Hidden Gem of a Hotel in Dipolog City
During my recent trip to Dipolog City (Zamboanga del Norte) summer of 2014, a good friend recommended Ariana Hotel. I love going to new destinations and as much as I enjoy exploring the tourist spots as well as not so popular off-the-beaten path, I look forward to pampering my weary earthly body at a great hotel with clean rooms and nice, soft linens at the end of my adventure-filled day. Ariana Hotel indeed became my second home while in this city.
Pluses
1. At over a thousand pesos per night for a Single Executive room, that's value for money baby! I booked throught Agoda.com, a great site which I use for my fuss-free hotel or other accommodations booking.
2. Ariana Hotel is a stone throw away from the Dipolog City airport, what a relief! You can literally walk to the airport with your suitcase in tow. Of course, I didn't do that and still availed of the free hotel transfer to carry my gazillion of suitcases. If you stay at Ariana, you need not worry about getting late in catching your flight off to your next destination.
3. Views, views, views and Ariana had good garden views. I often look for great views in every hotel I book and Ariana surely did not fail me in this aspect. The hotel compound is designed in a way that would give guests a good view far off into the distance. In the midst of the complex, there is a central sculpture of sorts. To bring it all together, you will find a huge Banyan tree beside the open hall way and another at the end near the pool which has round lantern which give a romantic vibe when lighted at night
Tip: To be assured, request for a room with a garden view.
4. Soft linens and unlimited supply of bath towels. Oh dear, yes Ariana Hotel has soft bed linens, and the pair of throw pillows on the bed (which caught me by surprise) puts a nice touch on the total look of the bed. I can be fussy bed wise. You can't blame me knowing that humans spend 1/3 of their lifetimes in bed, well I try to but a bed should be a great place you look forward to dock your body to at the end of an exciting day, right?
5. Ariana Hotel has a restaurant-turned-bistro at night named 'Chloe' and a cafe named 'Tablea'. The word 'tablea' is pronounced with the accent on the last syllable, refers to a dark bittersweet chocolate made out of local 'cacao' plant. Bit of trivia: did you know that during ancient times in Aztec civilizations, cacao seeds were actually used as a medium of currency?! I can imagine how hard it must be for ladies to lug sacks of these seeds when they go shopping or buy some groceries. I can't imagine stuffing them in my purse somehow.
6. Finally, I love clean pools hangin out in them and this one at the hotel I'd say is one of the best. Their pool is just one of the cleanest I've swam in, albeit deserted in a good way. Of course I'd prefer it empty cause I want it all to myself!
Design-wise the pool is simple BUT simplicity makes for a great swim especially in the evening. It is a rectangular shape and great thing is it maintains same depth all throughout so drowning is not possible unless you are child.
The staff actually put on the beautiful lights at night even if there are only two or three people enjoying laps. The great Banyan tree at the other end of the pool with the hanging lights makes for a great romantic setting if you happen to stay with someone here.
I can ramble on about this pool but to say that it is a great one is an understatement. Add a full moon and ahhh I'm in seventh swimming heaven!
Me lovin' the lens or (the lens lovin' me lol).
