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Resorts, Travel
Find Yourself in Hidden Valley
When you need to get far from the madding crowds, nothing beats a mountain escape. More so if said escape goes by the name of
I�d never been to Hidden Valley before (the proper name of the resort is Hidden Valley Springs, but through the years the resort has come to define the area, so Hidden Valley exists in my consciousness as a natural formation and not as a resort, much like the Pagsanjan Falls or the Chocolate Hills, bringing to mind all the geographical landform lessons we had way back in grade school), which is strange, since it�s been around since the seventies, and I imagine any Filipino traveler worth his salt (or perhaps, more accurately, every tourist to the country) has come to visit.
Upon learning that I had just come from Hidden Valley, friends and acquaintances (those who�d gone themselves) would ask, �OK pa ba dun?� their tone implying that since they�d been there so long ago, it was a wonder to them that the place was still up an running. Or perhaps in their mind�s eye, they saw a typical touristy Filipino resort�a bit cheesy, with moss-covered fake logs and creaky bahay kubos.
Happily, I discovered, as we drove through the Jurassic-Park-like main gates, it was nothing of the sort. The resort had an air of age and authenticity, which was a constant reminder that the place was at least as old as I was and deserved my respect, but it also had the look of being well maintained by caring old hands that understood nature and believed in the use of vernacular materials more than concrete. It�s nothing fancy, but the place is well-appointed nonetheless, harking to a bygone era of simplicity and natural luxury. The lawns, where they were freshly cut, were immaculate (I imagine the golf-course-in-progress needs smooth greens), and where they were growing a bit wild, were rather romantic. The cottages were newly renovated (a friend who had been there in the not-too-recent past doesn�t recall a skylight in the bathroom) and were very comfortable, encouraging lazy days snuggled up in bed.
Of course, one doesn�t pay for the pleasure of being here just to stay in bed all day, although with the peace and quiet, that is a decided temptation. Not that this is the sort of place with tons of activities: the point is a quiet retreat in nature, after all. The thing to do is soak and relax in the springs that give the resort the other part of its name, which are divvied up into different pools: there are the large Warm Pools, a series of stone-paved cascading pools of�what else?�naturally warmed water; the Soda Pools, so named as a reference to the mineral quality of the water here; and the Lover�s Pool, the more secluded scene of many a romantic tryst (well, not really, but just use your imagination).
A short walk (it seems much longer if you�re not used to the exercise) through gorgeous tropical mountain scenery (stop to appreciate the 300-year-old Amlang tree, which is marked with a plaque) brings you to the Hidden Falls, a low but strong waterfall that is responsible for carving out the gorge along the mountainside. (I�ll spare you the pictures of the waterfall, which has flabby bathers (ie, us) in the forground, but there are some eerie shots of the gorge, which the guide said was some 35 meters deep.) There�s a shallow area in front of the falls where the concrete path ends; you can lie down and get a free, all natural back massage from the pounding waters (Nick loved it so much he�s likened it to a spiritual experience).
Quiet nature walks are the way to go if you want to find yourself and lose the madding crowd, but, well, if you bring the crowd with you, there�s always the videoke in the bar next to the dining pavilion. Meals are also a good time to socialize; what with the perpetually laid out buffet (there�s breakfast, which we ate al fresco; lunch, merienda, and dinner, which are taken in the pavilion) you can always start a conversation over a meal. The food is classic native fare, and we lucked out on our first night there, since they had lechon and some sashimi fresh from Gen San. The small patios outside the casitas are also a good spot to while away long nights filled with usapang lasing.
Aside from personal retreats and nature tripping with friends, the resort is also popular for company outings and planning sessions�they�ve got two conference rooms with all the attendant equipment. They�ve also got a putting green and a small activity area (with a mini gym and pool, foosball, and pingpong tables) for people who just can�t sit still.
Peace and quiet in nature�s bosom doesn�t come cheap, though. Overnight stays for two will set you back 9,866 bucks. That gives you a welcome drink, buffet meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the second day, and use of all the facilities. If you�re holding out on the cash, day trips are also available for P1,800: you get welcome drinks, the lunch and merienda buffets, use of all the facilities, and use of the locker rooms (so you have a place to plunk down your stuff).
I�d certainly come back here if I had the cash to shell out and a world to escape from. In fact, if I were really flush, I�d stay here for a whole week for a personal retreat of sorts. The natural, larger than life setting (what with the towering coconut trees and the ever-pounding falls) inspires a lot of reflection and meditation, and the fresh air does wonders for your soul.
Much thanks to Natalia and the Roxas clan, for welcoming us warmly and making our stay very entertaining (special mention must be made of the musical stylings of Abby and Peegee). Can�t wait to come back!
Hidden Valley Springs
Alaminos, Laguna
Sales Office - Cattleya Gardens, C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati
840-4112, 818-4034
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ive never been to Hidden Valley… but ive heard so much about it. thanks for the pictures… theyre beautiful… it did showcase the beauty of the place! so peaceful and trangquil…
all i can say is WOW. i’d love to have a personal retreat there too. just to get away from it all.. the hassles of city life..
You know what, I had a classmate back in high school whose lola was said to have owned Hidden Valley. His surname is neither Roxas nor Natalia though.
I visited the place more than a decade ago. Yeah, it really is very lush and tranquil.
wow!! i havent been to hidden valley in years.
it’s been so long that i dont even remember how the place used to look.
I must say its once again on the list of places where i want to go.
:)
you are welcome… very well written * all your articles are well written what am I saying!!* until next adventure to the mystical forest!
Flabby bathers! Yeah! That made my day!
Miss you, Ate Betty… Balik na tayo dun!
last time i went there was almost 20 years ago yata :p
but i do remember having a grand time and being amazed at how nice the place was. it’s nice to know that they were able to maintain it
wahaha!
sorry rox ha, nadamay pa kayo! ;) at si kat na flat ang tyan hahaha!
jillsabs,
grabe, 20 years ago, talk about childhood memories! :)
How do I get there?
If I’m coming from Manila, how do I get to Hidden Valley?
edsel: just take south super highway then exit via lucena… then it will fork to go to sto.tomas,batangas… straight lang yun, until you get to alaminos, then it will fork again then turn a slight left and follow signs to hidden valley….
if this is all too confusing for you… call 840-4112, 818-4034
to inquire about directions…
I hope you make it there!
Hi!
Great article!
Do you have to book in advance for this? Or can you just show up? (say, for a day trip?)
And, is there a place just to lie down and relax if we just get the day trip package?
Thanks :)
@ Tanya : yes you ca certainly walk in there and go there for a day trip only… its Php 1,550 including buffet lunch and merienda, and use of all amenities…. and there are places to definitely relax!
Hi..all of the comments are for real! i was also amazed by this article..clear photos aggravates my desire of going there w/ my fiance.
Just wondering if these photos were recently taken? How much would it cost to stay a night or two for Double occupancy in a regular room, needless of the TV?
Are there any worthwhile tourist places that we can get to visit around the area. If in any case we’ll decide to go out of the resort and walk around outside but still within Alaminos?
Thank you so much! Nice site!
@bea: the range of prices for an overnight is from Php 3000 to Php 5000 i am not to sure, so call the number on the bottom of the article.;.
the resort in a long way from town… so there are no nearby tourist place besides Hidden Valley…
I remember going to Hidden Valley back in 2002. Man this place is the best. If you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of Manila (I just hate Manila…) go to Hidden Valley. Although the prices are kinda steep (I remember it was like P8000+ per person per day when my family and I stayed there), it’s well worth it. The food is amazing, eat all you can, theres a band that goes from table to table singing for you, the ambiance, all perfect.
hi, cool site! My friends are planning to go to hidden valley. We’re kinda feeling adventurous, so we’re thinking of taking the bus from manila to alaminos. I know there’s a bus that can drop us to Alaminos, but do you know if there’s a jeepney or tryke that can take us to Hidden Valley, back and forth the bus stop? Thank you. Hope to hear from you soon.
We will be going to Hidden Valley next week for a family reunion [my husband’s side]. I will post comments after that. =D I’m so excited, the pictures here are amazing!
can u send to my email add the contact no. of hidden valley.. tnx…do they conduct retreat in that place..
jay-r,
not sure about the regular jeepney and trike routes, but i’m pretty sure you can hire at least a trike to take you there and arrange for him to pick you up again for your departure. not sure about the rates, though.
cha,
the contact numbers are at the bottom of the post… you can call them for inquiries… i don’t know of any organized retreats that they hold there, but you should be able to conduct your own retreat if you wish. :)
lara,
looking forward to your news! :D
Nice place!Just want to know if it is safe for a pregnant woman to soak in hot springs.Hope to hear from you soon because me and my preggy wife are planning to visit the place.Thanks
we went there last week. nice place but the food was terrible! corned beef - super alat
sotanghon - super tabang
pork & chicken - super tigas
dessert - my goodness! dessert sa mga canteen…gulaman and minatamis na saging na sunog ang arnibal.
gie,
better ask your doctor for advice on this… you can’t be too sure!
mimay,
aw, sayang… at least you enjoyed the place, if not the food. :)
hi bets!
my mom was wondering if ok pa rin puntahan yan ng foreigners? a while back kasi (or actually a loooong time ago), the roads were not good going there plus news of NPAs in the area and car holdups.
you think the roads are safer now going there?
hey elaine!
the roads are fine na… the only part where you’ll leave the highway is right before entering the actual hidden valley compound. i can’t say how the npa situation is now though… dalhin mo na lang up id mo just in case, hahaha! ;)
harhar….
elaine,
;) email moko kwento kung matuloy kayo! :) going to try out gamecrab this saturday, so i’ll be in your neck of the woods. :) wanna join us?
hi,
i loved the photos of hidden valley. my boyfriend and i are going to the phil. for vacations during october this year and would love to visit hidden valley.
can u get to hidden valley by train from manila? is so which train should we catch and how much would it cost?
bel
hi bel,
hmmm… i don’t think you can get all the way to hidden valley by train… the closest line is the pnr (philippine national railway) which reaches laguna, but believe me, you don’t want to take that! :p
i think the best way to go is by bus, if you’re commuting. however, try asking the sales office for other options; they may have a shuttle service available.
Isn’t it that Hidden Valley is part of Calauan, Laguna?
tito pot,
technically it’s in alaminos, which is adjacent to calauan, but since it’s a huge property, i’m not sure if some of it falls in calauan already.
Hi,
Do you have the telephone number of hidden spring office?
Thanks.
hi ronald,
do you mean hidden spring or hidden valley? the sales office numbers of hidden valley are listed above. isn’t hidden spring a mineral water brand?
Sorry. I was referring to Hidden Valley.
Thanks
hi ronald,
hope you get to contact them. :)
My wife and I is planning to have an overnight stay there. How much would it cost us. We live in Manila. Many thanks for reply.
paano po magpunta sa hidden valley spring resort from south super highway?? :)
@Ely,
You can call the sales office to inquire about current rates. :) The numbers are 840-4112 and 818-4034.
@Angela,
To quote Natalia’s directions:
“just take south super highway then exit via lucena… then it will fork to go to sto.tomas,batangas… straight lang yun, until you get to alaminos, then it will fork again then turn a slight left and follow signs to hidden valley….
if this is all too confusing for you… call 840-4112, 818-4034
to inquire about directions…” :)
Hi,
My boyfriend and I area planning to go for a 3 days vacation in Hidden Valley but the website that I reserved at does not give us a confirmation on my email :( We are not sure if there is a room available tomorrow. I tried to call the number above but since it’s Sunday I assume no one is there to answer the phone. Please help me how I can contact the resort today :)
thanks so much!
Hi,
My husband and I together with his family are planning to visit Hidden Valley.
Can we avail a room even if we will just stay there for a day (DAY Tour)? How much it cost?
Thanks
pupunta kme dyn sa summer kila jonathan. HEADED by jackbwenas jeff romy alex at iba pa taga PLM
Hi there!
This goes out for those who have been in hidden valley; me and my gf are planning to go too, but we find the available packages too pricey. Can anyone suggest a sample itinerary? We plan to stay for 3 days and 2 nights.
Thanks.
Do we need to do any kind of reservations or downpayments if we are just going for a day trip?
hw much is the cost of overnight stay in hidden valley?do we nid to book first?thnx
@mhalou19: def have to book first…
as i am saying thanks betty again!!
this inquiries is best referred to the booking office… and numbers are found on the bottom of the article…
for the some one who disliked the food… i apologized.. this matter will be resolved… i know its late but its going to be addressed
After reading this blog makes me want to start my own :)