Feel good moments at Davao’s central hub

I like it because it is right next to a big shopping mall and is even connected to it by a canopied bridgeway. More importantly, the mall also houses SMX, the biggest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Expositions) venue in the entire Mindanao, thus making it easy for MICE attendees staying at the hotel to be on time for any related activity.

The contemporary design of the hotel’s guest rooms is visually relaxing and their functional layout is ideal for guests who look forward to an easy and comfortable stay. I especially like the interior’s cool colors. I take it as an antidote to a frenzied existence, making it easy for me to wind down from a hectic day.

The hotel’s newly opened restaurant, Vanda, named after the beautiful orchid, offers local and international dishes that are guaranteed to tickle any jaded palate. I particularly enjoyed my daily breakfast in this restaurant because they serve my favorite “Sikwate,” which is a Cebuano term for hot chocolate, my breakfast staple. They even have “Budbud” (Cebuano for Suman) served with ripe mangoes, to complete the meal.

To burn off all those calories, I usually enjoy myself at the outdoor pool for some laps from one end to the other, and have the pleasure of ordering my favorite cocktail drink at the Pool Lounge. Of course, for the hardcore physical fitness enthusiast, the hotel’s Fitness Center is open 24/7, which is why this gym has also become a favorite of local residents in the area.

Located at the lobby level of the hotel is a feature found only in Park Inns all over the country. Dash is a self-service counter, open 24/7, for those who may have hunger pangs any time of the day, especially in the middle of the night or very early morning. They just have to go down to the hotel’s ground floor, grab the food item they want, and make the necessary payment.

Being in the city’s central hub, the hotel is very near some of Davao’s local attractions — the Roxas Night Market, Davao Crocodile Park, and the Philippine Eagle Center. Aside from these nearby attractions, I also took time out to visit the popular Malagos Garden Resort where, aside from my favorite chocolates and other “sweet temptations,” they have a beautiful Butterfly Garden and a separate garden with plenty of parrots.

It felt great having attractively colored butterflies perch on my head, shoulders, and arms. I also enjoyed having the talkative parrots stand on my shoulders and arms. Never have I been that close to nature! I also took time to travel even farther and explored the sun-soaked Samal Island with its sugar-white sandy beach and where they have the “Vanishing Island” which is a sandbar that plays along with the tide.

All in all, my recent visit to Davao was a most enjoyable one. Although I was busy with meetings during the day, the hotel’s facilities and after-hours activities made it a most pleasant experience. It’s always nice for harried travelers like me to find a cozy place to loosen up and be ready again for the following day’s activities. I thank the Park Inn by Radisson Davao for making it easy for me to have my much-desired feel-good moments while visiting the city. — Bob Zozobrado

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com