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IF the
recent holiday season left you exhausted and weary of
the smoke-filled city and noche buena leftovers, then
perhaps a trip to Fontana Leisure Parks is in order.
Just a
two-hour drive from the Metro, Fontana offers members
with sprawling hectares of villas, water parks, hotels
and casino. Newly renovated and under new management
since 2004,
Fontana
had its soft-opening last December 23 for its new
clubhouse.
A touch of the Venetian
Fontana’s elaborately designed lobby welcomes guests.
The new
clubhouse houses a world-class spa, a hotel, the Golden
Pavilion Chinese restaurant, KTV rooms, new VIP gaming
rooms and the new Palms Bar. Patrons can also watch out
for the Olympic-sized swimming pool still under
construction. The Jimei Group Inc., headed by chairman
Dr. Jack Lam, took over the ownership and management of
Fontana
in October 2004. Jimei’s first venture in the country
was the purchase of Fort Ilocandia in 2000.
The
redevelopment plan for
Fontana
started with the theme park, the only main attraction at
the time. The existing villas were also repaired and
refurbished, along with the construction of additional
villas. Today there are 439 villas, including
two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. Big families can
also opt for the two-story villas. The occupants can
experience privacy and immediate pleasure in villas that
come with a private pool and sauna.
The
existing casino was also renovated and expanded to
accommodate the growing number of players from mainland
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Dr. Lam started
doing business in the
Philippines
as one of the several junket operators who would
organize groups of players from abroad to play in the
local casinos.
An
elaborately designed lobby welcomes guests to Fontana’s
new clubhouse. A high-ceilinged room with décor
reminiscent of The Venetian Hotel in Macau, guests have
described it as “little Venetian in
Fontana.”
When fully completed, the clubhouse will be home to more
specialty shops and restaurants, a bowling alley and a
minitheater.
If you
want to experience relaxation and pleasure at its
finest, then Fontana should be on your list of
must-go-to local destinations.
Fontana’s
spa is equipped with world-class amenities and gracious
attendants who are at your beck and call. Spacious
saunas and treatment rooms will ensure satisfaction.
Those
who want a different eating experience should visit the
Golden Pavilion, which offers authentic Cantonese
cuisine and entertainment, just fitting for the grand
design and atmosphere of the restaurant.
Fontana
also houses the biggest convention center in Northern
Luzon, which was inaugurated last November with
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor. The
convention center boasts of nine function rooms/halls
with state-of-the-art facilities. The biggest hall can
accommodate up to 2,000 people in a seminar-type
seating, or 1,200 people in a sit-down dinner. The
smallest room can accommodate an intimate gathering of
14 people.
Asked
about his long-term commitment to the Philippines, Dr.
Lam said, “I am fully committed to actively support
Philippine tourism and development. Jimei’s investment
in tourism-related infrastructure in the Philippines is
proof that it’s not just funds investment that we can
pull out anytime. Our commitment involves creating jobs
and other income/business opportunities in the country.
We are here for the long haul.”
Currently, there are more than 2,000 employees working
in Fontana and Fort Ilocandia.
The
latest attractions in
Fontana
are just part of the first phase of its development.
Members and local and foreign tourists should also watch
out for the opening of the 36-hole golf course by the
third quarter of this year.
The soft
opening last December was a lavish affair that featured
celebrities from Hong Kong, entertainment by Kyla and
the band Retrospect. The food and wine were overflowing,
and the wondrous evening was capped off by an elaborate
display of fireworks.
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