La Roca Villa Resort Hotel: A Mini- Santorini in San Juan, La Union

Santorini in Greece.

I'm in love with this place since I watched the movie For the First Time, starred by KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez.

I told you, I'm obsessed with "al fresco" dining, and with resort bars, that is why I fell in love also with the movie No Other Woman which featured Thunderbird Poro Point La Union. And there's this little Santorini as they say loctaed in Batangas, (maybe on my next blog if I will be having the chance to get there sooner). Oh, I'm really getting addicted to these places which mimic Santorini.

Calling all travelers by heart... have you added Santorini in your bucket list? And yet you kept on rescheduling when is when because of money and your tight sched? And when is the right time to fall in love with the place?

I want to share with you one of my favorite hubs in La Union, not just my fave, it's a special place, because it has a special spot in my heart. It is where I imagined my dream wedding. A little bit of Santorini too.


As I lived there in San Fernando City, La Union way back 2009 to 2013 as a college instructor at my uncle's humble college located nearby San Juan, La Union, I came with a broken heart, confused with my career what's next. To my surprise, days passed by, I'm getting acquainted with the school already, with the surrounding people. With the place itself.

Fridays.

Here in Manila, I always have a good time at night after work with my friends and co-workers when I worked in top global companies located in Makati and Bonifacio Global City or BGC as they call it now.

Unwind is the right term after work toxicity. Cold beer. Good laugh. But not the same fridays that I had in La Union when I started to work there. I discovered myself addicted to resort bars along the bay of San Juan, La Union.

Until one day,when my friend and I started to discover this place by just walking together going to our fave "videoke place" after work, I couldn't set my foot out of the resort already. I started taking pictures and dreaming my wedding just by staring at the beach.. and yes, please don't forget my cold beer.

When we were there, a couple went to our table and told us to just explore and take pictures of the whole place, with my thoughts of, they need a blog. And this is a bit late for them.
They were the owners, a lawyer with her foreigner hubby. I just sighed and smiled looking at them.

What a romantic crib for them..

Let's talk about the food.It's called "La Parilla", a grill resto.

It was fine, it's kinda greek and it's pricey for me then,I don't know if now, they added some on their menu. I think the place deserves it. I ordered chicken pasta over cold beer. It was delightfully delicious.With a classy taste.

If you want to learn surfing, you may want to check-in and leave for tomorrow. Room rates are affordable down to Php 2,000.00 per night for 2 persons with a studio-type of room. More infos on their website when updated.

Hmmm... I think this blog should be a teaser, and there will be a part II of this. I should try once again,I guess there are a lot of changes and improvements now, after 3 years. This is a place where you wanted to just sit down and unwind, watch the sun go down over the vastness of the beach while savoring your cold beer and their good greeky food.

For the meantime, here are some of our pics with my friend and recently with my coworker when they visited the place. Credits to them for the recent shots.

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Cubao or Pasay bus stations, any bus going to Vigan,La Union and Laoag will do, tell the conductor you will get off at Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. Or if not ,you may choose to get off at San Fernando City,La Union, then take a jeepney ride from there going to San Juan,La Union.

CONTACT NOS: +63 – 72 – 242 3770 / +63 – 72 – 242 5647/ Fax: +63 – 72 – 242 3769

MORE INFOS ON THEIR WEBSITE: http://larocavilla.com/

Travel fare will cost Php 400-500 approximately for one-way ride only.

So plan your trips now and don't forget to tag me along your pics and stories!! Enjoy !

Tagaytay Haven is Heavenly

Rest mode. Getaway. Cold weather? But to feel on weekends only because of upcoming manic work Mondays. And definitely you will not think of Baguio city!


Reserve now, pay later! Pack your things up and browse online for online reservations at https://www.booking.com



Reservation possible without a credit card, no cancellation fees and whatsoever, no worries!


So here's my review about the place, I gave it a click on an online booking because I can hardly find the best suited hotel for my taste but the cheapest, not to mention “nagtitipid” style, all I want is a cozy room, wherein you can breathe and have the relaxing ambiance of your own. I want a hotel away from the busy streets and highways, but not too far from establishments for my essentials, in case I forgot my feminine pads (girl problem) oh no.



And lastly, the veranda thing or the feeling of “dining-out” or the right term, “al fresco” is on the top of my list. Oh well, Tagaytay Haven Hotel Ulat was rated 7 or Very Good (not to be confused with their other branches); though it's not that too accessible with just one-ride away from busy streets and the market, I had fun with their “container-van-type” of rooms. Plus their lush greeneries outdoor scene. Don't mind the swimming pool because I don't know how to swim though.

Internet? Too bad! Yes the Wifi can be connected but no access when inside the room already, poor on that part huh!


Anyway, let me give you a snap summary review on the booking website:



Featuring an outdoor swimming pool and lush greeneries, Tagaytay Haven Ulat offers simply furnished rooms with a balcony. Free Wi-Fi access is available in its public areas and complimentary private parking is provided.



Tagaytay Haven Ulat can assist to arrange for shuttle services but unfortunately we didn't experience to have it. At an extra charge. And there's a chapel available, and meeting/banqueting facilities are provided for guests’ use.


As you've read it, Tagaytay Haven Ulat can assist to arrange for shuttle services but unfortunately we didn't experience to have it.



Yes, the hotel is just a 20-minute drive to Picnic Grove, but I didn't enjoy it because of the misty and not-so-rainy weather, instead, Leslie's Restaurants was the one we got indulged in with a “Barrio Fiesta” feels. Well, they got it. My heart melted when they sang “Terrified” and “When I Met You” with my date (fine, he's my love =)) over the drooling sizzling bulalo we ordered, and this meal got the star of the night!

It was a great and tasty evening with my man. Sizzling bulalo costs Php 600 ++ and it's good for 3-4 persons. Since we can't eat it all if we will order another type of bulalo, which is the old-time favorite, I rather asked for a free bulalo soup, and luckily, it was granted!

But before these tasty cravings, we got the chance for a photo caption with the scenery outside, at the backdoor of the resto, sadly, to be compared from the site 10 years ago, it became too crowdy because of the steel bars created.

And as we headed home at the hotel, it was indeed a peaceful sleep we had at night as I describe it, no buzz and noisy people nearby. And oh I almost forgot, there's a free breakfast inclusive of the booking deal.


So what now? Aren't you planning your next quick get-away ahead this weekend? You can search on how to get there, but the sure thing is, all the buses are located at the south part, Buendia area or Buendia LRT for the usual commuters.