Quick Trip: Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort

I rarely go further south of Cavite and so it was a treat when we were invited for a day tour to a former boss's resort at Calatagan, a three-hour car drive from Manila via Cavitex and the Centennial Highway. We left Manila before 8 am, passed by Tagaytay, and arrived before lunch at Calatagan, known for its cream-colored sand beaches.

From the resort's website: "Set amidst 24 hectares of rolling hills and white sand beaches, Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort is a place to enjoy life's simple pleasures--beautiful beaches, comfortable cottages, flower-filled-gardens, golden sunrises and breathtaking sunsets, happy moments and special celebrations."

This post is pic-heavy. Hope you like it.

After alighting from our car, we passed through a walk-way covered with flowering vines and flanked by manicured gardens. 

Quotes painted against wooden boards are placed strategically all over the resort.

The turquoise waters of the pool near the reception hut beckoned.

The dining area was sandwiched between the reception and the floating cottages.

Cabanas on stilts! Staying for a week in this type of cottage is up there in my wish list.

We stayed at this floating cottage, dressed in the colors of summer.

The all-white bedroom is so inviting. Imagine the sound of the sea breeze and the roll of the waves lulling you to sleep.

Note the clear waters

View from the cottage:

I could hide from the sun in the cottage and stroll along the beach when gentle times roll in.

It's refreshing to be at a beach teeming with life. Many of them blend in well with their surroundings. Can you spot some of the critters pictured below?

 We left Stilts a few hours before sunset, hoping to return.

Batangas City's Pontefino Hotel and Residences

I was fortunate to experience staying in Pontefino Hotel during one of our out-of-town seminars held in Batangas City, three hours by car south of Manila and one of the fastest developing cities in the country. 

The hotel website says most of its furniture were sourced from the province of Batangas, and from what I saw in my room, I was pleased. My room was airy and bright and located on the first floor. I had to make sure to close the curtains by my bed, since just outside was a heavy-traffic area. Other than that detail, I had no problems with my room. 

Part of the dining area. 

The lobby, quite modest but lovely.

At the background is Robusta Cafe. I wasn't expecting much from the restaurant, but I was pleased with what I ate there. Here's a link to my dining experience review.  

I thought Cafe Robusta was named after the beans that make up Kapeng Barako, but research yields that the latter is made of Liberica coffee beans. During breakfast, I had the obligatory Kapeng Barako, one of the key products of Batangas.

Our function room, the design of which was more appropriate for a wedding reception.

Obligatory photo-op by the pool. This was taken a year ago, during my lean phase. I was all dressed up since most of our stay coincided with work. We were too pressed for time to go swimming.

Perhaps in my next visit, I'll linger longer and take a dip.

Hotel Pontefino and Residences 

Pastor Village, Gulod, Labac

Batangas City

(+63) 02 631 8310