top of page

Quaint Little Resort in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas

Writer's picture: Mags Rafael-SalvadorMags Rafael-Salvador

Updated: Aug 3, 2023

After much discussion, we finally decided to go out and take a slice of the sun, scenery, and re-start our travel escapades. It was very challenging to find the perfect place to spend the holidays because of the quarantine and different travel restrictions while the country has problems with the pandemic. The kids didn’t want to go at first, then after my overly excited self-ranting about family time, a different view from our home ceiling, and of course missing the outdoors and being able to breathe in nature they finally gave in and said YES! When I say kids, they’re my kids but not really kids kids… Because they’re more like 18 and 15 already haha!

Pool Side at the Villas by Eco Hotel
Even during the dusk, the view is so beautiful

This little quaint resort in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas is called Villas by EcoHotels. There are a total of nine rooms (Standard rooms, Deluxe Pool View, Deluxe Lake View, Deluxe Lake View Triple, and Family room) with resort amenities such as Kitchen, Pavillion, infinity pool and in-room amenities such as Ceiling Fan, LCD television with cable, Safety Deposit Box, Hot and cold shower.

Deluxe Lakeview Rooms, Villas by Eco Hotel
Our home sweet home for three days

We were supposed to be checking in for the Deluxe Lakeview Triple Room and convert it into a quadruple sharing with the kids, but the rooms were with plumbing problems when we arrive so they moved us to the two (2) Deluxe Lakeview rooms overlooking the pool and Mt Makulot. The room location was better, so we made the most out of it, the kids now have a separate room from us which I think they prefer more anyways.

Pavillion at the Villas by Eco Hotel
Excitedly waiting for the sunset!

On our first day, we just spent the afternoon lazily, watched the sunset, and swam from 6 in the evening following our sunset experience. The pool was so cold and has the deepest blue in color especially when the sun settled and the clouds turned dark the skies. Would have been perfect if the moon was there to greet us, but maybe some other time.

Pool Side Villas by Eco Hotel
Conquered our first travel this 2020, and ending the year with a grateful heart!
Villas by Eco Hotel
After sunset, the pool is just as magnificent

On the second day, we had late breakfast and reserved the pool use for 10am. It was the best time because there was some shade before the sun rose high enough to cover the pool side. We took a lot of pictures, getting the view, sinking ourselves in the cold waters, and just do playtime while we can. It felt like the resort is ours alone, you can hear the sounds of the water while kids were swimming, while daddy was so busy getting picture-perfect shots from his SLR and the mommy (me) going with the flow, taking pictures from a mobile phone and occasionally just extending the lingering view of nature taking it all in (the lake, the mountains, blue skies, and clouds) embedding it’s beauty and thanking the Lord above for having given us a wealth of nature to embrace us and for us to take care of.

Pool View Villas by Eco Hotel
Waking up to this view
Restaurant at Villas by Eco Hotel
Breakfast with this view

Our third and last day was spent quietly as well, breakfast, last-minute nature tripping they have an herb garden, some scenic spots that are instagrammable and then prepared to check out. We want to leave on time so we can go someplace different for lunch this time. Although the resort is only 15 to 20 minutes away from the town proper, we didn’t explore it. So, the third day it’s just getting out of the woods and going back to the metro, and get ready to organize welcoming the new year.

Villas by Eco Hotel
Goodmorning sunshine!
Villas by Eco Hotel
Waiting for sunset, again!

Below are some quick facts about Villas by Eco Hotels at Mataasnakahoy, Batangas:


How to get there?

An hour and a half ride from Manila, taking SLEX Skyway, then exit at Lipa, Batangas Turn left to Mataasnakahoy which is around 4 kms. away from Lipa Exit and about 30 mins drive from the exit.

You can book directly at the resort (www.ecohotels.ph), through travel agents, Agoda or Booking.com. Price ranges from Php 8K – Php15K per room per night on Twin Sharing. Extra Person allowed with additional charges, allowing a maximum of three (3) persons per room or five (5) persons for Family Room.


What’s good and made it memorable?


No need for an RT PCR Swab test going there. – Signed health declaration upon check-in and resort capacity only at 50% following the Department of Tourism’s Travel Regulations. Social distancing is strictly implemented, use of masks within the resort is a must.


A short drive from the metro – traffic quite clear going there, leaving Manila at 1130am arriving at 2pm with a quick stopover for lunch at Lipa City, Batangas.


Commune with nature - there’s an herb garden, binoculars per room so you can use it to view Mt Makulot, Taal Lake, or ask the reception to give instructions to do birdwatching.


Resort rooms were built using sustainably sourced material and recycled hardwoods. Beds are set up so that you’d wake up looking at the lake or the mountains.


Lakeview rooms overlooking the pool too, Taal Lake and Mt Makulot – perfect!


Relax, chill and be still – spend time with a good book, have an interesting conversation, or have something to drink and celebrate which can be done in your own veranda, by the pool, by the restaurant, in the Herb Garden, or even just inside your room.


Yoga or meditation in front of the restaurant facing the Taal Lake – no photos, I didn’t bring my yoga gear and the mat. There are guests doing yoga when we arrived, though I cannot take their pictures because of privacy concerns.


Sunset viewing – a strategic place to be experiencing the sunset this side of Batangas. I have a lot of pictures taken and videos of sunset on time-lapse that I will share separately on youtube soon!


Swim – all the families that checked-in has its own pool schedule. Following the resort safety protocols, the pool is used on a per family schedule only.


Awesome shots from our staycation

Rooms

Restaurant

Lake View


Swimming Pool

All pictures were taken in the morning, thank you for the love and for bringing out the sunshine the past few days.


Herb Garden


Sunset

Same spot, different day, different shades of sunsetting by the lake. #ilovesunsets always!



It was indeed a good year-ender travel escape for the family. Under different circumstances, when we are no longer in the pandemic the resort is a good destination to spend with your loved ones. For those wanting a quiet weekend for the rest of the family, it's just an hour and a half drive from the metro where you can recharge and reboot. Sharing with you my VLOG of our simple getaway, hope you enjoy it!


I can just imagine in the not-so-distant future, that all the nine rooms will be occupied with our big extended family, the restaurant converted into a festive dining area for an intimate reception. We have a lot of things we wish and pray for when it’s all good and we’re OK to be traveling without worries. Here’s looking forward to a kinder 2021 and more #safetravels soon! Happy New Year🤗🥂💖 !





423 views0 comments

コメント


bottom of page