Casa San Pablo, Laguna

After reading several features on "viaje del sol" (way of the sun), our family decided to embark on it. Viaje del Sol is sort of a route-map of interesting sights and places in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. We chose two main destinations: Casa San Pablo and Kusina Salud. This post is all about Casa San Pablo while my next post will feature Kusina Salud.

Let me begin by saying that this is mostly a positive review. I like Casa San Pablo but just like many accommodation places, it has areas for improvements. We left our house in Quezon City by 9am, had a 45-minute bfast break in Petron McDonald's along South Super Hiway and was in Casa San Pablo in San Pablo Laguna shortly before 12 noon.

There is a visible sign (right side of highway if coming from Manila) outside Casa San Pablo so we didn't have a hard time finding it. The gate was closed but a courteous security guard appeared right away to let us in after we told him we have a reservations for the night. The driveway led to a parking area which, sad to say, needs some maintenance work. There were plants aplenty around the driveway and parking area but they are mostly not kept well. Frankly, I was getting worried that I may have chosen the wrong place to stay-in for the night. We walked from the parking to the area where the cottages are, passing 2 swimming pools along the way.

As we entered the area where the cottages are, I gladly noticed the scenery change. There is wonderful landscaping and the gardens surrounding the cottages are simply lovely. There are even several towering pine-trees. The exteriors of the cottages are quaint-looking. A friendly lady staffer appeared to welcome us and show us the interiors of the rooms. Since we were there on a weekday, the place was not busy. In fact, we were the only guests which was kinda nice. The lady staffer first showed us a room with a loft and can accommodate 5 but we find it rather small for my 3 grown-up and relatively tall sons (Chryso, the eldest is 5'9; Cocoy, my second son is 6'; Dale, the youngest is 5'7).

We chose to stay in Cottage 13, the second room shown to us (see pic on left-most side). It was spacious, has high ceiling and 5 seperate single beds (see pic on left side) The staff re-arranged the beds so Nardie, my husband and I had one double bed. The beds were basic and not really of the standard-hotel type but they are ok ... for one night. The pillows are thin but the staff lent us several pieces to make up for it.

The cottage we stayed in has 2 toilets and baths, access to one of which though is outside the cottage. Casa San Pablo does not provide toiletries so make sure you bring your own.


Aside from those already mentioned, here is a list of things I do like about Casa San Pablo: books, magazines, boardgames, volleyball, basketball, billiard table and clean swimming pools for the guests to enjoy; the interior design of the cottages and the dining room speak of laid-back elegance; the collectibles and paintings scattered around the resort are all in good taste and shows the talent of Filipino craftsmen and artists; breakfast included in the room rate was good and filling (fried eggs, longanisa, daing na danggit, tocino and fried rice all served family- style and with hot coffee) and the staff and owner are all very friendly and helpful.

Butch Alcantara, one of the owners, met and join us for a chat over bfast. He was very accommodating and made each one of us feel at home.

Here are things that need some improvements based on my opinion: the lovely chandeliers can use some cleaning; prices of the set lunch or dinner choices which start at P 350./person is high; lighting at night and lastly, maintenance of the entrance and parking areas.

Picture on the left shows pottery plates made by Ugu Bigyan, a talented potter whose shop in Tiaong, Quezon is part of the Viaje del Sol.

Cost of overnight stay with bfast at Casa San Pablo is P 1,100. per person if there are 4-5 persons staying in a room. It's P 1,300. per person if only 2-3 persons will stay in a room. It was worth it.

Direction: From Manila, after the San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. You will see a Caltex station to the left, before a fork in the road. Turn left, and shortly after the San Pablo hospital, to the right, is Kay Inay Resort. Turn into the resort gate, Casa San Pable is inside.

Check out Casa San Pablo's website at http://www.casasanpablo.com/ or call Butch Alcantara at 0917.8126687.