Michi Photostory: Batangas

Showing posts with label Batangas. Show all posts

June 16, 2026

Discovery Dive and Family Getaway at Solana Resort, Anilao

Our First Visit to Solana Resort

A few years ago, we spent a relaxing Weekend Getaway at Solana Resort in Anilao, Batangas. Since my mom was visiting the Philippines at the time, I decided to book a resort stay for the family and treat her to a relaxing seaside getaway while we enjoyed some quality time together.

What we didn’t know before arriving was that reaching the resort required climbing around 250 steps. It was definitely an unexpected challenge during our first visit.

Little did we know that this would not be our last visit.

Returning to Solana Resort with a Bigger Group

We enjoyed our first stay so much that when we planned a bigger family getaway the following year, I suggested Solana Resort. Since we were already familiar with the stairs, I made sure to give everyone a heads-up beforehand. After all, climbing 250 steps is not an easy feat, especially for older family members or those carrying bags.

In my previous blog post, I even mentioned that the stairs would probably be the only reason we might not return. As it turned out, I was wrong.

Less than a year later, we found ourselves back at Solana Resort, this time with a bigger group of 12 family members plus one driver. My mom treated the family to this trip, making it another memorable experience together. Some additional expenses, including room upgrades and other add-ons, were paid separately.

Solana Resort Room Rates and Accommodation

This trip happened two years ago, so the rates mentioned below may have changed. During our stay, Solana Resort charged per person, and the package already included room accommodation, lunch, dinner, and breakfast buffet.

Here are the rooms we booked:

· Beach Front Room – PHP 5,450 x 2
· Sea View Room – PHP 4,750 x 2 + PHP 3,000 for 1 child
· Sea View Room – PHP 4,250 x 3
· Sea View Room – PHP 4,050 x 4
· Driver Accommodation – PHP 2,050 (with plated meals)

Rates vary depending on the room category and number of guests.

Check-in time was at 2:00 PM, but we arrived much earlier, so our rooms were not ready yet. My brother, who was eager to settle in, decided to upgrade their room to a Solana Club Room for an additional PHP 2,200.

Interestingly, before 11:30 AM, all of our Sea View Rooms were already available.

If I remember correctly, only the Beach Front Room needed a little more time to be prepared.

Changes We Noticed During Our Second Visit

During our second stay, we noticed a few changes compared to our first visit.

Previously, guests only needed to sign a sports waiver upon arrival. This time, there was an additional PHP 50 environmental fee per person.

The complimentary kayak was also no longer available, and guests could rent a kayak for PHP 100 per hour.

Food and Buffet Experience

One thing we always look forward to at Solana Resort is the food. Lunch officially starts at 12:00 NN, but the buffet spread was already available by 11:30 AM. I can no longer remember the names of all the dishes, but I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Before checking out, we also decided to try their lunch buffet, which costs PHP 700 per adult and PHP 350 per child.

For reference, here are the buffet schedules:

Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Lunch: 12:00 NN – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Resort Activities and Family Bonding

Aside from enjoying the food and beautiful views, we also spent quality time together by trying some of the activities available at the resort.

Some members of our group tried kayaking and snorkeling for the first time. It was a simple activity, but it became one of the memorable moments of our family getaway. Being out on the water while enjoying the view of Anilao was a fun experience, especially for those who had never tried kayaking before.

During our stay, we also borrowed Truth and Drink from the resort (without the drinking part, of course!) and had a great time answering questions and sharing stories with each other. The resort also has other games available for guests, which is a nice option for families and groups who want to relax and bond without leaving the property.

These little activities made our stay more enjoyable because they gave us more opportunities to spend time together beyond swimming, eating, and taking photos.

Discovery Dive Experience in Anilao

Since Anilao is famous for its diving spots, my husband decided to try the resort’s Discovery Dive experience during our second visit.

The activity cost PHP 3,500, with an additional PHP 1,000 for underwater photos. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience Anilao’s underwater beauty, even as a beginner.

The experience allowed him to see marine life up close and appreciate why Anilao is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Philippines.

Baby Shark Sighting Before We Left

One of the most memorable moments from our trip happened right before we left.

We noticed a sign that said: “Sharks’ happy place. Stay on shore so they do not swim away.” At first, we thought it was simply a fun reminder for guests. But during our stay, we were lucky enough to spot baby sharks swimming near the shore.

Seeing them in their natural environment was such a unique experience and definitely became one of the highlights of our trip.

Final Thoughts: Is Solana Resort Worth Visiting?

Despite the 250-step climb, everyone enjoyed our family getaway at Solana Resort. The stunning views, delicious food, relaxing atmosphere, and quality time spent together made the effort worthwhile.

Our second visit proved that the stairs were not enough to stop us from coming back. Sometimes, the best memories are found after a little effort—and for us, Solana Resort was definitely worth the climb.

May 29, 2026

Family Outing at Matabungkay Beach Hotel in Batangas

I was not expecting that my life would be this busy during summer vacation. I was only looking forward to our Disney Cruise trip, but after that, sunod-sunod na ang family trips namin. Because of that, hindi ko na tuloy alam kung ano ang uunahin kong i-blog.

My mom came back to the Philippines for vacation, so we had a family reunion at a private resort. After that, we went to Bicol, and recently, we had our family outing at Matabungkay Beach Hotel.

Since we were also busy planning for our Calaguas Island trip, my nephew volunteered to search and book our accommodation. A 30% down payment was required to confirm the reservation.

Growing up, I always heard that Matabungkay Beach Hotel was one of the popular beach resorts in Batangas. It was funny because after so many decades, this was actually our first time visiting the resort. I already expected that the hotel would look a bit old, and honestly, Lian, Batangas is not really known for having the best beach, especially during low tide. But at the end of the day, we came here mainly for family bonding, so okay lang. The seniors and teenagers in our group still enjoyed the pool and beach area.

Located in Lian, Batangas, Matabungkay Beach Hotel is a well-known beachfront resort that has been operating for decades. It became popular because of its floating cottages or “balsa,” which became one of the resort’s signature attractions. Many families and balikbayans visit the resort because it is only a few hours away from Manila, making it a convenient destination for quick weekend getaways.

The beach in Matabungkay is usually calm, making it suitable for families with kids and senior citizens. However, visitors should also expect low tide during certain hours of the day, which is common in the area. Aside from swimming, guests can also enjoy kayaking, beach volleyball, boating activities, and simply relaxing by the shore.

What I also noticed during our stay is that the resort has a very laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere. Even though some parts of the hotel already show their age, the resort still attracts guests because of its large property, beachfront location, and complete amenities. It’s one of those classic Batangas resorts that many Filipino families grew up hearing about or visiting during summer vacations.

Check-in time was 3 PM, so before heading to the resort, we decided to have lunch first at Kainan sa Dalampasigan. We arrived at the hotel a little past 12 noon, and the place was already crowded, so it took quite some time before we could finally check in. While waiting, we were served welcome drinks, which somehow helped us relax after the long drive.

We were a group of 11 people, so we booked four Deluxe Rooms at PHP 6,050 per room for two persons, plus PHP 1,250 per extra person. The rooms were good for three people, while a fourth guest required an extra bed.

As expected, the rooms already looked old, but they were surprisingly spacious compared to Deluxe Rooms in other resorts. In fact, each room even had its own balcony. The only downside was the air conditioning. Mainit yung ibang rooms namin, and the aircon could not really cool the room properly. Out of the four rooms we booked, isa lang yung talagang malamig.

One thing I liked about Matabungkay Beach Hotel is that the property is huge and offers several facilities, including a Kiddie Pool, Main Pool, Lounge Pool, Jacuzzi (for an additional fee), Pet Lodge, Boutique, Karaoke and Sports Bar, and even a spa.

My husband also tried their massage service worth PHP 800, and according to him, sulit naman because he woke up the next morning without any body aches.

For dinner, we availed of their buffet at Cafe Caballero for PHP 499 per person. The spread included grilled liempo, fried chicken, buttered corn and carrots, egg drop soup, fresh fruits, and juice. Honestly, medyo nakukulangan kami because there was no seafood included in the menu. But since we were already tired and didn’t want to think about where to eat dinner, we still decided to go for it.

Thankfully, the buffet breakfast included in our room accommodation was much better than the dinner buffet. There were more food choices, and overall, we enjoyed breakfast more.

For lunch the next day, instead of eating at a restaurant, we rented a balsa for PHP 2,000 and had our lunch there (take-out from a restaurant). We ordered Sinigang na Baboy, Sinigang na Hipon, Grilled Liempo, Grilled Bangus, Grilled Tilapia, Chopsuey, Rice and Mineral Water.

We honestly had no idea what to expect from the balsa experience, so medyo sayang because we were not able to maximize the rental. We only used it for lunch, a bit of rest, then we headed home afterward. We also experienced this kind of floating cottage setup during our trip to Ybonita Farm and Villas.

Matabungkay Beach Hotel also has several dining options aside from Cafe Caballero, including Cogon Bar, Pool Bar, Sand Box Cafe, Sand Bar, and Sirena Sports and Karaoke Bar. If ever we go back to this resort, I would love to try their seafood buffet at Sand Bar. I saw the menu during check-out, and for PHP 499 per head, mukhang sulit siya.

If you are planning to stay here, I suggest arriving earlier than check-in time, especially during weekends and peak season, because the lobby can get crowded.

PHP35 for the environmental fee and registration fee per head.

May 26, 2026

Family Lunch at Kainan sa Dalampasigan in Batangas

After more than a decade, we finally found ourselves back at Kainan sa Dalampasigan before our family outing at Matabungkay Beach Hotel. While the restaurant looked almost exactly the same as I remembered, one thing had definitely changed over the years: the prices.

Before heading to the beach, I suggested that we stop for lunch first at Kainan sa Dalampasigan, a well-known seafood restaurant in Lian, Batangas, that’s popular among travelers on their way to Nasugbu or Lian Batangas Resorts. The restaurant is known for its Filipino dishes and bilao-style platters that are ideal for families and large groups. With its spacious dining area and wide selection of seafood and grilled favorites, it continues to be a convenient and satisfying stop for beachgoers.

It had been 12 years since our last visit, so naturally, I became curious and checked my old blog post for comparison. Back then, the Bilao sa Dalampasigan cost only PHP850. Today, the same platter is already priced at PHP2,300. Inflation really hit hard, and I honestly didn’t expect the increase to be that huge. Thankfully, despite the higher prices, the quality and taste of the food still lived up to expectations.

We were a group of 11 people and ordered the following:

Seafood Bilao – PHP2,300
Baked Tahong, Calamares, Daing na Bangus, Chili Garlic Shrimps
Bilao sa Dalampasigan – PHP2,300
Baked Tahong, Inihaw na Baboy, Garlic Fried Shrimps, Daing na Bangus
Bulalo – PHP950 (2 orders)
Chili Garlic Shrimps – PHP465
Rice Platter – PHP220 (3 orders)
Lemon Iced Tea Pitcher – PHP285
Calamansi Juice – PHP120 (6 glasses)
Brewed Coffee – PHP90

The servings were generous and perfect for sharing. Everyone enjoyed the food, and even though it was a hot summer day, we still ended up enjoying the bulalo. Among all the dishes we ordered, the calamares and daing na bangus stood out the most for me. The calamares and daing na bangus stayed crispy and flavorful, which paired perfectly with rice.

One of the most memorable parts of our visit was recreating an old family photo we took there 12 years ago. There’s a particular spot inside the restaurant where we posed for a family picture when my son was still small. This time, we stood in the exact same place and took another photo, except now, after 12 years, he’s already taller than me. It was such a simple but meaningful moment that made the visit even more nostalgic.

Returning after all these years reminded me that while many things change over time, especially prices. Some places still keep the memories and familiar atmosphere that make you want to come back.

How to Get There

Kainan sa Dalampasigan is located along the main road going to Matabungkay Beach in Lian, Batangas, making it a popular stop for travelers heading to nearby resorts.

From Manila:

Via SLEX, take the route toward Batangas through STAR Tollway.
Exit at Balayan or follow the route toward Nasugbu–Lian.

Opening Hours

As of our visit, Kainan sa Dalampasigan is open daily, usually from morning until evening. Since operating hours may change, it’s still best to check their official Facebook page or contact them directly before visiting, especially during holidays or the peak summer season.

Overall, despite the higher prices compared to our previous visit, I can still say that the food was worth it. More than the meal itself, the experience became extra special because of the memories we revisited as a family before spending the rest of the day at the beach.