infinity pool # 2
(for day tour guests)
Palm Beach Resort
Palm Beach Resort, formerly named as
La Frondosa, is modestly positioned at the uttermost stretch of Laiya’s shore.
The site is rather steep following the natural curves of nature; consequently,
raising the adrenalines to keep up for an expected adventure. Do not fret if
you are not up for the dare because the resort provides a private car to pick
up and drop off guests at the foot of the hill with regular intervals.
HOW
TO GET AROUND
From
San Juan City To Laiya
The
ease of access of locating the heart of San Juan, Laiya, is perhaps the reason
why it keeps me and others coming back yet again. There are PUJ’s along General
Luna Street in San Juan which are en route to Laiya. These jeepneys pass all
the way through San Juan-Laiya Road and ultimately board in Barangay Hugom – the home of
numerous beach resorts in Batangas. You can ask the driver to pull over once you’re
destination is reached.
Fare : php 50-60 (depends on
your specific resort)
Travel Time : 45 minutes – 1 Hour
**
Each jeepney is filled with passengers before it leaves the terminal. Often, it
is crammed with tourists bound for the beach and locals who just came from the
market of San Juan. Make sure that you arrive early for a definite convenient seat.
**
From
Laiya To San Juan
If
you are a solo backpacker and do not have the wheels to scoot the city, then
planning your return trip to San Juan may be necessary. You have to keep in
mind that all PUJ’s en route to San Juan offers daily trip starting from 7 AM
to noon, around 4 PM is the latest. Failure to catch these schedules would mean
the need to rent a tricycle which costs four hundred pesos (php 400). I left
Palm Beach Resort at around 4:30 PM and made it at the foot of the hill at 5:00
PM; be prepared as some drivers would really smash one’s budget. Do not hesitate
to haggle though; with a little practice and innate charm, you too could get it
for only three hundred pesos (php 300). *wink*
beach front view of infinity pool #1
Choosing
a resort where to spend a day off from work can be tricky though, but some useful
tips from google, tripadvisor and bloggers helps one decide. And just like what
I always say – your instincts, you’ve got to trust them. I was very pleased
with the friendliness and professionalism of Palm Beach Resort’s Reservation
Team, specifically Ms. Kaye, who answered all my inquiries on time via phone
call and e-email. I selected a day tour package for one thousand two hundred
fifty pesos (php 1,250). This includes a buffet lunch, buffet snack, use of the
infinity pool, transfers to and from the resort. Open cabana is for rent at around two thousand
pesos (php 2,000) but I guess I was a little too lucky for being able to use
one for free! This of course, depends on the availability and number of guests in
attendance. The day tour opens at 8 AM to 5 PM, it’s best to arrive before the
scheduled time so you could choose a favourable spot at the same time maximize
the use of the beach and their pool.
Upon
getting off the jeepney, a private car awaits expected guests at the foot of
the hill to bring them to the resort. Travel time is just approximately 10
minutes. Settling of payment and basic instructions are given to guests upon entrance;
this includes the time food is served, areas for swimming, etc. After these,
the beach is yours to explore. You will get assistance on your luggage as they usher
you to your respective area. With eyes still adjusting from the bright sunrays,
I began to move. I was too thrilled but I kept my pace, savouring the breeze and
let it caress me making me all dolled up for yet another salty hair experience.
open cabana facing the beach
Lounging
at the cabana with the beach within reach makes me reunite with peace all over
again. In no time, I was numb and the happiest. There is limited phone signal
in the area, but a reliable wifi connection is for free at the restaurant. But who
cares? With the infinite sky above me and a beach to rape or rape me, I’d be
fine.
farthest end of the beach
The
shoreline where Palm Beach Resort is situated is a bit rocky making it not so
ideal for swimming but a perfect choice where to take on water activities – snorkeling,
kayaking and jet skiing. Beach volleyball is also a great alternative for
sports enthusiast; nets and balls are available upon request. The two large
infinity pools are enough expressions of the resort’s sincere mission to
provide guests comfort. They have one of the best customer service teams; their
receptiveness and competence truly gives you a homey feel.
top view of pool # 2 from the restaurant
(for in house guests)
shower area
kid's area
interior of the restaurant
The
resort, having a modern/Zen architecture, boasts superb facilities – change rooms,
open house restaurant, kid's area, minimalist rooms and rest rooms.
Golf cars even roam to pick up guests to bring them to restaurant during buffet time!
(insanely cool!)
sumptuous menu for today
Lunch
buffet starts at noon until 2 PM, buffet snack is served at 3 PM to 5 PM. Taking
into account the small number of guest during my visit, the resort was able to
showcase evenness in delivering us nothing but the best.
nilagang baka
adobong pusit
pork binagoongan
pancit canton
condiment area
fruit in season for dessert
creamy homemade buko pie for dessert
(The yummiest buko pie I've ever tried)
suman for snack
homemade buttery ensaymada for snack
refillable kape barako - a haven for coffee freaks
refillable drinks
5/5 stars for making my weekend a blast!
***
Packing away all traces of mishaps, adventures and surprises from one of my most random getaways.
Kape barako, their epic lomi, well structured churches, the beach and really mababait na Batangueños
have made this trip a little unique apart from what is usual.
You know that you are in the right
place at the right time when you feel alive. It’s as if all the atoms in the
universe together with the stars and the planets conspire to give you the vibe.
Strange. It can be. Interesting, I say. It’s a gift to be able to amplify
silence and regard it like a song. It’s like catching fireflies or basking in a
rainbow.
Too beautiful to imagine.
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