Every time we go on summer vacations, we are always conflicted whether to go to a resort hotel or rent a beach house. To put this argument in to rest, let us compare the pros and cons of both choices and see what will triumph in the conclusion
Resort Hotels Pros 1. Modest to Luxury amenities 2. Secure 3. Full service 4. 24 hour concierge and room service 5. Private pool 6. Gym facilities 7. Nightly entertainment
Cons
1. Expensive (accommodation, food and souvenir merchandises) 2. Limited occupancy per room (maximum of 4 per room) 3. Limited food choices (cannot bring or cook own food or drinks) 4. Strict adherence to noise levels (no partying allowed ) 5. Some resort hotels require membership or sponsorship 6. Strict check-in and check-out time 7. Fully booked during peak seasons 8. Rooms far from the shore 9. Share the same beach with everyone else 10. Requires strict swimming attires in pools and in beaches
Beach house
Pros 1. Modest to luxury amenities 2. Some beach houses have private pools 3. Secure 4. Practically no limit to the number of occupants (anyone can sleep anywhere in the house) 5. You can bring or cook your own food, snack and drinks (most beach houses are fully furnished complete with stove, refrigerators, cooking utensils and cutlery) 6. You can bring your entertainment systems such as videokes, video game consoles and stereo sound systems 7. You can have your own party and get loud 8. Located near the shore 9. It’s practically your home away from home 10. Less expensive on per head basis 11. Share the same beach fronts with hotels
Cons 1. Self-service (you have to clean your own mess) 2. No gym 3. No nightly live bands or entertainment
Conclusion For couples or a small family of 4, the obvious choice will be to go to a resort hotel provided that you have deep pockets and money to throw away. Most hotels will make their visitors feel like royalties with the kind of service one can expect from them. You will be pampered with luxury but will cost you a lot.
However, for most tourists who prefer to enjoy the beach rather than the accommodation, private beach houses have more appeal. With the same sense of security, freedom and comfort at home, you can just focus on having fun with the family and enjoy the relaxing waters of the deep blue sea without leaving a gaping hole in your pockets.
Why Go Far When Everything is Here and Near Batangas
Laiya, San Juan, Batangas
Bohol, Palawan, Aklan, Boracay, Cebu & Davao. What do these places have in common? They have a lot wonderful beaches and are frequented by tourist both here and abroad. Undoubtedly, these tourist destinations have a lot to offer for your hard earned buck, but do you really have to go that far and spend a major slice of your budget with airfare? Sure riding on a jet plane is a wonderful experience, but it will definitely impose limitations on the number of people you want to bring with you. It’s true that there are airline companies that offers very affordable rates but you have to spend much of your time waiting online for the announcement and you can only avail of dates they make available and not that of your actual personal choice. And because of the low rates, it is highly probable that these airline companies will resort to over booking to become profitable which will later result to delayed flights or worse missed flights. Why go through all of these fuzz when you can savor the relaxing sound of the waves and bask in the warm and soothing waters of the sea and it’s all here and so near in the province of Batangas.
Batangas is gifted with both natural and man-made tourist and adventure destinations. It offers a variety tropical beaches ranging from the mundane to the most luxurious. Every location is rich with savory culinary cuisines that still has the influence of colonial Spain while others has adopted modern fusion of Asian and international cuisines.
Whether you are interested in visiting a place or along your way in Batangas, there will be no shortage of interesting places may it be religious, education, cultural or just plain fun. In this scenic province, you can still find and experience a glimpse of colonial times in the town of Taal. You can also enjoy the tranquil waters of Taal Lake along the towns of San Nicolas, Agoncillo and Laurel. And of course, all year round, one can enjoy Batangas’ beach fronts in Nasugbu, Calatagan, Balayan, Bauan, San Juan and Laiya.
And for the gastronomically inclined adventurers, no trip is complete in Batangas without engorging yourself with copious amounts of Bulalo (beef shank broth) paired with crispy fried tawilis (sardinella tawilis). You can also enjoy Batangas’ own tapang Taal (it’s actually pork instead of beef) and Gotong Batangas (beef tripe).
And of course, the most important of all is the hospitality and friendship of Batanguenos with their distinct and crisp accent topped with “Ala eh”.
A Great Alternative To Boracay
Tali Beach, Nasugbu, Batangas
Every year, millions of tourist worldwide flock to Boracay to enjoy its white sand beaches and the festive night life. It’s practically peak season for much of the entire year. Tourism came to this small island paradise in Malay, Aklan in the seventies. Popular then to budget back packers, the island paradise captured the world’s attention in the 90s and has become consistently voted as one of the best islands in the world ever since.
Popularity unfortunately has its disadvantages, Boracay has now become very crowded in terms of infrastructures and population. Its allure has attracted millions of visitors while some opting to stay permanently. Unfortunately, wanton destruction of its natural resources in exchange for luxury beach resort hotels has taken its toll on this once pristine preview of paradise. The negative effects of over population and over development has now become very evident. The island population now outnumbers more that it can accommodate, human waste has found itself breaching to potable drinking water reservoir and is likewise seeping along the shoreline. As a result, the waters that used to be crystal blue has now turned to green due to the proliferation of algae feeding on these wastes.
The local government in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already initiated legislation and programs to curb and address these critical issues. However, the rehabilitation efforts will take years if not decades. Without our assistance, the Boracay we know and love today will one day be lost forever. For our part, what we can do is find alternative locations where we can spend our vacations. The reduction in Boracay visitors will allow Mother Nature to revert to its normal and beautiful state. Fortunately, there is a very good alternative to Boracay and surprisingly, it’s only a few hours’ drive from Metro Manila. And that is the province of Batangas.
Apparently. Batangas has a very long coast line ranging from Nasugbu to San Juan and has beach fronts that can rival that of Boracay and other popular beach destinations. But wait, there’s more, the province of Batangas also offers a wide variety of culinary extravaganza that will satisfy everyone’s tastes and pallets. With just a fraction of the costs, the entire family can enjoy the wonderful beaches of Batangas. A number of private beach houses are available for rent and they offer the same (if not better) comfort of home but with the availability of the soothing and relaxing beaches right at your door step.
Batangas is likewise very accessible and has a number of bus and other transport companies en route to the province’s tourist destinations. What you can save on airfare can now be splurged in gastronomic delights. Or ultimately, save it for your next beach destination in Batangas.
Stress Buster
Traffic, pollution, political scandals, oil price hikes these are only but a few things that will push your stress to critical levels. No one is immune to these stressors regardless whether you are an expat, a manager or a rank and file employee. Stress is stress regardless of position in the corporate chain. Left unchecked and unmanaged, high levels of stress will negatively affect your physical as well as mental wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that stress and lack of physical activity can lead to cancer or cardio-vascular diseases. Studies have likewise shown that the body cannot withstand prolonged exposure to stressors or stress stimuli. The body either has to fight or takes flight to go back to normal or homeostasis.
One very good way to relieve stress is to go on vacations. Taking a time off from your stressful environment is a sure fire way of putting your mind off problems at work or in business. Among popular vacation destinations is the beach. The wonderful view of the sea and the sound of splashing waves have tremendous calming effect.
Once settled in your beach destination, a popular stress-relieving activity is beach combing. Combing the beach can be quite enjoyable and is fun way of exploring the beach front. The relaxing walk along the shore line is a very good way to help you take a break from stressors. You may also find something interesting or valuable as you enjoy the warm sand water touching your bare feet. Swimming in the warm sea water on the other hand, was found to be beneficial to the immune system, improves circulation and promotes overall well-being. It is also found to rehydrate your skin.
Batangas is only a few hours’ drive south of Metro Manila and has a number of beach fronts to offer. There are a range of accommodation one can choose from depending on the budget. Pricy and posh beach resorts give their visitors a taste of paradise on earth. There are likewise a number of beach houses that provide superb accommodation but just a fraction of the cost while enjoying the same beach view. Nasugbu is a coastal town located at the western quadrant of Batangas and offers a wide array of luxury accommodations. There are also a number of beach houses that offers similar but more affordable amenities.
Just south of Nasugbu is Lian, and further south is the town of Calatagan. Both towns have numerous beach destinations rivaling that of their neighbors to the north.
Finally, because it’s proximity Manila, you save a lot on airfare and the money you did not spend can be used in your next round of stress busting vacation.
Batangas Philippines: The Best Destination for Travelers
Whenever one mentions Batangas, three things come to mind. First, the Beinte y nueve (29) aka “Balisong” is a 29-centimeter fan knife manufactured in one of the town of Balisong, Batangas. Due to its unique design, it has gained popularity or notoriety in American mainstream culture. Its design is so unique that its origins can only be traced in Batangas and thus far, no other country has any form of weapon similar to it.
In the past, the iconic knife was made popular by late great Filipino action stars such as Eddie Fernandez and Fernando Poe Jr. In Hollywood, box office hits such as Face Off, KickAss, Karate Kid, the Mummy and Tomb Raider among others, showcased the Filipino knife. Second, “Ale eh” practically starts any conversation you will have with a Batangueno much like “eh” or “ey” ends Canadians sentences. This phrase is the penultimate expression that is distinctive of the native Batangueno wherever he or she may reside in the world. Once heard, there is no doubt that the one you are talking with is a Batangueno. In Philippine cinema, satirical performances in comedy flix the likes of Dencio Padilla and Leo Martinez made them household names for showcasing their Batangueno accents. The former portraying a humble but fiercely brave giant balisong (almost sword-like) wielding side kick while the latter a corrupt and obnoxious congressman.
Finally, beaches, lots and lots of beaches. From Nasugbu in the West to San Juan in East, Batangas boasts of a very long coastline teeming with breathtaking beaches and resorts. Beach lovers will find no shortage of places to go in Batangas. Located only an hour away from hustling and bustling Metropolitan Manila, one will be fascinated with the blue and scenic coasts of Nasugbu, Calatagan, Bauan and Laiya to name a few. Numerous resorts, hotels and beach houses provide various level of accommodations that will fit every budget.
From Manila, you take the South Luzon Expressway then pass through scenic Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Tagaytay City. Proceed further and you will reach the town of Nasugbu, Batangas where you can find awesome real estate developments along the pristine coastline. Once there, you can’t help but be mesmerized with the beach houses and mansions along the coast. You may even find yourself wondering if you are still in the Philippines or in Malibu.
If you are in to diving or snorkeling, the clear waters of Bauan, Batangas is a sure fire destination. Here, the waters are crystal clear and the reefs are flushed with diverse marine flora and fauna. Then there is Laiya where the mile long coast line is lined with luxury hotels and beach resorts.