Showing posts with label airport lounge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label airport lounge. Show all posts

August 18, 2026

Day 1: Flying from Manila to Singapore + An Unexpected Sentosa Upgrade

Time flies! I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade since our last family trip to Singapore. My husband frequently visits Singapore for work, but for my son and me, it had been nearly ten years since our last visit. So, I was really excited to have the chance to revisit the country as a family.

Exactly a year ago, I started planning this trip. After eight months of waiting, the day finally came; it was time to explore Singapore for nine days!

From Manila to Singapore

We had an afternoon flight, so we left home after breakfast and headed to the airport. We parked our car at Park N Fly, paid the travel tax, checked in, and exchanged some Singapore Dollars and Indonesian Rupiah.


While waiting for our flight, we stayed at the Marhaba Lounge. This was also our first time flying with Singapore Airlines, and thankfully, our flight was right on schedule.


We arrived at Changi Airport earlier than expected. After collecting our luggage, we decided to take a taxi to our hotel. We had three pieces of luggage, and since it was already rush hour, taking a taxi was the most convenient option for us. 
Taxi fare from Changi Airport: SGD 40.84



An Unexpected Upgrade to Sentosa

Our original plan was to stay at Robertson Quay Hotel. I booked three nights in total, but for our first night, something unexpected happened.


The hotel staff offered us a promo: instead of staying at Robertson Quay Hotel for our first night, we could stay at their four-star resort in Sentosa, Siloso Beach Resort.


Of course, we said YES! The only downside? I had to give up my planned food trip to Lau Pa Sat that evening. 

Since we would be returning to Robertson Quay Hotel after our Batam, Indonesia trip, we left our two pieces of luggage there and brought only what we needed for 2 nights.

We then took a Grab from Robertson Quay Hotel to Siloso Beach Resort. Grab fare from Robertson Quay Hotel to Siloso Beach Resort: SGD 24.58

Our First Night at Siloso Beach Resort

Check-in was smooth. I simply showed the paper provided by Robertson Quay Hotel, and we were given our room keys.


After all the traveling and transfers, we were already tired. But since we were already in Sentosa, we decided to step outside and check out Siloso Beach. 
And the best part? The beach was literally just in front of the resort!


My husband suggested that we walk around a little farther since there were more restaurants in Sentosa. But I was too lazy, and honestly, I wasn’t really in the mood to eat anymore. So, we decided to just have dinner at the resort.

We ordered only two dishes because I wasn’t very hungry. I told them I would just take a few bites from their food. 

We ordered:
· Fish and Chips – SGD 19.90
· Grilled Chicken Chop – SGD 19.90
· Plus service charge and GST



The food was just okay. Nothing particularly memorable, but it was convenient since we were already tired from the journey.

Watching the Wings of Time Fireworks

After dinner, we went up to the rooftop to see if we could catch a glimpse of the Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony at 7:40 PM.

We could see (a little) and hear some of the fireworks from the resort, which was nice. However, if you really want to enjoy the full show, you’ll need to purchase tickets and watch it from the designated viewing area.


After that, we headed back to our room to freshen up and prepare for the next part of our trip, Batam, Indonesia!

Filipino passport holders can visit Indonesia visa-free for short stays, but we still needed to complete the required Indonesia Arrival Card and the visa-related form before our trip. 
So, we spent some time filling out the forms and making sure everything was ready for our Batam trip the next day.


It had been a long day, from leaving Manila, flying to Singapore, traveling to Sentosa, and unexpectedly getting upgraded to a resort. We were tired, but excited for what was coming next. And just like that, Day 1 of our Singapore adventure came to an end.

August 07, 2026

9 Days in Singapore, Batam & Disney Cruise Adventure: How a Canceled Cruise Turned Into an Even Better Trip

I previously shared our experience at the Marhaba Lounge before our flight to Singapore, so now it's time to begin a new travel series featuring our 9 Days in Singapore, Batam, Indonesia, and Disney Cruise Adventure.


This trip was originally planned to celebrate our wedding anniversary. However, things didn't go exactly as planned. Disney Cruise Adventure moved its Maiden Voyage sailing date to March, which meant our original booking was canceled and we had to rebook our cruise.

I was honestly disappointed at first. It was supposed to be our very first cruise experience and our anniversary celebration, so receiving that cancellation email wasn't exactly the news we wanted. Looking back, though, everything worked out for the better.

Thankfully, I hadn't booked our flights yet, so only the cruise dates had to be changed. Disney Cruise also offered a 50% discount for affected guests who rebooked, and because I booked through a travel agency, the entire rebooking process was smooth and hassle-free.

The unexpected discount even allowed us to extend our vacation to nine days instead of our original plan. 
The only downside was that my son had to miss a few days of school after their academic calendar was extended. Fortunately, we arrived home just in time for his final exams.

Sometimes, travel plans don't go as expected, but they can still turn into something even better.

Our Planned Itinerary

Day 1
· Manila to Singapore
· Check in at Robertson Quay Hotel
· Dinner at Lau Pa Sat

Day 2
· Singapore to Batam, Indonesia
· Check in at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

Day 3
· Batam Private Tour
· Return to Singapore
· Check in at Robertson Quay Hotel

Day 4
· Skyline Luge Singapore
· Universal Studios Singapore

Day 5
· Fort Canning Park
· Disney Cruise Adventure Embarkation

Day 6–8
· Disney Cruise Adventure

Day 9
· Disney Cruise Adventure Disembarkation
· Gardens by the Bay
· Flight back to Manila

Planned vs. Reality

As with most trips, not everything went according to plan.

We skipped our dinner at Lau Pa Sat after receiving a complimentary one-night upgrade to Siloso Beach Resort in Sentosa. Instead of heading to the hawker center, we decided to make the most of our unexpected beach stay.

We also missed Fort Canning Park because my son needed to attend his morning online classes. On our last day, we decided to skip Gardens by the Bay and head straight to Changi Airport, hoping we could change to an earlier flight. Unfortunately, all flights were already fully booked, so we simply enjoyed exploring the airport instead.

Despite these changes, our trip was still packed with wonderful experiences and unforgettable memories.

After eight months of waiting, our Singapore adventure had finally arrived.

Before leaving the Philippines, we made sure everything was ready, including our Singapore Arrival Card, eTravel registration, Singapore Airlines online check-in, and our Park N Fly reservation.

It had been years since my son and I last visited Singapore, so we were excited to experience the city again as a family. We booked our flights with Singapore Airlines during one of their travel sales the previous year, which gave us a great airfare deal.


Since travel tax wasn't included in our ticket, we paid it at the airport before check-in. We also exchanged some cash for both Singapore and Indonesia before relaxing at the Marhaba Lounge while waiting for our flight.

Our flight landed ahead of schedule, and we took a taxi from Changi Airport to Robertson Quay Hotel, where I had originally booked three nights. 
To our surprise, the hotel staff offered us a complimentary one-night upgrade to Siloso Beach Resort in Sentosa. Of course, we couldn't say no!

Because of the last-minute change, we skipped our planned dinner at Lau Pa Sat and headed straight to Sentosa instead. 
It was a bit of a shame because we arrived in Singapore late in the day, and our ferry to Batam was scheduled early the next morning, leaving us very little time to enjoy the resort.

Still, I was grateful for the opportunity to experience staying in Sentosa, something we hadn't originally planned.


Since we've already visited Singapore several times, we thought it would be fun to add a side trip to Batam, Indonesia.

The ferry ride takes only about an hour, making Batam an easy day trip from Singapore. However, because ferry tickets aren't exactly cheap, we decided to stay overnight instead.


Preparing for this part of the trip required a bit more work since we had to arrange our Indonesia visa along with the arrival cards for both Indonesia and Singapore.

There are several Batam tours available through Klook, but I chose a private tour so we could visit only the places we were interested in.


Interestingly, I changed our itinerary the night before. Instead of squeezing in as many tourist spots as possible, I decided I would rather spend more time shopping and relaxing.

Our final itinerary included:

· Barelang Bridge
· Welcome to Batam Sign
· A local temple
· A souvenir shop
· Nagoya Mall

Our driver even joked that our itinerary was one of the easiest he'd ever handled.

The private tour usually lasted up to ten hours, but since we visited only a few attractions, we reached Nagoya Mall after just two hours. We spent around three hours shopping before our driver picked us up and brought us back to the hotel.

After resting for a while in the hotel lobby, we headed to the ferry terminal for our trip back to Singapore.

Since Universal Studios Singapore isn't very large, I knew we wouldn't need an entire day inside the park. 
To maximize our time, I added Skyline Luge Singapore to our itinerary.

We rode the luge first before spending the rest of the day enjoying the rides and attractions at Universal Studios Singapore.



Finally, it was time for the highlight of our entire trip, Disney Cruise Adventure.


This cruise had been on my travel bucket list for years, so finally experiencing it felt surreal. I never imagined Disney Cruise would become accessible from Asia. With no visa required, reasonably priced flights to Singapore, and shorter cruise itineraries, it has become much easier for families in our region to experience a Disney cruise.

We booked the 5-day, 4-night sailing. 
Honestly? Even after five days, it still wasn't enough. There were so many activities, shows, character experiences, and dining options that we couldn't fit everything into one sailing.

Our first cruise exceeded our expectations, and I can already tell this won't be our last.

Day 9: Singapore to Manila

After disembarking from the cruise, we originally planned to visit Gardens by the Bay before our flight home. 
Instead, we headed straight to Changi Airport and tried to move to an earlier flight. Unfortunately, every flight was already full.


Since there wasn't much we could do, we simply made the most of our remaining time by exploring one of our favorite airports in the world before flying back to Manila.

Looking back, this trip didn't go exactly according to plan, and that's perfectly okay. Some attractions were skipped, our anniversary cruise was postponed, and our itinerary changed more than once. Yet somehow, everything still came together into one unforgettable family adventure.

Sometimes the best trips aren't the ones that go perfectly; they're the ones filled with unexpected moments that become your favorite memories.

This is just the beginning of my travel series. In the next posts, I'll be sharing detailed guides, hotel reviews, Batam travel tips, and, of course, our complete Disney Cruise Adventure experience.

August 06, 2026

A Glimpse of Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 (Now Closed)

 A few months ago, I received an SMS informing me that Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 would be closing.

"Effective May 1, 2026, the Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 will be closed until further notice.
Your unlimited local lounge access remains available at PAGSS Lounge, NAIA Terminal 1, and will soon be extended to other partner lounges in Terminal 3. T&Cs apply."

As of this writing, there are still no partner lounges available at NAIA Terminal 3. My husband recently traveled for a business trip, and unfortunately, he no longer had lounge access before his flight.

Thankfully, we were able to visit Marhaba Lounge during our Singapore trip last April, so this has become a little throwback post. I thought it would be nice to share our experience and some photos from our visit before the lounge closed.

The lounge itself was relatively small, but it wasn't crowded during our visit, making it a comfortable place to relax before boarding. The food selection wasn't extensive, but there was enough variety to enjoy a satisfying meal. We particularly liked the buffet spread that day. My son had fun making and eating chips with cheese, while I enjoyed one of the rice meals, which was filling and tasty before our flight.

Although Marhaba Lounge is no longer operating at NAIA Terminal 3, I'm glad we had the chance to experience it. It may not have been the biggest or most luxurious airport lounge, but it provided a quiet space to rest, enjoy a meal, and start our trip on a pleasant note.

Here are some photos from our visit.






October 14, 2025

4 Days in Singapore with a Senior Citizen: A Father & Son Bonding Trip

For my father-in-law’s 70th birthday, my husband wanted to do something special, just the two of them. So, he treated his dad to a 4-day bonding trip to Singapore! It was a thoughtful way to celebrate a milestone birthday and spend quality father-and-son time together. 

Booking the Trip 

We went to The Great BDO Travel Sale to purchase their tickets via Jetstar, since the promo was only applicable on-site. We wanted the experience to be enjoyable and comfortable, especially since my father-in-law is already a senior citizen, so we included some add-ons like seats, baggage allowance, and meals. 

Airport Experience 

On the day of the flight, they relaxed at the PAGSS Airport Lounge, courtesy of our credit card perks, a great way to start the trip stress-free. It was also their first time flying with Jetstar Airlines, and the experience went smoothly. 


Where They Stayed: Robertson Quay Hotel 

Although I wasn’t part of the trip, I was the one who planned everything, from flights to hotel bookings and activity itineraries. I researched several hotels, and my husband chose Robertson Quay Hotel, a practical choice with a central location, near the Singapore River, and within walking distance of Clarke Quay. 


My husband is familiar with this area since he usually stays at Four Points by Sheraton during his business trips. It’s a senior-friendly neighborhood with peaceful surroundings, perfect for early morning or evening strolls. You can even walk from the hotel to Merlion Park! 

4-Day Itinerary in Singapore 

We kept the itinerary light but meaningful; enough to explore key attractions while ensuring it wasn’t too tiring for my father-in-law. We pre-booked all activities through Klook, which made everything hassle-free. 

Day 1: DIY Walking City Tour

They explored iconic Singapore landmarks on foot, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Esplanade, and nearby attractions. It was a relaxed way to soak in the sights and enjoy the vibrant city atmosphere without a strict schedule. 


This was supposed to be a Walking Tour + River Cruise, but my husband didn’t purchase the River Cruise voucher, just in case their flight got delayed and they couldn’t use it 

Day 2: Sentosa Fun Discovery Pass 

Using the Sentosa Fun Discovery Pass, they explored several attractions at their own pace, including the Singapore Cable Car, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, Madame Tussauds, Images of Singapore, and some scenic spots around the island. 



Sentosa is very senior-friendly, with plenty of shaded walkways and places to sit and rest. 

Day 3: Universal Studios Singapore

Even at 70, my father-in-law enjoyed the excitement of Universal Studios Singapore! He and my husband both went on a few rides, watched shows, explored the themed zones, and had a great time just walking around the park. 


It’s not just for kids, it’s for the young at heart, too! 

Day 4: Jewel Changi Tour 


Before flying back, they explored Jewel Changi Airport, a destination in itself! From the Rain Vortex to the indoor gardens and shops, it was the perfect way to end the trip on a relaxing and scenic note, even though their flight was delayed. 

A Memorable Bonding Experience 

 Traveling with a senior citizen can be incredibly meaningful. With the right planning and a relaxed itinerary, Singapore proved to be the perfect destination for multigenerational travel. 

This trip wasn’t just a birthday gift; it became a cherished memory that both father and son will treasure forever. 

Check out @KlookTravel to book popular attractions, tours & activities! Sign up and get ₱250 off!

May 06, 2025

Glimpse of PAGSS Airport Premium Lounge at NAIA 3

A week ago, I received a text message from my bank that, effective May 1, 2025, the PAGSS Premium Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 will be closed for renovations. I am not really affected because I am not a frequent traveler and we don’t have an upcoming trip naman.

But I remembered last March, my husband and my father-in-law were able to use this lounge when they went to Singapore. So sharing the pictures of PAGSSS Airport Premium Lounge before the renovation. 








You can check my previous post about PAGSS Airport Lounge NAIA 1 and PAGSS Airport Lounge NAIA 1 Extension.

November 06, 2024

PAGSS Airport Premium Lounge Experience - Extension

We always buy economy tickets so I only experienced airport lounges a few times. I was fortunate to try Mabuhay Lounge in NAIA 2, MIASCOR in NAIA 1(closed), Mabuhay Lounge in Cebu, and PAGSS Premium Lounge.

One way to get into airport lounges is to apply for a credit card with this benefit. This is why we were able to stay at MIASCOR but we deactivated our credit cards because they did not waive our annual fee. Since we are not frequent travelers naman, we don’t need that credit card. 

A few months ago, I received emails and text messages from my bank about “credit card application” and hindi ko pinapansin kasi may credit card na naman ako. But last month, out of the blue, niresearch ko yung credit card benefits and I found out na may FREE AIRPORT LOUNGE and no annual fee pala. 

So after one week of contemplating, I finally gave in and filled out the form online and crossed my fingers na umabot yung credit card sa biyahe namin kasi usually, 15 business days. I was so happy when I received my credit card in less than a week. And because of that, nakapagstay kami sa PAGSS Premium Lounge before our Manila to Melbourne flight.


And the good thing about this credit card is I can bring one companion pa. We paid for an additional person since we are a group of three. The rate is PHP1,500, not bad na rin kasi ganun din naman magagastos namin kapag kakain sa airport. But I told my husband na mag-apply na rin siya ng credit card na may lounge benefit.

Upon arrival, I just showed my boarding pass and credit card. I was advised that the lounge was full so we went to the extension lounge. This is my old blog post about PAGSS Airport Lounge at NAIA 1 where my husband stayed using his Mabuhay Miles benefit. 

When we entered the room, the place is already crowded and akala ko nga wala na kami pwesto pero may other side pa pala and luckily, maluwag pa. The choices on the buffet spread are limited compared to Mabuhay Lounge but it was fine with us since we only needed to eat snacks.









We also requested instant cup noodles and ice cream. We only stayed for 2 hours and already went to our boarding gate. Another security check pa kasi sa boarding gate.

Klook.com