Shangri-La Hotel & Resort

We pulled up to the hotel and as we turned the corner in this tiny driveway we were surrounded by beautiful bird of paradise and palms of all sizes and types.  A completely different vision than the entire drive from the airport. We pulled up to the door and were greeted by a team of supremely dressed doormen, door ladies and valets. They were all in beautiful teal blue and black. Every button in and fold in the right place and standing tall and proud.   As soon as we got out of the van up walked a few men with very handsome dogs and large rifles.  They were the security.  Bomb and drug sniffing dogs. They smelled the car, the luggage and anything else they were instructed to.  I felt horrible for them.  One was a black retriever. A puppy of no more than 18 months.  He was panting and there was no water bowl in sight.  I do realize they had a job to do and I did feel safer.  Our bags were loaded on the cart by the valet and we were ushered toward the main doors where two astutely dressed ladies were holding the gigantic golden doors open for us. Our bags were checked and we were “welcomed to the Shangri-La”. (This happened each time we walked in those doors.) So classy. I mean really. I don’t think I would have ever dreamed of staying in a hotel like this. The manager came out from the back office to greet Mom and Dad, to thank them for choosing this hotel and to ask if we needed anything else. The kids and I stood in the lobby patiently waiting for a comfy bed to stretch out in and sleep! Walking by us were employees of this paradise. All, even the manager, were dressed like they were going to the ball. Beautiful barong dresses, mostly in teal, with make-up to match. I forgot to mention that the door ladies who were so neatly dressed with the teal and black uniforms also had the teal eye shadow to match. I mean totally matched! When talking about it later we wonder if it was mandatory to match.  They looked like fine porcelain dolls. I loved just looking at them. Biggest smiles too. 

We have our keys now…let’s go.  Walked to the elevator and there are two more of these finely dressed ladies pressing the buttons and holding the doors open for us. “What floor Sir?” and “Thank You Ma’am.” (which really sounds like Mom with their accent) Am I really in this moment?  We finally got to our room. Er, I and the kids will have our own room. Ritche will room with Ed and Cynthia. Mom and Dad will room with Auntie Nati.  The room was beautiful of course.  The bed was so nice! Nicest bed in the world!! Well, the same hotel bed you would see in any other nice hotel room. This time it was special since we all had to curl up in an airplane seat to attempt to sleep not so long ago.  After we got some things together in the room, snacks out and luggage in the right places, we all laid down to take a much needed nap.