life as poems 'n letters

Hey, Subbies!

It’s been a while since I last posted an article here on my WordPress account. Life has been quite hectic lately, juggling school and work responsibilities. But I finally found some time to escape the chaos of Manila and recharge. Over the Halloween break, I decided to treat myself to a much-needed getaway at the Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort. It was the perfect chance to unwind from the heavy load of school tasks and activities. And guess what? I made it happen! I’m so happy I gave myself this little break.

Now, I’m excited to share my experience with you all! I’ll be giving a full review of the resort, along with a breakdown of my itinerary and expenses, how to get there, and some tips on what you can do while you’re there. So, if you’re looking for a quick escape from the city, keep reading!

The Change of Plans

Originally, I had planned this trip with my boyfriend, but he ended up needing to return to Singapore earlier than expected. I had already booked our stay two weeks in advance through Ensogo, which offered a fantastic 50% discount on the price. Unfortunately, their policy stated that bookings could not be changed within seven days of the reserved date, or else the reservation would be forfeited. I didn’t want my plans to go to waste, so I decided to go anyway, even if it meant going solo.

However, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of traveling alone. I did everything I could to convince my best friend to come with me, but her mom initially wasn’t on board. I was stuck, thinking, “What should I do? I don’t want this opportunity to go to waste.” Then, in a last-minute twist, her mom finally gave her the green light to join me. Yay, success! 🎉

The Journey Begins

Our adventure started bright and early on Monday, November 4th. We aimed to leave Manila at 7 AM, but, as expected, we got caught in the notorious EDSA traffic, compounded by some morning rain. We eventually hit the road at around 8:30 AM. I initially considered taking a Green Star bus because it was cheaper, but I chose the DLTB buses instead, which have better reviews, especially for their driving and onboard WiFi.

After about three hours on the bus, we finally arrived at our destination. Although we encountered a small hiccup—a van accidentally hit our bus’s rearview mirror—we quickly transferred to another bus, and the delay was minimal. Just a three-minute wait and we were back on track!

Getting to Caliraya Springs

Once we reached Pagsawitan, I realized how rare it was to find a jeepney heading to Lumot, where the resort is located. We opted to take a tricycle to the terminal to secure our seats. Luckily, we caught a Lumot jeepney that had just two seats left. Talk about perfect timing! Since this was my first trip to Laguna, I constantly checked Google Maps to see where we were. The journey from Pagsawitan to Caliraya Springs is about 20 km, which took us roughly an hour in the jeepney.

When we finally reached the entrance of Caliraya, also known as Sta. Lucia (note: this is different from Caliraya Resort Club, which is farther away), we had to take another tricycle to get to the main resort area, which is about a kilometer and a half inside. And, of course, it was raining, so walking wasn’t an option.

First Impressions

As soon as we arrived at the resort, everything went smoothly. The receptionist was incredibly welcoming and quickly checked us in. Minutes later, a bellboy escorted us to our room. We had booked a standard room, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations for the price I paid. The room smelled fresh, was spotlessly clean, and was just the right size.

Here’s what we got for just PHP 1,799 (thanks to the 50% discount!):

• Twin beds
• Air-conditioned room
• Heater and temperature control
• Hot and cold shower
• Plenty of towels
• Electric kettle
• Mini refrigerator
• LCD TV with Cignal cable
• Vault

I was genuinely surprised by how much was included, especially compared to a one-night stay at a hotel in Makati. I was thrilled with these amenities, which made our stay extra comfortable!

Exploring the Resort

After settling in, our stomachs were grumbling, so we dug into our packed snacks. We had suman, a gelatin dessert, sandwiches, and some instant coffee. We realized we didn’t have water to boil, so I headed to the resort’s store to buy some. But to my surprise, the bellboy offered us complimentary bottled water—such a nice touch!

Once we finished eating, we decided to explore the resort and take a swim. The green landscape visible from the resort’s veranda was breathtaking. Even with the light rain, the view was so serene—I could imagine myself living there for years. It felt like such a peaceful escape from the bustling city life.

A Swim with a View

We made our way to the Marina Resort for a swim, and to our delight, we were the only ones there. Feeling adventurous with no one around, we took the plunge! The pool had a stunning view of the lake nearby, which made the experience even more memorable. We spent about two hours swimming, and I even gave my friend a quick swimming lesson—talk about multi-tasking!

By the time we finished, we were both exhausted and freezing. Thankfully, the resort staff were incredibly accommodating. A lifeguard called for a van to take us back to our lodge, and they even provided us with towels to warm up. It’s the little things like this that make a stay memorable!

A Cozy Evening and a Rainy Morning

Back in our room, we showered and were pleased to find that the hot water worked perfectly—a true blessing after a cold swim. Too tired to venture out, we had a simple dinner with the food we had left and then went straight to bed.

The next morning, I woke up at 6 AM, eager to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, the rain was still pouring down. By 7:30 AM, we headed down for breakfast, which was included in our itinerary. We had three options: Beef Tapa, Daing na Bangus, and Tocino. We went with the Beef Tapa, which was tasty, though a bit tough to chew.

Relaxing in the Jacuzzi and Sauna

After breakfast, we decided to enjoy the resort’s Jacuzzi and sauna, also included in our package. The locker rooms were surprisingly elegant, catering to a middle-class crowd with an exquisite touch. We spent about two hours relaxing, which was much needed after our busy day before.

Unfortunately, the rain continued, so we didn’t get a chance to try out the golf course. Instead, we packed up our things and checked out around noon. The resort provided a van to take us to the main gate at no extra cost, and within a few minutes, we caught a jeepney back to our starting point.

Final Thoughts

Although we didn’t get to do as much as we planned due to the rain, our stay at Caliraya Springs Golf and Marina Resort was incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating. It’s the perfect place for those looking to unwind and find some peace and quiet away from the city’s hustle and bustle. I definitely found my serenity there. If you’re looking for a quick getaway to recharge, I highly recommend this resort!