coming weekend.
This little girl was a bit out of her comfort zone with the deeper than she is used to, water. But we made the most of it and she still did not want to get out of the hot tub.
While we had a whole itinerary planned for the weekend, it was one that we had mapped out with the team over at Marco Polo, for multiple ways for us to bond, relax, and recharge. I was looking forward to a little downtime, a little cuddle time with The Bean, and even sleeping in a bed with Nino where Gelli did not create the letter “H” between us.
This little girl definitely has a mind of her own. She knows what she likes, and apparently where she wants to work! She repeatedly asked hotel staff if they had an extra uniform because she kept saying she wanted to work there!
Setting the tone for the weekend involved moving into the spacious suite where Nino, Mig, Gelli and I were quite comfortable. Crisp white sheets, black out curtains, and an aircon set to low, for optimal rest allowed us to wake up refreshed on Saturday morning.
We knew that Miguel would have to work just a little bit with his Tito John. Since, Gelli and I were free for the day, we colored, watched her favorite shows on Cartoon Network, and napped. I cannot remember the last time I napped in the middle of the day. It was probably the most restful Saturday that Gelli and I have had in a very long time.
One of Gelli’s favorite things to do is climb into bed early after a day of swimming and playing after ordering room service. She thinks it’s the coolest thing ever to be able to eat in the room, because her momma has strict rules about eating in the bedroom. Hahahaha.
Of course, to make it even easier, we availed of in-room dining which was both comforting, and familiar. Nino was excited to try the Kare Kare and since we like the food to match, (do you guys do this?) and I quickly supplemented his request of Kare Kare with my Crispy Pork Binagoongan. Bagay diba?
In room dining with those chubby little fingers.
Enjoying the Suite Treat Mommy Weekend at Marco Polo Manila allowed each of us to enjoy one another. We got a little work done and caught up on rest and thoroughly relaxed. We were blessed to do all of this while relishing in the sumptuous dining and spa experiences that a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star honoree guarantees.
If you would like to book your own Suite Treat Mommy Weekend at Marco Polo Manila, reserve by calling the reservations team at (632) 7720 7777 or email resv.mnl@marcopolohotels.com.
**Suite Treat for Mommy Weekend includes the suite and spacious room, a spa treatment, access to Connect Lounge, the Club Lounge, and 20% off dining.
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