Staycation During the Pandemic
Ross Kenu in Travel
Feb 02, 2021 • 3 min Read
When was the last time you stayed in a hotel? Are you one of those who used to do a hotel staycation?
With the pandemic still in effect, I’m pretty sure most of you haven’t done this for quite a while. I hadn’t stayed in a hotel since February 2020, a month before the lockdown. However, with businesses resuming operations, partially at least, the traveler’s temporary abode is welcoming guests once again.
Last weekend, we got to experience a staycation once again, a 5-star one at that – Okada Manila!
We got the room through a lucky raffle draw courtesy of my in-laws. It was complimentary so we didn’t spend for the room. The reservation was for an overnight stay. So here’s the rundown.
Health, Safety, & Security Protocols
They’re very strict with these protocols starting from the parking entry. The guards will make you roll down your windows for visual verification of the car passengers, check your car’s trunk, and inspect underneath before letting you in. The way to the parking bays can be a bit winding for first timers but just follow the signs and you’ll be alright.
Going inside from the parking will take a little time as you’ll have to go thru disinfection and screening. A QR code is posted to scan and fill-up for the usual contract tracing protocols. They have a disinfection booth that sprays a foggy mixture on each person. It’s like a cold mist and you’ll have to stay 8 seconds inside the booth before being allowed to proceed. After this, comes the security check similar to the airport – two scanning machines, one for the person and the other for your bags. A surveillance photo is also taken before you go thru the scanning machine and they’ll make you take off your face mask and shield. Kids below 15 are allowed to stay by the way, if they wear a face mask and shield. Once you’re clear, you’re all set to go inside.
Checking-In
We couldn’t tell how fast check-in was as my in-laws did this being the lucky raffle draw winner. One observation though, the walk from reception to the elevators is quite far. There’s waiting time at the elevators as social distancing inside the lifts is implemented at four passengers per elevator.
Room
The room was complimentary, so we expected it to be small with no frills. Breakfast isn’t included in the booking, so we didn’t expect it. But when we got inside, lo and behold! The room was massive! The bathroom alone was bigger than our bedroom at home! The entire room must be around 80 square meters. There’s a walk-in closet that goes directly to the pantry. It has a king-sized bed, huge flat screen tv, and a round jacuzzi. It has also a fantastic view of the fountain, except that it wasn’t turned on the entire time we were there, hahah!
The shower and the toilet were separate which to my understanding is more of the western style as you have to do your business separately, if you know what that means.
Most amenities of the room can also be controlled by a customized iPad which is pretty cool! You can turn on/off the tv, change channels, adjust the volume, turn on/off the lights, adjust the brightness, order room service, and even open and close the freakin’ curtains! I thought Jarvis, Tony Stark’s AI computer in the Iron Man series was going to talk to me!
Overall, the stay is not enough to do justice to the hotel that devotes resources to pamper their guests with luxurious amenities and top-notch services. I hope to come back and stay longer. As to when that will be, at the current rate of 12k ++ per night room only, makes me want to think twice.
Ross Kenu is the penname of a brilliant engineer. He enjoys writing and sharing of his thoughts and sense of things.
