For travelers looking beyond city celebrations, the holiday season also brings meaningful escapes, whether that means traveling with pets, discovering a new hotel, or indulging in refined festivities overseas.
In Batangas, Sabangan Beach Resort continues to stand out as a genuinely pet-friendly destination.
Family-owned and operating since 2004, the resort welcomes dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes, allowing pets to stay in rooms and enjoy the beach alongside their owners. Recently, Sabangan partnered with animal welfare groups for a medical mission and beach retreat for senior rescue dogs.
“From the very beginning, our goal was to create a space where families and their pets can truly feel at home,” resort director Lisa Salvador-Bringas said.
Cebu travelers have something new to look forward to with the December opening of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan.
Located near Mactan-Cebu International Airport and key business hubs, the hotel offers 196 well-appointed rooms designed for comfort and productivity. Guests can dine at DAVOS, an all-day restaurant inspired by Cebu’s coastal flavors, or grab quick bites at The Market, the hotel’s 24/7 grab-and-go outlet.
“We wanted to create a stay that feels uncomplicated but thoughtfully complete,” a hotel representative shared.
The Philippines also welcomes its first-ever AC Hotels by Marriott with the December 2025 opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Manila at GLAS Tower, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Rooted in Marriott’s signature service and Spanish heritage, the hotel blends form and function with Filipino-inspired hospitality. Guests can enjoy thoughtfully curated spaces, from intuitively designed rooms with lavender bedtime scents and eucalyptus-mint shower steamers to extended-stay options with full kitchens and living areas.
The 38th-floor lobby offers sweeping city views, while the 61st-floor AC Bar and AC Lounge provide perfect spots for sunset cocktails and evening wind-downs. For dining, AC Kitchen serves a mix of local favorites and European-inspired dishes, while wellness offerings include a fitness center and indoor pool on the 57th floor.
“Our approach is to respect the DNA of the AC Hotels while making it feel naturally at home in our market,” General Manager Melvyn Angeles said.
For those spending the holidays abroad, Waldorf Astoria Osaka presents “A Legacy of Elegance,” a limited-time afternoon tea in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. Held at Peacock Alley, the experience blends New York-inspired flavors with Tiffany Blue accents in a refined, festive setting. “This collaboration celebrates heritage, craftsmanship, and the joy of coming together during the holidays,” said Andrew Moore, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Osaka.
From pet-friendly shores and smart city hotels to elegant international experiences, these escapes offer travelers meaningful ways to relax, reconnect, and step into the New Year refreshed.
—With Rosette Adel