If you’re in Angeles City in the Philippines, you’re probably hitting a lot of bars and having way too much adult-level fun. It’s hard not to stereotype the Philippines’ own “Sin City” as little more than a scandalous party destination. But in fact, it’s a great little city even if you’re not out drunk at the girlie bars every night, with amazing restaurants, local watering holes, golf and other athletic activities, and all of the modern conveniences of Manila without the traffic and pollution. For me, one of the biggest draws to Angeles is also Kandi Tower, a condominium, and lifestyle complex just far enough off the beaten path in the city.
What is the Kandi Tower?
Walking up to Kandi Tower, which is so nice it basically has enough gravity to form its own sub neighborhood, the quality is immediately apparent. The 11-story shining white structure is ultra-modern while also being understated. Outside, you’ll encounter plenty of security and friendly, presentable staff helping you get a taxi or just open the front door with a smile. The lobby is a sparkling white marble explosion like something you’d expect in Miami. The complex is divided into two towers, each with floor after floor of suites, condos, and penthouses on top. There are three big swimming pools and plenty of sundecks.
But the biggest draw for me is the rooftop, which has been carefully planned as an entertainment area. The elevator opens to the roof, and there you’ll find nice white tiled floors, a waist-high wall around the perimeter, and plenty of plants and lighting. A free standing glassed in structure houses their gym and fitness center, which I think is the best in Angeles City. It’s also immaculately clean, well lit, has the most up to date high-quality weightlifting equipment and machines, and great staff. It’s also super cool to work out surrounded by floor to ceiling windows with a killer view of the city and Pampanga countryside.
Upstairs there is also a sitting area with little tables and then an amazing covered patio with a fun bar and restaurant, including a pool table and foosball table. To add to the cool set up, there’s actually a helicopter pad on the roof! If you know someone who works there, ask if they can take you upstairs quickly for a tour and some photos.
Going to the ground floor again, you also have several retail shops that have just about everything you need, including a sundry and liquor store like a better 7-11, a small bar that plays all sorts of sports on TV for patrons to drink and relax, and my favorite, the Orange Café. There, you can get a great latte, pasta, local Filipino grub, sandwiches, a huge English style breakfast, or even homemade pizza. The cook there is really good and will literally whip up any of these dishes and more right in front of you. As an added bonus, the ladies working there are all super cute and friendly!
Kandi Towers can also help with laundry service, setting up golf outings, airport pickups, or any other trips you need. If I lived in Pampanga, it would definitely be because I could get a place at Kandi Towers. The word is that they’re building a new luxury tower right down the street, with suspended swimming pools on the corners of the building every three floors!
About Norm Schriever
Norm Schriever is a blogger, Amazon best-sellling author, cultural mad scientist, and enemy of the comfort zone. His work appears in the Huffington Post, Business.com, Good Morning America, The Anderson Cooper Show on CNN, NBC, MSN, Yahoo, Hotels.com, and media all around the world.
Norm grew up in Connecticut and graduated from the University of Connecticut, where he was never accused of overstudying. After expatriating to Costa Rica in 2011, he started traveling the world and documenting what he saw. He now lives in Southeast Asia, writing his heart out and working with local charities.
