When we think about the Philippines, luxury is not usually the first thing that comes to mine, is it? Most of us think about a simpler life, cheaper living, less stress and such. Certainly these things are all true, but luxury can be part of the overall lifestyle in the Philippines too! Since moving here nearly 8 years ago, I have come to appreciate the ability to pamper myself while keeping a tight budget. Such pampering can lead to improved health, both mentally and physically too. When I think of pampering myself, I think of things like a nice massage to loosen up tight muscles, and other such things to reward myself, and make my life more comfortable.
A few days ago, I was watching a show on TV called “Executive Class.” Executive Class is aired weekly on ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) and is hosted by David Celdran. Basically, the show covers the finer things in life, especially those available in the Philippines. I enjoy watching this show, because I often learn about things around the Islands that I previously didn’t know about, and things that I often want to check out. This week’s show dealt with subject “Five Reasons to Visit the Philippines.” Basically, the five reasons were sort of re-caps of previous shows, featuring luxury reasons to keep you coming to the Philippines! Let’s have a look at the things that they say should keep you coming back (it would seem that the items are arranged geographically from North to South):
1. Luxury in Manila. The show covered several places in Manila where you could get a World Class experience, with World Class Service:
- Chi Spa at Shangri La Hotel. When you go to Chi Spa, start off with a nice cup of hot tea to get relaxed and into the proper mood. After your tea, start a soothing spa treatment to relax you and put you at peace. You can choose from a variety of Spa treatments, including Aroma therapy, Vitality treatment, Swedish Massage, Shiatsu Massage and others. This is truly a world class spa experience, and at a price that will keep you coming back for more!
- Kipling Cigar. If you smoke Cigars, try a visit to Kipling Cigar Club in Manila. Here, you can enjoy all kinds of Cigars, even world class Cuban Cigars! They have the Cohiba Cigar, the favorite of Fidel Castro, but it’s not cheap. P4,000 per cigar! Kipling can also server you world class Whiskey to enjoy with your Cigar too! Their best whiskey is P300,000 per bottle! Maybe not a cheap visit, but luxury nonetheless!
2. Next stop is at the fabulous beaches of Boracay! Boracay is the best, if you are looking for a Beach Holiday destination, no doubt. It is a 30 minute flight from Manila and the entire Island is about 10 Square Kilometers, very small. Boracay has often been rated in World Class travel magazines as one of the top beach destinations in the world. About a half million travelers visit Boracay each year!
- Did you know that you can rent a fully furnished luxury villa on the beach at Boracay for as low as $500 per night? The Villa is 400 sq. meters, 4 befrooms (2 bedrooms with veranda!) and can hold up to 8 guests! Very luxurious!
- Discovery Shores Hotel is a recently opened hotel in Boracay, and it is the only 5 star hotel on the island! When you arrive at Discovery Shores you will receive a foot massage. The lofts at Discovery Shores are spacious, and feature rain shower heads.
- Of course, you can enjoy all kinds of water sports on Boracay. Windsurfing and Kiteboarding are just two of many sports that you can try out! Equipment rentals are readily available too.
3. Next stop, Cebu. Cebu features rich surroundings because of a strong economy on the island. You can find restaurants featuring world renowned chefs catering to the locals and foreign tourists alike. Visit the Loft Bar to see a stylish Cebu after hours hangout with live DJ’s. The Z Bar is a champagne and wine bar with an extravagant ambiance!
4. Now, it’s on to Bohol. They featured the Escaya Resort in Bohol, and uber-distination particularly suited for the very well to do. There are 70 thatched villas at the resort, bahay kobo (native) style. They resort also features an infinity pool that spills into the Mindanao sea. Don’t get your hopes up too much though, unless you can spend $2,000 per night! That’s right, Two Thousand US Dollars per night to stay at this resort!
5. The final stop on this Philippine luxury tour is right here in my hometown of Davao. Davao is a 55 minute flight from Cebu, an hour and 50 minutes from Manila. And, we have quite a luxury destination in Davao.
- Buena Vista Island in the Gulf of Davao. You can rent your own Private Island right in the Gulf of Davao, Buena Vista. That’s right, the only people on the island will be you, your family/friends and Butlers if you so choose. The island is an area of 4 hectares and you have a choice of accommodations on the island – anything from a tent to a family Villa on the shore. The Family Villa is 5 Star quality, yet quiet and free from other guests. You can house up to 10 people in the Villa, and the price is $2,500 per night! Not cheap, but first class all the way!
Well, for me, I can find super luxury without needing to spend so much! But, for those for whom money is no object, maybe some of these places would keep you coming back to the Philippines again and again. As for me, by keeping my budget in check, I don’t have to keep coming back… I choose to stay permanently!
Hi Bob, thanks for this interesting post. Maybe there are really some LiP-readers, who plan to give it a try. But I would agree with one of your last sentences: I can find super luxury without needing to spend too much. Good thing, WE STAY ALREADY HERE permanently. 😆 😆
Hi Klaus – Yep, I like finding those inexpensive places with “5 Star service.” there are plenty of them around!
Hey Bob, Don't ya think that the native people of the Philippine Islands are the real Luxury and a big portion of the Magical lure of the wanting to live here? 😆
Hi Bob,I get 7 stars from my honey,dont need anything else 😉 😉
Hi Bob- As you have proved once more the Philippines is truly a country of extremes.
Hi Micki – When you say "native people" are you talking about Lumads, Aetnas and such? Not 100% sure that I understand what you mean.
Hi John J – Just want to be clear, when I say that I enjoy having a good massage, I am not talking about hanky panky. I mean a really therapeutic massage by somebody with some medical training. For the other kind of massage, I am quite happy at home! 😆
Hi Jim – no doubt about it!
One favorite resort of Hollywood movie stars is Amanpulo. http://www.travelsmart.net/ph/resorts/Palawan/Ama…
Hi Bob,
For me there is another reason and opportunity to make my visit to Ph. more meaningful one than those you've listed…
My oppinion might be a controversial for some but I know you're great with allowing some different views here as well.
If I was a rich man then instead of staying in those super expensive hotels or resorts – I'd rather stay in the same 1,400pesos hotel in Malate as I do always now. I'd just give away more money to poor.
Whenever I'm in Manila I have every day a roll of 50 and 20 pesos notes and give to all those poor kids extending hands or hopelessly looking women and guys trying to sell me a watch or something. But that's just a bit more dignifying way for them to beg for money, so they can survive another day.
Myself, being just an avarage worker here in Canada, yet I feel a necessity to spend that extra couple of hundred of $$ – just giving directly to those poor folks in Malate or somewhere in the province.
When I give away daily 1,000 pesos a day it's only $25 for me, it's not going to make me poor giving that every day, over 3 weeks of my time in Ph.
That small charity is one more important thing when I visit Ph. You would be surprised how happy and thankful are those people for every 50 or even 20 pesos they get.
And when they see my Canadian flag symbol on my shirt they know as well that it was just another good man from Canada who made them smiling that day.
So this is one more reason for me to visit Ph…. do some good, direct charity work.
ted from Prince George, Canada
Hi Bob,did not mean it in that way,just that im not good at words 😆 I was just trying to say every time I go to Mindanao,I seem to get 7 star treatment,be it in the cheapest eating house or best hotels.To my mind the welcome one gets in the Philippines is enough in itself.
From my experiance the Thai massage in Philippines (Dumaguette) is better and cheaper then in Thailand itself. So enjoy when you can. 🙂
Hi Bobby – I had never heard of the place… I'll have to check it out!
Hi Ted Johnson – Like you, I do many charitable things too. However, I personally would never give money to the kind of people that you are talking about. Those guys trying to sell me watches or necklaces and such are a real pain in the *$%-@ if you ask me! In my experience, if you get out of the City, into the Province area you can find truly poor people who really need the help.
Hi john.j. – Thanks for clarifying! I appreciate it, and I know the treatment, because I get that too! 😆
Hi philip – Yep! You can get all kinds of massage – Thai, Swedish, Aromatherapy, etc. And, they are all quite nice!
HI Bob … Phil here , My life is full of luxury when i am with my wife in Mindinow by Gingoog city . She doesn't let me do anything but lay around and eat , and i get a coconut oil rub down evernigjht .. 😆 the locals know me and they bring seafood to our door every morning it is fresh ans sweetbreads and other thing to eat and the cost is cheap ..and we go to the open market in Googing City about 15 minutes away.To me this is a life of luxury …..I work construction in the states that is why i enjoy the pines ..
Hi Phil – It sounds like a wonderful life! Coconut oil rubs, fresh seafood – how could you go wrong?
A lot of information about The Philippines. Thanks so much. the best part that will attract me the most is the Kipling Cigar Club. As you told that one will get the great Cuban cigar there have you tried one? Cohiba is the king of all the brands. They use some excellent tobacco as filler and the wrapper. The strength is medium. They have a good shape and size. They almost hand rolled all the cigars. The draw is fantastic. It burns evenly till the nub.Its aroma,taste everything is exceptional.