Uncover Paradise: Asia Novo Boutique Hotel's Dumaguete Escape
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the Dumaguete Escape at Uncover Paradise: Asia Novo Boutique Hotel. Prepare yourselves. This isn't gonna be a dry, bullet-point review. This is gonna be… experience.
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First off, let’s be real. I’m not exactly the most graceful traveler. More like a slightly caffeinated, slightly lost, enthusiastically clumsy whirlwind. So, accessibility is HUGE for me.
Accessibility & "Getting There" (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Clumsy Me)
Accessibility: Right, so how do you actually get in and around? Well, it's a mixed bag, honestly. The elevator is a godsend (thank you, sweet baby Jesus!), but navigating some of the hallways with my suitcase felt a tad tight. The facilities for disabled guests are advertised, but I'd recommend calling ahead and confirming specifics, because "accessible" can sometimes mean different things to different people. But hey, the fact that they have it listed is a good start!
Airport Transfer: Thank GOD for this. After the flight, all you want is someone to pick you up. The airport transfer was smooth. The driver was friendly, and the van… well, it had air con! Score!
Getting Around Dumaguete: The hotel offered car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site], which is a win. But, listen, Dumaguete is best explored on foot, or… maybe a tricycle. Just hold on tight! The hotel also suggests taxi service, but personally, I'm a tricycle kinda gal. Embrace the chaos!
Check-in/out [express] & [private]: Smooth as butter, whether you prefer the quick dash or the chill approach. I opted for the express, because, you know, impatient.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious (and Sometimes Slightly Imperfect) Rooms
Okay, my room! Here the stream-of-consciousness really takes off! Okay, the room, it had… (deep breath) Air conditioning, a desk (crucial for late-night journaling and snack planning), a refrigerator (for snacks!), a coffee/tea maker (bless!), Free bottled water (hydration is key, people!), satellite/cable channels (hello, Netflix!) and… wait for it… Wi-Fi [free]! My lifeblood.
Now, let's talk specifics:
The Bed: Comfortable. Not life-changing comforable, mind you, but perfectly acceptable. (You know, I'm not a Princess and the Pea type, but I do appreciate a good night's sleep!) Extra long bed options are listed, which is pretty cool for those who need it.
The Bathroom: Clean, thankfully. The separate shower/bathtub was a luxury I completely appreciated after a day of sightseeing. And the toiletries? Not bad, but I always pack my own because, you know, my skin is a diva.
The Decor: Minimalist, clean lines, a little…safe? I would have liked more local touches to make it really embrace the culture. But ultimately, it's functional, and it's a place to crash after a long day.
Internet Access: Yeah, the Wi-Fi [free] was a LIFESAVER. Because, as I said, lifeblood. Also, and this is important, there's Internet access [LAN] if you're old school!
Additional toilet: Always a plus!
Alarm clock: useful
Bathrobes: A nice touch!
Bathroom phone: who uses that?
Blackout curtains: Essential
Carpeting: Standard
Closet: Nice to hide everything!
Complimentary tea: Nice!
Daily housekeeping: essential!
Hair dryer: very useful!
High floor: I don't think i was one but the option is nice!
In-room safe box: Safe and secure!
Interconnecting room(s) available: If you bring your family
Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities: Nice to have
Laptop workspace: useful!
Linens: Okay.
Mini bar: A must have
Mirror: For admiring all the sights!
Non-smoking: good!
On-demand movies, I love movie night!
Private bathroom, essential!
Reading light: nice and cozy!
Scale: the dreaded scale!
Seating area Nice to chill!
Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Window that opens all were available
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking: My Food Fight Adventures
Okay, food. Let's be real. I came to Dumaguete to EAT. And Uncover Paradise delivered … mostly.
Restaurants: They've got a few.
- The Asian cuisine in restaurant was nice, nothing overly special, but good solid choices.
- The Western cuisine in restaurant was fine if you need something familiar.
Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was… fine. The usual suspects. Eggs, fruit, some pastries. Nothing to write home about, but it filled the void. The Asian breakfast options were better, I'd recommend it.
Room service [24-hour]: This is a WIN. Especially when jet lag hits at 3 AM and you're craving a club sandwich.
Poolside bar: I didn't spend enough time here! The cocktails looked delicious.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: The coffee was passable. I am a coffee snob, so take that with a grain of salt.
Snack bar: Nice for a quick bite!
Other eating options: The bottle of water was vital. The coffee shop served some decent coffee.
Alternative meal arrangement: I really didn't use this but the option is nice to have, for dietary reasons.
A la carte in restaurant: Nice!
Desserts in restaurant: Yum!
Happy hour: Awesome!
International cuisine in restaurant: A good option!
Salad in restaurant: Essential!
Soup in restaurant: If you're feeling sick or want something warm!
Vegetarian restaurant: Nice!
Western breakfast: a good option!
Relaxation and Pampering: My Spa Saga
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I live for a spa day.
Spa/sauna: Yes please!
Massage: ABSOLUTELY. The massage I got was… chef's kiss. Totally worth it. This is where the "Dumaguete Escape" really delivers. The masseuse worked out knots I didn't even realize I had. Pure bliss.
Swimming pool, Absolutely lovely!
Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Pool with view, Body scrub, Body wrap, The hotel has a lot of this!
Fitness center: Okay, I meant to use the Fitness center but… well, the massage was more enticing. It looked well-equipped, though!
Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID-19 Circus
Let's be honest, travel in the current climate is… different. Uncover Paradise seemed to take it seriously.
- Cleanliness and safety: All the standards are there. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, daily disinfection in common areas. Felt generally safe.
- Sanitization: Anti-viral cleaning products, rooms sanitized between stays, all appreciated.
- Dining: Safe dining setup, sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I felt safe eating!
- Cashless payment service is definitely the way to go post-Covid.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Helpful for tips on where to eat and what to do.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank you!
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning/ Ironing service: All available for those moments when I inevitably spill something on myself.
- Business facilities: If you absolutely must work.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nice for grabbing last-minute gifts.
- Elevator: A MUST, as discussed.
**Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls
Escape to Paradise: Adults-Only Luxury at The Reef 28
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're going to Dumaguete, baby! specifically the Asia Novo Boutique Hotel, but trust me, the real story is always messier than the brochures. This is going to be a stream-of-consciousness, chaotic, utterly honest account of what actually happened.
The Dumaguete Debacle (and Delight): A Highly Unstructured Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival of the Anxious
- Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Wake up in Manila, already sweating from the thought of EVERYTHING. Flight to Dumaguete…ugh, hope the plane doesn’t fall out of the sky. This flight felt like watching paint dry, but at least the peanuts were good.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): LANDED! Thank God. The airport is tiny, like, "can-you-swing-a-cat-and-hit-a-gate-agent" tiny. Taxi ride to Asia Novo. Driver… let's just say his driving style could generously be described as “enthusiastic.” I gripped the seat like it was a lifeline.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Asia Novo check-in. Okay, not bad. Clean, air-con that actually WORKS (a miracle!), and the staff is ridiculously friendly, like, genuinely happy to see you. But the room? Small, just like the pictures showed. Okay, no freak-out yet. Just… breathe.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): EXPLORE: Found a local restaurant near the hotel. Not going to lie, I was a little terrified about eating anything not from a chain restaurant. But, hunger wins! Ordered something called "Chicken Inasal". It was…amazing. Fiery, smoky, and left me sweating, but in a good way.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Walked the Dumaguete Boulevard. Oh my lord! A total tourist trap. Still, the way the sun hits that water, the people. It's just… peaceful, in a way that's still messy. Ate some street food. I swear, my stomach is a steel trap.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Beer and people watching. The locals are so chill, and everyone is smiling. Seriously, what is in the water here? Am I going to get reverse culture shocked when I go home?
- Night (10:00 PM - Bedtime): Back to the hotel. A tiny cockroach, scurried across the floor, I swear. I spent a good 15 minutes trying to catch it before finally giving up and figuring it was a Dumaguete welcoming committee member. Sleep. Hopefully.
Day 2: Island Hopping and Existential Dread
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel (included! Score!). The rice was good, can not get enough of that rice.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Found a local tour operator. The guy gave me a price. Felt like I could've negotiated, and then I felt guilty. Let's go with it anyway…
- Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): ISLAND HOPPING. Okay, this is when things really got good. Got on a small boat to Apo Island. SCUBA! Snorkeling! Crystal clear water! Turtles! It felt like a dream. One turtle literally swam right up to me and gave me the side eye. Like, "Hey, get outta my house, tourist." Hilarious. This is what I came for. I almost cry from pure joy.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch on the beach. Fresh, grilled seafood, rice (again!). More sunburn. This feeling is just total bliss.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): More Snorkeling. MORE turtles! But, wait. Is this…too good to be true? Is this all there is? The existential dread creeps in. Am I just a tourist, flitting from experience to experience, never really feeling anything? I need a beer.
- Afternoon (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Shower (needed after all that salt water and sunscreen). Contemplating life, the universe, and what to have for dinner.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at a recommended restaurant. Ordered another Chicken Inasal. Never getting tired of this. Then, the thought bubble: "Did I just spend a fortune to basically eat grilled chicken? Am I failing at being a world traveler?"
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Night walk. The boulevard again. Met a local. He was so sweet, and so happy. Again, the "what am I doing with my life" question starts brewing.
- Night (10:00 PM - Bedtime): Sleep. Hoping for a good dream. A better dream.
Day 3: Siquijor, Spiritual or Stupid?
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Luggage. Breakfast. Trying not to think about going home.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Ferry to Siquijor. The ferry ride was… interesting. The sea was choppy. I almost yacked. But, the view! So dramatic. So beautiful. This island is known for its… well, its magic. I'm not a big believer in the supernatural, but maybe… This is the day I'm going to be proven wrong.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Siquijor check-in. No, wait, first go to a waterfall. Oh my god! The people are amazing as well. I'm starting to think I'm going to cry the entire time.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Waterfalls.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Relax. Relax.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Enjoy.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Try not to make any big life decisions. It's hard.
Day ∞: The Journey Continues…
This is where this “itinerary” gets real, because it’s not about sticking to plans. It’s about feeling, adapting, and maybe, just maybe, figuring out what the heck you’re doing with your life. Dumaguete isn't just a place; it's a feeling. And that feeling will change as fast as the tide.
So, will I stick to this overly loose schedule? Probably not. Will I eat more Chicken Inasal than is humanly possible? Absolutely. Will I have moments of pure joy? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Will I melt down from the sheer beauty? Possibly. Will I find myself? Maybe, who knows! All I know is I’m going to enjoy the ride. And that, my friend, is the whole damn point. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find another beer. And maybe a magic potion. Just in case.
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So, like, what even IS this thing? Am I in the right place?
Alright, alright. But... *WHY* are you doing this? What's the point? (besides avoiding the laundry, of course).
Okay, getting warmer. What about specifics? Like, *how* do you actually... you know... *do* the thing?
What even *is* the most common mistake?
Okay, okay, I'm ready to try. What's the one piece of advice you’d give me, if you only could?
What's been your BIGGEST screw-up, the one you're still kicking yourself over?
Help! I feel like I'm drowning! I can't understand this! What do I do?
Should I just quit?
