A taste of luxury in Batangas City Words by Mitch M. Arceo Photos by Teddy Pelaez
If city life is wearing you down, but you do not have the time to be away for that long, there is a place south of Luzon that promises to take you from the hustle and bustle of the city. Tucked away in nearby Batangas City, just a couple of hours drive from Metro Manila, is Pontefino Hotel and Residences; indeed, the property acts as a bridge connecting people with the finer things in life, offering the serenity and convenience that travelers seek. As you enter, a row of neoVictorian houses beckon at you. Just a short walk uphill, and you find yourself at Hotel Pontefino, a four-story hotel offering a luxurious vacation away from the city. Upon entering the lobby, guests receive a warm welcome from the staff who usher them to the reception area. The place features classic European design mixed with Filipino style. Couches are conveniently located here to give you a chance to catch your breath and admire the interior. A glass display contains souvenirs, such as jeepney key chains, miniature calesas, locally sewn pouches and locally made jewelry boxes, among others. Hotel Pontefino features 51 deluxe and premium rooms and 14 suites, all equipped with television, mini-refrigerator and telephones for
easy access for your needs or between rooms. Though Wi-Fi connectivity is only available at the lobby, a LAN cable is ready for use in each room. The rooms are furnished with artisanal pieces sourced from the province, from couches to reading chairs and writing desks. Bookworms and history enthusiasts will also appreciate the hotel’s initiative to promote Batangueño customs and traditions by providing each room with a handbook containing information about the province. The soft mattress and cotton pillows are guaranteed to give guests a good night’s rest. It will make you feel so comfortable that you would want to stay longer in bed even after waking up the next day. Looking out the window, you will either see the stunning view of the hotel’s poolside or Pontefino Residences, depending on where your room faces. The hotel has a 25 squaremeter swimming pool, including a children’s wading pool, a game room for table tennis and billiards, and a KTV entertainment center. The hotel’s poolside features a stylish architectural feature, which served as the perfect backdrop for the 2016 Miss Earth Philippines swimsuit fashion show and resort wear competition. For the past five years,
the hotel has served as venue for the said competition, transforming the poolside into a runway where beautiful candidates parade in bikinis and the resort wear of their choice, as well as to impress judges and guests with their environmental advocacies. On the other hand, the ballroom located by the poolside is a popular venue for weddings and private celebrations. Just across the poolside is Hotel Pontefino’s Robusta Café, which provides relaxed all-day dining, as well as delightful snacks with coffee or tea in the afternoon. A gym and fitness facility is also open with fitness consultants on hand to guide guests, as well as offering spa services. A tour of the property will take you to Pontefino Residences, an exclusive fully equipped townhouse development designed to give homeowners the best in leisure living. The units offer hotel-like facilities and amenities, modern home conveniences, and 24-hour guest services and security. The Pontefino Residences are now open for occupancy. Perhaps, a weekend stay at Hotel Pontefino will be enough to refresh your mind and inspire you to move forward when you return to the concrete jungle that is Metro Manila.
EXPER IENCEPH.COM // Vol. 3 No. 3 // 2016
95