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I stayed in Paradise!

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While in GenSan this past weekend, I was able to do something that I had not done before.

I stayed in Paradise, I stayed at Sarangani Highlands!

I had visited Sarangani Highlands many times in the past, but they never had a hotel there before, so I had never stayed overnight at Sarangani Highlands.

Sarangani Highlands got it’s start about 4 years ago.  At that time, it was mostly a restaurant that featured beautiful views.  You see, Sarangani Highland is located on the outskirts of General Santos City, out past the fishport, not far from Tropicana Beach Resort.  Sarangani Highlands does not call itself a resort, but in my mind that is exactly what it is.  After being mostly a restaurant, over the years a number of additions have been made.  They started off by adding a function room or two.  But the big changes happened a year or so ago.  Many new facilities were added, the biggest of which is the hotel.  Currently there are 21 hotel rooms.  They have two basic types of rooms:

  • Deluxe Rooms.  This is what we chose for our stay.  The Deluxe Rooms are good for 2 or 3 people. They all feature a view of either Sarangani Bay, or of the Sarangani Highlands Gardens.  And, believe me, the views are stunning.
  • Family Rooms.  The family rooms feature 7 individual beds, so those with larger families can feel comfortable while staying.
Bob and Feyma at Sarangani Highlands
Bob and Feyma at Sarangani Highlands

The hotel has a feel of being in Bali in many respects.  Much of the decor, particularly in the lobby area is a Bali motif.  However, as you make your way to the rooms, you definitely shift to a feel of Sarangani Province.  Each of the rooms features a custom painted door that shows one of the flowers that are indigenous to Sarangani Province.  The place certainly has a “country gardens” type of feel to it, and it’s very relaxing, I can assure you.  They even feature a walking path where you can enjoy the nature of Sarangani Province.  The manicured gardens of Sarangani Highlands are a site to behold, very beautiful, and very well managed and maintained.  Frankly, the changes and improvements in Sarangani Highlands since our last visit are striking.

And, what about the restaurant?  Superb!  I don’t know how else to describe it.  Lots of delicious seafood dishes, as GenSan is a seafood paradise.  But, they have food of all types, for the pleasure of every palate.  It’s hard to choose my favorite, as we really had a large feast at Sarangani Highlands.  I guess one of my favorites, though, was the salad.  It was a combination of fruits, Pomelo, Mango and combined with Shrimp.  This was covered in a sweet mustard dressing.  It was super-delicious!  Really every dish was delicious, but the salad really sticks out in my mind!  Another thing that was surprising to me is that here we are eating at a really high class place, yet the menu prices were very reasonable and affordable.  How can anybody complain about that?

You know, one of the things I liked about staying at Sarangani Highlands is that you seem to be so far from the hassles of daily life, yet the city is close enough that you can be there in 15 or 20 minutes.  It makes for a nice balance of remoteness and availability.  It’s hard to find a place like that.

If you will be visiting General Santos City or the surrounding area, I highly recommend Sarangani Highlands for either a place to go out and eat, or a place to stay.  I believe you will be happy with either.   For details about the place, visit the Sarangani Highlands website, and give it a look.

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Comments

  1. Bob: I ate at the restaurant there… The view is spectacular, and the food is excellent. In my opinion, one of the best restaurants in GenSan.

    • Hi John – As far as I am concerned, Sarangani Highlands is a first class operation all the way around. I’ve always been very happy with the restaurant quality and now the hotel really is nice too. I can’t wait to go back!

  2. Nice!! Looks like it has the ambiance that lowers your blood pressure the moment you arrive !! Vety nice pics !!

    • Hi Brian – You are certainly correct on that. Just sitting and taking in the nature around you has such a calming affect! I really enjoyed my stay at Sarangani Highlands!

  3. Just looking at the photos and reading your post, this place is a must visit now. I can’t wait. Thanks Bob for sharing.

    • Hi Vanessa – Great view, beautiful nature, reasonable prices… you’re right, it’s a “can’t miss”! Enjoy your stay, and tell them that I sent you! 😉

  4. hi bob, maybe you can get a discount next time. They are getting good advertisement from you, an obviously satisfied customer! It is good to hear that you had such a good time.

  5. Looks like a great place to me, now if we just could get Sugar out of MM and pay a visit to Mindanao and many of the great places to be found here. Sounds like Sarangani Highlands would be a great place to start. 😀

  6. Even with the asawa being from the Gensan area, I had never before heard of this resort. Religously, or perhaps habitually, I stay at Family Country Inns resort. I will definitely be giving that resort a look see next trip. Do you know if they have a website I can contact them through?
    In any case, looks like a nice place and sounds like your weekend trip turned out wonderfully. Hope to have a chance to meet you on a future truip over to RP, Bob.

  7. Hi Bob – Very nice and reasonable rates. Is there any Hotel in Davao comparable to this one? Dave Starr from previous post mentioned something about Red Knight Gardens Hotel when he visited Davao but their website don’t mention anything about their rates. I plan on visiting some relations in Davao sometime in April or May next year. Regards

    • Hi Jun – for a combination of the view, ambiance and prices, we have nothing like that in Davao. But, if you are looking for budget accommodation in Davao, I would recommend My Hotel or Lispher Inn. Either one of those would be price competitive with Sarangani Highlands, but not the same class of place.

  8. Bob,

    Views really look breathtaking. Couldn’t believe the price of the rooms. Less than $50.00 w/breakfast. I see they are renting space for Christmas Parties. Very reasonably priced. That would make a great place for a party. Would love to stay there if i ever make it down there. Thank so much for the good info!

  9. That’s really great, Bob!

    Wish I could stay at the Sarangani Highlands soon! Looked stunningly beautiful there! 🙂

  10. Bob,
    This must be one place the pictures match the place! So many I have found that what they have on the internet is backwards from the actual place! Hope I get a chance one day to come back to Mindanao. Sarangani Highlands looks like a very nice place for a vacation!