Stonehill Suites: The Most Aesthetic Luxury Boutique Hotel with State-of-the-Art Banquet Hall in Bacolod City Negros Occidental

One of the biggest factors that made our stay in Bacolod City truly wonderful was the superb accommodation at Stonehill Suites.

We didn’t expect that behind its humble façade would be one of the most aesthetic luxury boutique hotels we’ve ever encountered.

Just look at how every little detail of this hotel exudes a modern contemporary with touches of Art Deco elegance.  

According to the hotel manager, every item in the hotel was carefully handpicked by the owner with evidently eclectic taste.  Bold furnitues and fixtures of brass geometric chandelier, sleek metal- and wooden-framed chairs with mustard yellow and burnt orange  cushion, plush modern sofa, and sculptural coffee tables of modern boldly stand out against a sleek backdrop of polished marble walls, gleaming metallic accents, and striking black-and-white geometric flooring.  

Location and Accessibility

Stonehill Suites is located within Bacolod City’s prime location and 12 kilometers away from Bacolod-Silay International Airport.  It is accessible through all means of public transportation from the airport.  

It is also just a block away from Lacson Avenue — renowned for local homegrown restaurants.  Not only was it convenient to satisfy our inasal cravings, we were also able to buy last-minute pasalubongs (souveneirs) with ease.

JSY Hall

One of the main reasons why we chose Stonehill Suites is because its JSY Hall is the most technologically advanced venue in Bacolod City.   The JSY Hall features a stadium-caliber audio system with wireless microphones and speakers that deliver crystal-clear sound. This, combined with a dedicated high-speed internet for hybrid setups with live streaming — allowed us to view the presenter in real time both inside the hall, through their wide-screen smart TV, and from outside.  The JSY Hall A and Hall B, each hold ing up to 50 guests, can comfortably accomodate a total of 100 guests.

Deluxe Room

If you will be holding your event at Stonehill Suites,  we highly recommend that you avail of  their 25 suite rooms.

Welcome Pastries

All suite rooms are aesthetic appealling!  

As you can see, every detail including the plateful of Welcome Pastries was impeccably prepared.

Stonehill Suites' hospitality goes beyond the usual. Some rooms even provide hair stylers without attachments or security features—an uncommon gesture that shows just how much trust they place in their guests.

The comprehensive in-room amenities include: plush bathrobes and slippers, premium toiletries...

bottles of water,  coffee and tea set, mini-fridge...

Flat Screen LCD TV with Cignal Satellite HD Channels

flat screen LCD TV with Cignal Satellite HD channels, luggage rack and blackout curtains.  

You can also order food and have them delivered to your room with no additional charge.

At the end of the day, a good night's sleep is the cornerstone of a  hotel stay —and Stonehill Suites’ premium beddings and pillows delivered exceptional comfort.  

With fluffy towels, rain shower, Stonehill Suites' squeaky-clean bathroom exceeded our expectations for a four-star hotel.

We're not sure if all Deluxe Rooms have a balcony as it was not indicated in their website but our room had one.

We also observed that all the halls and even the banquet hall are equipped with purifiers.

Aside from having two elevators, 

each floor also has two lounges!  This one on the side offered a window view.

Breakfast Buffet

Despite the limited breakfast buffet area, the selection was surpisingly comprehensive—honestly, it felt more like hearty brunch than a typical breakfast buffet.  

We appreciated that the breakfast buffet changed daily during our 3-day stay.

 

We really felt the thoughtfulness of all the Stonehill Suites staff not just from the food but how warm and courteous they are in serving us.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters highly recommend Stonehill Suites for its clean and aesthetic ambiance, delicious food and heartfelt service.  Stonehill Suites  is the most accomodating hotel we've ever stayed in.  As much as they could, they would accomodate our requests without additional costs.  It also had a gym and rooftop lounge with a beautiful view of the city.  The only improvement we could suggest is to provide a bright room lamp for those who need to work during their stay.

Stonehill Suites
Hotel Address	18th Street, corner San Agustin Dr, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Contact	(63917) 635-9237	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Jeep, Taxi
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Deluxe	• Good For 2 Adults and 1 Child • 1 Queen / 2 Double Beds • 28-30 SQM Without Window • Mini-fridge • Breakfast for 2 • Rain shower • Free Wifi		4,200 php
Premiere Suite	• Good For 2 Adults and 2 Children • 1 King / 2 Single Beds • 30-35 SQM  • Mini-fridge • Breakfast for 2 • Rain shower • Free Wifi		5,300 php
Junior Suite	• Good For 2 Adults • 1 King Bed • 40 SQM  • Mini-fridge • Private Balcony • Breakfast for 2 • Rain shower • Free Wifi		6,998 php
Executive Suite	• Good For 2 Adults and 2 Children • 1 King bed •  66 SQM • Mini-fridge • Private Balcony • Breakfast for 2 • Mini Kitchen • Rain shower • Free Wifi		10,998 php
Presidential Suite	• Good For 2 Adults and 2 Children • 1 King bed •  50 SQM • Mini-fridge • Welcome Area and Private Balcony • Breakfast for 2 • Mini Kitchen • Living Room • Rain shower • Free Wifi		12,998 php
General Amenities and Services	•Gym •Airport Transfer (1100 php)  • Laundry Service	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Stonehill Suites Map
Location	★★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★★
Service	★★★★★
Price	★★★★

Read More

The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins (Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines)

The Ruins also known as the Lacson Mansion Ruins is hailed as the "Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental."

This mansion was built in 1920 by Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson’s who was the youngest of the 8 children of Lucio Lacson and Clara Ledesma from Molo, Iloilo.  It was build as a grand tribute to his Portuguese wife Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga who passed away in 1911 while giving birth to their eleventh child.  Among their 10 children is the former governor of Negros Occidental, Rafael Lacson.

In 1942, it was intentionally burned down by the guerrillas, with the permission of the family, after they heard that the Japanese intended to use it as their headquarters.  It burned for 3 days resulting to the steel and concrete shell as can be seen today.

In 2008, after 67 years of being abandoned, it was developed into a tourist attraction and opened to the public by Mr. Raymond Javellana's family, current owners who are descendants of the original family).

Upon entry, guests will be taken on a 20-minute long tour led by the  Roger Lucero, a reknowned energetic and engaging tour guide.  After placing third in the 2015 season of Pinoy Big Brother: 737, Roger returned to Talisay to pursue his passion for promoting local tourism. Recently, he was awarded the title of Best Tour Guide by the Department of Tourism, Region VI (Western Visayas).

The two-story mansion was built in the middle of his 440-hectare sugarcane plantation.  Thus, the Simborio or local name for smokestack or chimney can be seen nearby.  The mansion had a floor area of 903 square meters with 10 bedrooms. 

At the back, you can find a 4-tiered fountain which used to be surrounded by a beautiful lily garden maintained by a Japanese gardener, who mysteriously disappeared during the outbreak of world war II.

Stories of love continuous as many couples book their weddings at The Ruins.  As the romantic ambiance can still be felt by is still felt by its visitors. True love endures.

Every detail of the mansion are remnants of true love.  These Machuca tiles were especially brought in from Spain.  These were the hardest, famous and most expensive tiles during that time.

Metal columns used in railways were used to reinforce the mansion’s pillars.  

In the Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns, you can find the initials of Mariano and Maria - letter "M" facing each other.

The 2-inch thick wooden floors, doors and windows were made of hard wood like tindalo, narra, and kamagong.

The shell-inspired decor at the top edges of the mansion were a tribute to Maria Braga’s father who was a sailor.   

The marble-like finishing touches on the walls and posts were a mixture of pure concrete with egg whites.  

With the Ruins now available for booking, the flames of burning love lives on as more wedding stories are written within its historic walls.  

Tourists can also relive their experience by purchasing a memento at the Souveneir Shop.

The best time to visit is during dry season in the Philippines, which usually starts in November and ends around May.  An hour or so before sunset is one of the best times to visit the Ruins.  You can watch the magical transition from bright daylight to golden hues as the sun gently descends. 

The Ruins has been ranked as the 12th most fascinating ruins in the world.  In 2016, DOT also awarded the Ruins as the Best Destination (Heritage Sites Category). 

The Iconic (Table) Reflection Shot of The Ruins

It was also awarded by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) as the best landmark in the Philippines.   

The house was also an awardee of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineering (PICE) Landmark Award with a 3-meter high obelisk.

While waiting for the sunset, you can dine at The Ruins Gazebo Restaurant which offers an all-day breakfast, pasta, pizza, steak and more.

There are also soft-serve ice cream and 

sugar cane juice stalls for refreshments.

To reach The Ruins, you can take a jeep going to Bata and tell the driver to drop you off at the road going to The Ruins.  You can also book a Grab ride.

The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins
Address	Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Budget Per Person	Adults: 150 php Senior/PWD: 100 php Students: 80 php Children below 8 yrs. old (accompanied by an Adult): FREE Photoshoot: 1,000 php/1st 5 persons; excess just entrance fee	The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (check FB page for notice on closure due to exclusive events) 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact	+63  (34) 213-1145 +63 (905) 513-3347

Read More

Aqua Felmida Resort: The White House Zambales Cottage Village Annex ( Cabangan, Zambales)

One of the advantages of the Philippines being an archipelago is that people from Metro Manila can enjoy the long stretch of beaches along the West Philippine Sea within just a few hours drive.  With the vast beach area comes numerous resort options.  Aqua Fel Mida in Cabangan Zambales is one of the latest resorts to be developed.  It is owned and managed by the same people behind the popular The White House Zambales which was developed a bit earlier - August 2018 located just beside it.  Hence, we consider it as one of the several annexes of The White House Zambales.

Aqual Fel Mida

Earlier this year, one of our office mates was retiring so we wanted to have an office outing before his retirement date which was his birthday.  Now, we feel fortunate to have had such a decision since the COVID pandemic soon hit the Philippines.  Although this resort is open and offering discounted rates, we still feel that traveling before was more convenient as there are no check points and requirements.

AQUA

The other The White House Zambales annexes are AQUA and...

RGV

RGV.  During our summer weekend visit, all annexes were occupied.  All of them are maintained by the same set of staffs who we believe are just nearby locals.


But, each resort annex offers its own unique ambiance. 

Aqua Felmida Resort looks like a mini native hut village.  

Day Tour Beachfront Cottages (DOLPHIN)

DOLPHIN

There are different types of cottage huts.  Some comes with a mini pool which didn't look appealing so we did not avail.

Modern Cottage B (MILK FISH)

MILKFISH Dining Area

All huts have a dining area, a rest room and

MILKFISH Twin Bed Room

 

and an air-conditioned bed room.  There are electrical sockets for charging in all areas.

Aqua Felmida Resort Beach Front

As with other beaches within the Zambales shoreline, the sand is a bit grayish.  The water is not clear blue but it is clean enough for swimming.

 

As a bonding activity, we avail of the videoke (1,000 php) and bonfire (500 php).   We enjoyed cooking our smores by the bonfire.  It was a first time for us so it was an awesome experience.

Overall, the service was good.  We also availed of its cooking serving.  The staffs prepared a boodle feast for us for lunch and then grilled variety for dinner. 

 

Aqua Felmida Resort
Hotel Address	Brgy. Felmida-Diaz, Cabangan, Zambales
Contact	(63923) 0819898 | (63906) 0917387 | (63923) 0862898	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Bus, Tricycle
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Modern Cottage A - (YELLOW FIN)	•1 Queen-size bed •Fully air-conditioned room •Comfort Room and Kitchen  •Free water, use of rice cooker and kettle		2,500 php (2 Pax) 2,900 php (3 pax)
Modern Cottage B -(MILK FISH)	•2 Twin size bed •Fully air-conditioned room •Comfort Room and Kitchen  •Free water, use of rice cooker and kettle (Additional Charge for the use of Gas Stove 150 - Grillings 100 charcoal not included,)		2,500 php (2 Pax) 2,900 php (3 pax)
Modern Cottage C -  (STARFISH & JELLY FISH)	•2 Queen-size beds •Fully air-conditioned room •Comfort Room and Kitchen  •Free water, use of rice cooker and kettle (Additional Charge for the use of Gas Stove 150 - Grillings 100 charcoal not included,)		2,500 php (2 Pax) 2,900 php (3 pax)
Non Aircon Cottages	•Use of Electric Fan •Comfort Room and Kitchen		6,000 php (2 Pax) 2,900 php (3 pax)
Day Tour (6AM-6PM) Beachfront Cottages (BLUE MARLIN & DOLPHIN)	•Comfort Room and Kitchen		2,500 php (10 Pax) 250 php (per pax excess up to 15 persons)
General Amenities	•Gas Stove (150/350 php) •Grilling Charcoal (100 php) •Kayak (200 php/hour) •Bonfire (500 php) •Boat ride (750 php/hour) •Karaoke up to 10pm only (1,000 for whole stay) •Cooking service 450 php (3 meals good for 3-4 pax) and 100 php (per additional dish)	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Aqua Felmida Resort Map
Location	★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★

Read More