Lubi Plantation: Gateway to hidden paradise

Tomas Lorenzo and his family used to watch breathtaking sunsets in a nipa house in an island nestled off the coast of the Davao Gulf.

Now that he is chief executive of Torre Lorenzo Development Corp., it is his dream that every family will create similar bespoke memories in the island where he spent countless summer vacations. Being the visionary that he is, he transformed what was then a coconut plantation into an upscale beach club.

The Beach Club at Lubi Plantation Island, managed by Dusit, is the product of Lorenzo’s desire to create a place where Filipinos can have a taste of the good life through a beautiful getaway in a private island.

The adventure begins in a private dock near the dusitD2 Hotel in Davao City. From there, guests will take a 40-minute boat ride before arriving in style at the Pindasan Jetty Port—the gateway to this hidden paradise in Davao de Oro.

The warm hospitality of the staff will make guests feel right at home. Refreshments include welcome drinks—cold cucumber juice with bits of lubi (coconut)—and cooling towels to soothe the excitement of guests. Afterwards, the premium island will serve surprises one after another. The 37-hectare island is a sight to behold with a total of 40 villas. Still at its developmental stage, nine villas are now operational for day trippers. The private island experience is offered as an amenity for guests of dusitD2 hotel and Dusit Thani Residences in Davao City.

The Villas are patterned after Dusit Thani Maldives Resort.

A 178-sqm villa, designed by Manny Samson and Associates, features a two bedroom suite perfect for a family of six as well as a plunge pool and outside shower and bath tub. The room itself exudes luxury as every nook has been imprinted with the Dusit brand of elegance. Fast and reliable wifi connection is also available on the island.

A private beach with aquamarine waters await the sun-seeker. The marine-protected island is a must-see with its spectacular reef gardens. Soon, a lagoon and the turtle hatchery where guests can release turtles back into the wild will also be among the main attractions of the island.

Have a taste of the good life through a Lubi Plantation Island

Of course, no private island experience will be complete without the use of water sports which is housed in the Lifestyle Center of the Beach Club. It is a one-stop-shop for diving enthusiasts. For guests who wish to take in the sights of the island, jet skis and kayaks are likewise available. The infinity pool meanwhile offers a leisurely dip for all guests. Kids can bathe in the kiddie pool or run around in the playground.

For those who are not too interested in outdoor activities, The Namm Spa is where you can head over to get your dose of a rejuvenating massage. Guests can also stay at the Mill, a game center with a play station and board games. You can also hone your vocal chords with the top-of-the-line recording studios you can find at the Mill. One cool feature of this studio is that guests can upload their mini-concerts online. Also, a tennis court is waiting for those wanting to perfect their return serves.

The Beach Club is also an ideal setting for destination weddings. There are two churches—one Catholic and the other, ecumenical—located within the sprawling property. The church for a Catholic wedding has a 200 seating capacity, has a long aisle to walk on and is fully air-conditioned. The Banquet Hall can accommodate 150 guests and the island itself can have over 400 guests.

The rooms are equipped with automated lights to be more energy-efficient.

In the process of transforming the island into a private getaway, TLDC only had sustainability on its mind.

The Beach Club is plastic-free and stringent recycling programs are in place. A state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant is used in the island. The food is guaranteed fresh as it is from sea to table. The energy in the island is powered by two 500-kilovolt power systems. The rooms are equipped with automated lights to be more energy-efficient.

In the future, the resort will harness power from solar panels. Water is sourced from deep water wells and is purified by a reverse osmosis treatment plant. Even the dock is sustainable as it utilizes a floating jetty so as not to disturb the coral reefs underneath it.

As compliance to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lubi Plantation Island is in the process of replanting coral reefs and growing the mangrove site which is a natural barrier against flooding.

For meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, The Beach Club also offers whole day and half day events. This includes round trip boat transfers, welcome drinks, morning and afternoon snacks (with coffee or drink), a delicious lunch spread, use of Event Hall for up to eight hours, coffee and tea station, complimentary use of PA systems. For whole day events, the resort charges P2,500 per person and P2,200 per person for half day events.

The 37-ha island is a sight to see with a total of 40 villas

Day trips can be arranged through the hotel concierge. The package includes round trip boat transfers, signature welcome drink, complimentary wifi connection in key areas, four-course set lunch with one drink, use of kayak for one hour, use of swimming pool and beach access, children’s playground access, use of locker and shower rooms and a 10 percent discount on jet ski facility for one hour. For weekdays, the package will cost P2,500 per person for adults and P1,250 per child. During the weekends, it’s P3,500 per person and P1,750 per child.

The two-bedroom seafront villa is priced at P42,000 per night while the two-bedroom seafront pool villa is priced at P75,000 per night, inclusive of breakfast at Tarictic Grill and boat transfer to the island from Pindasan Jetty Port.