10/10 Excellent
Irna R.
Jan 22, 2019
A home away from home
Very well equipped holiday home with all the kitchen essentials - gas cooker, microwave, electric kettle and a new fridge freezer and wifi throughout (bandwidth may not ne teenager ready for music videao but fine for casual web browsing). Bedrooms have air con as does the large den. There are TVs in the master bedroom, the open plan area and the den with very good programme selections in English and Tagalog. Don't freak out if you can't find the newish washing machine (twin tub technology) - it's outside in what the locals call a "dirty kitchen" area. I preferred the den mostly (air con and larger TV) as there was a very comfortable and deeply filled sofa. I suggest a car is essential as this is a rural setting - I used to get pan de sal in Botolan village a few doors down from the 7/11 - 10 minutes drive away. There are food outlets and supermarkets in Iba (10 to 25 minutes depending on traffic) including Mcdonalds and Jollybee and a pizza outlet. There are also a couple of local restaurants with very reasonable costs. Botolan Zoo is a great day out but Pinatubo may be off limits for some as there is a 7.5 km walk each way after you are dropped by 4 X 4. I understand that sea plane trips may be starting in March 2019. Indulge yourself with foot spas, massage and beauty therapy - its about a tenth of the cost in the UK. BTW - we stayed at the fantastic Savoy across the road from Terminal 3 on the way back to the UK - the cost is similar to the rent on the house and includes the most comprehensive breakfast buffet I have ever seen. It's part of the Resortworld Manila group of local hotels and casino and offers free transfer to the airport - 10 minutes max. You can walk to the terminal through the new air bridge in 10 minutes and there is a fantastic selection of cheap eateries on the land side (note - eat before you go airside!!!!!!!!!).
Irna R.
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2018