Philippines,Travel,Travel & Kids

Our Shangri-La at the Fort Experience (Philippines)

Shang Fort 31-min

Shangri-La at the Fort is the latest luxury hotel to open in the busy capital of the Philippines. We decided to take Luke on a staycation here one weekend, as an extension of his 2nd birthday celebration!

Shangri-La Hospitality

Shangri-La at the Fort

But first, let’s talk about the world famous signature Shangri-La hospitality.

It’s this little boy’s first time to stay with Shangri-La and oh boy, did he get the royal treatment! Haha. When we got out of the elevator to our floor upon checking in, surprise! A staff member was waiting to personally hand Luke a lollipop! Awww! Look how happy that made him!

Shang Fort 4-min

But that’s not the end of it! When we entered our room, we saw this birthday cake waiting for him too! Tsk tsk, Shangri-La, you are spoiling my baby! Haha!

Shang Fort 5-min

But seriously though, there is nothing quite like Shangri-La hospitality. I’ve stayed with Shang many times before in different locations (and even had our wedding at Makati Shangri-La, 5 years ago!) and the service has always been consistently very, very impressive!

Great service always makes a big impact!

Shangri-La at the Fort

And talk about great service, right? Haha. Thank you for feeding me, babe!

Our Room

Shang Fort 7-min

He keeps saying “HO-TEH!!!” He’s getting used to staying at hotels. I think I’m in trouble.

Shangri-La at the Fort

We stayed at a Deluxe High Street View room. Father and son enjoying the view.

Shang Fort 6-min

We had a very generous space considering we were three adults (we brought Luke’s loving yaya with us, hehe) plus a baby! We requested for an extra bed for yaya and we also had Luke’s playard set up and still there was room enough to walk around in and enjoy.

Shangri-La at the Fort

Really love this work space. Unfortunately, this little boy didn’t really let me work. When he wasn’t playing with the light switches, he was climbing on my back.

Shang Fort 19-min

Proof. Ok, I’ll leave this area to Mor and see if he can try to enjoy the space.

Shang Fort 14-min

Hmm, guess not. Haha! That’s how traveling with a toddler is, I guess!

Shang Fort 30-min

The beautiful bathroom. All you need is a bathtub to win my baby over, though!

Shang Fort 29-min

He kept saying that he was Santa Claus. 😐 Haha. Santa Claus look: achieved!

Adventure Zone at Shangri-La at the Fort

Shang Fort 20-min

Adventure Zone is one of the things we really looked forward to during our stay. It’s an indoor playground right inside the hotel! And what an amazing indoor playground too! There are different drop slides of varying heights. Luke enjoyed the smaller slides but the bigger slides were for bigger kids.

Shangri-La at the Fort Adventure Zone

Like this very big kid. Haha.

Shang Fort 36-min

They had a toddler area with soft padded mats and mini slides. We invited him to do the obstacle courses with us but he got intimidated so we went back to the mats and blocks.

Shang Fort 18-min

Because of this, I was about to dismiss the area as being a place that would be more fun and “sulit” for older kids, until a staff member showed us the secret way to Role Play Village! (Ok, the way isn’t really a secret, but it’s pretty hidden!)

Shang Fort 16-min

Welcome to Role Play Village! YAAY! It’s a town for little people like Luke! Ok, now this he can definitely appreciate! (Spot the hidden Lukey!)

Shang Fort 35-min

I love the fact that the Cozy Coupes they had were so unique! There are taxis, jeeps and police cars, not just your average cars.

Shangri-La at the Fort Adventure Zone

Luke the policeman in his police car, patrolling the town. Make sure you catch all the bad guys by bedtime, ok?

Shang Fort 10-min

Needless to say, my two little boys had a lot of fun. Haha!

As we were playing, a staff member approached us and said that they were gonna have Wushu Classes in a few minutes and that we could join in! Of course, we would love to join!

Shang Fort 17-min

The tiniest wushu student trying his best to follow the instructor. Haha.

Shang Fort 11-min

You can tell he’s taking this really seriously!

Adventure Zone: Round 2!

Shangri-La at the Fort Adventure Zone

That evening, Mor and I had to attend a dinner event (coincidentally and very conveniently, also held at Shangri-La at the Fort!) so my brother and his girlfriend baby sat Luke for the evening for a few hours. And guess what they did?

They went back to Adventure Zone and played til’ 10pm. Oh my! Haha!

Shang Fort 28-min

Now he wasn’t afraid anymore! Yup, he did all the obstacle courses with them!

Shang Fort 13-min

Looks like he had more fun with them than he did with us that afternoon! He was absolutely knocked out when they brought him back to the room and slept all the way til’ the morning.

He wanted to sleep longer but we had to wake him up or else we would miss breakfast!

Breakfast at High Street Cafe

Shang Fort 37-min

And you wouldn’t wanna miss breakfast here! The variety of food at High Street Cafe was unbelievable. There are 9 uniquely designed live kitchens. The cuisines offered range from Continental, Mediterranean, Japanese, Chinese and South East Asian!

Shangri-La at the Fort High Street Cafe

I was so overwhelmed when I arrived. I didn’t know where to go first. Added pressure when a staff member said last call was in 30 minutes! Haha!

Shang Fort 25-min

This is one of my favorite sections because it makes me feel less guilty about pigging out. Heehee.

Shang Fort 34-min

Vegetarian? Vegan? Need your food to be gluten-free? They have everything.

Shangri-La at the Fort High Street Cafe

Luke really got the royal treatment here too! Sitting on his black leather high chair, he was personally assisted by the manager who gave him coloring materials. (He got super shy, which is why his face is this way in the photo hehe)

Shang Fort 26-min

And yes, I had ice cream for breakfast. Three scoops at that, too. Tip: You have to try the Burnt Rice flavor! Ok, we have to stop stuffing our face with food!!

Pool

Shang Fort 32-min

Because we were so busy the day before with Adventure Zone, this morning’s agenda was just to enjoy the outdoor air. So we decided to go for a swim before checking out!

Shang Fort 23-min

Just chillin’ by the poolside. Having the best time!

Shang Fort 21-min

But of course, this active little boy couldn’t just lounge around all day. Within minutes, he was up and about, having fun at this wading pool with the other kids!

Samba

By 1pm, we were still so full from our very heavy breakfast but figured that we really had to have lunch already so as not to mess up Luke’s body clock. We are back to stuffing our faces with food! Haha.

Samba 1-min

The perfect ending to our staycation was having late lunch at Samba: Shangri-La at the Fort’s Peruvian restaurant. I don’t always go out of my way to review restaurants unless I absolutely loved it, but I have extensively raved about my experience at Samba here.

Yes, it’s that good. So good that it’s currently my favorite restaurant in Manila.

Overall

Shangri-La at the Fort

As I mentioned, when you stay in a Shangri-La, you are really spoiled when it comes to service. The people were all extremely helpful (but not overbearing) and the extra little touches are pleasant surprises.

The room was simple but that’s okay because the highlight of this hotel is really its facilities.

Shang Fort 38-min

I didn’t even touch Kerry Sports in this review because I’m not a fitness buff and we hardly spent time there (we just passed through the gym, hehe!) But this, the pool, Adventure Zone, the restaurants and everything else combined, make Shangri-La Fort a destination in itself. 

Highly recommended for a family staycation especially if you have young kids!

Planning a staycation? Check out my other reviews and find the perfect one for you!

(NOTE: THIS POST IS ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE LAST JANUARY 2017)
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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Kati
    February 20, 2017 at 1:07 am

    Looks like great fun!

    Have a nice day,
    -Kati
    Almost Stylish

  • Reply
    Benita James
    February 20, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Lovely and interesting pictures.

    Bernie, xx
    The Style Fanatic

  • Reply
    The Fashion Folks
    February 20, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    The hotel looks lovely and looks like you had a lovely time! Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 21, 2017 at 9:20 am

      We did! Thank you! :)

  • Reply
    Jhanz
    February 21, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    Looks like a lovely staycation! :) Nice photos!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 22, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Thanks Jhanz, it was fun!

  • Reply
    Filipa Jackson
    February 23, 2017 at 9:31 am

    Aw it looks like you guys had so much fun

    Filipa xxx
    PlayingWithApparel.com | Instagram

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 24, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      We did, thank you! <3

  • Reply
    Amy
    February 24, 2017 at 6:53 am

    What a fun family trip!

    ? http://theblushingpink.com/

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 24, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      It was fun! Thank you Amy!

  • Reply
    Arleen Oboguin
    March 9, 2017 at 10:46 am

    Halatang nag enjoy po kayo ng family nyo ???? looks so much fun. Speciall ung playground, yan po kasi ang favorite ng mga kids ko ????
    @arleenoboguin

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      March 9, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Hi Arleen, yes super enjoy!

  • Reply
    Mommy H
    September 23, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    We’ll be celebrating my daughter’s birthday in 2 weeks and this convinced be to have a staycation in Shangri-la at The Fort for her special day! :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      September 23, 2018 at 11:46 pm

      Awww enjoy!! Have a wonderful birthday!!

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