'Break Free' from stress at this hidden cove just a few hours' drive from Manila
- The Garlic Press
- Oct 26, 2022
- 5 min read
Between back-to-back typhoons and monsoon rains, The Garlic Press received its first travel invite in September 2022.
A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of experiencing Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club for the first time. Less than two and a half hours away from Pasay City via CAVITEX, we arrived at the famous Hamilo Coast. The winding road could be a challenge for weak stomachs, but honestly it felt like we were being lulled to sleep.
Pretty soon we were dropped off at Pico Sands Hotel, our home for the next three days. Our hotel room has a gorgeous view of the man-made lagoon in the middle of the resort surrounded by lush trees and the residential buildings within Pico de Loro. Imagine living here and waking up to this amazing view every day!
BREAK FREE
We were invited to experience the Break Free package, a three-day two-night vacation that includes all meals and daily activities to get the most out of your stay at the cove.
The package costs PhP 23,700 per person and booking is open to non-members. It’s a group package with a minimum of four persons, but they also have a package rate for two people. And believe me, at this rate, if you get to do all the activities included in the package, it’s definitely a good bang for your buck. The offer is valid until December 21, 2022 — so it’s a great gift idea if you’re looking to lavish your loved ones during the holiday season.
While the harsh rain and strong winds kept us at the beach, we were still able to enjoy some of the resort’s amenities, especially the Rain Spa, where we had a full-body massage. The masseuses were highly skilled, professional, and quite considerate because it was my first full body massage experience.
ACTIVITIES, ACTIVITIES, AND MORE ACTIVITIES!
Staying at only one place for several days could be a challenge for some, but with the multitude of indoor and outdoor activities at Pico de Loro, you won’t have a dull day here!
Whether you want to unwind at their Rain Spa, reflect on your life at the picturesque Saint Therese Chapel of the Child Jesus (which has the perfect view of the entire cove), bathe in the quiet glory of nature at any of the eco hiking trails within the coast, go bird watching, or just take a leisurely stroll along their 1.5-kilometer beach, relaxation is within easy reach at the resort.
If you’re looking for that adrenaline rush that will refresh your hunger for life, Pico de Loro has various activities perfect for thrill-seekers. Whether you want to do aquatic activities like swimming, jet skiing, banana boating, paddle boarding, or kayaking, or indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, tennis, billiards, bowling, or even racketball, there’s always something at the resort to keep you busy. You can even rent out a yacht for a sunset cruise with cocktails or for a morning tour of the coast!
While the rain kept us from doing some of the scheduled activities included in the package (like the island tour of Santelmo Cove, a great spot of snorkeling, we heard), we didn’t run out of fun things to do at the resort. The waves were too strong to swim in, but we had a great time relaxing in the giant swimming pool at The Beach Club, which overlooks the sea.
If you’re worried about all that walking cutting into your relaxation time, don’t worry. They have shuttles going around the resort so you can zoom from one point to another in a breeze. But if you do decide to go on foot, you won’t regret it. Pico de Loro is so serene, giving you that much needed time to slow down and decompress.
If there's anything I would add to their activities, I hope they'd start a walking tour for plantitas and plantitos — identifying plants around the resort!
For the complete list of activities at the resort, click here.
A FOODIE'S HAVEN
As a foodie, the food could make or break any vacation.
We got to try the food at Pico Restaurant & Bar at the ground floor of the hotel. The outlet serves a variety of Filipino and international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, offering a scenic view of the lagoon and the greenery outside. Guests can also dine al fresco when the weather permits. The food was straightforward and tasty with generous servings. Check out the menu here.
For our first dinner at the resort, we enjoyed a four-course meal at the Sun Coral Café at the Beach Club. The outlet serves mostly Mediterranean cuisine that diners can enjoy while looking out to the pool or the beach. This is my favorite meal during our stay. Aside from generous portions, the flavors are on point without being too overwhelming, the combination of dishes are well thought out, and you can taste how much care and thought goes into every element of the dish. The flavors are fresh, bright, and despite the big portions, it wasn’t very heavy. I loved the mango salsa and the ham & pineapple rice paired with the huge grilled salmon.
We also had breakfast at Sun Coral Café. Since I’m in Batangas, of course I’m having Tapa! Their home-cured Tapa uses locally grown beef, which was very tender and savory. Aside from the breakfast silog (sinangag + itlog) meals, our table was full of freshly baked bread and fresh fruits, too.
For our cove tour, we were given drinks and a personal charcuterie box to enjoy in the boat. The rains were starting to come closer to the cove, so our tour was cut short. Safety is always a priority at Pico de Loro and we’re grateful for that. We ended up lounging at the Beach Club’s pool overlooking the sea, watching the rain pour down.
Later on, we had our lunch at one of the cabanas along the beach. We were supposed to have lunch at Santelmo Cove but we didn’t push through because of the rains. It didn’t stop us from enjoying the amazing lunch they prepared for us: a cute personal bilao lunch! It was a super Pinoy beach experience with grilled chicken, garlic shrimp, pancit canton, rice, and eggplant salad (ensalada) with green mangoes.
On our last night at the resort, the Pico Sands Hotel team prepared a Spanish feast where we dined al fresco at Pico Restaurant & Bar. They prepared so much food, the four of us (all champion eaters haha) could barely finish it. The food was delicious, you can really tell that they don’t skimp on the ingredients. My favorite from this dinner was the Beef Salpicao made with ridiculously tender Batangas beef.
Back in our room, we made sure to try their in-room dining offers. I’ve always thought that the quality of room service says a lot about a hotel, especially when it comes in the middle of the night. Their in-room offers, though understandably limited, were still enjoyable. We loved the spicy pasta and their chicken wings!
While going around the resort, if you see their gelato cart, don’t forget to order a cup of their gelato of the day! Pico de Loro offers smooth, perfectly sweet, and creamy gelato — ideal for any day at the beach.
Aside from the outlets we’ve tried, they also have Lagoa serving Asian cuisine at the Country Club, and Reef Bar where you can enjoy drinks and snacks at the beach.
My sister and I had such a great time here that we're already planning to come back with our family. Whether you want to unplug from your crazy city life and unwind, or you want new and exciting adventures, there's something for every kind of traveler here at Pico Sands Hotel at Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club.
Our big thanks to Ms. Joyce Panares of Manila Standard for extending the invitation, and to Ms. Celine Arenillo and her team at Pico Sands Hotel for being excellent hosts and making this trip memorable.
Pico Sands Hotel is located at the Pico de Loro Cove, Hamilo Coast, Brgy. Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas.
For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 809 1289, +63 02 8464 7888, or email reservations@picosandshotel.com.
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