DUMAGUETE CITY—The capital of Negros Oriental province may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people talk about out-of-town trips, but it is undoubtedly paradise, not only for laidback travelers, but for adventurous ones, as well.
Home to approximately 121,000 people, Dumaguete attracts thousands of visitors every month. How can it not, with major airlines offering daily flights to and from the city? Also, Dumaguete benefits from easy ferry services that bring passengers from Cebu City, Cebu province.
Called the City of Gentle People, Dumaguete is famous for its university-town atmosphere (it is, after all, where Silliman University is found), low-key charms and friendly residents. In fact, it is even dubbed one of the country’s retirement capitals; many Filipinos and foreigners have chosen to spend their retirement years here, partly because of its proximity to beaches, mountains and other natural attractions.
Dumaguete is also known for the wild and daring adventures it can offer. It is a place to experience unforgettable outdoor activities and breathtaking sceneries. Just 45 kilometers northwest of the city, visitors can avail themselves of dolphin- and whale-watching tours in the country. This area is acknowledged as having one of the world’s biggest concentrations of marine mammals.
That’s not all. There is also the Manjuyod White Sand Bar, which emerges only during low tide and is a convenient stopover for dolphin- and whale-watching groups; and Apo Island, one of the country’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations.
Closer to Dumaguete is the picturesque Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Sibulan town. The park is surrounded by forests, are rich in fish and fauna, and is home to an expansive ecosystem.
There are countless other activities that travelers can choose from when they arrive in Dumaguete, but there is one place here where they can have calm and thrilling times: the Santa Monica Beach Club.
Haven in the city
LOCATED in Barangay Banilad, the Santa Monica Beach Club is the only boutique hotel-cum-beach resort found within the city, making it the top getaway place that doesn’t compromise the quality and the experience it offers to guests. A convenient 15-minute drive from the city airport, the beach club is found among the nipa plantations in a quiet fishing village.
Santa Monica promises a wonderful retreat, not only for tourists who are looking to relax and unwind, but also bold and adventurous visitors who crave for some excitement.
Guests can now expect greater things from the resort, as major renovations are now being undertaken by its new management: the Amorita Group of Resorts, the same group that manages the Amorita Resort and Momo Beach House in Panglao Island, Bohol province, and the Funny Lion Inn in Coron town, Palawan province.
“We want to make Santa Monica a tourist destination in the city,” said Marc Guerrero, the resort’s manager.
With a design that has a contemporary architectural concept, gives off a rustic feel and uses indigenous materials, Santa Monica has a homey and relaxing ambience, making it the haven of choice for those looking for a place to stay, loosen up and lie down after spending the day exploring Dumaguete and the surrounding areas.
The beach club has 19 spacious and comfortable rooms: seven deluxe rooms with twin beds; seven deluxe rooms with a king-sized bed; and four two-story family lofts that have a king-sized bed on the ground floor, and a single and double beds on the second floor.
For a homier vibe, families can opt to stay in the beach house, which is complete with rooms, a kitchen and entertainment facilities.
Each of the elegantly decorated pastel rooms includes full air-conditioning, a light-emitting diode television, wireless Internet, an in-room safe, and equipment for making tea and coffee.
Event-driven facilities
ACCORDING to Guerrero, the resort’s goal is to have more events than rooms.
“Dumaguete is a very backpacker-friendly city. There are hostels and resorts that have very low rates, which make the competition very stiff,” Guerrero explained. “But this does not worry us, because we have found our niche market, which is really more on events.”
“Like what they say here, the kids have their debut [parties] here in the Santa Monica Beach Club, as well as their weddings and their kids’ baptisms. It’s a cycle for families, and we are privileged to share that kind of experience with them,” he said.
Indeed, Santa Monica is focused on becoming the leading boutique hotel and beach resort, not only for vacations, but also for special meetings, exhibitions and events in Negros island.
“We believe that if people choose to hold events in the resort, they will also bring [more guests] for the rooms,” Guerrero said.
Santa Monica has the Glass House, a multipurpose function room that can comfortably seat up to 180 people. Its garden can hold a maximum of 600 persons for events, such as weddings or parties.
The resort also has the Lanai Restaurant, headed by chef, dietician and nutritionist Syl Francis Malenab. It features a menu of delectable local and international cuisine. Guests can choose from the restaurant’s selection of fresh and grilled seafood. They can also feast on classic Filipino dishes, such as sinigang na baboy, sizzling bulalo and crispy pata; or international ones, such as South Korean Galbi jjim, crispy fried yellow chicken curry, and honey barbecue spareribs.
Aside from the restaurant, guests can also enjoy Santa Monica’s Oasis Pool Bar, where they can enjoy the atmosphere of the resort while sipping their favorite cocktail or wines that are exclusively distributed to Amorita resorts.
Environment-friendly
GUERRERO said that, besides the superb facilities and accommodations it offers, Santa Monica exerts every effort to maintain its being environment-friendly by implementing green measures.
The resort follows simple procedures, such as strictly segregating wastes, giving out straws in the restaurant only upon the diner’s request, and planting fruit-bearing trees in its backyard. To date, about 5,000 trees and shrubs have been planted, including lemongrass, which the resort’s personnel use for making shampoo, drinks and fragrance for the rooms.
Shampoos are stored in recycled bottles, instead of the usual small plastic bottles, to avoid excessive production and consumption.
Guerrero explained that waste water is not treated anymore; instead, a biosolution technology is used. The local government even saw this technology and wants to adopt it.
With all these and more coming in the next years, guests will undeniably find paradise in the heart of Dumaguete City, in the Santa Monica Beach Club. Indeed, calming and thrilling times are what the resort promises to guests.