A home away from our real home. This is what it felt like when I stayed at the Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort last weekend. Is it the place? the room probably? or the food? or maybe the amenities? Well, it’s actually all of that plus the warm welcome and hospitality of all the staff and employees that I was able to meet and bumped into.

Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort is situated inside Clark Special Economic Zone. Surrounded by greeneries and many other establishments, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort is a perfect place for staycations and relaxation. With the different amenities and rooms they offer, they’re very much ready to cater on all types of occasions including business meeting, conferences, exhibitions and even for your personal gatherings.

With 308 guest rooms and suites, 2 restaurants and 1 bar, 7 meeting and event spaces including ballroom, executive floors and lounge and an extensive golf courses, you’ll surely don’t need to go out anymore because they sure to have what you need on your whole stay for whatever purpose it may be.

Upon arrival, I felt the warm welcome of the Sales Director, Ms. Ethel Joseph. We went ahead to their Treat Bar and Lounge while waiting for the accommodations to be ready. A very refreshing welcome drinks were offered upon entry. It was at that moment I know that I will surely enjoy a very welcoming aura amongst the staff.

During our lunch and media briefing/introduction for this media familiarization tour, we’ve met the management team from Sales and Marketing at Xi Restaurant, an upscale chinese restaurant offering authentic Cantonese cuisine. It was a sumptuous lunch. They served us “Salted Egg-flavored Crispy Fish Skin” for appetizer pair with assorted dimsum including Pork and Shrimp Siew Mai, Hargao, Shanghai Spring Rolls and Spinach Dumplings. For the soup, it was “Hot and Sour Seafood Soup”. The main course were Beef Tenderloin with asparagus and black pepper sauce, Fish Fillet Thai Style, Wok Fried French Beans, Minced Pork and of course our staple Yeung Chow Fried Rice. This satisfying and stomach-protruding meal ended with Chilled Cream Mango Sago and Pomelo as the dessert.

We had a tour inside the resort after our lunch. We’ve personally seen all of their amenities including the outdoor pool, the 24 hour fitness center – Hilton Fitness, indoor and outdoor play area for kids, lawn area, duty free store, meeting rooms, conferences suites and the ballrooms.

After the tour, we had experienced a very relaxing signature massage at the Apricus Wellness Spa. The waiting area itself is already very relaxing. They served us ginger and lemon tea while waiting. Before we went inside each of the massage rooms, they made us pick a scent of our choice from their 3 options. The scent sets the mood. It may be aromatherapy. I am not so familiar with that but it makes the service authentic and special from my point of view. The massage rooms are spacious and paired with lights and music that are soft to the ears. Just a few minutes after the therapist started with their signature oil massage, I already fell asleep. That’s probably the best description I can give you on how good it was. After which, a set of tea or water will again be served depending on your preference.

Just after sipping some ginger and lemon tea, we went ahead and go directly to our room. I personally stayed in one of their suite room. It has a living room with the sofa, tv and a welcome fruits, sweets and snacks, a bedroom with a king size bed with another tv set too, a make -up/comfort room, a walk-in wardrobe and a luxurious bathroom with a shower area, bathtub and another toilet area. It has a balcony too. It’s huge. And when I say it’s huge, i mean it is HUGE! The room is also equipped with a water heater, set of cups, glasses, wine glasses and complimentary coffees, teas and water boxes. I just noticed and wants to praised this facility because the drinking water boxes that they are using are those that goes with a good cause.

The resort prepared a cocktail and dinner buffet for us during the night. More than the food, I enjoyed conversing with the bosses and sales personnel of the hotel. You know exactly when you talk directly to people and it felt genuine professionalism with some personal stories to tell and exchange of ideas. I love how they are very open to ideas and recommendations. From the very down to earth Ms. Denise Molintas, General Manager to the Commercial Director Eunjoo Bae up to the sales director, staff and waiters on that night, I have my hands down to the whole Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort team. If you stay here, all I can say is you are in good hands. They’ll surely take care of you. This is not a marketing statement but based on my personal encounters with them.

We ended the night taking some quick dip at the pool. I just learned that it is the biggest outdoor swimming pool inside Clark. Going back to our room, I spent some few minutes relaxing in the tub before taking a shower and enjoyed the smell of the shower gel. LOL. It smells like a really expensive perfume.

The next morning, I went down to the lawn after other media people was done with their Zumba session. We then went directly to Olive Restaurant for a buffet breakfast. With lots of choices for food and for someone who is not a morning person, I don’t usually eat breakfast. (I know it’s not good but I’m trying:P). I opted to go basic with bacon, sausage, egg and waffle. It’s very satisfying indeed and I felt so full.

After the breakfast, the team toured us outside the resort vicinity to personally see the resort’s partner tourist destinations where you can do some activities while staying at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort in line with the Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort’s SHADES of Blue Partner. We’ve been to Sun Valley Golf and Country Club, Clark Safari and Adventure Park, Aqua Planet and Clark Museum 4D Theater.

After the tour, we had another buffet lunch at the Olive Restaurant again. This time, I made sure to really indulged myself with the food options. I am a big fan of Japanese cuisine so, I asked for a plentiful serving of salmon sashimi and some sushi rolls. From the fresh seafood section, I asked some crabs and shrimps to cook them cajun for me. Of course, I did not miss the chance to taste their churro since I myself is a big churro fan. And guess what? It tasted really good.

Before we checked out, I enjoyed swimming in the pool again and packed my things and checked out. It was a fun-filled, very productive weekend. The day was tiring but I had a lot of fun. But with all the treatment I got from Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, it felt like I spent some rest day at their facility living like a king. Thank you to the very accommodating family of Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort and see you again soon.

Here’s a couple of photos together with other media people during this weekend at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.

Hanggang sa susunod na kwento ng mga byahecho.

-Echo