The gem of Antipolo City
MANILA, Philippines - Having been exposed for years to the usual faraway travel destinations outside of Metro Manila, people turn to places much closer to home — at the very least, one to two hours away — not just to save on gas and transport fare, but also not to bear the tedium that comes with having to sit four to six hours just to enjoy a vacation.
It’s a good thing then that places such as Antipolo City have become viable alternatives to people who want something different. What’s more, it’s only two hours away by car at the most. And where do you stay when you’re in town? Try out Gems Hotel & Conference Center.
Located in Barangay Dalig and near various tourist spots such as the famous Hinulugang Taktak and the historic municipality of Baras, among others, Gems is the perfect hotel for families and groups of friends for their weekend outings. The sprawling property it occupies is a quiet, cozy place where the refreshing breeze of Rizal province wafts by wherever you sit. Nearby, a 25-meter semi-Olympic lap pool provides both relaxation and exercise. A second pool has a waterslide for kids and adults to enjoy.
There are 63 air-conditioned bedrooms that provide travelers with a welcome respite from the stresses of the city. The rooms are wide and spacious and can accommodate up to five guests. Having that in mind, Gems is the perfect hotel for companies who want to hold their seminars, conferences and team-building affairs.
Complementing the services for large groups are two reception halls which can be broken down into various function halls and seminar rooms. The reception halls can accommodate 200 to 350 people at a time. From small meetings and conferences to lavish celebrations, Gems provides the space for all your company or party needs. Special packages for debut, graduation or wedding receptions, which include catering, are available. Seminar rooms come complete with audio-visual equipment. As an added convenience, the entire hotel is blanketed with free Wi-Fi so business people may continue with their work as they relax.
It all started out as a venture within the family. General manager Mitch Angelada recalls, “It all started with two buildings converted into reception halls.” After that were the swimming pools. It was something that was close to Mitch’s family since they all loved to swim. In time, additional facilities were added such as a chapel and various restaurants.
According to Mitch, the recent economic boom of Antipolo translated into wider roads and more cars. Adapting to this, the hotel converted their tennis court into a parking lot at the back to accommodate the needs of more guests. The influx of dining establishments also helped, with Hap Chan right in front and within the hotel property as well as the Pranjetto Bar and Restaurant. Across the street is another of the Angelada family’s properties, Calleza Grill.
This, too, had a simple start which boomed when name bands like True Faith started playing at the venue. Mitch hesitates calling Calleza a “bar.” What they do is serve really good food, like any proper restaurant does, with a family ambience that welcomes a wholesome atmosphere. Not that it doesn’t have its fair share of flowing beer and wine - Calleza has that every day — and once a month, big-name musical acts fill their stage. In the back, videoke rooms are kept busy almost every night by families who want to unwind. If you find yourself there sometime, order the Hawaiian Pizza with its layers of creamy cheese and pineapple chunks.
For July, Calleza Grill switches it up by having bands play every Friday for the entire month. Expect big acts such as Sandwich, Marcus Highway, Imago, Peryodiko, 6 Cycle Mind, Grace Note, Ney, Paraluman, Callalily, and Duster to step on the stage on all Fridays of July.
Mitch says that if companies want to take their team-building activities further, they have a separate property named Pranjetto Hills, about an hour away in Tanay. Gems Hotel can provide transport to Pranjetto Hills where guests can enjoy even more facilities such as swimming pools, basketball courts, game rooms and at least 10 hectares of property.
Gems Hotel & Conference Center is a perfect hub for people who want to work, relax, and maybe go out and enjoy the city at the end of a day of team-building and meetings. Antipolo may not have been at the top of mind during the last corporate planning session, but with Gems, that choice may come much easier next time.
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The Gems Hotel & Conference Center is located along the Circumferential Road in Barangay Dalig, Antipolo City, right in front of the GoodYear Servitek and beside the Shell gas station. For more information, go to its website at http://www.gems-hotel.com or call (632) 697-1785 or 630-5686 or telefax (632) 695-1332.
