The Globe signal and mobile internet is strong, not just in the hotel but around the city. That’s why I just kept posting photos of us around the hotel!

If you follow my blog, you already know by now that my boyfriend and I are in a long-distance relationship, so we alternately travel from Manila to Iloilo and back just to see each other. On my last visit to Iloilo, we decided to welcome the holiday season in one of the newest and arguably the grandest hotels so far in the fast-growing City of Love: Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in the Megaworld-owned 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park.

Tourism and economy in Iloilo City are on the rise, and before long, the city will be touted as a force to be reckoned with in the business and leisure sectors of the region. In line with this progress, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is poised to be the hotel of choice of local and international travelers looking for sophisticated lodging at par with international hotel standards. It recently hosted the delegates of the 2015 APEC Summit.

Deluxe Room (similar to what we checked into)

Best staycation destination in Iloilo

The 149-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo boasts of elegant interiors, modern conveniences, and proximity to BPO buildings, future posh shopping complexes, and a world class convention center. It is the first of its kind in Iloilo City to provide discriminating travelers quality service and facilities that can easily rival those of deluxe brands but at more affordable rates.

Our well-appointed bathroom

The hotel’s lobby, guest rooms, restaurant outlets, and other public areas were designed by Getty’s, an internationally renowned design company of popular 5-star hospitality brands. It showcases global interior design trends but with thoughtful references and homage to Ilonggo culture, history, and lifestyle. The hotel was recently recognized by the 2015 Philippine Property Awards as “Highly Commended for Best Hotel Interior Design.”

Our welcome treat: A gigantic, super cheesy ensaymada that my boyfriend and I shared for breakfast. So good!

I have to say that their hotel staff is exceptionally warm and friendly, and very accommodating, really displaying the famously cheery and affectionate personality of Ilonggos. They always made us feel at home and attended to our needs. I was so pleased when they welcomed us with a huge ensaymada, a must-try in Richmonde. It’s delicious, creamy, buttery, soft, and loaded with grated cheese.

Our room’s mini bar and coffee station

Catering to the lodging needs of local vacationers, foreign tourists, and traveling businessmen are Richmonde Iloilo’s well-appointed and spacious guest rooms that come complete with first-class amenities and 24-hour auxiliary services, such as Front Office, Housekeeping, Concierge, and Room Service, all rendered by gracious and efficient Hotel staff. They also have a nurse on duty 24/7; this proved valuable when my boyfriend and I both felt under the weather, and their Resident Manager Natalie Lim herself got us medicine from the nurse.

Spacious closet complete with drawers, hangers, an iron and ironing board, bedroom slippers, flashlight, and safe.

Satisfying gastronomic cravings and entertainment requisites of in-house guests and Ilonggos are the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, The Granary (watch for my separate food review soon), and its lounge, BizBar (watch for my feature on must-try cocktails), both located at the lobby level. If you want to hold your wedding or any other social or business event here, they have banquet facilities that can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. The hotel also has a well-equipped Fitness Center and an outdoor swimming pool.

The pool on the 7th floor wasn’t open yet when we were there, but we were able to see how it looks: It’s located on a windy deck and is designed to be an infinity pool, if not for the safety glass that keeps swimmers secure; you still get an amazing view of Iloilo City, however, not just from the pool but also the surrounding deck. My boyfriend and I are looking forward to the pool bar! We’re definitely checking it out next time we visit—hopefully it’s already open!

One of the features of the hotel that I like is the Atrium that spans the 5th and 6th floors (our room was on the 5th), a warm, cozy, quiet, and spacious lounge area for guests who just want to hang out, well, outside of their rooms. For a look at all of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s facilities that I was able to see, including the view from the pool deck, view the gallery below. Click the first thumbnail to enlarge the photo and launch the rest of the slideshow.

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But then again, I don’t see any reason you’d not want to hang out in your room when it’s so bright, clean, cozy, and spacious, with its modern interiors and impressive bathroom. We can live in the Deluxe Room. The only thing missing is a bathtub! For a virtual tour of our room in photos, click through the slideshow below. Click the first thumbnail to enlarge the photo and launch the gallery.

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Holiday 2015 offerings

This is the hotel’s first Christmas in the city, so they’re really making this season exciting for guests. From luxurious accommodations and discounted room rates to exquisite buffets and joyous celebrations, the reasons to spend heartwarming and merry moments in the city’s premier stylish haven are truly enticing.

Deluxe Room

Spend quality bonding time with loved ones amidst a fabulous setting this holiday break with a fun Richmonde staycation similar to what we had. From now up to January 15, 2016, Holiday Room Rates are at P3,900 net/night for a Deluxe Room and P4,300 net/night for a Premier Room, both with a filling breakfast buffet for two. For a sneak peek at what their buffet breakfast is like (and how big the spread is), view the gallery below. Click the first thumbnail to enlarge the photo and launch the rest of the slideshow.

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If you’re planning an enjoyable and effortless holiday with the family around New Year’s Eve, there are also room packages that provide not just a well-appointed room, but also a delightful Media Noche feast at The Granary. For only P5,600 net for an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room and P6,000 net for a Premier Room, the packages include breakfast buffet for two persons, plus New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet for two for December 31 bookings only.

Serving an array of mouthwatering international dishes and traditional holiday fare, The Granary satisfies gastronomic indulgences and offers an exciting venue for celebrations this Christmas and New Year’s. Make new traditions with the family this year and reserve your tables now for these dinner festivities: Christmas Day Dinner Buffet (P950 net/pax), New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (P1,050 net/pax), and New Year’s Day Dinner Buffet (P950 net). Children 6 to 12 years old get 50% off, while children 5 years old and below get to eat for free.

Last-minute gift ideas

While you’re there and you still haven’t completed your Christmas shopping, why don’t you just get gifts for family, friends, and loved ones at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo?

You can choose from the hotel’s freshly baked treats that are available in elegant packaging. These luscious pastries include the famously soft, cheesy, and oversized Richmonde Ensaymada, the velvety smooth Richmonde Chocolate Cake, and the tasty Choco Banana and Banana Walnut Loaves. New must-try items are the Ohana Bread (Hawaiian loaf), English Butter Loaf, Cinnamon Buns, Apple Strudel, Banana Cream Pie, Holiday Cake Pops Bouquet, plus assorted cookies. These yummy holiday goodies are available for sale at The Granary and at the hotel’s booth at the Iloilo Business Park’s Christmas Village. For bulk purchases, advance order is required.

If you want to give the gift of a Richmonde experience to someone special, there are Gift Certificates that are flexible and affordable. Choose from a wide range of hotel products and services to suit varied preferences, such as overnight accommodations in any of the hotel’s well-appointed rooms, delectable meals or heavenly pastries at The Granary, or fun drinks at BizBar, which make for personal and thoughtful gifts. Also available are gift certificates in P100, P500, and P1,000 denominations, valid for use in any of the hotel’s facilities or for food and beverage orders.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s gift certificates are available at the Front Desk all year-round. However, if you get them at the hotel’s booth at the Christmas Village of Iloilo Business Park, the gift certificates are at special discounted rates: 5% off on monetary gift certificates, and gift certificates for overnight room accommodations for as low as P3,000 net. The hotel’s booth at the Christmas Village is open from 5PM to 12MN daily until December 30, 2015.

For inquiries and room or table reservations, call Richmonde Hotel Iloilo at +6333-3287888. For room bookings, contact Room Reservations direct at + 63917-5809642 or email rhireservations@richmondehotel.com.ph. Bookings may also be made online via Agoda (click here).

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is located at Megaworld Boulevard cor. Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000, Philippines. It is the third property of Megaworld’s Richmonde brand. Richmonde Hotels’ first branch is located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, and the second is located in Eastwood City in Quezon City.