This QC Hotel Staycation Feels Like An Escape From The City—But Without The Long Drive

Work has a way of bleeding into everything—your weekends, your group chats, even your rest days. So when we had one of our biggest nights ahead—the Cosmo Women of Influence 2026 Recognition Dinner—we knew we needed to be on, but not burnt out. Enter: Solaire Resort North.

We checked in ahead of the event for a quick reset, and it ended up being exactly what we needed: a pause before the pace picked up again. With its accessible location in the heart of Quezon City, there were no long drives or much planning to be done—just a stay that let us breathe, get ready, and ease into the night feeling and looking like our best selves.

We checked into our Deluxe Room and got comfortable real fast. The space is generous (perfect for getting glammed up before the event), the layout made the room look even more(!) spacious, and it had all the amenities one could need for some much-needed R&R.

When we walked in, there was a small spread of mini chocolates and drinks waiting for us. It was just one of those little hospitality things, but it helped set the tone for our day before the big event: we were gonna relax and not feel guilty about it.

There's a proper seating area by the window, which we ended up using as our unofficial prep zone—our WOI dresses laid out, makeup kits open, and maybe a laptop or two as we snuck in some work (shh).

The beds were the real scene-stealer. It's oversized AF and dangerously plush—you sit down for a second and suddenly, you're doomscrolling and just enjoying the fact that you don't have to be anywhere yet. (Guilty as charged. 🤭) The automatic curtains helped set the mood. Once they're closed, the room goes full blackout, which, when you're trying to unwind, really hits different.

The bathroom is also a favorite for a lot of people in the team. A deep soaking tub, a rainfall shower, and enough counter space for multiple people to get ready at once without bumping elbows. It's also the perfect place to get un-ready after the event and do a much-needed debriefing sesh about how it went.

We made our way to Manyaman for lunch, and NGL, this is where we really locked in during our staycation. The restaurant leans into Kapampangan cuisine, which basically means flavor-forward, v comforting, and committed to not letting you leave without feeling busog.

But first, let's talk about the interior. The space draws from classic Filipino interiors—rattan, wood, woven details—but keeps everything light and well-balanced. It feels warm and familiar without being over-the-top, which makes it easy to settle into and enjoy a nice meal.

We had the sisig (P390), kinilaw (P540) for something bright and fresh, and ensaladang talong (P370) that readied us for the next course. For mains, we got a comforting bowl of sinigang na baboy (P690) that hit the perfect balance of sour and savory, and the inihaw na liempo (P680) that was juicy with just the right char.

And because we clearly weren't stopping there, we ordered dessert, a.k.a. our sweet treats. We got a slice of sans rival (P240) and an ube leche flan cake (P230) that were both sweet, rich, and worth the extra calories. 😌 We washed everything down with a pandan spritz (P500) and a mango juice (P400) that were refreshing enough to cut through alll the richness of our courses and keep things from feeling too heavy.

By the end of it, we were full, slightly sleepy, and v ready to retreat back to the room—which, TBH, felt like the perfect excuse to go lie back down on the plush beds and nap before the work finally began.

Some of us chose to relax differently, which is to say, to hit the health club. We're weren't disappointed in the slightest: the gym had treadmills, weights, and more. Basically, there's no excuse to miss leg or arm day—you'll be acing your fitness goals even while you're on vacay mode.

Once we were lean, toned, and energized for one of the biggest nights of our lives, we got glammed up in our rooms. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the rooms were spacious enough to fit three glam teams and have enough space to comfortably move around.

The morning after our Recognition Dinner was reserved for true decompression. We took our time waking up (which wasn't hard, given how soft the bed and pillows were) and packing away our things. Ofc, we had to check out (*coughs* maximize *coughs*) the breakfast buffet, which had a wide variety of dishes from different cuisines around the world.

But what's a staycation without a lil' dip in the pool? The hotel's L-shaped swimming pool offered ample space for doing laps, while the cabanas and pool lounges offered the perfect sunbathing spot as you sipped on cocktails from the Pool Cafe. TBH, it didn't feel like we were in the middle of QC... which is exactly what you want to feel on a staycation.

And because Seventeen's Mingyu was seen playing in Solaire Resort North's pickleball court just a few days before our stay, we also had to do the same.

After tiring ourselves out, we decided to order room service to cap off our staycation at Solaire Resort North fully. And just as their resto fare was filling and delicious, their in-room dining menu was top-notch. The lobster roll and ice cream stood out in particular—a perfect way to end our stay.