100 resorts in the PHILIPPINES: PLACES WITH A HEART (100 Resorts) Paperback – January 15, 2004 by Dominique Grele (Author), Lily Yousry-Jouve 
 
Banking executive Dominique Grêlé and Lily Yousry-Jouve, a French lawyer as well as a renowned artist, have combined their writing talents to produce a book, 100 resorts in the Philippines – Places with a Heart. They did not necessarily visit areas together, but rather combined their experiences to come up with full details and descriptions of resorts, hotels or guest houses that they regard as memorable. One might expect two such ladies to only choose accommodation of as close to five star quality and price as possible and yet nothing could be further from the truth. Certainly, some five-star ranking establishments are included, but a great many, although perhaps beyond the budget of back-packers, certainly are within the financial ability of the middle-income family. As they state in their introduction: To our minds, the best places to go to are not necessarily the most expensive nor the most plush. We defined "first-class" according to a set of criteria: the beauty of the site where the resort is located; the quality of the physical arrangements around it, the architecture and interior décor; the excursions possible in the area; the service; the warmth of welcome – all of these elements that make a place appealing.
They have wisely divided the Philippines into a number of areas and have selected a number of places that one or the other liked to visit. Their descriptions of each place is not just factual, but emotional in that it reveals impressions. It is more as though a friend is making a word-of-mouth recommendation rather than the bland copy of a brochure.
Details of the overall size, the facilities, service, local tours and attractions as well as the type of cuisines offered and their quality are fully covered. The reader is informed of how to get there, usually from their expected entry point of Manila. It recognizes that because the Philippines consists of over 7,100 islands, sometimes travel can be time consuming, so not only are distances included, but also a realistic anticipated travel time. Some visitors may be amazed that to travel just 160 km. by road can be expected to take 4 hours.
Also there is an indication of the rates one can be expected to pay in the high season. Overseas readers should check the current exchange rate and maybe change their mind and visit. 100 resorts in the PHILIPPINES – Places with a Heart is not strictly a travel guide. It reveals two women’s love of a country, its places and its people. It details one hundred places where being a guest can prove a memorable experience. Read it and you will want to visit. If you already live in the Philippines, you can discover places you never knew existed. If you plan to visit, then this book is a must. Mabuhay!
 
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