Enjoying the Outdoors: A Glamping Weekend Staycation at F1 Hotel Manila

It's a staycation with a refreshing new spin that's perfect for summer...

F1 Hotel Manila weaves a cool and bohemian tropical vibe at the Canary Lounge from March until May, 2018 with a unique outdoor experience to complete your urban getaway this summer. Modern luxury and the cool outdoors come together every weekend with F1 Hotel Manila's cool take on "glamping" with great food, cocktails and entertainment under the stars...

Who knew you could enjoy the great outdoors at the heart of Bonifacio Global City? The Canary Lounge, located at the third floor of F1 Hotel Manila, transforms every weekend for that perfect evening get-together with the family or a night-out with friends. Enjoy live acoustic performances with tapas and cocktails with Mellow Lounge every Friday from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am with friends, or bring the whole family for Outdoor Movie Nights every Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm with popcorn, all under the stars at the Canary Lounge. Better yet, why not spend a weekend? It's summer and school's out, celebrate the season with the entire family with F1 Hotel Manila's Summer Weekend Room Package with a Deluxe Room for only P 4,600 per night or a City Suite for P 5,100 per night. Both packages are inclusive of buffet breakfast and use of the pool. And do bring the kids. From March until May, F1 Hotel Manila's Playzone Activity Area will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm for the little ones. Why not nurture your child's creativity with F1 Hotel Manila's Artsy Little Onesie where they experience creative learning activities like cupcake decorating sessions from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and who knows, the little one may be a future chef. With the advent of Lent, bond with the family during Holy Week with F1 Hotel Manila's Easter Room Packages with the City Suite for only P 5,400 net per night or the Fort Suite at P 6,600 per night and cap your staycation with the Summer Safari Easter Party on April 1, 2018. Weekends at F1 Hotel Manila just can't get any better...

...and we get to experience "glamping" at F1 Hotel Manila with another memorable weekend staycation. Since I started my blog, F1 Hotel Manila has been a part of my blog's journey (see my post on a recent post-holiday staycation here at A New Year of Good Vibes at F1 Hotel Manila). This time, I get to kick-off my summer at F1 Hotel Manila at the Canary Lounge.  

But before the evening's festivities,  F1 Hotel Manila hosted a sumptuous buffet lunch at F All-Day Dining Restaurant. Executive Chef Angelo Chubby Timban (L) and his team (R) featured their creative and inspired Filipino-Mexican Fusion Buffet featuring familiar favorites with surprising and innovative twists.

From tacos to grilled dishes, salads, nachos, and fajitas, F All Day Restaurant's Filipino-Mexican Fusion Buffet offers unique flavors adding a festive vibe to your weekend. Available every Friday to Sunday for Lunch and Dinner, rediscover both Filipino and Mexican favorites for only P 1,699 net per person. That day, the lavish buffet selection included Squid Relleno Con Salsa Verde...

...succulent and plump Shrimp Halabos (L) and Chipotle Chicken (R). Executive Chef Chubby Timban weaves both Filipino and Mexican flavors in a seamless blend with his wide array of dishes reflecting his creative culinary style. It's different yet comfortingly familiar. And it works.

The fusion of Filipino and Mexican flavors are highlighted in the other featured mains, like the richly flavored Chicken Adobo Enchiladas (L) and the Cabrito de Adobado (R), perfect with soft flour tortillas or fried rice. you can also make your tacos at the Taco Station with a wide variety of tasty fillings.

And there's more. Indulge in the savory Beef Fajitas (L) or the hearty Fil-Mex Pork Stew (R) with its intense notes from the rich spice blend. Leave it to Executive Chef Chubby Timban to excite your palate with the inventive Filipino-Mexican Fusion Buffet.

Grab a soft flour tortilla and fill it with Pork Carnitas (L) paired with some comforting Chili Con Carne (R). Maybe it's the shared colonial experience with Spain that makes the fusion of Filipino and Mexican flavors so right, bound by history with over three hundred years of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.  

Maybe it's this historical connection that makes it pair well together. Whatever the case, grab a plate and load up on more nachos with cheese and tart pico de gallo.

At the Carving Station, the impressive Lemongrass Pork Belly with Chili Rice was served. Perfectly roasted with juicy pork capped by a layer of crisp crackling, the savory richness of the pork is complemented by the chili rice for balanced flavors.

And if you're craving for even more pork love, F All-Day Dining Restaurant has that covered too. The crunchy Homemade Chicharon is a must-try, with a light and delectable airy crispness perfect with a spiced vinegar dip. And a cold beer.

Then, there's F All-Day Dining Restaurant's Seafood Station, a popular favorite at their extensive buffet with fresh shrimps...

...mussels and crabs. Great as is, you can also have your fresh catch grilled, baked or lightly sauteed with butter finished with a squeeze of lemon. And you can come back for more. Other seafood selections included salmon, kilawin or the local version of ceviche as well as sashimi and sushi.

Going back to the Filipino-Mexican connection, have a bowl of Mexican Fried Rice prepared a la minute by the station chef, with soft and fluffy rice stir-fried with pork, egg and vegetables and topped with crunchy chicharon seasoned with spices. It's a tasty meal in itself...

...or go for the Beef Taco Sinigang. You read that right. Fork-tender chunks of beef in a tart and sour tamarind broth with vegetables spiced up with sharp and spicy jalapenos and Mexican spices. Extra rice? Yes, please...

Cap your feast with a wide range of indulgent desserts, including decadent cakes and pastries, your call.

Make your own Halo-Halo...

...or go old school with some nostalgic Ice Candy in a variety of flavors. Sweet endings complete your meal at F All-Day Dining Restaurant.

Later that afternoon, the Canary Bar is slowly transformed for the evening. Located at the hotel's pool deck, the Canary Bar is a spacious outdoor area that's perfect for stargazing with a few rounds of cocktails.

The table settings are prepared for a special outdoor dining experience with colored lights, lamps, candles and even ornate dream catchers to set the mood. Casual, laid-back, bohemian, and cool, the evening's barbecue with drinks and entertainment under the stars is looking good.  

The final touches are then laid out on the outdoor pool deck, with more soft pillows and lamps on low tables with colorful linens...

...along with fresh flowers and other ornaments to complete the outdoor vibe. It's the little details that matter and F1 Hotel Manila's pulling all the stops for the weekend.

As the afternoon light fades, the various ornaments move with the gentle breeze. My "glamping" weekend staycation is about to begin with sunset just a few hours away... 

A cheese platter with fresh fruits and nuts is served before dinner, paired with a glass of wine. The Canary Lounge comes alive with its array of colorful lights...

...as the evening's feast is served with a hefty slab of Baby Back Ribs and roasted vegetables as the centerpiece. Guests and diners can also enjoy a platter of Tapas and Cheese or Tapas and Cold Cuts for only P 388 net per platter every Friday from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. The platters are best paired with the 1+1 Bottle of Wine of Gran Caserio from Chile at P 1,800 net  or the refreshing Scotch Ginger at P 350 net per glass.

The grill is fired up and loaded with pork ribs, chicken, tuna kebabs, hot dogs and oysters. And that grill remained fired-up all night long, serving freshly grilled savory treats to guests. 

Fresh oysters? Absolutely. With just a squeeze of lemon and nothing else.

That evening, Executive Chef Chubby Timban also served his Oyster Kilpatrick, baked oysters with bacon and caramelized onions.

No outdoor get-together is complete without some marshmallows, and Canary Lounge's Make S'more Memories (P 150) recreates this childhood favorite of chocolate, mallows and Graham crackers to complete your glamping experience under the stars at F1 Hotel Manila. 

That evening, Jet Barrun rocked and serenaded with her repertoire of acoustic favorites for an intimate mini-concert under the stars. And if you have a song request, just let her know. Or better yet, go on stage and perform your number with Jet Barrun backing you up. It's all about good times and good vibes...under the stars at F1 Hotel Manila. You can catch Jet Barrun perform at the Canary Lounge every Friday from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. And get ready to sing-along under the stars...

The next day, a hearty buffet breakfast awaits at F All-Day Dining Restaurant for another perfect start to the weekend.

Adding that final layer to complete your staycation experience at F1 Hotel Manila is the warm and courteous service of the staff, and through the years, they've all become familiar making it feel like home.

Weekends under the stars? You don't have to go far, you can find the perfect spot right here at F1 Hotel Manila's Canary Lounge...

F1 Hotel Manila is located at 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City or call (02) 908-7888 for inquiries and reservations. You can also send an email to inquiry@f1hotelandresorts.com or visit their site at http://www.f1hotelmanila.com/.

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