PH Oasis: Netflix, Cooking, WiFi - Your Dream MPlace Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into the whirlwind that is PH Oasis – "Your Dream MPlace Awaits!" And after spending a week there, let me tell you, dream is… well, let's just say it's complicated. This review is gonna be less polished review, more like a drunken confession at 3 AM, but hey, that's real life, right?
Let's start with the accessibility. Now, I’m not in a wheelchair, thank the heavens, but I like to think I'm pretty clued-in on these things. The website claimed to be accessible. Okay, so, the elevator looked shiny enough, and there were ramps… mostly. One particularly challenging situation was the restaurant which took 10 minutes to find a helpful attendant to open the doors.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges - I think it's fair to say that accessibility here is a work in progress.
Wheelchair accessible - I'll be honest, I'd rate this a solid… maybe a 6 out of 10? There's potential, but they need to put in more work. More concrete, more consistent.
Internet Access, Glorious Internet! (Or, the Wi-Fi Saga)
Okay, the big sell. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, drumroll please… Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas. Sounds great, right? Well… here's the thing. In my room, the Wi-Fi was… sporadic. Like, it would decide to vanish just as I was getting into a Netflix binge of The Good Place (for the millionth time) and leave me stranded in the digital wilderness. I'm a writer, folks, so this was my biggest fear.
Wi-Fi for special events - LOL, I didn't even attend one.
Internet access – LAN - Uhm… didn't even try.
The free Wi-Fi in public areas was… better, I guess. Still, I feel like in 2024, reliable internet is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental human right. You’re in the middle of paradise -- let me share the heck out of it!
The "Things to Do" / "Ways to Relax" Avalanche
Alright, here's where things get interesting. Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]… Whew! That's a lot.
I tried it all. Okay, not all, but a good chunk. First the swimming pool. The pool with view was exactly as advertised, a beautiful thing (when the sun isn't directly in your face). The water was clean, and the cocktails were… sufficient. Don't get your hopes up for a Michelin-star mixologist.
The spa was a mixed bag. The massage was amazing! One of the best I had in years. The sauna and steamroom were… well, they were there. Kinda felt like a damp, slightly under-maintained cave, but hey, they functioned. The gym/fitness center? I peeked in once. Let's just say it looked like it hadn't been updated since the early 2000s. Not exactly the motivating atmosphere.
And then… the Body scrub and Body wrap. I went for it! Let's just say that the experience was… intimate. I mean, you're basically naked, being rubbed with… well, I'm not entirely sure what was in it, but it smelled like coconuts and regret. (Just kidding, it was actually quite lovely, with the therapist speaking kindly and gently. I recommend it!)
And what about the foot bath? Oh, you guys, I love a good foot bath.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-19 Tango
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room, or rather, the hand sanitizer dispenser on every corner: Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
They were trying. You could tell. They were overcompensating. The daily disinfection in common areas was almost comical at times, like watching a well-meaning but slightly manic robot. They tried -- with great effort! I mean, all the steps were there, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a little… performative. But hey, I'm glad they're taking it seriously. I appreciate the effort.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Maybe)
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
Alright, the food. This is a big one. The breakfast buffet was pretty standard. Cereal, pastries, a questionable selection of hot items. The coffee was… not great. I’m a coffee snob, I admit it. The Asian breakfast, though? Surprisingly good. They had fried rice and some amazing congee.
The restaurants were… varied. I had some delicious desserts in restaurant. The poolside bar was convenient for drinks (see above: cocktails were sufficient), but the happy hour was a bit of a letdown. And the room service! Now that was a lifesaver at 2 AM when my internet was down.
Services and Conveniences: The Bits and Pieces
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.
The concierge was helpful. The daily housekeeping was… thorough. The convenience store was definitely convenient.
For the Kids: The Family Friendly Factor
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meals
I didn't have any kids with me. The hotel seemed to be family-friendly, but I suspect the "kids facilities" were more of a… suggestion than a reality.
Rooms: The Heart of the Matter
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.
The rooms themselves were… decent. I had a non-smoking, high floor room with a view. The bed was comfortable enough. The air conditioning worked. The little complimentary bottles of water were a nice touch. The bathroom was… functional. I had bathrobes, which I always appreciate. The blackout curtains were essential for sleeping in. And yes, there was a window that opens. (Thank goodness!)
Here's a little anecdote: One evening, after a particularly disastrous attempt to use the "laptop workspace" (the Wi-Fi was down, remember), I was sitting on the sofa, eating a snack from the mini bar, when I realized I'd forgotten my razor.
The Verdict: Should You Go?
Okay, so, PH Oasis, in my humble, slightly jaded opinion, is
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel SHOCKER: Route 13 & I-464 Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's sterile travel itinerary. This is… me. And I'm planning a trip to MPlace Cool in the Philippines. Honestly? I'm already half-sweating in anticipation. Let's just see if I can survive this… digitally-assisted adventure.
MPlace Cool w/ Netflix+Cooking+Wifi Philippines: Operation "Can't-Believe-I'm-Not-Just-Living-in-My-Pajamas" (or, I'M OFFICIALLY A TOURIST!)
Pre-Trip Anxiety Fest (a.k.a. "The Packing Panic")
- Day -3: Oh God, the packing. My mortal enemy. I swear I bring the ENTIRE closet every time. Jeans? Check. Shorts? Check. Sweaters for the Philippine humidity (don't judge, I'm ALWAYS cold!)? Check. And the shoes… the shoes. Oh, the shoes. I'm doomed. Do I even like any of the clothes in my closet? Let's just say I need a serious wardrobe reboot. And the passport… where is it? Cue internal screaming.
- Day -2: Finally found the passport (it was under a pile of takeout menus, naturally). Downloaded like a dozen movies and TV shows on Netflix. I'm calling it "research." Actually, who am I kidding, it's pure procrastination.
- Day -1: Panic packing continues. Realized I'd better pack earplugs because people snore, right? Also, my electric toothbrush charger. I guess I can't go without fresh breath. Ugh. I guess I should make a list instead now…
- Day 0: Trip to the airport. It can be a little stressful, but a good playlist can cure anything…
The Actual Adventure (or, "Please Don't Let Me Mess This Up")
Day 1: Arrival & Orientation (or, "Is That Air Conditioning I Feel?")
- Morning (ish): Landed! And… it's hot. So, so hot. But the airport is surprisingly organized, and the immigration officer didn’t even judge my slightly-too-enthusiastic "Hello!" This is a win! Took a taxi, and I'm pretty sure my driver tried to scam me… but I’m too tired to care yet.
- Afternoon: Check-in at MPlace Cool. Okay, the photos online were a bit… optimistic. It's not the Taj Mahal, but it's clean, and the air conditioning is a GODSEND. Seriously, I might marry the AC unit. Unpacked (mostly) and collapsed on the bed. The view is… well, it's a view!
- Evening: Food hunt! Needed food. Found a local street food stall and tried lumpiang shanghai. It was delicious and cheap. This is the good life. Ate way too fast and now question my life choices. My stomach is still intact though.
Day 2: Netflix, Cooking, and Questionable Culinary Choices (or, "I'm Not Saying I'm a Chef… But I'm Not NOT a Chef")
- Morning: Slept in! Glorious. Made myself some coffee that tasted vaguely of hot water and disappointment (instant coffee is a fickle mistress). Decided to make something of myself and actually cook. (There's a kitchen in the accommodations. Who knew?)
- Afternoon (of cooking): I’m going to grocery store here, I'm told, to buy food. Decided to make… adobo, because I heard it was the go-to Filipino dish. Found all the ingredients, which was a mini-triumph. The cooking… well, let's just say the kitchen smelled suspiciously of burnt garlic for a while. I am not a natural in the kitchen. But hey, at least I tried. The adobo? Edible. Barely.
- Evening: Netflix and chill (quite literally). Had the place to myself, so I watched some movies and TV shows. Found the WiFi, which is a blessing!
Day 3: Exploring the City (or, "Dodging Traffic Like a Pro - Mostly")
- Morning: Decided to be a tourist. Took a jeepney (the local bus – very colorful!) to… somewhere. Got lost, obviously. It’s part of the adventure, right? Eventually found my way to a market. Sensory overload! So many colors, smells, and people. Bought some fruit. It was amazing.
- Afternoon: Found a local coffee shop to sit and relax, and drank coffee (better coffee!) and watch the world go by and do some people-watching.
- Evening: Okay, I'm exhausted. Back to the apartment. Maybe find another food stand and try some sisig - hopefully it's easier than adobo, and not just a bunch of random ingredients in a pan. (I'll probably get lost on the way.)
Day 4: Double Down on a Single Experience! (or, "Conquering My Fears with a Spoonful of Adobo")
- Morning: Since my adobo experiment wasn't exactly a gourmet success, I'm hitting the local cooking class. I thought I should learn how to do it correctly. I'll be honest, I'm terrified. What if I set the kitchen on fire? What if they realize I'm basically a kitchen disaster? But the allure of delicious, authentic food outweighs my fear (barely).
- Afternoon: The cooking class! Turns out, I'm not a complete culinary disaster. Under the guidance of a patient instructor, I actually managed to create a decent, maybe even good, adobo. And it didn't involve any fire-related incidents! I now know a lot more about how to make this dish. It was a huge win for me.
- Evening: Rewards! I'm going to eat the adobo I made, plus the sisig I've been wanting to trying!
- Evening (Late Night): I'm a travel blogger! I'm going to write and upload and brag about how I cooked the adobo, as well as my whole experience at this amazing location. I will also review all the movie and tv shows I had watched, too.
- Night: Went to bed.
Day 5: (or, "The Day I Realized I Need a Vacation from my Vacation")
- Morning: Woke up feeling like I'd run a marathon (mostly mentally, I think). Decided to just chill at the room. Read some trashy novels, and finally got around to using the washing machine.
- Afternoon: Netflix and lazy browsing.
- Evening: One last amazing meal at a restaurant to celebrate. Maybe I'll even order adobo. Or avoid it entirely, and hope for something new.
Day 6: Departure (or, "Goodbye, Air Conditioning. Farewell, Adobo.")
- Morning: Final packing. Sigh. I wish I could live in this apartment forever, though.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport, with a mix of exhaustion and fond memories. Said goodbye to the building, and also the air conditioning.
- Evening: Arrive back home.
Post-Trip Reflections (or, "I Survived!")
- The Good: MPlace Cool was actually pretty great. Clean, comfortable, and the air conditioning was a lifesaver. The Netflix and wifi were awesome. I found some delicious food. Manila's chaotic energy has a strange charm.
- The Bad: My cooking skills still need serious improvement. I need a better sense of direction. I spent too much money.
- The Ugly: I'm pretty sure I sunburned my nose. Oops.
Final Verdict: Would I do it again? Absolutely! With better sunscreen, a more realistic assessment of my culinary abilities, and a stronger sense of direction, maybe. This trip was a messy, imperfect, but unforgettable adventure. And that's exactly what I wanted. Plus, I conquered adobo! (Kind of.)
Gojo Miyabi Inn: Japan's Best-Kept Secret (Unbelievable Views!)
PH Oasis: Your FAQ-ish Guide to Paradise (Maybe?)
Okay, Okay, PH Oasis. Netflix, Food, WiFi – Hit Me! Is it REALLY as dreamy as the ads?
Alright, hold your horses, sunshine. Dreamy? Depends. Let's break it down, because honey, real life is rarely a glossy brochure. I went in expecting instant paradise, all sun-kissed skin and perfectly curated Instagram shots. It was… a journey. A sweaty, sometimes-frustrating journey.
Netflix & Chill? The listing promised glorious streaming. And, yeah, it *mostly* delivered. Except, and this is a big EXCEPT, sometimes the WiFi would decide to take a nap. And by nap, I mean completely vanish into the ether. I'm talking epic, binge-worthy moments interrupted by the dreaded buffering wheel of death. Picture me, halfway through a season of whatever cheesy rom-com I was obsessed with that week, muttering darkly at the ceiling. *"Come on, WiFi, don't fail me now!"* Then, a brief prayer that it's not a full-on outage. So, netflix access yes, flawless? Nah, not always, let's just say sometimes the internet was like a moody teenager.
And the food? The listing showed all these amazing dishes - Did you eat like royalty?
Food. Ah, food. This is always where I get myself into the most trouble. One thing I know is that I'm a foodie, and the listing promised everything I loved: local ingredients, fresh seafood, etc.
So, yes, I ate. Did I eat like royalty? Well, I ate like *somebody*. The advertised "gourmet meals prepared by a private chef" was a bit... optimistic. It was a local chef, a very nice man, but let's just say his comfort zone was the local cuisine with a twist, not Michelin-star quality. Think grilled fish, but with a generous helping of garlic. Which, honestly, wasn't a *bad* thing, just... not what I'd pre-imagined. That said, there *was* one meal that absolutely blew me away. I guess I should tell you about it: one evening, this seafood platter arrived – it was HUGE! There was grilled lobster, massive prawns, some kind of delicious white fish I couldn't identify but just devoured, plus all the yummy sides. It was a beautiful sight... and the taste? Pure magic. That one meal almost made up for the questionable internet. Almost. That was perfection!
Let's talk WiFi. The MOST important question in this day and age and I'm nervous to ask. Is it decent?
Ugh, the WiFi. Bless its digital heart. Right, let's be honest about expectations here: If you're planning on living your best digital nomad life, Zooming all day and uploading gigabytes of content, you're taking a gamble. The listing states it has "high-speed WiFi." High-speed? Maybe in the land of Oz. It varied wildly. Some days, I'm scrolling through Instagram like a fiend, happy days. Other days? It was… glacial.
I'm talking buffering. I'm talking dropped calls. I'm talking the urge to throw my laptop into the ocean. (I didn't, don't worry!). I was trying to be productive, you know? Actually get some work done. But one day, I just gave up and laid on the beach. It was like, the WiFi was a temperamental diva, sometimes brilliant, sometimes completely useless.
Anything else I need to know, apart from the Netflix, Food and WiFi?
Oh, honey, where do I begin? Packing light is your friend, but don't skimp on the bug spray! Mosquitoes. They are relentless. And the sun? Savage. Slather yourself in sunscreen, people!
There's this little thing called island time. Things don't run on schedules, the pace is slow. Embrace it. Let go of your inner control freak. Seriously, just breathe and order another cocktail. The staff? Generally lovely, but communication was sometimes a challenge. A few times there was a language barrier. It's beautiful. The beaches are genuinely stunning. It's worth it. And those sunsets? Absolutely breathtaking. The kind that makes you stop and silently thank the powers that be that you're alive.
So, would you go back?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? The answer: Probably.
Despite the WiFi and the sometimes-questionable chef, the sunsets, the beaches, the overall vibe? They got under my skin. I'd go back, but with a hefty dose of optimism and a whole arsenal of offline entertainment. And maybe a portable WiFi hotspot. Just in case. Because, honestly? That seafood platter alone was worth the trip. And that's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Netflix!
