Valentino Resort and Spa

A relaxing getaway not so far from the metro. This is how I can describe this place.

Few weeks ago, we decided to visit our hometown, Cuenca Batangas. It's a 2 and a half hours drive from Manila (sometimes shorter). We stayed at Valentino Resort and Spa in Brgy. Pinagtung Ulan, Lipa Batangas. If you are heading to Cuenca from Lipa it's in the left side right after the Pinagtung ulan Elementary School.

We picked the contemporary cottage in the resort which is good for 2-8 persons. It has a sala, dining table, TV, airpot and an air-conditioned room which has a queen size bed.

 Reception Area

 Contemporary Cottage

Every cottages has its own theme. There's the Filipiniana, Modern and Contemporary. There's also the hotel type rooms which is facing one of their pools.

The cottages has the magnificent view of Mt. Makulot, the pools and the trees.

 View from the cottages

There are 3 pools, 2 adult pools and a kiddie pool. Valentino has another compound which is recommended for big groups.

There is also a jacuzzi near the pool. Aside from swimming you can also visit their beautiful garden.

Valentino has a restaurant which serves the local cuisine. It also offers buffet for large groups. Our stay also includes free buffet breakfast for 2. You can avail of the buffet breakfast for only Php 180.00. 

Restaurant

Mouthwatering Halo-halo

 Sunrise view from the cottage

My verdict:

4- Excellent

3- Very Good 

2- Good

1- Poor

Cottage: 3.5

 The cottages are beautiful but my only comment the comfort rooms are too small and the shower curtains needs a little improvement because I could see molds in it.

Food: 3.5

Very reasonable price and taste good. A wide variety of food unfortunately not all are available since some of their foods are seasonal. The restaurant service is excellent specially Mang Arnold.

Service: 3

The receptionist needs more training of customer service but it's not that bad.

All in all I am satisfied with Valentino and I could say I will really come again. It's very relaxing, quiet and close to nature.

  

Contact details:

Valentino Resort and Spa

Baguio, my first trip for the year 2012

After my friends and I learned that January 23 is holiday, we started to plan a trip. Since we were notified a bit late, we cannot find a cheap flight. So we decided to have a trip by the bus and Baguio was our top pick.
They said that January  to February are the coldest months in Baguio, well thats why we picked Baguio.
So I headed up to Victory Liner, 7 days before our planned departure, too bad, the De Luxe bus are all reserved for January 20 to 21, so I had no choice but to get tickets for the ordinary bus. Surprisingly, this bus is not so ordinary, I know you are thinking of a non-airconditioned bus, well, it's an air-conditioned bus. The difference between the de luxe bus is that the seats are like the ordinary bus, reclinable but not so spacious. It has, 2 stop overs...I can't remember where because I am really sleepy. The travel time is 6 to 7 hours.
We're fortunate that we were able to get a great hotel near Session Road. It's http://www.bloomfieldhotel.com/. The staffs are friendly and very accomodating. The food is ok, specially the longganiza and the coffee. There's a free breakfast included.

Here is our itinerary for the Baguio trip

Day 1

Upon arrival at the Victory Liner terminal you must purchase your ticket going back to Manila. We went to Bloomfrield to have our bags checked in. After, we went to Burnham Park for Biking and Boating. Bike rental is Php 30.00 while boat rental for 6 persons is Php 60.00.

Burnham Park

Even though the sun is up and shining, the wind is so cold that you will really need a jacket. After our biking and boating the hotel staff texted us that we can already check in. So we went back at the hotel and prepare for lunch. We decided to have lunch at SM Baguio, a stone throw away from our hotel. We had lunch at Adobo Connection. And after lunch we had our siesta.

We woke up at around 5:00 pm and start preparing for the ancipated mass at the Baguio Cathedral. It is also walking distance from our hotel.There's a candle chapel beside the cathedral where all the saints were displayed and in every saint there's a prayer.

Right after the mass we went to Cafe by the Ruins. We hired a taxi and cost only Php 45.00 from the Baguio Cathedral. We had a not so delightful evening at the Cafe by the Ruins. First they crossed out my name in list even though we were not yet seated. So I asked why they did that and after 15 minutes they gave us our seats. We've ordered Baguio Bagnet. It took 45 minutes for them to prepare our food. We're really starving that one of my friends got so mad at them. We've been following up our orders for 4 times but they do nothing. The food is great but the service is poor and they never apologized for the delays.

Cafe by the Ruins

Artworks at the Cafe by the Ruins

Day 2

PMA and Camp John Hay

Travelling from our hotel to PMA is quite a long trip, maybe 20-30 minutes. Cab fare is around Php150.00, it is still cheap compared to the cabs here in Manila. 

If PMA is one of your destination, make sure that you have an ID with you because you will need it upon entering the PMA premises. You need to bring an umbrella or a hat and a pair of sunglasses.

Philippine Military Academy

After our PMA trip, we went to Camp John Hay to have our lunch. In Camp John Hay you will find several outlet stores. There is also a store that is a must see for girls. I just cant remember the name of the stores but it has bags, shoes, dresses, watches, accessories, sunglasses and a whole lot more. Brands like Tory Burch, Anne Klein, Michael Kors etc.

There's so many things to do in Camp John Hay. Horseback riding, paintball, target shooting, picnic, zip line (which is for beginners), a butterfly farm and a wide array of restaurants..

We ended our day trip by shopping our pasalubongs at the Baguio Market. We headed to our hotel right after and prepare for our dinner.

It's my second time at this restaurant. Its in a hill not so far from SM, a five minute walk maybe. It's PNKY!  I really love their food. So fresh and it is all from Baguio. The ambiance is so nice. 

Food at PKNY

Their food is really healthy and yummy! I never thought a healthy food can be so yummy at the same time.

Day 3

Session Road

On our day 3 it's all about shopping at session road for pasalubongs. There's alot of things to see at session road. from the side street vendors to their local restaurants that serves local cuisine.

I love Baguio. From the cold weather to the their local food to their very friendly locals. I must visit Baguio more often.