A sanctuary of tranquility for Holy Week

SAVOIR FAIRE By Mayenne Carmona (The Philippine Star) Updated March 21, 2009 12:00 AM

Horseback riding is rarely offered in any other resort.

It is exactly 16 days to Holy Monday and most of you have already made plans for the Easter holidays. For those who are undecided on where to go abroad, there are several factors to consider. How far do you want to travel? (For six days or shorter it could only be around Asia, I suppose.) What is the purpose of your trip? Is it shop-till-you-drop, to relax and unwind, to bond with the significant other and family?

If it is all of the above, I highly recommend a trip to Phuket, Thailand.

Last year, my friends and I went to Phuket and were astonished to discover the stunning natural beauty of the island. There were no traces of the devastation that the tsunami caused in 2004. Every building that the tsunami demolished was rebuilt, giving tourists more choices for their needs and budget. You will find what you need in Phuket — luxurious and secluded, wild and untamed for the adventurous, or somewhere in between — they are all here and more.

One can enjoy diving in the Andaman Sea, great golf at championship courses, exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, nightlife at Patong Beach, gourmet Thai dinners at authentic restaurants, or simply relaxing on palm-lined, fine-sand beaches at the island’s world-class resorts. If you like to shop, there are lots of markets, boutiques and fashion outlets where one can find clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry and home stores for bed linens, carved furniture, porcelain and celadon dishes that Phuket is noted for. It is not surprising that Phuket is the premier beach holiday destination in Asia, drawing in around five million tourists a year.

At Bao Tang Bay in Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna is said to be the jewel in the crown of the Laguna Resort Development. Dusit Thani offers so many recreational activities, which made our Easter holiday so enjoyable. My friends’ husbands played golf in the resort’s 18-hole golf course while the ladies shopped for celadon and jewelry. For those of us who wanted to stay fit, the DFIT fitness center offered personal trainers and classes. There was also team biking as an added activity, which some of us joined. There were cooking classes, delicious massages at the Angsana Spa (or on the beach by local masseuses for only 300 baht) and horseback riding, too. For those who wanted to have solitude and quiet moments, there were the vast tropical gardens for meditation and prayer.

Guests arriving at Dusit Thani Laguna enter a sanctuary of tranquility shaded by native casuarinas and coconut palms. Gentle sea breezes waft through the vaulted ceilings of the open-air lobby. The resort’s neo-colonial style incorporates variations on traditional Thai motifs with the bright, airy rooms defined by native wood tiles and decorated with ceramics, antique carvings and textiles.

Whatever room you choose, whether it’s the deluxe sea view room, the Club room, or the Princess Suite, which has an extended patio and overlooks the sparkling Andaman sea, Dusit Thani’s classic traditions and service give their clients the best lifestyle for their holiday needs.

PAL offers budget rates of US$118++ to Bangkok, but booking has to be done by March 31. To fly to Phuket or another destination, one has to book with a Thai domestic carrier. Thai Airways offers a “Thailand Double Happiness” promo to Bangkok plus another domestic destination in Thailand. Rate is US$215 plus taxes. Promo ends April 30.

View previous articles of this column.

Mango picking & nature tripping in Batangas

(The Philippine Star) Updated April 04, 2009 12:00 AM

Villa Crisanta Garden Resort is a rustic, well-appointed resort in Rosario, Batangas. Located on a farm estate, it has mango orchards, pools, gardens, spa, reception and party venues. Cabanas are scattered all around where guests can relax and watch the sun set.

MANILA, Philippines - City dwellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to venues for wedding receptions, large gatherings or company activities.

However, some are now seeking a change from the air-conditioned comforts of these locations, preferring the charms offered by open-air settings. The reasons are obvious. Barring inclement weather, garden venues have a more natural ambience — fresh air, natural lighting, and a relaxed setting.

Those who prefer something rustic and yet blessed with the amenities of the city can hie off to Villa Crisanta Garden Resort in Rosario, Batangas.

Villa Crisanta Garden Resort is on a family-owned farm estate with orchards of mango and papaya trees. The family transformed part of the farm into a garden resort to give their guests an opportunity to take pleasure in the bounties of nature as they have enjoyed it here for many generations.

Travelers to Rosario, Batangas, will surely appreciate the resort’s pastoral setting. The two-hour drive from Manila via the Star Tollway is a breeze, with views that are free of billboards.

Villa Crisanta is not just known for its pools and resort facilities. It is also becoming quite popular for wedding receptions since it is just a few minutes away from the church in Rosario town or from the Lipa Cathedral. Some have even taken their vows at the resort’s gardens.

Villa Crisanta has three garden venues and an indoor pavilion. The Poolside Garden, which can easily accommodate up to 300 guests, is perfect for parties and outings. There are three pools to choose from, including a kiddie and a lap pool for adults, as well as huts where guests can dine and take a break from the activities.

The Garden by the Pond is an idyllic location for garden weddings and receptions, and private parties. Located near the resort’s spa, it can accommodate 150 to 300 guests. A lotus pond is an added touch to the spot, while a quaint bridgeway will serve as a perfect backdrop to many picture-pretty photographs.

The Cabana Garden, which is just a few steps away from pool area, can make room for up to 150 guests. There are also cabanas, where guests can relax.

Those seeking a more intimate venue for their events can choose the Gazebo, which is tucked away inside the property. It is spacious enough to accommodate up to 50 guests in a roofed venue that is perfect for small receptions, parties or company meetings. The swimming pool by the gazebo is an added treat for those planning a casual affair.

The Pavilion at the main house is large enough to fit in up to 500 guests. The main house has an opulent façade, while an intricate Balinese carved door frames the main entrance. The pavilion opens up to garden settings at the side, which can accommodate more guests. Guests have a choice of using the Pavilion al fresco. By leaving the doors open, fresh natural air will cool this huge space. The venue also has air-conditioning units for balmy days.

Connected to the Pavilion is the formal dining hall, which can seat up to 24 guests. The venue is perfect for company meetings and seminars. A fully equipped kitchen at the back is available for the use of guests.

Villa Crisanta also has a main house and a number of casitas and cottages. All rooms are fully furnished, air-conditioned, and come with TV sets, mini-refs, and private baths and toilets.

Kids can go horseback riding at the stables or go around the property with guides. They can also explore the gardens and learn about the different plants and flowers on the property.

When it’s time to harvest the estate’s mango trees, guests can go mango picking for a fee.

There are a number of recreation amenities to keep everyone busy. There is a billiard table, videoke machine, a trampoline, and swimming pools within the resort.

Villa Crisanta has also partnered with Orange Home Spa. The Manila-based home spa service offers a variety of treatments including anti-aging services, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, Shiatsu, couple’s sensual, arthritic, post-chemo, hypertensive, infant, postnatal with lactation, prenatal, Hawaiian lomi-lomi, deep tissue, and Swedish massages.

The spa has separate facilities for male and female guests, and a separate area for reflexology services. Spa services are available all day long, although prior reservation is required.

For inquiries, visit villacrisanta.com.

Hop on the Bunny Easy Chair to relax

(The Philippine Star) Updated May 30, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing beats a relaxing spa treatment after a hard day’s work, but sometimes a soothing massage takes too much time and can be a little expensive.

Now comes Home Suite’s Bunny Easy Chair to enjoy a hassle-free treatment at home. The chair, which has been on the market for almost a decade, boasts comfortable, soft-padded upholstery, a durable powder-coated metal tube frame, and headrest foam pillow. The chair is easy to unfold and store afterwards.

The Bunny Easy Chair is the preferred chair of spa providers and is perfect for a foot spa or back massage. Available at leading department stores nationwide. For inquiries, visit www.clcmv.com.ph.

Hop on the Bunny Easy Chair to relax

(The Philippine Star) Updated May 30, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing beats a relaxing spa treatment after a hard day’s work, but sometimes a soothing massage takes too much time and can be a little expensive.

Now comes Home Suite’s Bunny Easy Chair to enjoy a hassle-free treatment at home. The chair, which has been on the market for almost a decade, boasts comfortable, soft-padded upholstery, a durable powder-coated metal tube frame, and headrest foam pillow. The chair is easy to unfold and store afterwards.

The Bunny Easy Chair is the preferred chair of spa providers and is perfect for a foot spa or back massage. Available at leading department stores nationwide. For inquiries, visit www.clcmv.com.ph.

Solve your space problems with sofa beds

(The Philippine Star) Updated May 30, 2009 12:00 AM

The Deborah: Perfect for studying, then relaxing

MANILA, Philippines – Dorm hunting, apartment hunting, or condo hunting all amounts to the same thing: finding a comfy place to live in. But first you have to find a space in which you can fit a small kitchen, dining area and, most important for a stressed-out student, a bed.

Dimensione offers solutions not only make dorms livable but a home away from home. Sofa beds are the ultimate solution for small spaces; these nifty pieces come in various shapes, lengths and sizes that are adaptable to whatever space you find yourself settling in. For a room with plain walls, the Darla, Danica, Dannah or Denise sofa bed is the perfect choice, not only because it accentuates the area; it also fits two people at the same time for P25,950. The Darla can give you the fluffiness of the bed you left behind but saves space as a pullout from the wall. The Danica is similar except that it’s made out of micro-fiber and available in shades of red and black. The Dannah, on the other hand, is more streamlined and resembles an orthopedic bed in feel, but requires less time to set up since all you have to do is flip the seat over and put the backrest forward. It comes in red or black, depending on your color preference. The Denise sofa bed is modern in appeal with its neutral brown shade and open backrest, which when pushed down will turn into a bed.

For even smaller spaces, the Dylan (P17,950), Deborah (P17,950), Debbie (P14,950), or Daniela (P5,995) is the suitable choice. The Dylan, with its ottoman design, can double as a study table by day and a pullout cot at night. Because of its mobile design, you can place it anywhere in your room. If you’re the type who studies better when sitting or reclining, the Deborah sofa bed not only allows you to adjust the backrest, you can lay it out flat and drift off to sleep with your books on your chest. If you prefer a more compact look with similar adjustments, the right choice is the Debbie sofa bed. A mix of the Dylan and Deborah, the Debbie is compact in style like an ottoman except with backrest. Though it needs to be pulled out flat, it also offers the flexibility of a reclining chair, whose angle can be adjusted depending on personal preference. Available in red or black, it also comes with a patterned pillow.

Called the smart sofa bed, the Daniela resembles a futon with its easy storage design in candy colors of green, pink, yellow and red. It allows for more mobility, fits into more color schemes and can even be brought along on camping trips.

These sofa beds and more dorm essentials are available at the following Dimensione branches: Homezone Glorietta 4, Robinson’s Place Ermita, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Mall of Asia and Dimensione Bonifacio High Street, or log on to www.dimensione.com for more details.