Sunday, February 24, 2013

Weekend Getaway: Virgin Beach Resort

If you're looking for a quick beach getaway, why not drive down to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas and check in to Virgin Beach Resort?

Location
From Manila, Laiya is just about two-three hours away. So if you don't have enough vacation time and badly need to escape from the city, this is the perfect choice. And once you get a glimpse of their white sand beach, you'll feel the stress melt away!


Customer Service
I give the staff of Virgin Beach Resort a solid 5-star vote for the excellent customer service! After checking in, you get a personal guide to your cabana. Then, when meal time nears, a staff member gives you a rundown of the menu and gets your order ahead of time. And all throughout the day, they check in on you (in a non-intrusive manner) from time to make sure you have everything you need. What a way to relax!

Pathway
Our home for the weekend
Facilities / accommodation
One of the bamboo cabanas
The resort is very clean and well-maintained as you see their staff regularly cleaning up the beach. Our bamboo cabana was also very tidy and I love love love their sheets and pillows! I even slept soundly through the night (Side story: a bird flew in our room in the middle of the night and I was the only one who didn't notice. To think I was sleeping right next to the window!) We didn't get an air-conditioned room but just as well because the room was airy and the sea breeze was enough ventilation, although an electric fan was provided too.


Other provisions: electric kettle, 3-in-1 coffee, towels, shampoo and soap. There was also regular supply of toilet paper =) Nice!

If you want to sleep nearer to the beach front, they also have canopied bamboo beds, which I think is perfect for afternoon naps and they also come with curtains for more privacy at night =)


Food
I was expecting a buffet but we were told that since there were less than 40 guests that time. then we'd only have a la carte. Food was good and servings were big enough but I can't recall right now a specific dish that stood out. Except for their turon! Yum yum!

Price
Price was reasonable enough especially for a big group like ours. We got a cabana good for 6, which costs Php6,000 per night so that's Php1,000 each. And since they require you to eat inside the resort, you have to pay an additional Php1,600 per person which is already good for lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day. If we had the buffet, then this is definitely sulit. However, if you are in a tight budget this could be a bit steep compared to buying food in the market and cooking your own meals. But as I've said, with the excellent customer service, our stay there was worth every penny.


Happy tanned faces!

Check out their website and start your summer getaway now!

Soundtrack Sunday: Suit & Tie

Oh my gosh! I don't know anyone sexier than Justin Timberlake! Good thing he's back to making music because I missed his moves sooooo much!

Watch this and go, 'Damn!'