Destinations for V-day

The element of romance is an unwritten component which many property developers take into consideration, regardless of the size of the project. In keeping with the prevailing theme this February, below are some of the archipelago’s most romantic areas because of their enviable locations, natural attributes and cozy properties, making them must-visit places even beyond the so-called “love month.”

Taal Vista Hotel is an icon that has been a mute witness to Tagaytay’s transformation over the decades.

Tagaytay Ridge

Perched at an altitude of 663 meters above sea level overlooking the Taal Volcano and Lake, this corridor is a naturally romantic getaway even in its rawest form. The ridge road, the rim of the bigger ancient volcano, embraces the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso in Cavite, Nasugbu and Laurel in Batangas, and Tagaytay City itself.

With its cool weather, crisp mountain air, lush greeneries and serene environs, it was a logical choice for novitiates and retreat houses of religious orders, and a handful of country-style lodging facilities. Soon enough, real estate firms, golf developers and hoteliers were trooping to the property frontier for their own place at the most coveted lakeview side.

With its unbridled urbanization over the decades, the ridge has become a metropolitan satellite with the rise of hotels and condominiums, shopping malls, golf courses, mixed-used commercial centers, spa and wellness centers, boutique lodges, specialty restaurants, farm resorts, coffee shops and everything in between. Despite its gentrification, its romantic appeal hasn’t diminished over the decades.

An icon that has been a mute witness to Tagaytay’s transformation is Taal Vista Hotel, which sits on the undisputed top spot in the ridge city, offering a panoramic volcano and lake view.

Formerly known as Taal Vista Lodge, this luxe hotel packs 81 years of nostalgia. Opened in 1939, the English Tudor Mansion-style facility has hosted generations of guests, prominent personalities and important national events. The property was acquired in 2008 by SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. and a new Lake Wing was added, including conference facilities, a new ballroom and 133 additional rooms.

El Nido

A quick look at this archipelagic town will leave no doubt it is indeed part of the World’s Best Island, a prestigious accolade it keeps receiving.

El Nido, with its mesmerizing limestone cliffs and lagoons, gin-clear water and powdery white beaches, has graced countless travel posters and calendars since the pre-internet era. Once a hard-to-reach spot, this area in the northernmost part of mainland Palawan had a private airport affiliated with El Nido Resorts, a hotel group that put the idyllic island chain within the radar of jetsetters. With its natural and tropical charm, it has become an aspirational destination for weddings and honeymoons, as well as family adventures.

Tucked within this unique natural space are the star-rated island resorts of Miniloc, Lagen and Pangalusian operated by the Ayala Group’s Ten Knots Development Corp. The resorts, which gradually opened last year, has been organizing scheduled bubble trips under controlled itineraries and stringent health protocols, including an RT-PCR test.

At the town’s mainland is Lio Tourism Estate, Ayala Land’s first eco-tourism development anchored on environmental sustainability. Situated beside the airport, this beachfront recreational enclave is home to low-density boutique accommodation—Huni, Kasa Kalaw, Balai Adlao, and Covo, and its own brand Seda Hotel. It also has a couple of restaurants, bars, retail shops, playground parks, which makes it a new activity hub for the community a few minutes away from the población.

Modala Beach Resort in Panglao, Bohol opened in September last year to help prop up the province’s tourism industry. PHOTOS BY BERNARD SUPETRAN

Panglao

A tourism and property frontier in the not-so-distant past, this island town has seen phenomenal growth over the past two decades. And with the opening of the state-of-the-art Panglao-Bohol International Airport in 2018, its position as one of the country’s top domestic destinations has been furthered strengthened.

The 81 sq km island is famous for its world-class dive spots, white beaches, old churches and international gourmet restaurants. A jump-off point to the sought-after Balicasag Island, Panglao is dotted with beach resorts affiliated with major hospitality chains and independent management groups.

Located at the island’s far end is Modala Beach Resort, a new entrant which opened in September last year to prop up the province’s tourism industry. Literally meaning “to bring,” the bespoke hotel takes pride in culture, as evident in the vernacular and exotic-sounding nomenclature of its facilities, namely Tumoy Leisure Village, Mangaon Ta Restaurant & Bar, and Moadto Strip Mall. The latter is Bohol’s first upmarket beachfront lifestyle and recreation hub with 38 diverse shops.

Modala also boasts of tropical greeneries, a spa, fitness gym, dive and watersports shop, jacuzzis, ornate interiors, 126 rooms and a 1-km shoreline, which is arguably the longest in the island.