GREAT R & R AT SUBIC ZAMBALES
Hi everyone. I hope all of you had quality time to relax and reflect during the Holy Week much as we did. 
We took the opportunity to spend the long weekend out of town, to Subic, Zambales, that is. Actually there are so many places just nearby Metro Manila that’s great for a family getaway. But Subic was foremost our first choice despite having been there for so many times. Heehee, addict kasi sa Subic, that’s why. With so many places to see there, we simply can’t get over Subic more than anything else. Last year, we were also there, particularly at Camayan and Ocean Adventure, as a post third birthday treat for Nico. A little misfortune though during our stay last year, our camera went bonkers, thus, we didn’t have photos to keep, not even a single one. Tsk. And so from then, we made a promise we’ll go back to Subic no matter what, and which was what we did last Thursday.
The original plan was to book in Camayan again but we learned that as early as January, the resort was already fully booked for Holy Week so that left us no choice but to opt for other hotel accommodations. Cookie generously advice me of available accommodations within Subic (thanks Cookie, that was really helpful!) but unfortunate as it was, they’re all booked too as early as February. There are still a number of hotels within the Freeport zone I’ve researched on the net though, but fearing these are those nightmare hotels I’ve read through reviews in the net, Hubby and I decided to look at options even outside Subic, provided they are just minutes away from the Freeport area.
Long, long story but to shorten everything, we finally made booking in a resort in Zambales, just kilometers drive from Subic. The place wasn’t exactly the ideal choice I wished we were booked (the rate of accommodations was just way over pricey as compared to the prime rates in Subic) however, we thought it was the best option laid on our hands. So pikit-mata, off we booked first week of March, with high hopes it’s worth the money and the effort moving a little too far.
Towards the week before Holy Week, we were very much anticipating the long weekend already, excited to finally be back in Subic after almost a year of waiting. The excitement got me doing a little more of researching on what to expect in the place where we’re booked but who would ever thought that reading some more about that place nearly dampened our spirits to go. I happen to read a lot of thumbs down reviews of the resort hotel in the net and sad as it was, I honestly told Hubby what I’ve read so far so as we both know what to expect. You wouldn’t believe it, but just hours before we left Manila, we’re thinking of not going, if not for my Mom who tagged along with us because she’s on her way to the North anyway to meetup with sisters in the Church.
So heck, off we went. And I’m glad we did because the negative reviews I’ve read weren’t really true at all. Well, that’s as for us lang. The reviews, they were really far from the great R & R we’ve had in the resort hotel.
The 5.7 hectare place was great, White Rock Beach Resort and Hotel, that is. Our room just had everything that was expected of hotels to have. The beach was great for some swimming too. No litters or whatsoever unpleasant that the negative reviews mentioned. There are so many pools to choose from and all are clean. But the most that we’ve made tambay were the kids’ swimming area, all for the love of the Little Boy who enjoyed not only the pools but the entire playground as well. It houses seesaws, duyan, Little Tyke toys, and of course, the walang kamatayang slides.
One of the kiddie pools in the Resort
The play area within the kid’s swimming pools
Inflatable balloons too
And walang kamatayang slides, of course!
Short to say, the resort is a great family getaway and very kid friendly pa. Should Nico had been a little younger, say one to two year olds, I’m pretty sure he would have love staying in the little daycare room as well that it has lots of toys for little children to enjoy. That’s a great idea for resorts isn’t it?
A glimpse of the Daycare Area from a window
The hammocks hanging in the coconut trees just outside the main restaurant were perfect places to relax and reflect too, especially at night time when most you can hear are the pagaspas ng hangin and alon ng dagat.
Hammocks
The resort is not overly populated with people too. Just the right number of people, as Hubby had put it. And even with just a few people, the resort afforded to have their night entertainment at the grill restaurant near the beachfront.
If there’s any comment I’d have during our stay, it was the unavailability of the internet facility in the rooms. One had to go down to the main lobby just to connect, which I don’t mind anyway because even as we brought our laptop, it was there only for downloading photos, in anticipation that the memory card of the cam was full, which as expected, was what happened. Heehee.
The lobby–the only place in the hotel where WiFi is possible
Another is the overly pricey food for lunch and dinner. Because breakfast was the only meal that’s free (one to sawa, buffet eh), one has to pay for lunches and dinner meals, buffet that is, and no ala carte. But I think like all hotels out there, that’s just a natural thing. And hey, we’re not really that affected anyway because during major meals, we were out to eat within Subic.
Anyway, with all the great time we’ve had, I’d give the resort hotel a rate of four out of five, and a two thumbs up for the wonderful vacation we’ve had. The beach, the pools, the food, some shopping at Duty Free stores within Subic, encounters with sea creatures at the Ocean Adventure for the second time, a good drive in the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Highway, all of it-it was a great time to unwind and relax. Hubby and I even had an opportunity to reflect together and then on our own.
And now with tons of photos we’ve taken, you’d say we’re over Subic? A big NO still, because there are a lot more of places to visit. I’ve heard Jungle Joe just opened this March. Oh, I think the possibilities are endless.
Anyway, sharing some random photos during our Subic getaway. Right click on the thumbnails, then select view image to view the actual size of the photos.
So sorry for the overloads of photos, can’t help but post them. If in case they don’t load well, you can view the slideshow here.
20 March 2008
On the way to the resort hotel
Exploring the resort
21 March 2008
Pre-Ocean Adventure
Trip to Ocean Adventure
Afternoon swim at the beach
Dinner at Seafood by the Bay Subic
22 March 2008
Some more fun at the resort
30 responses so far
nalungkot ako for myself, ndi na tayo sabay 
when...
wow, truly a great r & r and the white rock beach resort & hotel is not bad after all
mhalou’s last blog post..Part One: CDO Adventure 2008
Hi Feng. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful photos of your Subic trip. Na excite tuloy ako sa pagpunta ng Subic. We might go there next week or the week after. We’ve never been there as a family so I’m excited.
I’m glad you all had a wonderful time. It’s good that you were able to relax, unwind and bond with one another. I could see how fun your trip was. Great shots.
Rach’s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot #22
yes it was Mhalou, just as planned.
and I’m pretty sure, you’ve had quite a quality R and R as well. 
you’re much welcome Rach! please excuse me for those photo overloads.
excited to share kasi, that’s why. 
oh yes, Subic is really a great place to visit this summer! if you’re pushing through with your plans for next week, baka magkita pa tayo.
we’re planning to come back again kasi. just heads me up, meet natin si Mitch dun or baka si T.Julie and Cookie, may balak din ata sila pumunta, kita kits na lang. heehee.
Ang daya mo!!!! Di ka nagparamdam. I was in Subic pa naman nung Saturday.
Mitch’s last blog post..Go Away!
I meant, I was inside SBMA hehe! Nasa Subic naman talaga ako wahahaha!
Mitch’s last blog post..Go Away!
hi Mitch! sensya na, kasi naman sabi mo nung last tayo nag YM, you’re going to Laguna. kaya nahiya bigla ako mag text sa yo.
di bale, if our plan pushes through, next week nandyan ulit kami. 
ay nakupo Mitch, nung Sat, nag drop pa kami sa Duty Free shops before going home. anuva yun. di bale, next time ha, promise, paramdam ako.
si Cookie din ata balik sa Subic. bday kasi ni Gab. sana matuloy tayo mag meetup.
Nasa Subic ako from 6pm till 1am hehe! Nanood kasi kami ng basketball sa Subic Gym tas diretso sa Boardwalk to watch a concert. :p
Sayang no? Di bale next time sana matuloy….
Mitch’s last blog post..Not Smart Enough!
Di kami natuloy sa Laguna, dapat din punta kami Pundaquit eh di naman nagparamdam yung mga pinsan ko.
Mitch’s last blog post..Not Smart Enough!
nakow, hibla lang ang pagitan. mga 6:30PM, pauwi na kami nun. ay sya, at next time, tuloy na talaga, promise!
Dapat lang!!!
Mitch’s last blog post..Not Smart Enough!
pag natuloy tayo, sama mo si Deye ha. wag ang hindi kasi, sama ko si Nico.
hala naku, dapat nag YM na lang tayo eh noh?
O sige para magmeet na sila at ng magkaalaman na kung compatible wahahaha!
Mitch’s last blog post..Not Smart Enough!
hahaha, sige. at pag natuloy pa si Cookie, sama din si Adi. naku, triangle riot ito!
Hmmmm…. hayaan na nating si Nico ang magdecide, pramis di ako magdadamdam hahaha! O cge goli na ako kasi aalis pa ako.
Mitch’s last blog post..Green Green Grass Of Home
the pics look very vivid! the place seems to be a great place for kids naman ah. maybe the bad reviews you read are from people without kids, hehe…
ruth’s last blog post..easter reflections
Hi Ruth!
siguro nga these reviews that I’ve read are those from child-free vacationers. well, kanya kanya din lang ng opinions.
uy, maganda pala nga dyan sa white rock ano? baka sa sunod na balik namin dyan sa pinas although we are looking to the south naman
raqgold’s last blog post..Stress-free airport ride and wait
Ay sus sayang, we were supposed to go to Subic too but we begged off kasi ang dami daw tao. Dapat derecho kami from Bacolor. Pero baka sa next long weekend babalik kami kasi bday ni Gaby. We’re also excited to try Jungle Joe’s.
Uy sama ka sa Thursday? Sa Pasig ang Eating Club. Did you get my email?
hi Raq!
oo, ganda dun, swak na swak yan kay IC and MC. dami ding maganda sa South though, Batangas and Cavite part. naku, yun na daw talaga inisip eh noh. eh parang, kababalik nyo lang sa Germany eh. heehee.
hi Cookie, eh naku, daming tao talaga! NLEX pa lang, ramdam mo na dami ng tao. kami din, baka sakaling matuloy sa long weekend, hopefully.
ay syempre, sama ako sa Eating Club sa Thurs. got you and Chats’ email. eh ako pa, obvious ba sa katawan na mahilig kumain. heehee. I’ll probably text Lynn para sabay kami papunta coz she’s also coming from Makati.
see you Cooks!
Wow Feng! Glad you enjoyed your r&r in zambales! Great pictures! Sunny & bright! full of colors! unlike our trip, gloomy!!
loved the kiddie pool with slides! naku eh lahat naman yata ng bata favorite ang slides! Buti tinuloy nyo ang reservation nyo don. Kasi totoo naman na kahit paano affected tayo sa reviews na nababasa natin. But buti na lang it turned out okay naman pala for you guys 
talaga? marami na rin akong nababasa at naririnig na hindi maganda about white rock. but your pictures and your testimony make the place look very interesting.
lady cess’s last blog post..She Did It!
talaga? marami na rin akong nababasa at naririnig na hindi maganda about white rock. but your pictures and your testimony make the place look very interesting.
Hmp! Nakakainggit kayo kasi magkakalapit kayo.
Mitch’s last blog post..He’s Locked In!
hi Thet! oh well, buti na nga din tumuloy kami. honestly, affected talaga ako with the reviews I’ve read, but am glad it was a complete turnaround of everything.
haha, yung trip you sa Europe, nakow, eh kahit bagyuhan pa, basta Europe OK na OK lang din sa akin. heehee.
oh how kids really love slides, sama mo pa carousels.
hi Cess! I assume pareho tayo ng mga nabasang reviews sa Net. eh naku, nightmare talaga mga kwento kaya naman sobrang affected ako. pero buti na din, tumuloy kami, at least, nasulit naman ang stay.
hi Mitch! ey, naku, di bale ikaw naman susugurin namin dyan. I feel it’s gonna be pretty pretty soon. heehee.
Sometimes when reading reviews, we have to know the “personality” of those who wrote them. Baka naman mga reklamador talaga, so they would find fault with everything that they see. If needs are simple, yun na, people don’t have to put up great expectations kasi malamang disappointed talaga.
julie’s last blog post..SEAIR Flies to Batanes