PUNTA DE FABIAN: 1.5 hours from Metro Manila and you get an away-from-the-city and close-to-nature feel.

If there is one thing that hotels in and around Metro Manila failed to capitalize on, it would be the beauty of Laguna de Bay. There are a few exemptions thought, Vivere and Azumi in Alabang, Thunderbird Resort in Binangonan and Punta de Fabian in Baras Rizal.

The latter was where we stayed a few weeks ago because our daughter and our niece were requesting for a staycation. Yeah, umi-staycation demand narin ang mga chikiting.

And since my wife wanted to make their wish granted and at the same time find a relaxing time for us, Punta de Fabian was the choice.

back in Punta De Fabian

I have been fantasizing of returning here for a while. It has been almost two years since we tried the place. We have been to many nice hotels and resorts since then but Punta de Fabian still has a spot in our
to-return-to list. That means our stay more than a year back was indeed memorable.

I remember it was also rainy season back then. It was just me and my wife with no kids to care for. I was surprised because I never expected a humble resort by the hill with a nice view of the lake exists in Baras Rizal which is another municipality we hardly hear about.

Because of its location by the hill, the place seem isolated from the town below. That isolation-feel works well with people who don't wanna tire themselves travelling far from Metro Manila (Baras is a good 2 hours away) and yet achieve that away-from-the-city and close-to-nature effect.

Was it the rain?
That the place was very romantic at that time? I remember having dinner at Punta Cafe's al fresco section when heavy rain poured. It made the already cool night even cooler. Or was it because it continuously rained well beyond dinner time that we enjoyed swimming in the blue-lit infinity pool while it was pouring hard. I find that really romantic and difficult to forget.

Or was it because we stayed in a room by the cliff with the pool view on the front section and the lake view at the back balcony? Such simple pleasure. 

And that was where we stayed again this time.

OUR ROOM

WHEN NIGHT FALLS

And this time, it was rainy again. I remember drinking beer and chatting by the balcony with my wife. Such small talks we love doing and in a setting this lovely ---the lake no longer visible in the dark night but the lights of houses below us adding drama to the view. I carried my Bluetooth speaker with me and we were listening to some love songs while the two kids were cuddled in bed watching cable tv.

And I suddenly turned poetic. Such is the effect of the place to me.

THE INFINITY POOL

Earlier that day, it was sunny. Immediately after check in, the kids changed to drink swimwear and trooped to the pool. They were all fun at it while me and my wife were by the shade of the tree near the poolside eating crackers and playing some funky songs I discovered in Spotify. It felt fresh and it felt good to be back.

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS

Hillside, poolside, attic. There is a whole range of accommodation available for your liking depending on group size and budget.

TEAM BUILDING
with the Kids

A big group was about to check out when we arrived. Punta de Fabian is famous for group retreats and team building and is frequented by corporate clients thanks to spacious spaces fit for outdoor activities, availability of convention halls and facilities for team building activities like the maze located down the hill on the northern side of the resort. 

We took our kids here for them to try out. Just the two of them, we asked them to find their way through the maze to the other side. They were screaming with excitement on the first round. On the second try, Janine, the younger among the two (our niece) had a hard time finding her way and was left in the maze for a few minutes so she ended up crying once she finally emerged out of it. At least she didn't break down while in it. We made sure she was assured we were just around. My wife was up the hill so as she can see her while I was just standing on the outer wall giving her encouragement. 

Activities like this one are not only fun, they build confidence and teamwork.

RESTAURANT

DINNER

I still remember the Pinoy bistek we tried almost two years ago. Tender and tasty. And so we made sure it was in our menu for dinner. It didn't disappoint although not as tasty this time. I was a bit not satisfied with the pakbet and chopseuy though. Weird enough, the two dishes couldn't be distinguished from each other. I find them rather a bit out of intensity. I wonder of they have a new chef. If so, I hope they look into this very important aspect of a successful resort---food.

BREAKFAST
For breakfast, one could choose from rather simple selection. Plated Filipino dishes, the typical I would say. There were only four (4) choices, tapsilog, tocilog, hotsilog, or ham and egg. I ordered one each since there were four of us. It was surprisingly quite satisfying at least. Look, the girls had a good time.

FAMILY BONDING

The kids were excited to hit the pool again after breakfast and it was swimming that they did until few minutes before check out.

My wife and I were not able to swim the day before so we thought of taking advantage of the good weather. The pools water seem newly replaced so it was a pleasure swimming. Perfect time for another family bonding.

HOW TO GET TO PUNTA DE FABIAN?

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PUNTA DE FABIAN two years ago:

Best for corporate events +awesome infinity pool lake view at PUNTA de FABIAN in Baras Rizal

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Punta de Fabian Resort

Manila East Road, Barangay Evangelista, Baras, Rizal, Philippines

+63 (2) 994-9560 /+63 (2) 994-9546

http://www.puntadefabian.com/