Showing posts with label Batangas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Batangas. Show all posts
Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort

First day of March and I’m off with my office friends for my first summer escapade of the year (actually, first and last). This is another late post but not as late as my Ilocos posts. :p
We had a hard time choosing a resort because we all had our own preferences. Manne and I were under limited budget. I wanted to have a room with TV for Boyps. Lareina wanted a resort with beach and swimming pool (I want a pool too :p).  Lareina’s BFF requested to just concentrate our research within Batangas area. And the list goes on. Lareina also wanted to go to Acuatico but I told her that I’ve been there already. So to be fair to all, we looked for a resort where no one has been there yet. Bottomline, we only wanted to find a place where we can unwind and swim to beat the summer heat!
After researching and reading tons of reviews, I came across one – Estrellas de Mendoza. I don’t have any idea about this resort. I've done a lot of Batangas beaches resort research but never found this one. Internet pictures are so inviting that's why we're curious about it.
Estrellas de Mendoza still has a work in progress website that’s why we had difficulty reaching them. I used the inquiry form found on their website to send all the details and queries but I got no reply. I called them through their landline phone and finally made the reservation. Just an hour after our conversation, I received an email from them indicating the payment terms and conditions.
We are a group of 6 adults and 1 child so Estrellas told me to get 2 superior rooms. Lareina and I assumed that Manne and his husband will occupy room 1 and the four of us will occupy the other one. I was a bit afraid that the room can’t accommodate four adults because it has queen-sized bed and single twin-sized bed. So Lareina called Estrellas again if they can add additional bed to our room and they agreed but for an additional cost of PHP1,500. And we are all set. The car that we used was courtesy of Lareina’s BFF. First time ko makasakay ng Montero na hindi pumipila sa toll gate :p Ikaw na ang naka E-PASS :p
Our meeting time is 7:30AM but unfortunately, MRT operation was cut short until Shaw Boulevard only that’s why Lareina and I were late! We arrived around past 8 in the morning. Lareina’s BFF thought that he was fooled and that he’s the only person that was given the “7:30AM must-be-there” time. Hihi.
After 3 hours of travelling, we arrived at Estrellas de Mendoza resort. We checked-in immediately and gladly, they allowed us to occupy the rooms as early as 12:30PM. I also requested them to remove the P1500 additional charge for extra bed and they obliged. 
Our rooms were adjacent to each other. Both have 1 queen-sized bed and 1 twin-sized bed. Boyps and I shared the twin-sized while Manne and family occupied the other one. The bed was not that soft but it was clean. The sheets and pillows were clean and fragrant too. There’s a phone, alarm clock and lamp in between beds.
Our room has huge cabinets, 
water heater, cups and saucers, complimentary coffee, creamer and sugar and two bottled water.
working table and chair,

safety deposit box and cable television and refrigerator.
The bathroom is spacious enough and clean. The shower area is in the right side while the toilet with bidet is on the left. Body and hand towels, toiletries, glasses and blower are also found inside the bathroom. I love taking a bath here because of the strong water pouring from the shower head. Super sarap magbabad! 
Our room also has a balcony overseeing the pool and beach.
After taking pictures of the room, we went outside to check the pool and beach. The beach was so serene and calm. Though it was not that good for swimming, it was so good for sight-seeing. It was very pleasant to the eyes.
There’s also a playground where kids can play and enjoy. 
Around the infinity pool were house cottages that can accommodate bigger groups. There are also tables and chairs with umbrellas.  The infinity pool was mesmerizing! It was huge enough for guests to swim freely. Lucky us, there were not much guests during our visit that’s why the area was not crowded. The pool’s depth ranges from 5’ – 5’2” feet. No need to worry about the kids because there’s a kiddie pool too.
Hotel - like resort
Accommodation and swimming pool wise, the place was really perfect. I guess it’s the benefit of trying a place while it’s still new. The staffs were friendly and surroundings were clean. It was a bit expensive (Php 6,800 per night) but every time I think of how much I paid for Acuatico, this one is more worth it. (I’m not saying that Acuatico is not worthy to visit because it is! But maybe for a day tour only). Food? Hmmm, you’ll see on my next post.

Estrellas de Mendoza
Laiya, San Juan
819--6050 / 819-6049
http://www.estrellasdemendoza.com/index.html



Valentino Resort and Spa

My Navi friends and I were planning for an out of town trip / get together / mini – reunion last February 2012.  We are choosing between Eagle Point Resort and Valentino Resort and Spa. Both resorts offered somewhat the best – from facilities to accommodations, from food to services etc. The only difference that we saw was the price (at  kung may beach). And so we had to open a voting mail to get everyone's choice and majority has chosen Valentino Resort and Spa.
It was 9 or 10 in the morning when we arrived at the place. I immediately asked the receptionist if we can check-in early. Actually, my friend Je asked me if I heard the old lady saying "oo nga, pagbibigyan na namin kayo mag check-in pero ngayon lang, next time hindi na pede (parang galit, tinanong ko lang naman kung pede na mag check-in)". But I honestly didn't hear that. It was Kriska who actually heard it. The only thing I remembered is that she has repeatedly said that they will allow us to check-in right away because it was a first time visit. On our next visit, they will strictly follow the 2pm check-in time.
Anyways, we were given wristbands upon check-in. I don't know what it is for but I guess that's a badge to indicate that a guest will stay overnight or not. We immediately strolled along the area, check-out the pools, take pictures here and there and play and rest at the playground.

Valentino for me is just a garden resort with swimming pool, more of like a clubhouse with rooms for accommodation. We've seen 2 swimming pools, one in front of our rooms and the other one was just a walking distance from the first one. There are cottages available but there were ants too so we’re not able to use them. There's also a playground for kids and kids at heart. And of course, they offer spa services for complete relaxation.
Pool #1
Jacuzzi at the corner of the pool
Pool #2
After roaming around the place, it’s time to check and take pictures of our room. Their room was really spacious that’s why I find everything so small. Our air-conditioned room has double bed (not sure if I’m right but Boyps and I were able to fit in), a television (that I wasn’t able to see :p I even shouted “asan ang TV!”) ,table and chairs and a bathroom with hot and cold shower with matching pail and dipper! amazing! The room has another room for our baggage but we used it as dressing room. We also used that small space to hang our wet clothes. Hihi :p The resort also provided some shampoo and toothpaste in sachet, toothbrush, soaps, tissue and towels. By the way, the room costs Php 2,600 per night.

Just in time for lunch, we headed to the resort's restaurant. The place was not crowded. Actually, it was just us and a couple in there. 
The super nice staff. :)
Since we're a big group, we decided to divide the group into two. Je, Boyet, Boyps and I were all in the same group. So here's what we had for lunch:
Bulalo(Php 365) – super sarap. Malinamnam. Daming laman. We asked the waiter if he can refill the soup and he told us that he will ask someone first. But to our surprise, he gave us another bowl as big as the first one. Bwaha.
Sisig (Php 200) – this dish was just okay. Actually, I'm not a fan of sisig with mayonnaise. But the meat was crispy and tender.
Talong (Php 90) – this is the usual tortang talong. Steamed eggplant wrapped in scrambled egg. Casualan.

After lunch, we all rested for a while then we're off to go swimming. It was as if we own the pool in front of our rooms. There were no other people using it except us.  The pool is 4 ½ ft. – 6 ft. if I'm not mistaken. It has a mini Jacuzzi too. After half an hour or so, we transferred to the other pool so we can try it. It was shallower as compared to the first pool. It also has "falls-like" effect. Hihi. It was raining then so it made us chill a lot. Sobrang lamig! As in! Bawal umahon sa tubig! But it didn't stopped us from enjoying our vacation, we'll all get wet eventually! Hihi.
It was such a happy day 1 at Valentino. We all got to catch up with each other's chismis (gossip), kamustahan and all, picture-taking galore and so much more.
Some of my friends stayed at our room. We brought some junk foods to share. We just watched TV and continued chatting with each other.
Dinner time has come and I still belong to the same group as we had during lunch. We ordered 
Chicken Gambo soup (Php 60),
 Calamares (Php 220),
and Kare- Kare (Php355)
I like the kare – kare but I wasn’t able to eat a single meat because they used tripe (twalya). Hindi ako kumakain nun e. arte nu? :p
After dinner, we headed back to our rooms. I thought there will be another round of bonding moment so I kept on sneaking outside to check if we have other friends that are still awake. But there’s none. So Boyps and I just stayed in bed and watched TV all night. Hehe.
The next day, we went back to the resort’s restaurant for our breakfast. I chose Filipino breakfast - Tapang Taal while Boyps opted to have American breakfast. Both dishes were served with fried rice and eggs cooked according to your preference. Boyps got Iced Tea while I tried their hot chocolate. I can still remember how many times Je said that their coffee was sooo good so when they asked for a refill, she shared some so now I can relate. haha
Hot Choco and Iced Tea
American Breakfast
Tapang taal.
I really had fun staying here. The place was so simple, worthy of my penny, food and service were great, and most of all, quiet and relaxing.

Copied food names and info from jerelltabenoja.com. Thanks girl! J



Valentino Resort and Spa
Brgy. Pinagtung-ulan
San Jose, Batangas
http://www.valentinoresortandspa.com/