Looking for a quick escape from Manila's asthma-inducing smog and insane humidity? Head down to Batangas where you can find a great selection of resorts for every occasion—several of them at affordable price points. Check out our top picks:
La Luz is a trusted name in the Batangas beach scene. They have 37 affordable rooms plus dorm rooms to fit your group and your budget, letting you have a pocket-friendly getaway on Laiya's famous white sands. If you're not content with beach bumming, you can rent a kayak, go snorkeling, bike around, or play sports on the beach for a reasonable rental fee. If you're up for a more grueling physical challenge, set aside a day to hike up Mt. Daguldol, which is known for its “golf course” summit.
Annex Room: P3,600 per night for two people, maximum of four guests
Junior Premier Room: P3,600 per night for two people, maximum of four guests
Premier Room: P4,950 per night for four people, maximum of six guests
Extra Person: P540 with bed, P360 without bed
Rates are exclusive of the additional P1,710 mandatory food package, which includes lunch upon arrival, afternoon snack, dinner, and breakfast, all served buffet-style.
2. The Coral Beach Club, Matabungkay
The Coral Beach Club offers 24 clean, cozy air-conditioned rooms with basic amenities: en suite bathrooms, WiFi internet, cable TV, and safes. They also have snorkeling and diving equipment, jet skis, and banana boats for rent, and they can arrange fishing, yachting, and golf trips if you're so inclined.
Standard Room: P3,200 per night from Sunday to Thursday, P3,550 per night from Friday to Saturday, P3,950 per night on holidays
Premier Room: 3,600 per night from Sunday to Thursday, P3,900 per night from Friday to Saturday, P4,300 per night on holidays
Deluxe Room: P3,850 per night from Sunday to Thursday, P4,150 per night from Friday to Saturday, 4,500 per night on holidays
Super Deluxe Room: P4,050 per night from Sunday to Thursday, P4,350 per night from Friday to Saturday, P4,700 per night on holidays
Rates are good for two persons during the high season. Extra persons will be charged P800 per night per head, maximum of four persons per room.
If diving's your thing, Anilao is your place to be. The waters of this seaside town are known worldwide for its incredibly diverse marine life, with exotic fish, turtles, and even dolphins counted among its inhabitants. Eagle Point Resort lies in the middle of the town's 30 dive spots, so it's an excellent choice for underwater adventurers.
Economy Cottages (non-aircon): P3,300 per night
Standard Terrace Hotel Room: P4,500 per night
Day Tour: P1,800 per person, inclusive of a welcome drink, parking fee, set lunch, afternoon snack, and use of the cabanas and facilities
4. Valentino Resort And Spa, Lipa
Not in the mood to hit the beach? Check out Valentino Resort and Spa in the town of San Jose. With three pools, a view deck, a spa, a gym, and a restaurant, it has everything you'll need for a relaxing weekend escapade.
Standard Room: P2,500 per night for two guests with breakfast
Deluxe Room: P3,000 per night for two guests with breakfast
Junior Suite: P3,250 per night for two guests with breakfast
Villas: P4,650 per night for four guests, with breakfast
Seascape Resort isn't on the beach (it's off the highway going to Anilao), but it's got a sweet view of the Batangas Bay. They offer 35 air-conditioned themed rooms to tickle your inner travel bug, plus cool amenities like a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a zipline.
Asian Rooms: P,3000 (Oceanview), P2,900 (Mountainview), with breakfast
International Rooms: P4,000 (Oceanview), P3,900 (Mountainview), with breakfast
Europe: P4,500 (Oceanview), P3,900 (Mountainview), with breakfast
6. Shercon Resort, Mataas Na Kahoy
Shercon Resort is a farm, ecology park, and hotel located in the mountains of Lipa, offering a great view of the Tagaytay Ridge. The rooms are spacious and are equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, and televisions—perfect for a barkada getaway!
Blue House: P4,000 for four persons, additional P450 per head for every extra person
Blue House Dorm: P4,000 for four persons, additional P450 per head for every extra person
Forestville Cabins: P5,000 for four persons, additional P450 per head for every extra person
Infinity Duplex: P5,000 for four persons, additional P450 per head for every extra person
Club Manuel Cabins: P5,000 for four persons, additional P450 per head for every extra person
Forestville Suites: P5,000 for two persons, additional P1,000 per head for every extra person, with complimentary dinner and breakfast
Club Manuel Suites: P5,000 for two persons, additional P1,000 per head for every extra person, with complimentary dinner and breakfast
7. La Virginia Resort, Mataas Na Kahoy
This sprawling Taal Lake has a truckload of fun attractions, including a giant swimming pool, giant Buddha viewdeck, a hanging bridge, an eco park, a castle (no kidding!), an archery range, a zipline, and a climbing wall. With everything they're offering, there's no way you'll get bored here.
Cabana Room (non-airconditioned): P2,000 per night
Twin Guest Room: P3,000 per night
Orchid Basement Room: P3,000 per night
Hotel Room (Mt. Maculot view): P3,500 per night
La Virginia Hotel Room: P4,000 per night
Hotel Superior Room (Taal Lake View): P4,000 per night
Octagon Room: P4,000 per night
Row House Type A: P4,000 per night
Row House Type B: P5,000 per night
With its powdery golden sand beach and generous palm tree cover, Almalin is easily postcard-perfect. There are swimming pools in the premises, and they offer sports equipment, kayaks, and paddle boards for rent. In the mood to explore? Their Jet Ski rental starts at P4,500, while their bangka tour costs P1,000 per hour (maximum of six persons).
Bahay Kubo (shared bathroom): P1,400 (weekends and holidays), P1,200 (weekdays) for two persons
Kubo Bungalow: P3,000 (weekends and holidays), P2,750 (weekdays) for two persons
French Quarters: P3,500 (weekends and holidays) or P3,000 (weekdays) for two persons, P5,000 (weekends and holidays) or P4,000 (weekdays) for four persons
9. Batong Buhangin Beach Resort, Bauan
Batong Buhangin Beach Resort has pristine white sand beaches, an impressive pool, and a variety of rooms for every price point. They also have paddle boats, wakeboards, banana boats, jet skis, and other amenities for rent.
Budget Room (with fan and common bathroom): P2,000 for two persons, P2,500 for four persons, P4,000 for eight persons
Budget Room (air-conditioned and with common bathroom): P2,500 for two persons
Ifugao Room: (air-conditioned, with en suite bathroom): P4,000, maximum of four persons
Okay, Pico De Loro is an exclusive beach community where membership rates can be crazy expensive, so technically, it shouldn't be here. But if you really want to stay there, you can check out Airbnb; some members have put up their condominiums there for rent, at attractive prices. Some listings go for around P3,000, and it can accommodate pretty much the whole family or barkada. Not bad!
*This story originally appeared on FHM.com.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
