More fun at Garden Oases

THERE'S nothing to do on a warm day or wanting to do something unusual at night?

If you're looking for fun, then why not try bringing your troupe to the Garden Oases Resort on Porras Street in Barrio Obrero, Davao City.

The P150 you pay for entering the place entails you a free pass to its fabulous outdoor swimming pool. Another good thing is that you don’t have to bring any food to fill your hungry stomach.

The entrance fee also entails you a free meal of any of your choice from this list: chicken barbecue, pork barbecue, and lumpia shanghai.

"With rice na iyan ha?" said Jommel Bañez, the marketing communications consultant.

We had the pleasure of eating all three choices and we can vouch for its delicious taste. Although we like the chicken barbecue and lumpia shanghai much better. But my friend liked the pork barbecue.

However, there are other food you can order if those three are not what you want. But food should matter as the swimming pool is a much better place to relax and ease the stress.

The pool is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, the pool closes at 12 midnight. The pool is closed on Sundays.
Wanting some drinks? Don't worry; the Kiwi Bar, which is just near the swimming pool serves different kinds of drinks.

"We have cocktails such as margarita, kamikaze, and a lot more," Bañez said.

Kiwi Bar also offers "drink all you can" beer for three hours and P240 for all local beers. The cost per bottle on local drinks is P50. Kiwi Bar is open only from Wednesday till Friday.

"On other days, we are open for special occasions," Bañez said.

Just a few walks away from the Garden Oases is theÿRitz Garden Hotel, a tranquil haven for people who come to Davao City for business or holidays.

Phil Murray, who once stayed at the hotel has this to say: "The management and staff were very friendly and welcoming. The service was excellent. Rooms were clean and comfortable. The restaurant was great and the pool and grounds were beautiful and very well-maintained."

Another foreign visitor commented: "I travel a lot around the world and haven't seen any place like this hotel. I have stayed here at least four times so far I do not have a single complaint about this place.

Everything about this place is perfect from the staff to services, cleanliness from the lobby to the rooms, and is conveniently located to just about everything like malls, supermarkets, etc.

"Although (Ritz Hotel) isn't rated a 5-star hotel yet, everything about this place exceeded my expectation especially for the rate that my company paid for. I must admit that I didn't get to go out the whole time I was there because of the coffee shop inside the hotel, I got so addicted to their coffee and couldn't let the day passed by without drinking at least five cups a day and had my breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Garden Oases Restaurant."