Photo Op: The Pearl Farm Resort

our souvenir shot

Guess I've still got what may be called a Davao hang-over ;)

Allow me to post photos taken a couple of years back (July 2008 to be exact) when our work team had the chance to "survey" the Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island, which was a 45-minute boat ride from Davao City.

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort is one of our country's ultimate destination as it offers breathtaking sights of Samal Island's pristine sand and sea and luxurious accommodations. Set amidst 14 hectares, the resort was once indeed a pearl farm. 

this is the resort's most famous landmark, The Parola

The Parola is the resort's famous landmark, featured in several of the resort's advertising campaigns. This landmark serves as the guests's welcome area upon arrival.

the resort's uber inviting infinity pool

I fell in love with the resort's infinity pool which looks out to the sea surrounding the island. Lounge chairs are ideally spread around the pool for guests to soak in the beautiful sights.

the Samal Houses

The Samal Houses are built on stilts on the waters, inspired by the houses of the Samal tribe of Mindanao. These rooms have balconies to afford guests magnificent views of the sea.

the Samal Suites

The Samal Suites are 2-storey cottages which are right by the beach of the resort. 

the Malipano Island

Across the Parola, the Malipano island can be seen. We were told that the island houses a function room, a 3-hole golf course and the most exclusive villas of the resort.  

Accommodations are on the pricey side, with rates starting at US $150 (about PhP 6,900) for the hilltop cottages called Balay Houses while the Malipano Villas go for around US $680 (roughly PhP 31,300) per night. Various promotional packages which include room and board are also offered for honeymooners, families and vacationers to make the rates more affordable.

But from the looks of it, the resort truly offers an unforgettable pampering experience and it may be worth all that moolah.

Fortunately, dreams don't cost a dime so I will wish for my family to be able to experience the luxury offered by the Pearl Farm Resort, and I would settle even for just a day tour. ;) Who knows, my dream just might come true! 

Dissatisfaction Guaranteed at The Dawal Beach Resort

the resort entrance (this photo is courtesy of Joseph Molde)

After a 5 hour road trip, imagine checking in at a resort (where you made prior reservations and deposited the requisite 50% down payment) and find out that your room is NOT available. This was just the first of the comedy of errors we encountered at the Dawal Beach Resort - only it didn't feel like a comedy for us who were involved. (but of course!)

I fumed at the hapless front desk staff who could only apologize for the "overlooked detail". The room we were supposed to get was occupied until the following day. We had no recourse but to get an alternative room.

Allow me to backtrack a little: prior to our trip, we arranged for our accommodations and specifically asked for 5 adjacent rooms: 4 quadruple and 1 double. The resort assigned us to two adjacent "cottages" located on the left side of the entrance of the resort and three rooms near the pool area. Theoretically, this was fine. 

But when we got there, we found out that the three rooms near the pool area were not really adjacent to each other. And there was that hullabaloo with our room still occupied. In reality, we were booked on rooms that were really far from each other. As we were all quite tired after the 5-hour trip, we felt that we had no choice but to settle in as we were all eager to freshen up, lie down or dip in the pool. But then HB prodded me to try to look into the other available rooms that were nearer to our companions. To cut it short, we finally settled into a smaller room near the pool area.

While the rooms were tastefully furnished, the bed sizes were small. (I think, you, dear reader, will agree that a room suited for double occupancy would have either 2 single beds or 1 queen sized bed at the very least.) Alas, they fitted their rooms with single and double sized beds only. The extra mattresses were very flimsy and were charged at Php 400 each.

We were also dismayed with the meal arrangements. When we inquired, the resort staff said that we could bring in our own food for a minimal corkage fee and minimal cooking charges. It turned out that the cooking charges were unreasonably priced. We were even charged for a "deposit" for the use of their pot and pan. In the resort's restaurant, some in our group tried to order but most of the food listed in the menu were unavailable!

The little things piled up and we had to stop ourselves from getting really mad so as not to ruin our mini-vacation/team building activity.

the resort as viewed from the beach entrance
(this photo is also courtesy of Joseph Molde)

On the positive side, the Dawal Beach Resort is a huge property fronting the beach and the island of Potipot can be viewed easily from its shores. Also, I must say that  the resort's facilities are quite extensive. Aside from the kiddie and adult pools, the resort was equipped with other recreational facilities such as billiard tables, table tennis, and dart boards. There was also a separate bar area near the beach entrance.

the reception area

the adult swimming pool with slides

the restaurant

billiard tables and table tennis

Dawal Sports Bar and Grill

The resort's overall design and landscape are impressive. I also noted the collection of bonsai scattered all over the property.

impressive bonsai

And to be fair, the rooms do look nice both on the inside and out. The bathrooms were modern and hot shower was readily available.

poolside rooms

poolside rooms

poolside room interior

row of standard rooms

standard room interior

pink cottages

standard and deluxe rooms

building with dormitory type of rooms

If only they would train their staff to be more professional. And they've got to do this real soon.

Photo Op: Pueblo Por La Playa

After our lunch in Silangang Nayon, we proceeded to the very colorful resort just a couple of hundred meters away. 

My Spanish boss translated the resort's name and said that  Pueblo por la Playa is Town by the Beach in English. 

It is a Mexican-themed residential and country club nestled on the coast of Pagbilao Bay in Quezon. 

For our "survey", we were first brought to the restaurant. I stepped outside and took a picture of this sight:

view of the hotel and the infinity pool

Next, we were ushered into the receiving area of the resort where the function rooms and 14 hotels rooms were located. We were also greeted by this view:

 picturesque infinity pool

We took a short tour of the building and I found the hotel corridor to be very colorful.

the festive-colored hotel corridor

We also viewed a couple of rooms but my pics aren't nice :(  But before I forget, here are the other shots I took:

view of the beach from the parking lot

Pueblo por la Playa as viewed from Silangang Nayon Restaurant

The resort is strictly for members only (or member-sponsored guests). According to the club and resort manager, a lifetime membership pass can be had for Php 300k.

For more information, click here to view their website.

Alternative Places to Stay in Laiya

The narrow road leading to the entrance of Kabayan Beach Resort in Laiya in San Juan, Batangas is dotted with other "resorts" which more or less share the same beach front as that of Kabayan Resort. During our overnight stay in Laiya Austria Beach Resort, I was able to take a look at the other places as we also tried to book an extra night.

These alternative places are not beach front. Guests have to walk on a narrow cemented path for less than  5 minutes to get to the beach.

Ideal for budget travelers, bringing in and cooking food is allowed. These "resorts" have common kitchen facilities complete with stove, griller and refrigerator. Dining and eating utensils are also provided.

Village Plaza Resort

Four air-conditioned cottages with 2 double-sized beds, 

private toilet and bath, and cable tv at Php 5,000 per night

They also have three bahay kubo-type of rooms, each equipped with a double-sized bed and fan. Toilet and bath is common for all three kubo-types. Room rate is Php 2,500 per night.

For inquiries, call Rachel Valdecantos at numbers (043) 5753261, 0908-5065817,
or Sally at 0929-2258618.

Mang Tomas' Rooms

Mang Tomas has 3 air-conditioned rooms and 2 fan rooms

row of aircon rooms

this room is being rented out for Php 3,000 per night

Casa Remo Apartelle

Eight rooms which can accommodate a maximum of 8 persons per room. 
Each room has two double-sized beds, extra mattresses and its own toilet and bath. 

Rates depend on the number of occupants, 

ranging from PhP 3,800 to Php 5,000.

Click here to view Casa Remo's website.

Good Shepherd Rest House

I sent an inquiry via text to the number found on the tarpaulin poster and was told to text this number instead: 0919-8317985. The rate for an air-con room which is good for 2 persons is PhP 3,000 while a room with a maximum capacity of 6 persons can be rented for PhP 6,000.

The Laiya Austria Beach Resort

The Laiya Austria Beach Resort is located in the same compound as the Kabayan Beach Resort. It is a 3 minute walk to get to the beach, passing by the parking lot of Kabayan. 

It offers very basic accommodations but the friendly caretaker, Gener, and his wife are very able in making sure that the resort is clean and they attend to the needs of the guests. They allow guests to bring in and/or cook their own food and they provide eating and cooking utensils for the guests' use as well. Mineral water is also available at the resort.

There are only three executive rooms available, each with its own toilet and bath. Inside is a small refrigerator and own set of eating utensils. There are two double sized beds and an extra mattress is provided to sleep a maximum of 6 persons. We rented our room for PhP 4,000 a night.

 the executive rooms

our room 

two double-sized beds

bathroom

no mini bar inside, haha ;)

this nipa hut is the common dining area

one table for each executive room

basic cooking facilities and utensils

Two trailer rooms, distinguished simply by their exterior colors, are also available for rent. These are just cool for barkadas or large groups of friends. I was told that call center agents are the usual occupants of these trailers. I got to take pictures of the interiors when the occupants checked out. Pardon the interior pics as Gener was still tidying up the rooms when I went inside to take the pics.

pink trailer room

inside the pink trailer

additional room inside the pink trailer room

mini kitchen inside the pink trailer

The pink trailer has a maximum capacity of 12. It has an extra small room and the whole trailer has 2 air-conditioners. It also has its own tiny kitchen and bathroom. It can be rented for PhP 5,000 per night.

white trailer room

 room inside the white trailer

double deck beds inside the white trailer

The white trailer can accommodate 8-10 persons with a rate of PhP 4,500 a night. A common bathroom can be found outside the trailer.

All in all, I would say that the Laiya Austria Beach Resort offers a good alternative to the more exclusive resorts in Laiya. It is quite ideal for budget travelers looking for a quick out-of-town escapade.

For reservations, contact Grace Rivera at mobile number 0918-3163386. She is very nice and responds quickly to inquiries. To confirm a reservation, a 50% downpayment should be deposited to their BDO account. She will then send a confirmation note via e-mail.