Wanderworld

In a time when everyone is cautious to go out but is raring to do so due to cabin fever brought about by the pandemic, many people resort to private vacation homes or Airbnbs when it comes to travel. Perhaps the safest bet for a travel vacation in the new normal, such private vacation homes promise a safe escape away from the crowds or strangers as they offer exclusive access to a specific group of travelers only. Such is the case of Lakeview at Halang Vacation Home, a hidden gem in Lipa, Batangas which offers sweeping views of the Taal Lake and Mt. Maculot and the Taal Volcano from afar.

Wake up to glorious views of the Taal Lake

Who knew that you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Taal Lake from Lipa, Batangas?! Well, I didn’t. I honestly thought that the lake was just visible from the crowd-favorite (hence relatively unsafe now) Tagaytay. Apparently, though, Brgy. Halang in Lipa is also home to surrounding views of Taal Lake, and most houses here boast stunning lake views right at their doorsteps.

Lakeview at Halang Vacation Home is one of the private accommodations that you can book in Lipa, Batangas. True to its name, it offers idyllic views of Taal Lake bordered by Mt. Maculot on the left and with the Taal volcano sitting pretty in the middle, seen from afar. Available for booking via Airbnb and its Facebook page, the exclusive getaway offers two houses perfect for big groups and families: Lakeview I and Lakeview II.

Since 2019, my family and relatives from my mother’s side get together during the holidays and spend Christmas together at a private vacation home. Last year, 2021, we ended up booking Lakeview I and had one of the best Christmas celebrations ever.

Lakeview I vs. Lakeview II

Lakeview II was our original choice for our vacation; unfortunately, another group beat us to making the reservation. Since we had no other options, we decided to book Lakeview I instead, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it offers way better views, especially of the sunset, than Lakeview II.

Both houses have swimming pools, videoke, kitchen where you can cook your own food, and of course numerous rooms with bathrooms. From photos alone, Lakeview II would easily be anyone’s choice because it boasts a glass house where you can enjoy the scenic views from every corner. The house in Lakeview I, on the other hand, is not made of glass, but its advantage is its strategic location directly facing the lake, thereby offering expansive and 360-degree views of the stunning landscape. Moreover, it has a viewing deck that takes you closer to the scenery, which is also the best place to soak up unobstructed views of the gorgeous sunset. In contrast, Lakeview II is located behind Lakeview I, so guests there only enjoy about 1/3 of the view. More importantly, while guests there can see the sunset from afar, it would be impossible for them to take decent pictures of it because most likely the guests staying in Lakeview I and its roof deck will be obstructing the view. For me/us, this is a major setback especially since a stay in Lakeview II is more expensive than in Lakeview I.

Lakeview I cost Php21,375 per day during our stay. It has six rooms and can accommodate 20 people. For more info, visit their Airbnb and Facebook pages. A downpayment of half of the total amount is required when booking directly with them.

Anyway, enough of the talking. Here are some photos to give you an idea on what to expect in Lakeview I.

The lowdown

Now, for an honest-to-goodness review, here are the pros and cons of Lakeview I based on our experience:

Pros:

• private getaway near Metro Manila, just 1.5 hours drive
• perfect for big groups and families
• captivating and relaxing panoramic views of Taal Lake, Mt. Maculot, and Taal volcano (from afar)
• breathtaking sunset view
• has a “mini bar” (refrigerator) where you can buy softdrinks, alcoholic beverages, and other drinks
• offers cooked meals upon request
• accommodating and receptive caretakers — you can easily call them for any concerns and they’ll quickly attend to your needs
• offers buffet meals with table setup and butler during your stay (for pre-booking) albeit expensive
• touchscreen mirror with light in some of the restrooms (lol)
• you can ask them to buy food from the market for you for a fee

Cons:

• small beds and rooms
• small refrigerator in the kitchen
• the caretakers stay in the upper area of the house, which is off-limits to guests. This means that you can’t access the veranda which is located there
• some of the guest rooms are located in a basement-like (but not really) area of the house. This is where the caretakers used to stay as it is a few steps away from the actual house. Rooms here don’t have their own bathrooms; the area only has 1 bathroom to be shared among the occupants of the 3 rooms there.
• the view from the pool is grotesquely obstructed by another property
• it can get really hot in the poolside area as it’s directly exposed to the sun during the afternoon
• the common restrooms are cramped (with barely a shower area) and not as clean as the ones in the rooms
• no other entertainment facilities besides videoke and swimming pool
• slightly expensive for an accommodation in Batangas, although the beautiful view somehow makes up for it

Travel/Booking Requirements:

During our stay last December, the owner/management didn’t ask for vaccination cards or Covid-19 tests especially since we were a family/all related to each other. However, they do check the temperature of each guest upon arrival. According to their rules, if one of the guests has fever upon checking in, the reservation will automatically be cancelled and a refund will be provided.

Happy and safe travels!