Bonista Beach Resort - Escalante

So looking for a resort? If you are eyeing on Bonista Beach Resort in CAdiz, its fine as long as you can hold on for a two hour trip from Bacolod City to Cadiz.

You can get to the resort through a bus at the North Bus Terminal for less than 100 pesos. When you reach Cadiz you will have to ride a tricycle to get you to the resort, you can hire a tricycle for around 200 pesos. The tricycle ride from the Cadiz to the resort is about 20 minutes, and yep! that far.

Its a huge place, but don't expect an excellent beach. The Bonista Beach Resort Website shows you a white beach resort, but dont get carried away. The white sands aren't produced by the beach, I don't know where they took it. It doesn't matter. The beach isn't as lovely as I imagined, first its made of rough dark sand, second it holds a growing number of mangroves on the left so the sand can be filthy. I couldn't say anything against their rooms, its big for two people and each room has a veranda overlooking the pool and the beach on the side.

The beach is ideal for parties, or group events as they have a big restaurant, but prices aren't friendly. There are no stores nearby, unless you want to hire a tricylce back to the Cadiz market for 20 minutes. If you love sunset, you will be disappointed if you anticipate a good one. The resort is clean and wide. I like the cliff.

Cathedral Church Bacolod

Stood since 1876 until today, Cathedral Church serves as a historical icon for the city of Bacolod and at most the historical attraction for many.

On Sundays, the church is flocked by families and many church goers coming from different areas.Weekdays gather less people. The english mass is offered nightly.


For tourists, the church is a good base to explore the city by foot, across the church is the Bacolod Public Plaza which used to be a great place for families 10 years ago... Clean, friendly atmosphere, little fountains. Now, it hasn't been attracting attention from the government, so as well with visitors.  The center of the public plaza tells a tale of events and Masskara performances.

At some point of time, the public plaza features tent bazaars for cheap buys. Similar to that of Manila's Divisora, only that its bound on a short line.

 Across the church are bibinka vendors, if you wanna get a bit of sweet, served hot. =)

Shopping Centers in Bacolod City

Looking for something to splurge on? Bacolod Ciy is relatively small but it can soundly treat you a fancy or budget a shopping experience. 

If you choose fancy shopping:

SM City Bacolod 

Located downtown and accessible by so many public jeepneys. This is the most convenient mall if you really want to experience Bacolod through your feet. The historic Cathedral Church is found through a 5-minute walk from the Mall. While the public plaza just sits across the Cathedral Church. The Manokan Country or "chicken houses" is found along the street. 


The Pope John Paul II Tower found on the west side of the Mall is a good spot to view the sunset of Bredco, the tower was made open to the public since February 2010. Or I call it, "the observation deck of Bredco". Stair your way up to the highest floor and enjoy the height!

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Top shops in SM City Bacolod are:

• Guess
• Loalde
• Marithé François Girbaud 
• Dickies
• Hangten
• Maldita
• Mendrez
• Folded and Hung
• Celine
• Bayo
• Kamiseta
• Plains and Prints
• For Me
• Oxygen
• Bench
• Penshoppe 
• Human

Robinson's Place Bacolod

The Mall of the Northern people in Bacolod. When you are somewhere north, Robinson's Place on Lacson Street is the most convenient place to find buys. Similar to SM City's accessibility to several public jeepneys. Popular establishments close to the Mall are Convergy's, Metropolis Tower Condominium, some bars and cheap accommodations. Robinson's also provide easy access to all kinds of restaurants found along Lacson Street. Best place to combine shopping with dining.

Robinson's Place is about 15 minutes away from the downtown area, 10 minutes away to the Lagoon Park, and about 30 minutes from the Silay International Airport. 

Robinson's Place top shops are:

• Mango
• Giordano
• People are people (one of my favorite, suggested for outdooristic people)
• Loalde
• Alberto
• Converse
• Adidas
• Havaianas 
• Mendrez
• Levi's
• Kamiseta
• Bench
• Penshoppe
• and some more boutiques to eye for

Enjoy!

Best Hotels in Bacolod City

Fancy treating yourself with comfort and luxury while in Bacolod? Smile more and enjoy every good night of sleep with these hotels:


L'Fisher Hotel ‎
Location: 14th Lacson Street, Bacolod City‎
Contact: (034) 433 3733

L' Fisher Hotel has probably the most convenient location for tourist wanting to explore both nightlife and daylife of Bacolod City. It sits on the urban point of Lacson Street which is a popular street of Bacolod. Give it 5-10 minutes to get yourself to Robinson's Place and approximately 15 minutes away from SM City. 

Nearby facilities include most of the top bars, dining, and recreational facilities such as spas, gym, shopping. Top establishments close are Starbucks, Trattoria Uma an Italian restaurant, Bob's cafe a local coffee and dining establishment, Bar 21 for fine dining, and Inaka to soothe your crave for japanese cuisine. L'fisher hotel rate is between 3,000 - 12,000. The establishment has the old school motiff or more like a heritage one. Distance from the Silay International Airport is approximately 30 minutes.Visit here


The Chalet Hotel
Location: 14th Lacson Street, Bacolod City
Contact: (034) 433 3731-39

Notice that it has similar address with L'Fisher Hotel, it is literally found behind L'Fisher Hotel, which accounts as the best option if you are an average spender. Chalet is relative to L' Fisher as an organization. However the design is modern-contemporary which is in contrast with that of L'Fisher's. Rooftop pool and some rooms with veranda, the experience could be great for you. With Chalet you can also access the top establishments of Lacson Street conveniently. Chalet Hotel starts at Php995 to Php5,000. Distance from the Silay International Airport is approximately 30 minutes. Visit here


Sugarland Hotel
Location: Araneta Street, Singcang, Bacolod City
Contact: (034) 435.2690 to 99

Another good servicing hotel.Close to Goldenfields Commercial Complex and approximately 10 -15 minutes away from the downtown area. Its located along Araneta Street which offers convenient transport to the South area. From here you can reach Cathedral Church and SM City through public jeepneys for a very cheap price, distance is about 15 minutes and 10 minutes by a taxi or cab. Sugarland hote rate is between
Php1,400 - Php3, 200. Distance from the Silay International Airport is approximately 45 minutes. Visit here


The Sylvia Manor
Location: San Juan Street, Bacolod City
Contact: (034) 434 9801

The Sylvia Manor is your hotel if you want to get close and personal to the downtown area. Explore the cheap market and enjoy the walking distance to SM city. Service and staff on their quality. Prices are reasonable. Its location might be a bit noisy for you during the night, if serenity is what you come for, request a room away from noise. Sylvia Manor hotel is between Php1,990 - Php8,000. Distance from the Silay International Airport is approximately 40 minutes.Visit here

Business Inn Hotel
Location: Corner Lacson-Galo Streets, Bacolod City
Contact: (034) 433 8877


Not so luxurious as the hotels mentioned above, but it has earned a reputation of proving quality rooms and service for both travel and business guests. Its restaurant is priced accordingly, I mean it cannot be as expensive as you can imagine from a nice hotel. Staff are friendly and willing to help you about any hotel concerns. Walking to downtown is ten minutes, for lazy people take the jeepney that passes along for 5-10 minutes depending on the traffic along the Cathedral Church. While Business Inn is located along Lacson Street there's not much facility or establishments nearby unless if you walk your way to the downtown area. Or take a 5 minute jeepney ride to get to the busy points of Lacson Street. Rates 1000-4000, they have specials going on at certain period but basically that about the range. Distance to the airport is approximately 30 minutes. Visit them here

Enjoy your stay in Bacolod!