Now that staycations are allowed again, where can you go?
THE Peninsula Manila
THE ECONOMY is slowly starting to move again with the lifting of some quarantine restrictions, including those on hotels which are now opening up to accommodate staycations and leisure guests — with some limitations Tourism (DoT) said in a statement: “AEs (accommodation establishments) in areas under GCQ (general community quarantine) may accept bookings provided that guests will come from the same household, and only up to 30% of the venue capacity.” Moreover, the DoT website says, “Staycations for all ages are allowed but guests below 18 and above 65 years old shall be required to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken not more than 72 hours prior to check ¬in.”
Not all hotels are allowed to accept staycation guests though. “The tourism chief reiterated that isolation or quarantine hotels are not allowed to accommodate leisure or staycation guests. The IATF resolution likewise states that the local government units with jurisdiction over the AEs shall strictly monitor their compliance with minimum public health standards,” said the DoT statement.
Here are some of the properties that have opened up since the announcement, along with their amenities and facilities that will be available to staycation guests.
SHANGRI¬LA AT THE FORT
Guidelines:
Staycations are allowed for NCR, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan residents only.
Guests must also present a government ¬issued ID with an address in the places mentioned above.
Only guests between the ages of 18 to 65 years old are allowed, although those outside the age bracket are now allowed to dine in at the hotel’s restaurants.
Physical distancing must be observed at all times, and the use of face shields and masks are required to enter dining establishments.
Pregnant guests and those with co¬morbidities are not allowed to check in.
Guests should present a negative Rapid Antigen Test result taken within 24 hours before checking in or an RT¬PCR test taken within 72 hours before checking in.
The hotel has an on¬site Rapid Antigen Test facility open daily from 8AM to 4PM. The test is available at P1,800 net per person with prior reservations required.
Facilities available:
Restaurants: Bake House — Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; indoor and outdoor seating with limited seating capacity (no reservations, first come, first served.)
Raging Bull Burgers — Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with outdoor seating for two persons only (no reservations, first come, first served.)
Samba — Open Monday to Friday for breakfast at 7 to 10 a.m., and lunch to dinner at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekend hours are from 7 to 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar — closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
The hotel highly encourages making prior reservations at Samba and Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar for both lunch and dinner as there are limited seats available due to the capacity allowed by the local government.
The pool, which is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., is open only for guests who are checked in. Prior reservation is required since the hotel only allows a certain number of people in the pool and guests may only stay at the pool area for one hour.
Room Rates: Deluxe Room — P6,950++ (P8,510.28 net); Deluxe High Street View — P7,450++ (P9,122.53 net); Executive Suite ¬ Pll,950++ (P14,632.78 net); Premier Suite¬P14,950++(P18,306.28 net). Room rates are inclusive of set breakfast set for two persons.
GRAND HYATT MANILA
Guidelines:
Guests can expect all hotel staff in face masks beginning at the entrance, to the reception, to the many restaurants and hotel facilities.
Temperature scanners are positioned at entrances and hand sanitizers are provided at strategic locations. Social distancing markers have been placed to guide customers to stay at least one to two meters apart when lining up, and one seat apart when dining in restaurants.
Pick¬up points have been installed at the entrance for online food orders.
While the hotel offers rapid antigen tests at P2,000 per person, guests are free to get the test done with their preferred healthcare provider and bring the test results with them to check in.
Facilities available:
The Peak, Dine at Home, The Pool House, Gym, Pool, The Lounge
Room Rates: The hotel’s room rates start with the Grand Escape package starting at P9,888 net for a Grand King room. This includes a personal hygiene and safety kit with masks, sanitizing wipes and a hand sanitizer; breakfast for two, 20% off on The Peak and Pool House transactions during their stay, 50% off on laundry services, and early check¬in and late check out rates (subject to availability). For P12,000, one can get the same inclusions with the addition of two rapid antigen tests.