This will be quite wordy so please bear with me.
Stayed here for 3 days, 2 nights with my son and parents. I have longed to stay here for quite a bit now and finally... From check-in to check-out, it was seamless.
Staff:
The staff were amazing. Always helpful with a smile. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the staff and given a welcome necklace and cold drinks. Check-in staff were really nice and friendly and even asked us how our trip was. They did not ask for any room deposit. They also informed us that the senior discounts for my parents will automatically be applied to food and drinks, which was awesome. Since we arrived a few hours before check-in, we decided to have some merienda at the restaurant first. The staff brought our room keys to us at the restaurant. Just shows how attentive and accommodating they are with their guests. They always greet you with a smile. Oh and the manager, I forgot her name, but she was hands-on and very attentive, always smiling and friendly.
Room:
We stayed at the Terraza unit. It was clean and surprisingly spacious for the 4 of us. I love the 'terrace' with a table and 4 chairs where you can lounge. They have the drying racks too for wet clothes. The aircon was already running when we got inside so the cold air was a relief from the sweltering heat. Water bottles were replenished daily. There was also a complimentary snack, and coffee and tea. Bath towels and amenities were complete. The shower was a bit dated but still functioning well. There's hot and cold. I requested for additional bath rugs and they arrived really fast. The internet connection in the room was a bit slow and lagging at times so I was mostly on my mobile data. Globe 4G signal seems good there. Not sure about the others.
Pool:
Pool was clean and clear. Loved the infinity pool. It had a level or step where you can sit and soak. It didn't smell of chlorine. The pool was cleaned every morning while we were there. There was a lifeguard present and he was friendly and attentive as well. There are 4 pools in the main wing and 1 in the La Prima Wing. One by the restaurant which is a fountain slash sort-of jacuzzi (3 ft). 2nd pool with a fountain is for the kids (2 ft). 3rd pool is in front of the bar/gazebo (4 ft). 4th is the infinity pool which is quite deep (5 1/2 ft). Pool towels are available too, just request them from kuya lifeguard. You can also request for assistance from him if you need air for your inflatables. You may also order food and drinks from the pool bar which you can charge to your room and pay when you check out.
Beach:
The beach was clean. Water was clean and clear too, though there were seaweeds..? Sand was light brown in color. The waves were quite strong. They had the yellow warning flag up the 3 days we were there. Lots of water activities happening; jetski, banana boats and others. Lots of locals too selling their stuff. They will approach you. If you're not interested, you can just smile and decline.
Meals/Food:
Buffet dinner and breakfast are included in the overnight rate. We were surprised that the dinner service will be by the beach. First dinner was Mexican cuisine and the second night it was Pan-Asian. When we arrived for dinner, we were ushered to our table with our name on it. Talk about personalised service. They allocated each group or family with their own table. And the same during breakfast too. Food was great, both dinner and breakfast.
For breakfast, they had their own mini taho container with syrup and sago, of course. They had rice, meat, dried fish, arroz caldo, batangas lomi, bread, egg station, coffee, hot choco, tea, milk, cereals. The usual breakfast staples. But they were delicious. For dinner, buffet style as well. They served grilled seafood and Cochinillo on both nights. Beverages, except water, are not free, though. They had fire dancers performing every night aside from the acoustic music performers. For lunch, we had ala carte orders. Prices were reasonable. Overall, the food were very satisfactory.
Travel:
We were coming from Binan, Laguna so it tooks us about 2.5 hours. If you're coming from Manila, take the SLEX then continue on to STAR Tollway. Better to take the Ibaan exit rather than the Lipa exit so you won't have to go through Lipa town proper and get stuck in a bit of traffic. There is still a tourism fee you need to pay when you get to San Juan. We didn't see where we had to pay but the resort staff told us it's right beside the big city hall on the right side, like a tollgate. So we just paid the tourism fees at the resort during check out.
Overall:
Initially, I was going to book via their website and it was for rooms in their La Prima Wing. They are not beachfront rooms but they have their own pool and restaurant too and more inclusions. I checked other booking sites in case and then was lucky enough that Klook had availability for the dates that I want and one last room that can fit the 4 of us. A bit expensive to be honest, but the breakfast and dinner inclusions, the food and price, the friendly and accommodating staff, cleanliness of the pool, rooms and the resort itself, and overall ambiance of the place, I think, makes it worth it.
Just a side note though regarding the Terraza room. If you have elderly persons with you, you will have to go up a flight of stairs as the room itself is on the second floor. Also, if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night to use the toilet, like me, you will need to go down the stairs as the bathroom is on the 1st floor. I was actually considering bringing along a portable "arinola" so I wouldn't have to go up and down. Next time we stay here, I will book the Casita room.
Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, PhilippinesSee map
La Luz Beach, 700m, About 11 mins from hotel by foot
Shuttle service