Take me back to Badian
A couple of months after that conversation, Charisse got back to me with another question: would I like to stay at Badian Island Resort and Spa? A quick read about the property resulted in an even quicker (and overly excited) yes.
Despite its name, the resort is actually located in Zaragoza Island, which is under the municipality of Badian, three hours from Cebu City. The main area of the resort occupies about 8 hectares, plus another 5 in the Coral Garden beach in the same island, 5 minutes away by speedboat.
Our Pool Villa as seen from outside
There’s a limited number of villas and suites in the whole property — maximum occupancy is just a little over 130 guests — so during the lean season, it is entirely possible that you will not run across any other guests in the property. It’s like having your own personal island.
As we marvelled upon the awesomeness that is our Pool Villa, my friend Cla and I had the same thought: it’s like the Pinoy version of Cintai Corito’s Garden. Where Cintai really brought Bali into their property, Badian Island Resort is very Filipino, which is fantastic. There was the judicious use of rattan, nipa, capiz, and sea shells, and though they look dated, it was just so Pinoy it’s amazing. And there were flowers everywhere in our villa. Literally.
Flowers with our welcome drinks
Flowers in the tub
Seriously, they’re everywhere.
The sleeping area. The toilet, bath, and vanity is right behind that big divider. I love the vaulted ceiling!
The Pool Villa is huge — almost 100 square meters big, and there more than enough room for us two. It had a twin bed, with individual lamps (with shades and bases that screams 80’s), a desk, a couch (which can be made into a bed), more than enough closet space, a dresser, and a minibar.
The toilet and the bathing area are separate, and even better, the shower is outside the bathtub, which is kind of a big deal for me. You’ll have to be really comfortable with the person you’ll be sharing this villa with though, because of the absence of doors. Well, the toilet has a door, except it’s sort of see through. Cla and I, oddly not stranger to this kind of thing, already have a system for such occasion: when one is in the loo or the shower, the other stays on the other side of the room, or outside.
Our patio and pool
Outside there are two loungers, a table, arm chair and a sofa, and of course, a small dipping pool filled with ionized sea water. Just in case you wanted the benefits of sea water without the sand and having to trek down to the shore.
The water temperature is perfect, especially on sunny days. The island is located right between the main island of Cebu and Negros, so the water around the island is quite calm. The pool villa faces the main town of Badian, so when you’re relaxing in the water, you get this stunning view of the towering Mantalungon mountain range, and the seemingly lake-like water between the islands.
At the massage villa
There are no televisions in all of the villas and suites, and that is by design. This is a place to enjoy the solitude and each other’s company. Wi-fi is available throughout the entire resort though, and 3G signal is present and strong, in case you can’t wait to share your #blessed afternoon.
Still, even without these, there are plenty of things to do around the resort. You can get a massage, do yoga or Zumba, paddle board, kayak, swim in the pool, and play billiards, foosball, or darts. Snorkelling and diving are the top draws, though. There is a gorgeous Coral Garden just 5 minutes away from the main resort, which you should never pass up on.
I feel like I’m not doing the Coral Garden justice. This is just a very small portion of what you can see there.
Being in Badian Island Resort can be likened to being in a bubble — you’re in your own little world, away from all the pollution and hassles of the city. Of course, this also meant that you’re at the mercy of their sole restaurant when it comes to food. Luckily, their chef know how to make really good food.
Their menu is a mix of Filipino and Western dishes, and with 30 years of cooking at Badian, she knows how to please their guest’s palate. The main restaurant, Panorama, sits near the swimming pool. To make each evening interesting, the venue varies every night — it can be at the beach one evening, and by the poolside the next night. What you should definitely try though, is their Organic Lunch menu.
Cold papaya soup. I do not like ripe papaya, but this is so good!
This is a tasting menu, featuring vegetables harvested right in the resort’s organic garden. It’s a delightful treat to your taste buds, and is also quite filling. It’s mainly vegetarian, even down to the drinks and dessert — Squash leche flan, which tasted absolutely delicious.
We stayed in Badian for three days and two nights — quite short by the standards of other guests who stay a minimum of 7 days and staying sometime for almost a month. As I float around in our private pool on our third day, I will the time to slow down, so I can have more time in the island.
Our welcoming committee
Suddenly, staying longer made sense. If you spent most of the year slaving away, and you only get a couple of week’s time for a break, why not go all out and spend your hard earned holiday relaxing by the beach, sipping cocktails out of a coconut? It’s not a bad way to live.
As the crew serenade us as we board the speed boat back to the mainland, I found myself smiling, and overjoyed — when I read about this practice of theirs, I thought it was kinda corny (and thought the same as we arrived), but after spending time at the resort, and being tended to by these wonderful people, I felt so thankful for their warm hospitality. It’s no wonder foreign and balikbayan visitors enjoy this place so much — it’s very Filipino.
More photos of the resort and the coral garden over at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.
Much love goes out to Renz and her lovely crew at the Badian Island Resort and Spa for the warm hospitality and letting us beg off from the early morning yoga and afternoon Zumba session. It would have seriously ruined the peace in paradise. Thanks also to Char of Agoda, who helped made this happen.
Badian Island Resort and Spa
Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Phone: +63 32 401 3303 to 05
Website: badianhotel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BadianIslandResortAndSpaOfficial
Radisson Blu’s lobby
Of course, it’s par for the course for us to experience first hand why Radisson Blu is ranked the #1 hotel in Cebu in the travel website Tripadvisor.com.
The coffee-holic’s dream
We were given Business Class Superior rooms. The 61-square meter room has a receiving and work area. I love that there’s a divider between the bed and the receiving area so you can close off the area for privacy. The receiving area features a 2-seater couch, an arm chair, a 37-inch LCD TV with cable and a Nespresso machine, which I’m sure would delight any coffee addict (and impress whoever dropping by your room). There’s also the complimentary tea service and mini-bar, which is discreetly stored in the counter cabinet.
Work and leisure area
Sharing the sleeping area is the work space at the opposite end and what I call the “reading area.” The arm chair was surprisingly comfortable, and I quite enjoyed sitting in it while watching Gossip Girl on my laptop.
The desk gives you a view of the docks and the sunset. There is ample space in the table for your laptop and documents, but if you have an unusual amount of paperwork, you can also put them in the counter beside the table.
Got gadgets? No problem.
My favorite feature of the work area is the bank of electrical outlets. Forgot to bring your universal adapter? No problem! Their outlets can accommodate any type of plug. What impressed me most though was the USB dock for charging devises that you would normally need a laptop to charge. How convenient is that?
Comfy, comfy bed
Ever since I heard Raj complaining about Leonard putting disgusting memories in his memory foam mattress, I’ve been wondering what a memory foam mattress and how it differ from other mattresses. I’m no mattress expert, but that bed sure was divine. I slept comfortably and if not for text messages coming in the middle of the night, I slept soundly until morning (which is rare).
Bathroom counter and amenities
The toilet and bath was just the right size for one with ample counter space for even the most high maintenance traveler. I was delighted when I saw there was a shower cubicle instead of a bath tub because I hate showering inside tubs. There are two shower heads — fixed and hand held. The water pressure is really good and the water heats up in no time. Again, there is plenty of space for your bath things.
Thai dishes at the Feria restaurant
Feria, Radisson Blu Cebu’s all-day dining restaurant serves a wide array of cuisine. You’re spoilt for choice, whether you’re hankering for meat, pasta or salads. Speaking of pasta, Feria gives you the option to have freshly made pasta cooked to your preference. Another homemade favorite is their ice cream, which is made right there in the restaurant to the full view of diners. It’s a clear winner among the guests, as we see the chef making a new batch every time we go in to dine.
A small sampling of Feria’s desserts
Guests staying at the Business Class rooms have access to the Executive Lounge at the 20th floor. While the dining area is smaller and offer a limited variety of breakfast items (but don’t worry, there’s bacon!), there is significantly less people dining here. So if you’re looking to have a very relaxed breakfast, this is the place to go.
Radisson Blu Cebu is located right beside SM Cebu and has direct access to the mall. The hotel is about 20 minutes away from Mactan Cebu international airport, and 10 minutes from downtown Cebu. It’s quite a convenient location. No wonder they’re getting high marks.