Some ideas to share

Before I leave for Australia, I have to do this column article due when I will be out there. I did an article on Oakwood Premier at JOY-NOSTALG Center in Ortigas and I promised to keep you updated on what I experienced when I met up with Alfred Reyes. It turns out that my good friend is the Chief Operating Officer of Quantuvis Resources Corporation, the owning company of Oakwood Premier at Joy-Nostalg Center. Quantuvis is into real estate and property development. As such, according to Alfred, they will be in Cebu later this month to look into their properties in Mactan Island and in Bohol.

Oakwood Premier has a well-honed American manager in Brian Connelly. I met him casually at the elevators, when I was given a tour of the premises by Front Office Manager Rey C. Pajarito Jr. Mr. Connelly was very cordial in welcoming me into the hotel, as well as refreshingly casual when he asked me for some tips as to where and what he could do in Cebu. Very engaging, indeed. You will have a friendly manager in Mr. Connelly at Oakwood Premier if you will be in residence there. He is an experienced hotelier with 32 years of worldwide record in such established US hotel chains as Sheraton, Hilton, InterContinental, Fairmont and Oakwood.

If you recall, Oakwood ceased their operations in the Philippines some years back, so that when Quantuvis was looking for a respected name in the hospitality trade to manage their proposed hotel, they contacted Oakwood Asia Pacific based in Singapore. As you know, Oakwood has 3,500 associates in 70 cities across 40 countries -- making them truly the global standard-bearer of classy, fully furnished serviced apartments. What I saw in the furbished rooms of the apartment hotel really took my breath away – the one-bedroom areas are really spacious and meticulously appointed. They even have washing machines with dryers, dish washing machines, other kitchen gadgets that make life convenient for the guests.

Location is a big plus for Oakwood Premier at Joy Nostalg. From the airport, take EDSA until you reach SM Megamall. Turn right at Shaw Blvd., then left to San Miguel Ave. until you hit ADB Avenue. The hotel is right across the Asian Development Bank Bldg., just a block away from the Podium and walking distance to Robinson’s Galleria. Shopping and entertainment are just minutes away on foot!

Since Oakwood are primarily for long-staying guests, the Philippine team will come up with local package rates so travelers to Manila will be able to afford a lovely stay at Oakwood Premier at Joy Nostalg.

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As I was preparing for this long trip to Australia, I found out that the cheapest tickets are those bought through the internet but with certain limitations that you must watch out, or else you end up paying a lot more. You must also take the chance that nothing will happen when you pay with your credit card…what with all the frauds done across what seems to be a borderless world. (I have been advised to get a credit card with a low limit, enough to buy a ticket or two. This way, you minimize the dangers. It’s a thing to consider!) I decided to buy my inland itinerary from the Qantas Office here in Cebu. A bit more expensive but I got rid of the hassles.

I have also found out that the cheapest way to buy domestic routes is in the country itself. Just like balikbayans paying higher amounts for their Manila-Cebu tickets, if these were purchased abroad. The best way to do this is to have your contact in the country of destination to buy your ticket from there. That is, if you feel comfortable with the fact that your relative or friend will have to advance the payment for you.

We hope to find a good offer for our New Zealand portion in Sydney. There will be a number of airlines to choose from, while we leave our big luggage behind. Traveling light is always a wise option.

So, Australia – and New Zealand -- here we come!