Rise Up! 3 is the lucky number!

Where to go?

I opt to request for 3 days compensatory off, and luckily it got approved.

Now, where to go? Yas Waterworld?  Ferrari World? Okay! Got it.

But wait, What about accommodation for 2 nights?

Hmmm.. Anyways, enough with the intro. I am back again for another hotel review, so without further ado. Here is my Review of Yas Centro Rotana.

Centro Yas Island by Rotana

I got the chance to stay in one of the leading hotel chains in the region. A leading hotel management companies within the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.

This is Rotana Hotel. I stayed at one of their best 3-star hotel, located on Yas Island.

This is the Centro Yas Island. It is a modern, stylish, affordable business hotel, adjoining Yas Island Rotana and providing guests access to deluxe facilities. The hotel is conveniently located on the spectacular Yas Island, minutes away from the Formula 1 Race Track, The Links Golf Course, Yas Southern Marina, and all-new Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Reservations

Reservations and booking were made possible thru Booking.com, check out their latest offers by visiting this link.

Hotel Details

This upscale, contemporary hotel has a mirror accent walls and floor to ceiling windows.

The Hotel has a capacious lobby where guest can rests or while waiting for someone. Or just admire the contemporary design.

Lobby 

Friendly front desk personnel will greet you upon checking in.

I am very particular to the ambiance of each hotel especially to the lobby itself. I checked in to 3 Rotana hotels and so far, they have the same aura, distinct hue, and contrast of the lobbies which is very comfortable to the human eye. Still confused? Think about using your phone and activating the f.lux effect.

Hallway

Painted canvass are carefully hanged in between the door rooms outside the hallway. The hallway is narrow however they decided to use some accented, hue and vivid carpet so that it will look more spacious.

Secure Card

The room access card is intended only for the room itself (of course) and for the floor which you were assigned. So folks, if you want to sneak out to a different floor level, then you got no chance 😉

Room Detail

Centro Room- Queen Bed is the room that I choose (One full Bed) and it can fit up 2 adults plus a child. The room is overlooking the swimming pull and I am located on the 5th floor.

The room is okay, no fancy things can be found here, except for the electric kettle, condiments, fridge, additional pillows, hangers, secure vault, and linens. 

For room service, the food menu is available as well which they kept in one small filer and a hotel magazine for a change.

Small round table,  a chair, and a long-standing lamp are available.

A led cable tv is available too. The room is very clean, dust free. I am very sensitive to dust, so luckily, I didn't sneeze at all.

A huge long table facing the front of the queen bed is accessible. Another trick design for each of the rooms so that it will look more capacious, the fact that the room is a bit small yet they managed it to be as it is.

On my second night of stay, I find that the AC System was not working properly. And I am sweating.

It was 3AM and the AC was on fan mode, though I didn't touch the settings. Weird...

Fire exit route chart at the back door is visible as well.

Food Trippin'

Breakfast Buffet

Plenty of food choices, I highly recommend their sausage. It's very delicious. Coffee is a part of my breakfast routine, so a coffee machine is available. I choose cappuccino 😁

Dinner Buffet

A big shout out to Ramella Bedua for providing the best dinner buffet that I had!

I got the chance to eat at C Choice by Rotana courtesy of Ramella. "C.Choice" is located just the opposite side of Centro Rotana which is another hotel managed by Rotana.

Food was superb,  A variety of food to choose, from Arabic to *not so sure cuisine 😝, soups, desserts, juices, salads and more.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took inside the c choice restaurant...

I was not able to take a picture of the food as a lot of guests are choosing some food and it might be uncomfortable for them.

And a few more pictures within the vicinity of Yas Rotana...

Verdict

Pros:

So if you prefer to stay in an accommodation which is accessible to Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, Warner Brothers Studio and Yas Mall. This is the best hotel that you can stay with. A free shuttle bus will drop you off to some of the popular spots within the Yas Island.

Friendly hotel staff will accommodate you at any time of the day. They wear a  smile and greet you anytime whenever you meet them. Awesome!

Free car vallet service is available too!

Cons: 

So far, Just the AC. Acting weird. lol 😂

Thanks for reading my quick review of this hotel and see you again :)

--Ceddy

Introduction 

Job Searching

People are searching for jobs nowadays and it is not as easy as you think to find a reputable company to work with.

Flashback 2015, Apparel hired me as one of the thousands of employees to work with them.

I was assigned to the luxury watches as a sales associate and later a year, I was transferred to the Children's clothing. 

Work/Life Balance and Management

Working in this company with a multi populace is a bit intimidating on my first 6 months of work.

I don't get used to working with different nationalities before, however, I was able to adjust and adapt to a new environment as they treat me as a member of the Family. 

Two brands I worked with, the management behind the brands works professionally. Whenever an issue arises, customer disputes frontline operation or back office, They figure it out and find a solution to it.

Working along with the bosses such as General Managers and Area Managers is good. They are the bosses who don't put any walls to the staffs itself. They are very open to everyone and gives feedback to the staffs which need a room for improvement.

After working, I still have the time to bond with my friends and family, going to the gym or write content just like what I'm doing right now. Although there were times that there is a lack of staff e.g staffs on annual leave or emergency leave, which is manageable as other staffs are willing to give support.

Company Benefits

Apart from getting a salary, there are things that the Apparel Group provides benefits to its employees.

You will receive a free cake for your birthday. And since the Apparel Group handles more than 75 international brands, the staffs are eligible for discounts as well. 

One of the brands that I love the most is LC Waikiki and Tim Hortons and I get 25% each of them.

Paid Annual leave and Air Ticket Allowance is provided as well. Once a staff reached one year,  He/She is eligible for paid annual leave and after two years of service, the staff is eligible for Air Ticket Allowance. Sweet is it?

Working hard means you should take care of yourself, however, there's a chance that you might catch flu or get sick because of the weather change for example. This company got you covered with health insurance.

And if in case you need to rest as advised by your doctor, sick leave is provided and its paid. Emergency leave is available as well.

If you work for several years in the company and planning to settle or move out, You are entitled to a gratuity pay which is compulsory as well. 

Paid overtime, commissions and incentives are provided for each of the staffs once they achieved the sales target.  I even use my saved commissions for my trip to Armenia last year. It was such a fun experience.

Career Opportunities

I believe that if you work hard into something, surely you will get the fruit of success.

the Apparel Group stands for its slogan "where dreams, come alive". 

If you deserve and are capable to work on this position, the management will give you the chance to be upgraded or promoted into a higher "grade", training will be provided accordingly.

Necessary training for sale and Arabic lessons to name a few are the things that you will get from the company while working with them. 

Culture and Values

Dream into a reality

The Apparel Group are active in various CSR Activities below:

Smile Cookie – Tim Hortons

Clean Up UAE

Pink Walkathon

Product Donation To Syrian Refugees

Blood Donation Camp – Dec 2013

Blood Donation Camp 2013

Pink Walkathon 2012

Blood Donation Camp 2012

Stretch & Grow

Breast Cancer Survivor

Taare Zameen Par

Pink Walkathon

Walk for a Cause

Booksplus Scary Tales

Blood Donation Campaign 2009 & 2010

Apart from these activities mentioned above. Working in Apparel means working to a vast diversity of people. Different religion and beliefs. Apparel value these and it had a big impact and an ability to succeed because of it people and it shows that these things count and as a result, it became the biggest giant retail company in the region.

Overall

Security, Tenure, and Opportunity

These are the 3 big factors why I like about this company

First is Security

I know, I am secured when they, the company won't terminate your end your contract for no reason.

As long as you are loyal to the company and you work hard for it. Chances are, they will renew your contract, in the long run, Apparel Group is an equal opportunity company. Everyone has their own voice and has freedom of choice.

Tenure

The Apparel Group will collaborate and work with you as long as you want. Most of the employees have been employed with them for more than 8 years. It simply shows that the organization values its employees. It is just a cycle of return indeed. You work with them and in return, they will take care of you, hold onto you and you can stay with the company as long as you want.

Opportunity

The organization gives an opportunity to talented people. They have a ladder of success to the employees. Without talent upgrade, there would be nothing, no motivation and bland at all.

Apparel Group gives an opportunity to each of the staff, they will mold you and enhance your capability to work in this industry- Retail.

Are you an employee of Apparel Group?

Share your experience by commenting below.

Thanks for reading my blog and see you next time.

--ceddy

Filipino's Longest Celebration: 

Christmas Holiday

Half Year Celebration

"Ber Months" Filipinos are on prep for the upcoming holiday- Christmas. 

Believe it or not, Among other countries, the Philippines has the longest celebration of Christmas. Once the "ber months" kicked in (September, October and so on) make sure not to get pissed with your neighbors as some of them play Christmas songs all day ( I always do that lol).  

Decorations and more!

A Parol. Picture: credits to thelucilaproject.blogspot.com

Christmas decorations like Parol ( lantern lamp)  and Christmas lights are hanged on the road center island,  across the streets, Christmas music is currently playing within the malls, neighborhood, drinking celebration, party all night, singing on the karaoke with your friends and family and more!

Get together and Christmas Bonus!

Filipinos working abroad go for a vacation and celebrate the Christmas with there Family.

The best part, If you work in a private, semi or government companies, the chances are, you will be receiving a 13th-month pay from your company. It is equivalent to one full monthly salary and paid in December (the 12th month) around Christmas and is traditionally called a Christmas bonus.

Filipino Tradition

Simbang Gabi

 Being a Christian, We go to the church and complete the 9 days of early morning mass (Misa de Gallo/Simbang Gabi). They said if you complete this 9 days of dawn mass which starts between  4 to 5 AM, whatever you wish will be granted.
Dawn masses start from December 16 to 24 and evening masses start between 8 and 10 pm.  Sad to say, I never completed the 9 days.

9 days of "Panunuluyan" or "The Nativity"

photo credits to Xavier University

It is the Filipino Christmas tradition where members of the community re-enact the story of Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and culminate with the birth of our Lord in a humble manger.
After Noche Buena Mass, You'll be rewarded with neverending Noche Buena dinner feast for everyone.

Count me in.. Numbers?

More than 86 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, no wonder Pinoys take it seriously,  the rest belong to Protestants and various nationalized Christian Cults.

Believe it or not, December ends, Celebration continues until January and February.

As an Expat, I missed this kind of celebration as I'm working out of the country for 4 years now.

Sad to say, I cannot go on vacation during December as my company wouldn't allow it.

Christmas in our hearts

On the long run, the Christmas celebration is not about the food, partying nor receiving pasalubong (gifts)  from friends and relatives abroad. Rather,  it is the time where we go to church, celebrate a mass and pray together. As this is the day where our Lord Jesus Christ was born.

Greetings!

The Philippines has 8 major languages, Tagalog is the second most used language next to English. here's how to say Merry Christmas.

picture credits to www.hickshiking.com

"Maligayang Pasko Po"

Have a wonderful Christmas with your Family!

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to like and share this content <3

--Ceddy