KOTA KELUARGA (PHILIPPINES)

Location: Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas, Philippines

Kota Keluarga has a pristine beach where beachcombers would love to spend a great weekend or holiday escapade. Guests who wanted to hold their shindig in this resort are assured of exclusivity as this private cove is only available to a select few. That is, for the club members and their friends. However, the non-members can still avail of the resort packages thru its Manila and Batangas Booking Offices. The best of Kota Keluarga is its Klub Keluarga Resort which is on the coastal edge of Costa de Madera - a 380-hectare sprawling estate development that is transforming into a premiere self-contained, high-value leisure community in near-perfect harmony with nature.

The beachfront white sand stretch of Klub Keluarga Resort

Costa de Madera has two beach resorts on its beachfront, namely: the Klub Kelaurga Resort and the Parasol Beach Resort. The former has its cabana-type accommodation while the latter has the container-van type accommodation. Parasol is closer to the massive cliff walls.

A highly-secured estate main gate

Kota Keluarga is a minimum of 2 hours drive from Manila wherein its residential and commercial complex estate development is owned by Costa de Madera Corporation, a holding company jointly owned by the Gualberto family and the Metro Pacific Corporation and it is being developed by Pueblo Niño Development, Inc.

Part of the main entrance facade

Its impressive architectural design of its main gate would reveal much that this residential estate is really for the rich and famous secured in a very serene milieu.

Developed roads and pavements of Costa de Madera

As one enters the Nirmala Grove, roads, lamp posts and pavements can be seen which is evident that millionaire’s rows of elegant villas are soon to rise forming a community on a lap of luxury.

The Naisha 2-storey Model Unit with 90 sq. meter floor area

A model house showcases what it takes to be a real estate owner at Costa de Madera which is partly located in the barangays of Laiya Ibabao and Barualte of San Juan town of the province of Batangas. The Naisha villas have practical features of a Southeast Asian architecture. Naisha is just one of the eight models of villas to choose from that mix aesthetics and function in a seamless elegant style. Other model units as per the estate master plan are: Ananda, Poonam, Amiya, Vamana, Santoso, Kimaya and Sovanna. The villas let in cool ventilation and allow space flexibility that gives in to your tropical paradise whims.At the backdrop of these soon-to-rise luxury houses is a refreshing scenery of a mountain which provides a cool mountain breeze most especially at night.

The air-conditioned cabana accommodation

After passing thru Naisha model unit is another 10-minute drive cutting through a dusty road where along with it is a coconut plantation. Finally, to reach the beach resort, the car has to trail with a road with a deep drop leading to the cove. After parking, guests are given a welcome drink and they are accompanied to their respective reserved accommodation.

Thick and large sandbags serve as resting pillows and chairs for guests

Cabana is a good choice of accommodation good for three persons but can accommodate a maximum four people. Its location is just a few steps leading to the beach. Aside from sandbags, beach tables are also provided where food and other stuff can be placed. By the time, our group has arrived, it was a searing afternoon and so we decided to stay under the shades of the beach huts.

Early afternoon group socials

After a refreshing swim from the resort's pool, our group started to have the early socials fueled with a slight boozing. I do not drink alcohol but I can get along well with drinkers very much engaged in light conversation. Boozing continued until 6:30 P.M. where we had our dinner.

Scenic sunset conveniently visible from our cabana

Sunsets turned people to be romantic and it did not spare our group where we also patiently wait from where we are from our cabana. In between chatting and boozing, we delightedly waited for the sunset to set on its complete rest. As the sun dramatically sets on its rest, our camera grinds unsparingly just to get the best shot.

The resort's dining hall

Food served thru buffet was great and was really worth for the amount we paid. The staff were quite accommodating and polite giving us the best service. A glass of soft drink or ice tea was served by the attending waiters. Distilled water for drinking was also served to us upon request. Dinner was served starting from 6:00 until 9:00 P.M. and so guests do not crowd at the dining hall.

The Juice and Spirits Bar

After a delightful dinner, we stayed at the Juice and Spirits Bar just along the poolside over a long chat and very casual conversation. The dimly lighted pool was quite inviting for a night swim. This silent invitation is oftentimes irresistible for the guests.

A warm swim in the pool

As the evening grew, the water in the pool retains its warm temperature embracing more guests for a swim. Others would prefer to have a night swimming on the beach while others stay under the beach huts, beach decks and their accommodations for casual chat and boozing for most of the groups who stay in the resort.

An endless evening socials

It was not really the booze that made the socials interesting to our group but rather the great company which made the socials get going unendingly. Exciting card games with truth and consequence punishment, or drinking a sip of liquor as a punishment made every part of the group be highly active and widely awake to avoid ourselves from being punished.

An early morning walk by the beach

An early morning walk by the beach is definitely rewarding. While it is not hot, the sea breeze is refreshing and the sun which is about to shine is therapeutic. I was the earliest to sleep at 11 P.M. while the rest of my group went to bed at 2:00 A.M. and so I was alone to do the morning walk since everybody was still sleeping.

Yoga by the beach

As I approached the massive rock wall at the end of the Parasol Beach Resort, I saw a group of ladies who had their yoga session. Their eyes were closed while they do their yoga session and I was watching them with envy in my heart. I wish I was one of them who can freely do the yoga exercises.

Beyond the massive rock wall

Not contented of what I saw, I trekked beyond the point where I saw the group of ladies having yoga and I saw a green paradise enclosed in massive rock walls and I suppose, this will also be good for a camping site.

Preparation for a beach wedding ceremony

Walking back to our cabana, I passed through resort's personnel of Parasol putting on decorations and designs for a beach wedding ceremony which will be held early afternoon of that day. Indeed, celebrities and other top personalities prefer to have their shindig in this resort for they are assured of privacy.

The reception hall of the beach wedding at Parasol Beach Resort

I suppose, a grand wedding was to be held as evident from the set-up I saw. I identified then a famous interior designer and a florist giving instructions the resort's personnel. As far as I can recall the beach wedding of the celebrity Aiza Seguerra and Liza Dino was held in this same resort.

A morning swim at the pool after a beach swim

A beach swim was very much inviting early in the morning until our group decided to have our buffet breakfast. We were not in a hurry anyway as the usual schedule of the breakfast is from 6:00 to 9:00 A.M. Still wet coming from the beach, we had our breakfast and immediately after, we proceed to the pool for a more refreshing swim.

The tropical-inspired cabanas of Klub Keluarga

Indeed, our group's stay in the resort was quite fairly good and worth coming back. The food was really great. A two thumbs-up for the facilities and amenities of the resort.

The following are the resort's amenities:

Juice and Spirits Bar
10 Beach huts
Shower rooms and toilets
Restaurant
Halo-halo station
Adult and kiddie pools
Grilling stations
Beachfront decks

Guests can have the alternative to enjoy the following activities:

Kayaking
Beach volleyball
Swimming

Other Concerns:

Guests should know that there is no signal from all networks. Secondly, cabanas do not have TV or Video Player. Thus, you can have the option to bring your own laptop with downloaded videos. Anyway, there is electricity and cellphones or any electrical gadget can be charged. Thirdly, guests should equipped themselves with necessary things they need so that they will not buy inside the resort as they are too expensive. However, bringing in wines and liquors have corkage fees as well as bringing food may have its own corresponding fees.

Below are the current rental rates of the resort



For more information, use the following contact details:

KLUB KELUARGA: http://www.pndi.com.ph/klub_keluarga_page.html
PARASOL BEACH: http://www.pndi.com.ph/parasol_page.html

KLUB KELUARGA and PARASOL BEACH RESORTS

MANILA (PHILIPPINES) BOOKING OFFICE:
02-801-9890 / 0918-959-2596/ 0917-885-8887
(Monday-Fridays: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

BATANGAS (PHILIPPINES) BOOKING OFFICE:
02-514-2819/09994774239
(Weekends and Holidays)