Sassyzeal

Monday, April 06, 2015 No comments

It’s time for relaxation and what we were looking for is a place away from stressful work and busy city. First option was to go to Subic but we've realized that our day will be consumed by travel time going there. Second option; go beachi’n in Batangas. This wouldn't work as well because we don’t want to get tan and we don’t want much of swimming in a beach.

What we want is to find a place where we can have the following criteria:

1. A place where we can really feel the nature. Relax, calm and very rural.

2. A place where there is no crowd and only limited guest will be with us

3. A place where we need a shorter travel time

4. A place where we can also try out a new taste of foodies. Food Tripping!

5. A place where there is a heated pool so even if it rains, we won’t feel cold. Hot Spring Pool!

6. A place where we can do photo shoot

I had an idea in mind but I hesitated because that place is pricey. Luckily, we saw a deal in Metrodeal.

P349 instead of P700 for a day pass

P2170 instead of P3100 for an overnight stay with breakfast

P3930 instead of P5600 for an overnight stay with breakfast

The place? 88 Hostpring Spa Resort. I already went there before, a year or two ago on a regular price rate of P 5,600 per night. This place is worth of second visit or more. Let me walk you through this paradise.

88 Hostpring Spa Resort Background

88 Hostpring Spa Resort is a haven for Korean tourists as well as for Filipino and other nationalities. The Department of Tourist awarded this resort as one of “The Best Resort of Laguna”. This resort is 7 hectares wide situated at the very foot of the Legendary Mount Makiling located in Calamba City Laguna, Philippines. For 100 years now, the water that comes from the spring is very clear bicarbonate, odorless, tested and proven to be rich in organic minerals which believed to cure several skin diseases and is known as the “MIRACLE WATER”

88 Hotspring Resort is owned and designed by a Korean national.

Facilities and Ambiance

There are seven pools scattered equally to this very huge resort excluding the numbers of Dip Pool or Jacuzzi which can be seen isolated on the second and third level of the mountain resort. There are also two set of interesting octagon dip pools at the ground. All of them have different water temperatures and purposes. It sourced and streamed from natural hot spring water of Mount Makiling. Some of the Pools are just NEW. Last year, they don’t have these yet when I first went there. They also have Firing Range, Open cottages, Mini Bar, Snack Bar, Mini Concert Stage, Locker Rooms, Karaoke, boating and wide open area for your desired activities such as picnic.

Among all the criteria I have in mind, ambiance is the highly considered thing to me. We’ll 88 Resort Spa satisfied me with the quality of ambiance they served me.

Aside from the variety of pools they have. What I love the most in this resort is the majestic view of Mt. Makiling in front of our Nipa Cottage. It really feels like I was living in Hacienda. The old location of lagoon was replaced by wide greenery soon to be situated by cottages or pool maybe. The Lagoon was adjusted nearer the Mt. Makiling. There is combination of modern and native dwelling place for accommodation. Nicely designed landscape and artistic figures are everywhere. You won’t even notice that you are getting tan of the hot sunny weather because of the cool breeze. There is no crowd and most of the guests you will encounter are Korean. It seems like we’ve rented a private resort. I just don’t know if it is the same during weekends. We went here weekdays. It is also the best place for Photo shoot!

Entrance

When driving along National Highway Calamba, you will find this resort easily, as a large banner of the resort is displayed outside. You will be asked to provide an ID upon entering the gate for overnight guest. There is an ample parking inside the vicinity.

Upon entering the reception area, there will be personnel who will assist you on your reservation and will accompany you to your desired accommodation.

If you just want an All - Day pass, there will be a designated locker for you.

Common shower room and comfort room

There are rooms which do not have its own comfort room. For day travelers, they need to use this more. I did not expect that I’ll be comfortable to use common shower room. It is neatly maintained and it smells good.

Variety Pools, Dip Pools and Jacuzzi

If I am not mistaken, there are seven pools scattered equally to this very huge resort excluding the numbers of Dip Pool or Jacuzzi which can be seen isolated on the second and third level of the mountain resort. There are also two set of interesting octagon dip pools at the ground. All of them have different water temperatures and purposes. It sourced and streamed from natural hot spring water of Mount Makiling. Some of the Pools are just NEW. Last year, they don’t have these yet when I first went there.

(Note: Proper swimming attire is required)

The main pool is located between Villa and Bamboo Deluxe. A few step from Mini Bar. This pool is a long pool and has an umbrella-like in the middle part which serves as a water fountain. This pool seems to be the dividing entity between the rural and urban community. On the other side of the pool are the Villas which are mini modern houses with a very nice landscape and on the other side are the Nipa houses which seem to be lovelier to me. It expresses the interesting culture of Filipino native community. Simple, relax and truly nature.

NEW: Kiddie Cold pool located in front of the new Club House near the big and cold spring with water slide.

NEW: This is new. Part of the expansion is a big cold spring swimming pool with slide in front of the New Club House. This is near the Volley Ball and Badminton Count across the Lagoon.

NEW: Hot Spring Swimming Pool in front of Executive Rooms across the Lagoon.

Two High Temperature swimming Pool in front of Restaurant with easy access to Snack Bar and Locker Room. I love how it feels soaking in warm water while hearing the songs from the band stage and seeing beautiful scenery.

This is the admin swimming pool in front of Mini Concert Stage and there old dining restaurant on the third floor. The water is not too hot or too cold for us to enjoy. The unique part of this area is that, while enjoying swimming, you can also enjoy listening to the live band performance in front of you. Cool!

Hot Pool with 41’C up cures eczema, itchiness, rheumatoid, nerve pain and relieve stress. It is recommended to stay in the hot pool for only 5 – 10 minutes.

Jacuzzi and Dip Pools

There are Dip Pools or Jacuzzi which can be seen isolated on the second and third level of the mountain resort. There are also two set of interesting octagon dip pools at the ground. Warm pool temperature is 37 – 39’c which regulate blood pressure, Improve blood circulation, relieve pain, improve atherosclerosis, arthritis and prevent heart diseases, stroke, paralysis and insomnia. Recommended stay is 20-30 minutes.

“Chi is an ancient Chinese concept which teaches that there is energy constantly flowing everywhere. This Energy symbolizes life, health, prosperity and everything that is positive to us. The Nine main energies which are different according to direction and time are called flying stars. It is believed that these nine flying stars are arranged in such way that they can affect and relate to each other constantly. The diagram has been studied for thousands of years by many scholars since it first appeared in a turtle back these pools strictly follow the core concept of such Fengshui theory to achieve the best ehabilitation effect and absorb the best chi, the energy, for better blood circulation and metabolism.”

– 88 website information

There are 8 pools with the temperature of 37 – 43’C which improves better blood circulation and metabolism.

Accommodation

88 Hot Spring Resort offers us different types of accommodation according to our need and its capacity such as Standard Room, Small Kubo, Kubo Deluxe, Bamboo Suite, Villa, Nipa Hut and Executive.

Standard room

Php 3,000.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 3 Pax

2 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 1 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00

Fully furnished with 1 Queen Size bed, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom, Cable-TV, WIFI-nternet

Small kubo

Php 2,500.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 3 Pax

2 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 1 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00

Fully furnished with 1 Queen size bed, Air-conditioned, Common Toilet and Bathroom, WIFI-Internet.

This room is really small which only a queen size bed fits in plus a small space for your things. It has native walls a small air-con and two small windows good enough for guests who would like to spend their entire day outdoor and will just use this accommodation just to sleep. There is no TV and comfort room. You may need to go out and use the common bathroom near the pool area.

Bamboo Deluxe

Php 5,000.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 3 Pax

2 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 1 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00

Fully Furnished with 1 Queen size bed, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom, Cable-TV,

WIFI-Internet.

This is a huge Nipa with Veranda in front of the main pool. There is cabinet and blower as well. There is a bathroom which the upper part is open. At the price of P 5,000, I can say that the price is expensive. I would rather settle for P 2,500 small Kubo room for a night. I am being practical now unlike a year ago, we paid for Bamboo Deluxe which we didn’t make the most of because we spent a lot of time outside this P 5,000 Bamboo Deluxe.

Bamboo Suite

Php 5,500.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 5 Pax

2 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 3 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00/Head.

Fully Furnished with 1 Queen size and 1 Single Bed, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom, Cable-TV, WIFI-Internet

Nipa Hut

Php 9,000.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 10 Pax

4 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 6 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00/Head.

Fully furnished with 3 Queen size beds, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom with Jacuzzi, Cable-TV, WIFI-Internet

Villa

Php 6,000.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 5 Pax

2 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 3 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00/Head.

Fully Furnished with 1 Queen size and 1 Single Bed, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom, Cable-TV, WIFI-Internet

EXECUTIVE

Php 10,000.00

Min. of 2pax / Max. of 7 Pax

4 Adults are included in the basic charge up to 3 extra adult can be accommodated with entrance fee of Php 600.00/Head.

Fully Furnished with 2 Queen size beds, Air-conditioned, Refrigerator, Toilet and Bathroom with bathtub, Wide Screen Flat TV with Cable, WIFI-Internet

Entrance Fee for DAY TRIP

Adult P 600

Children - 13yrs old and below P 500

- 3 yrs old and below FREE

Other Fee:

Mattress(per piece) P 200

Boat Rides (per hour) P 300

Spa and Body Massage (per hour) P 1000

Facilities and Amenities:

Hotel Room Accommodation

Clubhouse(Conference and Meeting Room)

Fine Dining Restaurant

Beverage/Liquor and Fruit Bars

Boat Rides

Outdoor Firing Range

Spa and Body Massage

Mini Concert Stage with Live music

Open Cottages (Regular and Swing type)

Fishing

Volleyball Court

Farm

Wifi Zone

Locker and Shower Room

Water-slide

Kid's Pool

Pavilion/Event Hall

***Prices are based on the published rates as of August 2014***

FOOD

Since 88 Resort is owns by a Korean and most of the guests are Koreans, the Resort's specialty of course is Korean Cuisine. If you will first look at their Menu, you might think that the price is a bit pricey. We'll that is true! But when the waiter served us our orders, Wow! we're surprised that one serving is big enough for the two of us. In that case, I can say that the price is reasonable. Aside from the full packed meal, you will have the taste of a REAL, authentic Korean food. (Real and authentic?, not redundancy because some restaurants says, they cook authentic Korean food, even if they are not).

They also serve complimentary appetizer and dessert (fruit).

Just a heads up! Filipino dishes are also available but limited.

For Korean food lovers, SURELY you will enjoy this restaurant. For those who are not, well, I believe you will start craving for it after you tried.

Here is my RATING for 88 Hot Spring Resort Spa

OVERALL:

So far, this is the most recommended all-in relaxation place I can recommend in near Manila. I was totally satisfied disregarding how expensive it is (not too much expensive) because the cost we paid for the accommodation is worth of how much fun it brought us.

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HOW TO GET THERE

88 Hot Spring Resort is 53 kilometers away from Metro Manila and just an hour away from NAIA. To get there, you may ride any bus that has signage "Sta.Cruz Laguna" from Taft-Buendia like DLTB or JAC Liner from Cubao and just tell the driver to drop you off in 88 Resort Spa. A bus from Taft-Buendia to ride will cost you P 91 at regular fare.