I really enjoyed our business trip to Davao City last July and what clinched it was our overnight stopover at the scenic Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island. It’s a must see when you’re in Davao because it’s out there as one of the top resorts in the Philippines. Our time in Pearl Farm, no matter how short, surely gave us time to unwind and shoo the work blues away. Most of all, the ultra-refreshing views made us forget the sullen landscape of the city.
How can you probably sulk when you open the bedroom window to something like this?
My officemates Zeth, Maricel and I woke up early that day to catch the boat that would take us from the Davao City wharf to Pearl Farm. The 45-minute boat ride was a sign of good things to come. City dwellers like us are so beach deprived and the experience of being in the outrigger boat that was treading through turquoise waters was enough to bring us to nirvana.
Service at the resort was excellent the moment we arrived, as they promptly gave us our welcome drinks. The short orientation that followed afterwards made us realize that the place was huge! But we got the hang of it in no time. Since the main restaurant called Maranao was under renovation, we hopped to a boat that would take us to an adjoining island where the buffet breakfast ( in the Malipano Pavilion) was.
Afterwards, it was time to settle in our accommodations called the Samal Suite, a two-storey suite that’s perfect for families on a break.It had a king-size bed on the top floor and a lounge area on the lower level with a daybed that can be converted to kids’ sleeping quarters. The room had a Muslim-inspired design, with framed ethnic objects on the wall. But there were modern touches as well, in the form of flat-screen TVs and and iPod dock where I promptly put my Ipod Touch to listen to Michael Jackson music. 😀
For other options, the resort has the duplex-type Mandaya Houses, the moderately-priced Hilltop Rooms and the Samal Houses that are built on water and are patterned after the stilt houses of the Samal tribe of Sulu. The resort’s most luxurious accommodations are the seven exclusive villas called the Malipano Villas which were designed by world-renowned Filipino Architect Bobby Manosa. These face a stretch of white sand beach and has three holes pitch and putt.
What to do in Pearl Farm, aside from relishing the scenery? There’s the topnotch Ylang-Ylang Spa and free indoor facilities like tennis, basketball, volleyball, and even water polo and soccer. Not missing are watersports activities like jetskiing, banana boat ride, snorkeling and diving (more on that in another post). Since the waters around Pearl Farm have been declared a marine sanctuary, one can also enjoy related activities like snorkeling and fish feeding.
The swimming area is quite rocky and not comparable to places like Boracay. There are good beaches nearby and one can get an outrigger or speed boat for that.
Because of its idyllic surroundings and the fact that it affords one complete privacy, I’d easily vote Pearl Farm as one of the best honeymoon places in the Philippines. I mean, that was what I was thinking, while savoring the place with my girl friends. Ugh. 😀
More pictures in my Flickr photoset. Many thanks to Victoria Vicente and the management of Fuego Hotels for hosting us.
Inquiries about Pearl Farm Beach Resort room rates may be forwarded to:
Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
Telephone: (6382) 221-9970
Fax: (6382) 221-9979
Manila Sales Office at
15th Floor, 139 Corporate Center
Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. No.: (632) 750-1896 / 750-1898 / 893-2093
Fax: (632) 750-1894
or use the Contact Us form in their website
When I visited Beng (lukaret dot com) in Davao City in 2007 ata yun hahaha! That was one of our stop. Absolutely beautiful really. We had such a great time that given another chance to visit, I’d come back.
Davao City has really grown so much from the last time I was in the city when I was back working in Makati. Maybe my previous trip to Davao prior to 2007 was mid-80’s?
Today, they just have a lot of places to visit and enjoy. The other place where we had a blast was the wild water rafting. That was one heck of an adventure.
Davao City never really fails me. I have come to love that city back in the 80’s and I still do to this day. And the people there are just great. Maybe because my great lolo’s are from the area. Hahaha!
Amen to that Reynz. I hate the long travel to Davao, but there’s always something new to discover and enjoy each time 😉 Surprisingly, I feel safe in this city kasi balita ko pinaparusahan talaga nila ang mga isnatser at tulisan dito.
Ang ganda naman diyan Ajay! I love the Samal Suite’s bed. So, relaxing ang dating. ^_^
Astig yung lugar! Matagal tagal na din akong hindi nakakapagbakasyon. Galing naman business trip pa ito. 🙂
Nice. We love Davao. Kaso sayang, we didn’t had the chance to stay in this resort. Pano ang mahal kasi. 🙁