Samantha Nature Farm Morong Bataan: Refreshing Accomodation with Natural Spring Water Pool and Jacuzzi

Looking back, there were many blessing that I have failed to appreciate and have taken for grandted in my life.  One of those are our regular out-of-town wellness retreats such as this wonderful staycation in Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan. 

In my previous work, whenever we feel overwhelmed physically, emotionally or mentally, my officemates would organize a wellness retreat to restore us back to full health. 

With full support of our superiors, we would find a potential place to rent and vote over which one to select.

Although we've seen photos of Samantha Nature Farm during our screening process, we were still awed upon arrival.

It was a whopping 5-hectares of land that was filled with greeneries.  

It even had a bird house.  

Natural Spring Water Pool 

Because my workmates are very considerate with my prevailing health condition (with sudden outburst of eczema), they always suggest places with beaches and natural springs so I can recuperate my skin condition.

My skin can't stand the harshness of chlorine so I really appreciate that Samantha Nature Farm offers a well-maintained natural spring water pool.

Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi

It also has a Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi which is even lit at night.

Aside from having a spacious dining area and kitchen near the pool, 

it can also accomodate up to 14 guests with its 4 bedrooms and 4 bath rooms.  I stayed in this room for 4 with 2 bunker beds.  The other rooms have queen-sized beds.

It has a spacious indoor and outdoor area.  During the day, we had cooked some barbecued meals by the grassy area by the pool.  By night time, we continued to devour our cooked food, cold drinks as we sang our hearts out.  We are so happy that they had a videooke machine available for rent.  

At the back, you can soak in the natural spring.  

I enjoyed a peaceful moment here, listening to the gentle flow of spring water and taking in the refreshing air. 

There's also a fish pond for those who are fond of fishing. 

Overall, we had a memorable time at Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan.  The staffs are also courteous and happy to be of service.  You can conveniently book via airbnb here.

Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan
Hotel Address	Gov. J.J. Linao National Road, Sitio Palayan Bayan, Brgy. Nagbalayong Morong, Bataan,  Philippines
Contact	maila@starlasercorp.com	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	N/A
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
4 Bed Rooms	• Good for 14 persons • Multiple Queen Beds • Multiple Bunker Beds • Hot/cold water shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Free Wifi • Ref. • Barbecue grill • Kitche with cookwares • Toiletries (without towel)		15,000 php
General Amenities	•Natural Spring Water Pool  •Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan Map
Location	★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★★★

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Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel: Value for Money Accomodation in Subic Zambales

Because work continuous even for the summer, many of us from Metro Manila try to squeeze in a quick summer escapade to nearby beach areas.  If you have Subic Zambales in mind then Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel might just be the accommodation you are looking for.

Located at Waterfront Road in Subic Bay, going to the beach is as easy as crossing the street.  It is also near most restaurants and bars.

Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel has a beautiful and well-air-conditioned lobby.  You can enjoy lounging in this area where the free WiFi is strongest.

The hotel is bigger than it looks from the facade.  There are rooms near the lobby and extended to the pool area totaling 53 rooms in total.

While, most rooms like ours will require passing by the outdoor pool.  Not a problem for us though as the WiFi reaches even this area and even our rooms.  The staffs are very courteous and more than willing to accommodate your requests.

Family Room (With Breakfast)

Our room is very clean and spacious at 65 sqm with 3 Queen-Sized Bed.  The price is more than reasonable at below 1 thousand pesos (20 USD) per person even with an additional charge for extra bedding.  There's a cable TV and fridge.

The room has more than adequate outlets for recharging.  There's a safety deposit box inside the cabinet.

There's even an cozy loft area.  Although I personally prefer the lobby area which is more classy.
There's a window for a natural light source but no view.

Toiletries and a bottled water is free for each guest.

There's a a shower with heater and bath tub but no bubble bath soap so bring your own.  Toilet has no bidet.

The hallways to our rooms offers a good pool view.  However, because of the intense heat, you cannot stand staying there during day time. 

Pool Area

The pool area is surrounded by the hotel building with some greeneries that works as a semi-shield against the direct rays of the sun.  The pool is very cool and clean.

The pool is open from 8 am to 10 pm which life guard being visibly present.

Swimming attire is encouraged but not to worry if you don't have one because they have some for sale.

Breakfast Buffet

I'm told that if they have many guests, the complimentary breakfast comes in the form of breakfast buffet served at Nicco's Restaurant.

Breakfast is served as early as 6:30 am up to 10 am.

Since Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel is the sister company of Subic Pearl Hotel and Terrace Hotel, the breakfast selection for all three are basically the same. 

So here's my breakfast plate.  Food is so-so they have tocino, hash brow, corned beef, scrambled eggs, fruits and refillable coffee.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters would recommend Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel for your value for money kind of accommodation when you want to stay in Subic Zambales.
 

Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel
Hotel Address	Lot MC-9 Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Subic, Zambales, Philippines
Contact	(6347) 252-2765	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	No
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Family Room with Breakfast	• Good For 6 Persons • 3 Queen-size bed • Hot/cold water / bathtub / shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Safety deposit box • Free Wifi • Mini ref. • With free buffet breakfast		Around 6,000 php
General Amenities	•Pool	Parking	Yes (Very Limited)
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel Map
Location	★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★★

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Valentino Resort & Spa: Great Group Weekend Getaway (San Jose Batangas)

Summer is the best time to go out of town.  I'm so lucky that my mentors brought me along to Valentino Resort & Spa.

To be honest, this is the first time I've encountered this resort.  The name Valentino has a romantic connotation don't you agree?

As soon as we got there, we registered and got our keys from their Information Office.

To my surprise, the place is huge!  They have a mediterranean-themed restaurant.

I was too preoccupied with the pools that I forgot to try the spa.

a pavilion for functions and so much more.

We stayed in their extension called Valentino Place which was designed to cater to big groups for team buildings and the like.   The landscape is well-maintained and it has a tranquil atmosphere.  There's a bench by the pond where I enjoyed chilling out.

There are different kinds of villa which different in capacity.

We stayed at the South Wing with 3 rooms.  It costs 11,000 php per night and has a maximum capacity of 20 persons.  The rates didn't include breakfast but they allowed food to be brought.  Some of my companions are from Batangas so they had food brought in for us.

The intercoms aren't working.

So there's bunker beds, television, cabinets and an air-conditioner.

As you can see, everything looks clean despite the lack of interior design.

They supplied fresh and clean towels, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush.

The rest rooms are all clean.

Just beside the South Wing is an adult pool with an adjacent kiddie pool.  Being nearby, this is where we enjoyed our night swim.  The pool is surrounded with cabanas.  If you're not renting rooms, they charge for the cabanas as well as entrance fees for the pool.

Because the vicinity is so big, they offered a free cart ride to the main Valentino Resort & Spa whenever you please.  You can just text them or approach any of their staff as they are all equipped with radio transmitters.  All the staffs are very courteous and happy to assist.

They have their very own tunnel that goes under the main street so you don't need to go out and cross the street to go to the Valentino Resort & Spa from the Valentino Place and vice versa.

So if you go under the tunnel, you'll eventually turn up in the opposite side of that gate.

They have a lot of amenities like a basketball court, tennis court, badminton court, volleyball court and fitness center.

This is the biggest pool.  And, it has a jacuzzi beside it.   The pool is just right next to the building where the Italian and Modern Villas, Junior Suites and some rooms are.

There's another adult pool with man-made waterfall and a kiddie pool also adjacent to it.

From this hanging bridge, you can view all 3 pools and Mt. Maculot behind the pavillion.  Unfortunately, we didn't see it because it was drizzling during our stay.

Travel Tripsters Verdict
Valentino Resort & Spa is a superb resort.  It was a fun and memorable stay!  Their rates are very reasonable.  And, it's ideal for a couple stay, family outing and even corporate getaways.  Perhaps, this place just needs a bit of a marketing push because I really can't see why you shouldn't consider it on your next weekend getaway.  It's even accessible by public transport. 
 

Valentino Resort & Spa
Hotel Address	Barangay  Pinagtung-ulan, San Jose Batangas, Philippines
Contact	(632) 435-3545	Reservation Required	No
Payment Options	Cash	Directions	Private Vehicle: Take STAR Tollway and exit at Lipa Take a left going to Barangay Banay-Banay You will pass by Fernando Airbase on your right Once you reach a fork in the road (about 15mins) take a right towards Cuenca You will see a sign of the resort on your left (about 10mins) If you reach Patroil gas station on your left, you have passed the entrance to the resort Take a left at the sign, the main entrance to the resort is on your right (about 5mins) Bus-Tricycle: Take bus to San Jose Batangas Ride tricycle - instruct to go near San Rafael Church (10-minute ride)
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Villas			4,650 php + 600 php/person
Junior Suite Rooms			3,250 php + 600 php/person
Deluxe Room			3,000 php + 600 php/person
Standard Room			2,500 php + 600 php/person
General Amenities	•3 Adult Pools  •2 Kiddie Pools •1 Jacuzzi •Fitness Center •Spa •View Deck	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Valentino Resort & Spa Map
Location	★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★★

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