Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
The maddening itch to travel has gotten everyone on the lookout for their next getaway. Soon, beaches all over the Philippines will be bustling with revenge travellers. Nobody’s blaming anyone, though – the past two years have been a haze of mundane routines. So if you’re planning to break loose but want to do away from the crowded beaches, consider booking a private beachfront near Manila!
Also read: 15 Tropical Airbnbs & Resorts in the Philippines That You Need to Visit
When we think of a quick weekend getaway from Manila, Laiya is always a top contender. The coastal municipality is often crowded, with its long stretch of sugar-white sand beaches. Hence, finding a tranquil spot here is not an easy task.
Resthouse Laiya answers the call of solitude-seekers. It’s a private estate on a nine-hectare beachfront property. The resthouse is situated far away from other busy resorts. In your bumming hours, you can get acquainted with some wandering horses and resting birds in the area. You might even spot turtles laying eggs on the shore if you’re lucky!
Note that they don’t operate a restaurant, in the name of seclusion. But don’t worry, they equipped their villa with complete kitchen and dining tools.
For more information, visit Resthouse Laiya’s official Facebook or Airbnb pages.
Claim your long-overdue detox from the digital life at Casa Kalinaw, Batangas. This beachfront house near Manila features spacious interiors and exteriors, perfect for your big barkada getaway. In addition, their patio is an Instagrammable playground with a breathtaking view of Batangas’ calm seas. You can also pick your choice of dipping your toes in the nearby fine sands or relaxing your muscles in their infinity pool.
For more information, visit Casa Kalinaw’s official Facebook page.
Similar to Laiya, the beaches of Calatagan are also an oft-visited summer destination. You’ve probably heard of Stilts Calatagan and its floating cottages. However, with the influx of tourists coming in, you wouldn’t find your much-needed quiet time in the prime spots in Calatagan.
Clipper’s View offers its two-storey private beach house as an alternative. So pack your bags and leave your weekday woes behind — this private glasshouse is just a three-hour drive from Manila. With their small infinity pool lit at night, you can indulge in a cool nightcap swim. They also have a beach volleyball court, so don’t forget to bring a ball!
For more information, visit Clipper’s View Beachfront’s official Facebook or Airbnb pages.
If you’re looking for the most Insta-worthy private beachfront near Manila, Batalang Bato might top your list. Luxurious woodworks surround their interior fittings, making for a perfect backdrop in every photo angle. On their exterior, lush white bougainvillaeas fringe the garden area. They also have a wide Anahaw roof deck with a 180-degree view of the sea.
Right outside the beach house is a coral reef perfect for snorkelling. But watch your step; small and friendly sea turtles often wander around the sand. If you’re not into swimming with marine creatures, you can ride their kayaks available for free! Batalang Bato also offers sunset cruises on a yacht or a 42-feet sailboat.
For more information, visit Batalang Bato’s official Facebook or Airbnb pages.
Arcadia is more than a private resort; it’s an island. If you’re looking for the most secluded beach spot, you couldn’t get more isolated than in Arcadia. It’s a hidden paradise just a couple of hours from the Metro. The place whispers a vibe of simplicity and serenity with its nipa-roofed resthouse, wooden al fresco dining area, and small pool near the beach. Trees surrounding the site complete its atmosphere as a tropical beach getaway, perfectly hidden from the dissonance of Manila.
To get to the resort from the designated car parking, you will need to ride a boat, which the host provides for free. Stone and shells cover most of the beachfront area, so don’t forget to bring your aqua shoes!
For more information, visit Arcadia Private Resort’s official Airbnb page.
This one goes for divers, lovers of the deep, and watersport enthusiasts! Consider this Airbnb booking if you’re looking to add a slice of action to your private beach getaway. As an unintended initiation, you’ll take a 200-step stairway from their parking lot down to the beach house to start your adventure.
The beachfront is relatively small and limited, but the activities made available by the host more than make up for it. Aside from snorkelling and kayaking, try their other watersports such as sailing, windsurfing, and scuba diving (a two-week prior notice is required).
For more information, visit Best Beach & Scuba Diving’s official Airbnb page.
For a place to tag itself as a wedding venue, it’d have to live up to the expectation of glamorous features and luxurious accommodation. Jem’s Beach Resort does that and then some.
Outside, there’s an infinity pool with a view of the sea and a couple of nipa cottages perfect for beach bumming. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of luxury and extravagance in its interior design and furniture. Where else can you find a beachfront resort with a kitchen built with centralised air conditioning, a four-door refrigerator, marble countertops, and an oven? The whole house evokes an expensive penthouse experience in BGC. Jem’s Beach Resort is undoubtedly for you if you want to take the high life in Manila to the beach.
For more information, visit Jem’s Beach Resort’s official Facebook page.
If you’re looking for a farm life experience by the beach, Sambali Beach Farm is the right place. Here, you can indulge in unique activities such as yoga classes and private organic farm tours. In addition, their food service consists of a farm-to-plate menu, perfect for health-conscious travellers.
However, Sambali Beach Farm wouldn’t give you the most private experience. You’ll likely see a few friendly locals in the area during your stay. On the upside, the place isn’t touristy. Instead, Sambali Beach Farm renders a genuine living-like-a-local excursion, with sights of the neighbourhood children playing by the beach and farmers greeting you with the warmest smile.
For more information, visit Sambali Beach Farm’s official Facebook page.
If you’ve cleared a lot of beaches in Batangas and Zambales, try travelling to Infanta, Quezon. The beaches in Infanta are likewise great, and the seafood there is fresh yet inexpensive.
Venus Beach House is one of the best private beach houses in the area. The main quarters have a touch of an old-Spanish residence — similar to what we see in Vigan, except it’s upscaled and modernised. The interior was designed by an award-winning architect, so it’s no surprise that the mansion looks fabulous and intricately detailed. After a long drive, you can rest your bones in their pool by the beach.
Note that Internet connection and mobile data hardly come by in the area, a caveat that only adds to the solitude that you are seeking.
For more information, visit Venus Beach House’s official Facebook or Airbnb pages.
Want to get #stoked in Baler, but prefer a private beach house? Then Casa Moorea should certainly be on your shortlist.
Baler has recently opened its doors to tourists, so finding your serene home for the weekend in Aurora could be a challenge. Fortunately, Casa Moorea is located in a quiet, sweet spot. They have an extended balcony by the beach where you can embrace the cold Pacific breeze and just rest for hours on end. If you want to surf, don’t worry — Casa Morea isn’t too far from the surfing sites at Sabang Beach.
For more information, visit Casa Moorea’s official Facebook page.
Also read: 12 Airbnb & Vacation Rentals for Your Next Barkada Staycation Near Manila
If you want your piece of a tranquil beach, better decide to book as soon as possible! These top ten beachfront rentals near Manila get fully-booked months in advance. You wouldn’t want to settle for any less than what you deserve – a peaceful respite after months of grinding.
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