An Unexpected Weekend at Hamilo Coast

A phone call awakened me one Thursday morning. The details are hazy now (as with all phone calls answered, text messages and e-mails read and replied to when I’m half-awake), but I recalled being asked if I was able to go to Hamilo Coast, SM Land’s exclusive enclave in Nasugbu, Batangas. I had to decline — I work Friday nights, just as people are starting to enjoy their weekend. He hung up and I went back to sleep.

Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
View from the Pico Sands Hotel

When I woke up later that afternoon, I had to ask myself if I dreamt that conversation. A text message confirmed that I didn’t. It was Niel again, asking if I can still join them if they arrange a van to pick me up in Makati on Saturday morning. Why not, I asked myself. Might as well go since they were making all these effort for me.

Hamilo Coast Regatta
Hobie 16 boats at the Hamilo Regatta 2011

I went straight to Makati after work on Saturday morning for the van going to Batangas. The drive was a little over 3 hours to Nasugbu, but if you’re to take the ferry from SM Mall of Asia, travel time from Manila drops down to just 90 minutes.

Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
Pico de Loro Country Club pool

We were dropped off at the Pico Sands Hotel, part of the Pico de Loro community in Hamilo Coast. Aside from the hotel, there is also the Country Club and eight condominium buildings built around a man-made lagoon, bordered by a mountain range with a view of the sea. I can go on and wax poetic about the place, but the bottomline is, this place is very very pretty.

Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
Bowling lanes

After putting our bags down in our room and freshening up, we hopped on a shuttle to the Pico de Loro Beach Club, where the Hamilo Regatta is taking place. About a dozen Hobie 16’s were bobbing in the waters, battling with the waves and the wind. Despite being in Boracay the weekend prior, I was elated to be back at the beach. Hazel and I picked a beach hut and sprawled in the lounge chair. There’s something about the beach and Hamilo Coast that compels you to relax and take it easy. It took a lot of willpower to peel ourselves from the lounge and join the others for a tour of the Country Club’s facilities, which includes a tennis court, indoor basketball, volleyball, badminton and racquetball courts, swimming pool, bowling lanes, billiard tables, game room, KTV booths, children’s activity area and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club
Sun Coral Cafe’s Caesar Salad

We trooped back to the hotel to rest after the tour. Making the most of our stay in Pico Sands, we scheduled for a foot massage in the hotel’s Rain Spa. Refreshed and (sort-of) recharged, we headed back to the Beach Club for dinner. The Sun Coral Cafe serves a selection of local and international favorites, with indoor and outdoor dining facilities. The Pico de Loro Beach Club also features a Kultura Boutique, which came especially handy as our supposed day trip turned into an overnighter. Let this be a lesson to me: don’t answer phone calls while sleeping.

Pico Sands Hotel
Our room a the Pico Sands Hotel

Our room at the Pico Sands Hotel has two queen-sized beds, LCD TV with cable, coffee and tea service, mini-bar and a balcony with a gorgeous view of the lagoon, the Jacana condominium and the mountains. The best thing about the trip was sitting out in the balcony, talking and sharing stories, taking in the view, enjoying the tranquility. Not a bad way to spend the weekend.


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9 responses to “An Unexpected Weekend at Hamilo Coast”

  1. Rotsybitsy Avatar
    Rotsybitsy

    Any idea how much is the rate per night at Pico Sands Hotel? Is it open to non-club share holders?

    1. nina Avatar

      Hi! Rates starts around Php 3,700, I think. Unfortunately, only members and their guests can book at Pico Sands 🙁

  2. pusangkalye Avatar

    waaah!!ang ganda.dream destination ko rin yan. I mean, yeah malapit lang kaso mahal.hahaha.kanu rate nila?:D

    1. nina Avatar

      It’s around Php 3,700 per night daw starting. And not open to the public 🙁

  3. gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie Avatar

    Sounds like a place to spot showbiz weekenders! Hihi.

  4. June | iXplore Avatar
    June | iXplore

    what a wonderful place and a wonderful experience you had..ganda ng hotel at ng view.

  5. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    What a cool place! Breakfast and Amenities are included for 3,700?

  6. Beng Avatar
    Beng

    Nina…There is no ‘unfortunately’ about members and their guests only being allowed to stay at the hotel. This resort is an exclusive members-only resort and members need to pay from P550,000 up to P830,000 for a share/membership. Lets keep it that way shall we.

  7. portia Avatar
    portia

    hi!
    my friend can help you rent units here.
    call her at +63922-5705796 and she can help you.
    will be seeing this soon!

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