The resort we checked into wasn't even recommended. The nice places, as we were told, have all been fully booked weeks or even months ago. We just took our chance. It's the beach which mattered anyway. Or so we thought.
A few meters from the rough road of Laiya was the resort's parking lot. Initial scan of the parking lot, not good. Jeepneys. Not one. Not two. A lot of them.
J-alert goes off. Jologs alert, that is.
Okay, maybe the place isn't too bad itself. Who cares about the crowd? Let's see. As my bro-in-law would say, give jologs a chance.
More bad news. The cottage which was supposed to be reserved for us has already been taken. We would have to stay in a cottage with no airconditioning.
And it doesn't end there. There are no toilets and bathrooms in our cottage. What they have are public restrooms and bathrooms.
And as if our miseries weren't enough, here's the clincher -- there's a public videoke machine conveniently located right beside our cottage.
The resort manager assured us that come 9PM, the videoke singing would stop.
It did not.
What happened next was straight from an episode of Twilight Zone. I swear.
Another videoke machine was strategically set up on the other side of our cottage. So now, if you stand in the middle of our cottage, your left ear would bleed from a drunken (or was it drug-overdosed?) rendition of Laklak, while your right ear would wish Kitchie Nadal never became famous for her song, Wag Na Wag. Geez! Even if I do have DJ ears trained for separating the sounds coming from my left and right ears, it was unbearable.
That became the last straw. Pack up, guys.
10:30PM. After re-loading our baggages (which could fill up any decent apartment) into our cars, we were again travelling the rough roads of Laiya.
We went to Marikit Resort. It was in the town-proper of San Juan, Batangas. An hour away from the coastline of Laiya. But thankfully decades closer to civilization. They pride themselves of being a Class A Resort, as recognized by the Department of Tourism.
We stayed at the Presidente suite. Aptly named, the room, like the rest of the resort, was built with modern architecture. Bathroom was spacious. Airconditioner was blasting. Beddings were comfortable. And the staff were professional and courteous.
It was already past midnight. I've been driving for the most part of the day. I was dead tired. I slept like a log.
The following morning was refreshing. Nothing beats a good night's rest after a day of stress. Breakfast from the hotel/resort wasn't exceptional. But going through what happened the day before, I could have appreciated even the food by any tapsihan.
A dip in the swimming pool was a welcome relaxation. I needed it. Especially, knowing that a few hours later, I would be driving our way back to Manila.
Moral of the story:
When it comes to outings, rely only on recommendations from people who have actually been to that particular resort.
Recommended resort:
Marikit Hotel and Resort - San Juan, Batangas
Stay away from:
Magic Cream Resort - Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. I have no idea how we got to trust a resort with such a name.
5 comments:
Thanks for the tips, do you know where there are any waterfalls?
Sorry, don't think I can help you much with that. Haven't been to a place with waterfalls.
i've had many similar experiences, but never had the luxury of transfering to a much better resort. too risky. tsaka kailangan panindigan ang pagka-koboy. so unless i've researched the place or made the arrangements myself, i have to expect the worst. thanks for the entertaining post. :)
My son and I can't seem to stop laughing at your misadventure at Magic Cream Resort! You really sounded so entertaining and funny!We go to San Juan, Batangas, hometown of my husband 3-4 times a year. I agree you really have to check out comments on the different resorts in Laiya as they are so varied in looks, accommodations, meal packages, service and even beach fronts (sand is different from resort to resort) Marikit
Resort Hotel is indeed a cool place to be because it is neat and clean with good service, a 3-minute ride from our aunt's place where we always stay in San Juan.
I apologize for all who have bad experiences at the Magic Cream Resort. I will make it sure that it will not happen again and I will tell to the management about all this situation. I'm sure they just want to please all their customers. But thank you for your comments because without this I will not know what other customer complaint. I hope you will give them a chance to improve and hoping you will stay again at Magic cream Resort. They called it Magic Cream because She is the owner of the Original Mark beauty product of Magic Cream. Thank you again your concern.
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