I love everything about wellness. That is why when I received an invite to explore CALABARZON's wellness destinations, I cleared my schedule right away because this is a dream trip for me. For five days, I joined fellow content creators, media and tour operators exploring different tourist attractions that promote wellness in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
CALABARZON stands for Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon Province in Region 4. Located in south Luzon, it is a favorite destination for Metro Manila dwellers due to its proximity. These destinations are very easy to reach not only to those who have their own vehicles but also to those who are fine commuting because of the modern road infrustractures including bus transportations we have today.
See below the list of places we visited that I highly recommend to anyone planning to take a wellness activity in CALABARZON.
1. NURTURE WELLNESS TAGAYTAY
My first time visiting Nurture Wellness Tagaytay was in 2014. Click HERE to read how it went. I can still totally recall how I felt so completely rejuvenated after an hour of Hilot massage given to me. Anyone coming here would swear that one of Nurture Wellness Tagaytay's top reasons to visit this place over and over again is their full body massage. I was alone that time and it was a typical weekday so it was very serene.
This time, I was part of a group and it was Sunday. The dining area plus the recieving area are full of people but it is totally fine with me. However, after a few more minutes of walking to Nurture Wellness Tagaytay's iconic Ifugao native huts where the body massage is done, I felt a sense of bliss. The next thing I knew, I am in heaven while a staff gives me a very therapeutic full body massage. I can actually still recall the taste and smell of the pandan tea the staff gave me after.
Nurture Wellness Tagaytay's food deserves a recognition of its own. Being a foodie who has been to dozens of restaurants, I can tell that the food they serve is not only delicious but served in bigger quantity. Yes, the prices might be a bit more but for me who eats moderately, I will need another clone of me to finish one serving.
Nurture Wellness Tagaytay is the country's first in wellness spa that started in 2001. Recognized with multiple awards local and international, Nurture Wellness Tagaytay grows fruits, veggies, herbs and more that are FREE of pesticide. They offer detoxification and natural healing treatments developed by a licensed medical doctor who has been practicing integrative and alternative medicine for over 20 years. Nurture’s holistic and customized weight loss programs include a computerized health scan, detoxification and spa services, wellness coaching, healthy food preparation, organic gardening activities, food and accommodation.
If you are looking for an upscale kind of a full body massage in Tagaytay, I highly recommend Nurture Wellness Tagaytay!
2. Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm
Ilog Maria doesn't offer body massages and is not a wellness accommodation but I am sure it is worth adding to CALABARZON's list of recommended wellness destinations. Why? It is because of their products that they make that are all-natural mainly from beekeeping. They also apply alternative fuel use in their day-to-day activities like rain harvesting, solar power, fireplace water heater, woodfired brick oven, charcoal cooking, biodiesel, solar panels, wind turbines and more.
I was lucky enough to bring home some of Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm's products. These are top-notch products that we all need to stay healthy! I have been to many honeybee farms selling by-products as well but only here I discovered there are way too many products that can be derived from bees that are very effective to keep us away from sickness.
My most recommended products of Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm
- Honey cider vinegar good for detoxification
- Virgin honey that is unpasteurized, unfiltered & unheated good for cuts, burns and digestive disorders
- Honey face scrub that is good for skin to look young
- Bee propolis as probiotic tha is an immune system booster
- Propol-eyes for immediate relief of eye irritation
- Orange zesty essential oil
- Body soaps for human and furbabies that are natural and handmade
- Honey and propolis (imported) dead sea salts
3. Lotuspod Bed and Breakfast
Our stay in Lotuspod Bed and Breakfast was very short. We only went around and checked the rooms but the Indonesia feels of this place for me brings so much memories. I have been to Indonesia many years ago for 15 days. I love that the rooms inside Lotuspod are spread apart so you'll have to do a bit of walking which is I totally recommend.
Space is not a problem here in Lotuspod Bed and Breakfast. I honestly love all the Instagrammable doors of their comfort rooms that I took a lot of photo of me with a background of it because it exudes a Balinese vibe! One thing that sets this wellness accommodation apart from the rest is that some of the rooms have its own dipping tub. It is like a small swimming pool attached to your room that is all yours to use! You can soak yourself in a sitting position for as long as you want.
Unfortunately, this property is not pet-friendly for now, but I pray they open their doors to furbabies too soon so I can bring Ollie with me.
4. Ada's Spa
Ada's Spa is probably the least heard in this list, but I tell you, my full-body massage here was the one that I couldn't forget the most! I mean, there's traditional kind of massage and there's one that has a twist in the end. My only regret is I did not have photos/videos of these, of course, because it is forbidden to do so.
They provide basic robe and shorts including a piece of body soap for everyone to take quick shower then optional is sauna. We went there already at 9pm so I decided to take the body massage as soon as possible because we are traveling back to Seda Hotel Nuvali after.
This twist is me hanging upside down, well not really but the lady massage therapist suddenly pulled me down while I am in sitting position in a way that I was kind of hanging in the air but she was lying below me so my head was supported by her chest. It took around maybe 3 minutes or more in this position and I might say, it was a little bit tiring and surprising but I so love it!
I just couldn't believe how my other group members who are bigger than me paired with a smaller massage therapist in body shape was able to do exactly the same thing! I was told there is a technique to do this bazaar kind of lifting! I asked the guy from the reception of what kind of body massage is this. He replied this is a combination of all the known body massages!
Ada's Spa is not just a sp. If you are looking for an affordable accommodation in Sariaya, Quezon this is it as well. The cheapest rate is Php 1, 250 for a cabana room good for 2 pax already!
4. Luljetta's Hanging Gardens
Luljetta's Hanging Gardens is in my wishlist as one of my dream wellness destination in CALABARZON so imagine the kid in me when I learned we are actually staying here for a night and having another full-body massage! I was thinking we are going down many winding zigzag roads near the mountains and passing by a rugged cliff to reach Luljetta's but wow, it is actually very accessible!
Inspired from Babylon Hanging Gardens, Luljetta's Hanging Gardens is really a top-notch wellness destination. Unlike Lotuspod that there's plenty of walking needed but on plain areas, in Luljettas you will have to take a plight of stairs to go up and down. Good thing, there's a golf cart if don't like walking that much.
We were only able to try their full-body masage but they also offer face and skin services. I know the rest from this list offers the same so might as well mention something that Luljetta's offer that they don't - body scrubs: They have sweet calamansi scrub, red wine scrub, deep hydration skin barrier facial repair and acne heal and fight. In my own opinion, Luljetta's Hanging Gardens is the best spa in Antipolo.
Of all the wellness accommodations we visited in CALABARZON, the best package for me is from Luljetta's. See below the many options of wellness staycations Luljetta's Hanging Gardens for everyone:
- Access to Hanging Gardens faclities (locker, sauna, heated jacuzzi, hydro- - massage pool, infinity pools, meditation lounges
- Traditional batik and towel
- Snack (Antipolo's best suman)
- Access to Hanging Gardens faclities (locker, sauna, heated jacuzzi, hydro- - massage pool, infinity pools, meditation lounges
- Traditional batik and towel
- Snack (Antipolo's best suman)
- Traditional batik and towel
- Snack (Antipolo's best suman)
- Traditional batik and towel
- Snack (Antipolo's best suman)
- Traditional batik and towel
- Snack (Antipolo's best suman)
Looking for a wellness staycation package in Manila? Click HERE my review of Timberland Highlands Resort overnight wellness package.
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