Staycation in Manila: How to Do it Safely with the family @EdsaShangriLa

Covid-free Staycation is trending in 2021 because of this yearning to travel with the kids, to experience the great outdoors without going on a plane, to take a rejuvenating break from online distance learning and working from home.

Here are our awesome tips to go on staycation safely with the family…

Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila
IG: @edsashangrila
FB: Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
Telephone: +63 2 8633-8888
Email: Manilaedsa@shangri-la.com

Safety First

First, the family needs to pass the Covid-19 Antigen test, which is 85% accurate, so it is best to quarantine already 7-14 days before going on a staycation.

It involves a quick swab deep inside the nose that even kids can tolerate. This was the first real encounter of our kids with Covid testing, and we took this opportunity to educate them about staycation safety protocols.

Second, don’t go on a staycation in a quarantine hotel.

The official hotels allowed for leisure staycations are:
• Grand Hyatt Hotel
• Makati Shangri-La Hotel
• Okada Manila Hotel
• Shangri-La at the Fort (now temporarily closed)
• Nobu Hotel
• Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila
• EDSA Shangri-La Manila
• Solaire Resort
• Hyatt Regency City of Dreams
• Nuwa Hotel City of Dreams
• The Peninsula Manila
• Aruga by Rockwell
• Sheraton Manila Hotel
• Hilton Manila, and
• Hotel Okura Manila

Our first staycation during this Covid time was at the urban oasis that’s EDSA Shangri-La Manila. We can certify that it was safe based on our Covid-free staycation experience with the boys.

At Home

We recommend staying in a suite room connected with a deluxe room so that you have a living room for a feeling of home and for social distancing. In case someone gets sick, you can isolate him/her in one room.

One comforting thing about going on a staycation in a 5-star hotel is that you are ensured that the hotel rooms are cleaned with high standards of sanitization on a daily basis.

The bathtub and toiletries!!! Your kids would love these.

Arrange for an in-room breakfast so that you can enjoy the city morning view without masks and risks of exposure.

Going Around Safely

The elevators are the most dangerous with high probability of infection from an asymptomatic Covid-infected person.

Teach your kids to always have mask and shield on, use their elbows to touch the buttons and never forget to sanitize their hands after.

There is a limit of only 3 persons per elevator so we already pre-agreed to a buddy buddy system and to get as many key cards as possible for room access.

Body temperature is taken all the time throughout your stay, so the hotel can detect if someone is sick. It is important to go on quarantine before the staycation to make sure everyone is healthy to enjoy the break.

Al Fresco Pool Time

The kids enjoyed pool time everyday. You have to reserve your slot and make sure to go during not-so-peak times to avoid near contact with anyone.

A lot of parents enjoy hanging out in the pool because it is al fresco, one place where you can remove your mask and have a chit chat with friends.

It’s good to synchronize your staycation with other families to make the experience memorable.

Dining Safely

Dining in the restaurants is a bit controversial because they have regular adult diners who did not undergo any antigen tests and there is a risk of exposure for the kids.

MAKE SURE to reserve a private room for your family.

Because of the pandemic, buffet dining follows a one way direction flow with social distancing, and you get the food from kitchen clusters where the food is served by the kitchen team upon request.

We always celebrate milestones with a Chinese lauriat, and this is the best place to enjoy one in the metro.

One of the dining experiences we enjoyed was tea time with the kids at the hotel lounge with high-ceilings, enough social distancing and a refreshing view of the garden.

Of course, we had to occupy two separate tables for a family of 6.

Japanese was our most craved for cuisine during quarantine, and to enjoy it in a Japanese zen setting was a delight.

SENJU: Indulge in the Best Japanese Dining Safely in the Metro.

The best part was escaping from the kids for a romantic happy hour night cap.

Final Thoughts

After being locked down at home for 9 months, the kids couldn’t stop raving about the experience. Take the opportunity to educate the kids about the strict health and safety protocols and the impact of Covid-19 to families.

Treat the hotel room as your home. Every time you go out, follow the same protocol you do back home—take a shower and put exposed clothes in the laundry. Boost your immune system with Vitamin C with zinc, laurin coconut oil and Vitamin D along with natural sunlight.

Best of all, leave your work and worries behind, and enjoy every moment of the staycation with the family.

Thank you for the awesome staycation experience at the urban oasis in the metro—Edsa Shangri-La Manila!

Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila
IG: @edsashangrila
FB: Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
Telephone: +63 2 8633-8888
Email: Manilaedsa@shangri-la.com

Live an Awesome Life with Christ,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: We paid for our meals. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.

P.S. Check in earlier before the lunch crowd arrives and check out as late as possible when there’s no crowd at the lobby. Make sure to quarantine at home in the next 7-14 days.

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