Unbelievable Romance: Your Manila Staycation Awaits at Urban Deca Tower!
Okay, deep breath! Let's dive headfirst into this "Unbelievable Romance" staycation at Urban Deca Tower. Buckle up, because this isn't your average polished review. We're going for raw, real, and hopefully, a little hilarious. And yeah, SEO is a thing, so here we go, Manila staycation!
Unbelievable Romance at Urban Deca Tower: Because Love (and Maybe Just a Weekend of Netflix) Deserves a Treat!
Alright, so, Urban Deca Tower. Manila. Staycation. The whole idea already sounds… well, vaguely romantic. I mean, let's be honest, sometimes "romance" means escaping the dishes and the never-ending laundry pile. And, let’s be real, hoping the hotel room has decent Wi-Fi.
Accessibility & the First Hurdle (Or, "Can I Actually Get There?")
Okay, so, accessibility. This matters. I'm personally not using a wheelchair, but I am always conscious of it. So, I dug around a bit. The info is a little… sparse. There are "Facilities for disabled guests," which is a start. But I'd love to see specifics on wheelchair accessibility throughout the property, especially in common areas like the pool or restaurants. More info needed, Deca! (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests)
Internet: My Digital Oxygen
Let's get real. Internet. It's crucial. (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas) AND GUESS WHAT? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! This is a huge win. I need my Netflix, my Spotify, and the ability to pretend I’m working when I’m clearly binge-watching a terrible reality show. Okay, the Wi-Fi was generally pretty solid. No buffering during crucial moments of my show, which is a HUGE plus. And thankfully the hotel is up-to-date enough to offer a LAN connection as well, a good back up.
Cleanliness & Safety: Post-Pandemic Paranoia, Activated!
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. Post-COVID, the cleanliness thing is HUGE. ** (Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)** Urban Deca Tower seems to be taking this seriously. They highlight things like "Rooms sanitized between stays" and "Staff trained in safety protocol." Which, frankly, is reassuring. Seeing hand sanitizer everywhere is a definite comfort, and "Daily disinfection in common areas" is music to my germaphobe heart. Now, whether everything is actually squeaky-clean? That's the million-dollar question, and that's up to you to find out. (I saw them cleaning, so that's a good sign!)
The Room: My Personal Fortress of Solitude (or, at least, a weekend's worth)
The room itself! (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.) Okay, so, I LOVE a good blackout curtain. And the Deca did not disappoint! The room was decent-sized, the bed was comfy (extra long! Score!), and that coffee/tea maker was my best friend. The bathroom? Clean. Always a win. Didn’t get a chance to test out the bathroom phone… Maybe next time? Everything you needed was there: slippers, bathrobes, toiletries. Okay, the decor wasn't exactly "Pinterest-worthy," but hey, I'm not here to judge the interior design! And, let's be honest – sometimes a simple, clean room is exactly what you need. I did appreciate the reading light. (I forgot a book. Oops.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Relaxation (or, "Where's the Food?")
Okay, food. This is where things got a little… mixed. (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) They have a restaurant. They have room service (24-hour – YES!). They mentioned Asian and International cuisine, too. The breakfast (included!) was a buffet. It was… adequate. Not life-changing, but enough to fuel a morning of lounging by the pool. I could definitely see some areas for improvement here. More variety, fresher ingredients, maybe some real coffee. But look, it wasn't terrible. Room service was a godsend one night when I just wanted to hide in my room and order a burger, and they provided. The poolside bar looked inviting, though I didn't actually utilize it.
Things To Do (Beyond Binge-Watching): Relaxation Station
Ooh, now we’re talking! (Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]). The pool. The outdoor swimming pool. (The picture looked good!) The gym! The spa services! YES! I'll be honest, I spent a lot of time at the pool. It was clean, the view was… well, it was a city view, but it was still relaxing. I saw a few people enjoying (or attempting to enjoy) the pool. I did NOT utilize any of the spa services. Next time, for sure. A massage sounds heavenly, especially after staring at a screen all day! The sauna and steamroom were appealing, too. Guess I'll have to return!
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
This is where Urban Deca Tower shines. ** (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)** Daily housekeeping? Amazing. Luggage storage? Crucial. Concierge? Always helpful. The contactless check-in/out was a nice touch, because, you know, pandemic. The convenience store was a huge plus. I completely forgot to pack snacks (a cardinal sin!), and they saved me. The elevator worked, another plus, and the AC in public zones was great (thank god). All in all the services were well provided.
For the Kids (Because Family Staycations Are a Thing Too!)
** (For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)** They advertised family-friendly, but the details are a little thin. They mention babysitting service, which is great. But specifics on "kids facilities" aren't super clear. If you have little ones, I'd recommend reaching out and asking what specifically is on offer.
Getting Around (Navigating the Urban Jungle)
** (Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking)** Free parking! That's always a massive win, given Manila traffic. I didn’t need airport transfer this time, but it's good to know it's an option.
The Verdict: Unbelievable Romance? Maybe… But a Solid Staycation, Absolutely!
Urban Deca Tower isn’t going to whisk you away to a tropical paradise (though the pool does its best). It's a solid, comfortable, and convenient staycation option in Manila, great value for the price. The convenience is a huge draw - location, free Wi-Fi, 24-
Genting Highlands Luxury: HUGE Suite, Pool, WiFi - 1P!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-organized travel brochure. This is my brain, post-caffeine, planning a "Romantic Staycation" at the Urban Deca Tower EDSA in Manila. Prepare for a beautiful disaster.
Romantic Staycation: Urban Deca EDSA - Manila (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Concrete Jungle…or at least, tolerate it for a weekend)
The Premise (Ugh, "Premise" sounds so uptight): Escape the usual grind! Think: "Romantic getaway" meets "I can't afford Bali right now," but the spirit is there! Urban Deca is, you know, there. I've actually heard some… interesting things about it. Let's see if we can wrangle some romance out of EDSA traffic and the lingering scent of, well… Manila.
The Players: Me (the planner, the doubter, the romantic at heart), and… him. (Let's call him "Significant Other" for the sake of brevity and potential future embarrassment.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Pursuit of "Chill."
1:00 PM: Check-In Debacle (and the Art of the Patient Sigh)
- Okay, first hurdle. The promise of a smooth check-in? We entered the lobby which is hot and full of other people. "Romantic" is not the first thing that comes to mind. The line is long, painfully long. Significant Other is already giving me "the look" – the one that says, “This better be worth it.” I subtly squeeze his hand and try to project zen vibes. I swear I saw a cockroach scuttle across the floor. Maybe the romance is already dead on arrival. I sigh dramatically. This is officially the start of our romantic adventure.
- Quirk: I'm suddenly obsessed with the receptionists' nametags. Do they even like their jobs? Are they judging my attempt at a "romantic" getaway? Am I judging their judging? It's a rabbit hole!
2:00 PM: Room Revelation (and the Hopeful Sniff Test)
- Success! We're in. The "Romantic" room. I immediately do the sniff test. Is it the faint whiff of disinfectant and… something else? Praying it's not a permanent aroma. The decorations are… well, they exist. There are flowers. Plastic flowers, but flowers nonetheless. And a view of… EDSA. Perfect. So romantic.
- Observation: The aircon is blasting like it's trying to win an award. I'm already shivering. Significant Other is already futzing with the thermostat. Relationship test: passed (for now).
2:30 PM: The Glorious Pursuit of Chill - Part 1: Poolside (Maybe).
- The pool is…open! It's a concrete rectangle. I’m a pool snob, and I cannot lie, the water looks greenish. But hey, it's hot, and we're aiming for "chill." We slather on sunscreen, find a slightly shaded spot (essential!), and begin the crucial task of doing nothing.
- Anecdote: A small child screams with joy every three seconds. The joy eventually becomes grating. Significant Other grumbles something about "the joys of parenthood." I realize, for a fleeting moment, that I'm incredibly grateful not to be a parent right now. But I want to sleep under the sun while listening to the music.
4:00 PM: The Glorious Pursuit of Chill - Part 2: Room Service (and the Anticipation of "Maybe Good" Food).
- Room service! The true test of any good staycation. We ordered a pizza (because comfort food is romantic, right?), some fries, and a ridiculously expensive bottle of wine. Now, the waiting game begins.
- Emotional Reaction: Hunger is a powerful motivator. I start pacing. Significant Other is watching some random sports channel. I'm trying to manifest deliciousness. It better be good. It needs to be good.
5:00 PM: Pizza Apocalypse (and the Reality of Expectations vs. Reality)
- Pizza arrives! With… slight… imperfections. The crust is a little… cardboard-y. The toppings are… sparsely distributed. Significant Other tries to hide his disappointment. I laugh (a little hysterically). It’s not what we expected, not exactly what we wanted, but we eat it. We laugh at the absurdity of it all and the food is finished in 20 minutes.
- Messy Structure: The wine, however, is good. Very good. This is when we actually have fun.
7:00 PM: Sunset (Kind Of), and the Art of the Compromise.
- Sunset? It's Manila. The view of the sky is murky, mostly. But the golden hour is the best. So we try to catch the color, but it's hidden with a lot of clouds.
- Opinionated Language: So, here’s where the "Romantic" starts. The soft glow of the city lights against the (faintly) pink sky, the sound of the traffic fades a beat, the wine has done its work. Suddenly, even the plastic flowers seem to… shimmer? Maybe? We stare at each other, feeling happy. It’s actually so romantic even if you're inside our room.
8:00 PM: Netflix and… well, let’s just say…
- Netflix and… (you get the idea). The whole point of a staycation, right? To de-stress, reconnect, and, you know… let loose.
- Doubling Down: We're doubling down on time and enjoying each other. This might be the best part.
Day 2: Recovery and the Quest for Sustained Good Vibes
9:00 AM: Late Wake-Up (and the Dreaded Morning Breath)
- Success! We slept. The aircon is still on full blast. The room smells… better.
- Quirky Observation: I realize I forgot to pack a toothbrush. Significant Other just sighs and offers me his, "It's fine," he says. "We're a team." Team!
10:00 AM: Breakfast (or, the Forgiveness of Cheap Toast).
- Breakfast is included. Expectations: Low. Reality: Perfectly fine. The toast is a little stale, the coffee is… weak. But we're together, and we're not at work.
- Anecdote: We overhear another couple arguing. We exchange a knowing glance, and then laugh. We are not them.
11:00 AM: A Last Hurrah (or, the Desperate Search for Fun)
- The options are… limited. We considered the gym. No, not feeling it. We opted for an intense game of "I Spy" in the room, just to feel like we are actually doing something. It's actually fun.
- Opinionated Language: This is the part where you realize a staycation in this particular location isn't a luxury escape.
12:00 PM: Check-Out (and the Sweet Taste of Freedom).
- Check-out! Smooth, this time. We escape into the bustling EDSA, blinking at the sunlight.
- Emotional Reaction: Leaving the room, I feel a weird combination of relief and satisfaction. We survived!
- Quirky Observation: I made some changes to our plan. From the hotel, we're going straight to a different place!
The Verdict (because, yeah, I need to summarize this mess):
- Was it "Romantic?" Ehhhh. Parts of it, sure. The company was good, the wine flowed, and the plastic flowers sparkled (okay, maybe not). The point isn't the location, really. but what we did.
- Would I do it again? Maybe. It depends. But this is a story to tell forever!
- Final Thought: Sometimes, the imperfections are what make the memory.
So, is this whole "Unbelievable Romance" thing actually *romance* or just… a hotel room?
Okay, real talk. Honestly? The name is a *little* much, right? "Unbelievable Romance"? Sounds like a tagline for a cheesy rom-com starring, like, a talking dog and a heartbroken librarian. However! I have to admit, the marketing got me, hook, line, and sinker. I'm a sucker for a good theme, and sometimes, just sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need to feel... well, *something* other than existential dread. I went with my partner, and... well, let's just say the "unbelievable romance" was more about us surviving the elevator at Urban Deca than actual fireworks. (More on *that* later.) But hey, it's a start, right? You gotta set the mood somehow!
What *actually* comes with the Urban Deca Tower staycation package? Spill the tea!
Alright, the good stuff. Depending on the package, you're looking at a room (duh), some kind of meal voucher (usually breakfast, which, honestly, is a lifesaver when dealing with post-Manila traffic-induced stress), and sometimes, *maybe*, a bottle of something bubbly. Our room, thankfully, wasn't a total disaster. The bed was comfy enough, although the pillows were a bit… flat. And the view? Well, let's just say it was *very* "Manila urban jungle" i.e. concrete everywhere. But hey, you're not there for the view, right? You're there to... um... *romance*? Look, I’m trying to keep the theme going here.
Is the food any good? I'm a picky eater… and a foodie.
Okay, FOOD. Crucial. Breakfast was... let's just say it wasn't Michelin-star quality. It was a buffet situation, and the usual suspects were there: scrambled eggs that had seen better days, some sad-looking sausages, and toast that was *way* too eager to be buttered. BUT! I managed to find some decent fruit, and they had *unlimited* coffee. That, my friends, is a win in my book. Don’t expect culinary genius, you're not there for that. You're there for… well, the *experience*. Which brings me to… (clears throat)
Tell me about the "Unbelievable" part of "Unbelievable Romance." What makes it special? What's the catch?
Alright, now we get to the juicy bits. Here’s where things get… interesting. "Unbelievable" might refer to the *effort* you have to put in to actually achieve the “romance.” It *could* be the sheer audacity of the theme itself in a slightly older building. The catch? Well, beyond the slightly-less-than-perfect aesthetics, there's the Manila experience. Traffic, sometimes. The whole "Manila experience" can *really* test a relationship. There was a moment, trying to get a taxi to the Mall, where I swear my partner and I almost ended up in a full-blown argument about the intricacies of Grab vs. ordinary taxis. But! We survived. And sometimes, surviving a minor crisis together *is* romantic, right? (Right?!)
What are some other things that might… *enhance* the "romance"? (wink wink nudge nudge)
Okay, this is where you make it your own. I highly recommend packing some scented candles (because let's face it, hotel room air can be... well, let's just say it's not always the most inviting). Bring your own playlist, because the hotel elevator music will *not* set the mood. Maybe order a bottle of nice wine and some snacks (because, again, the food might not be your jam). And most importantly, be prepared to laugh! Because things might not go exactly according to plan.
Urban Deca Tower – Any hidden gems or surprising downsides? Spill the tea!
Okay, hidden gems… hmmm. The elevator. THE ELEVATOR. That was the unexpected drama. We got stuck. Twice. For varying degrees of time. One time it was a minor blip. The other? Let's just say it involved frantic button-mashing, a healthy dose of claustrophobia, and the sudden realization that my partner and I had drastically different opinions on what constitutes "romantic small talk." (They wanted to discuss Filipino history, I just wanted to get *OUT*). Downsides? Besides the elevator, the cleanliness of the hallways could have been better. And the noise from the street was… persistent. But hey, at least it made the experience memorable, right? (Send help.)
Would you recommend the "Unbelievable Romance" staycation? Honestly.
Okay, the big question. Would I recommend it? Hmmm. It’s complicated. If you're looking for a perfect, flawless experience, maybe not. If you're looking for a place to recharge while you escape from the daily grind or even to have an adventure, then… yes! The imperfections were part of the charm, in a weird, slightly masochistic way. It’s a budget-friendly escape and a great opportunity to test and strengthen your relationship. Just make sure, you are with the right person! Bring your sense of humor, embrace the chaos, and be prepared for a few bumps along the way. And for the love of all that is holy, try to avoid the elevator at rush hour. Trust me on this one. As I said, it’s not about the grandeur of the experience, it’s about creating those core memories. So, yeah, go for it! Maybe text me after and tell me all about it. Seriously.
