Travel Photography: Subic Sweet Water Beach Resort
I've previously shared with you several instances of my travels around the Philippines. This is the latest in the series, I guess. Hahaha.
It's summer time, and what better place to go than the beach? Because of insistent public demand (well, more like glowing reviews from beach goers from certain forums), we decided to go to Subic Sweet Water Beach Resort. And I gotta say, this particular place is probably one of the best beaches I've been to lately, if not one of the best beaches I've been to period.
Don't let the name fool you though. It might be called a resort, but it's really not (well, technically it really is but...). I'd say, it's more of a haven actually. I home away from home, away from all the hustle and bustle and stress that the over-commercialized Subic Bay freeport area represents. It's fine and nearly white sand, it's breath-taking vistas, cool and surprisingly not so salty water (my personal estimation compared to some beaches I've been to, probably where it got its name), and gracious staff make the trip out of town well worth it.
I'm told that the resort was and pretty much is a private rest-house. Due to it's under-utilization, the owners have decided to share their bounty with the world at large, and what bounty they have! The sand, the surf, and that sunset...
If you're looking for a vacation somewhere quiet, and aim for the relaxation and lazy days that a cool breeze, fine sand and wonderful location could possibly afford, I'd say that Subic Sweet Water Beach Resort is the place for you.
No, they haven't got a website yet, but they do have a friendster account. For reservations, best to call 09178507292. When you get to the resort, do take the time to get to know the staff. :) They'll be your best friends from there.
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ETC...
Directions:
It's summer time, and what better place to go than the beach? Because of insistent public demand (well, more like glowing reviews from beach goers from certain forums), we decided to go to Subic Sweet Water Beach Resort. And I gotta say, this particular place is probably one of the best beaches I've been to lately, if not one of the best beaches I've been to period.
Don't let the name fool you though. It might be called a resort, but it's really not (well, technically it really is but...). I'd say, it's more of a haven actually. I home away from home, away from all the hustle and bustle and stress that the over-commercialized Subic Bay freeport area represents. It's fine and nearly white sand, it's breath-taking vistas, cool and surprisingly not so salty water (my personal estimation compared to some beaches I've been to, probably where it got its name), and gracious staff make the trip out of town well worth it.
I'm told that the resort was and pretty much is a private rest-house. Due to it's under-utilization, the owners have decided to share their bounty with the world at large, and what bounty they have! The sand, the surf, and that sunset...
Panoramic view of Sweet Water Beach (click for bigger version)
No, they haven't got a website yet, but they do have a friendster account. For reservations, best to call 09178507292. When you get to the resort, do take the time to get to know the staff. :) They'll be your best friends from there.
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ETC...
Directions:
- Get your butts to Subic. Either you take the more scenic route, via San Fernando and along the National Highway (you'll pass through San Fernando, Bacolor, Guaga, Lubao and Dinalupihan), or via the SCTEX (which by the time of this writing, has yet to open) which pretty much gets you to Subic quicker.
- From Subic, follow the signs pointing to Ocean Adventure. This road will take you past the airport, FedEx, and lead you towards the Morong Gate. The drive towards the Morong Gate will see you passing a fire station to your right.
- Exit Morong gate and drive straight through, following signs for Anvaya Cove. You will encounter a fork in the road, with the main road going up the mountain, and the road to Subic Sweet Water (and other small resorts) will be going down to your right. The Tarp they have at this juncture is torn so keep your eyes peeled. You'll pass a small church to your right, and come upon a gate with the Subic Sweet Water resort tarp. Enter the gate, drive straight through. There you are! :)
- The cast and crew of Kamandag shot an episode at Subic Sweet Water.
- Roxanne Guinoo's white-castle commercial was also shot here.
- I heard that some Marimar episodes were also done at this beach. :P
- At certain points in the year, Marine turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach. If you do find a nest, please leave it alone! :)
- Don't leave your trash on the beach. The cove's pretty clean and I'm sure the resort owners as well as other beach-goers would appreciate that it stays that way.
- Don't park under a coconut tree heavily laden with fruits! :) Don't tempt fate. If you do, don't say I didn't warn you.
- Book in advance. I heard the place was fully booked for the weekends of March, though I'm not quite sure what the April schedule is like.
- Try to go during a weekday and not on a weekend. If isolation and relaxation's your aim, weekday overnights are preferable. Let them know when you'll be arriving though so they can prepare for you properly.
- Take the SCTEX to Subic (we weren't able to). It's new, and faster than the usual route. It officially opens for business this April.
- Enjoy! Relax! Have fun!
Comments
Kathy
well, i wouldn't say it's impossible, but it's very very very very very difficult. the only vehicles that really ply the route from subic to the area of the resort are private ones, or minibuses that locals use. and we didn't see many of those when we went. i only saw one even if we made the trip from the resort to subic and back several times. i think your best bet would be to rent a vehicle instead. :)
good luck!
I'm in touch with Mr. Paolo now, and will convince our outing committee to have our outing here this May. Looks like it's a serene quiet place...thanks again!... amor
i hope your committee is open to having your outing on weekdays as i'm told that weekends are fully booked! :) the good thing about that would be that you won't have much in the way of kaagaw at the resort or surrounding recreational areas! :)
enjoy!
i'm pretty sure they don't charge an entrance fee, nor can i give you a price list for cottages for those dates. :) best to coordinate with paolo. :) call or text him at 09178507292
since those are peak dates, i wish you luck! :D
jace
looking for a beach getaway and this is perfect!
thanks for the feedback!
The road leading the resort is unpaved and muddy. Better not bring your kids there.
thanks for your comment. i'm sad to hear that your experience at Subic Sweet Water was such a negative one. i hope you don't put the blame on the resort or its care takers, like you said, the mess was left by the guests. i would assume that the same guests used the restrooms as well.
as guests of any resort (home or any establishment for that matter), i believe we should all be responsible for how we behave where we travel (mess clean-up is a must as far as i'm concerned).
i hope they get to sort out the water issue soon. :) with regards to the muddy road and murky water... well, you can't really account for the weather or the tide. last time we were there (Sept. 1 - 2, 2008) the water was ok, not perfect and clear (only still waters will give you that) but not dirty. :) the farther you wade out from shore, the better. and the road was dusty dry.
Thanks for reading the blog entry. I may have blogged about it but I don't own the resort. :) try calling the owner. His number is in the blog entry. His name is Paolo.
Have fun!
Mr. GIAN PAOLO DELA CONCEPCION owns the number. He accepted our reservation a week before our planned overnight, with 50% downpayment. As we reached the place on the reserved day, care takers said there was no reservation under my name. I tried to call Mr. Gian several times but he didnt answered. His care takers dont even give as any sign of accommodation, with the feeling of annoyance. We ended up going home with a 4hr travel, so hungry and wasted. He wasted our weekend which was suppose to be our time to relax and escape from stress. He even didnt care to call me to apologize for the incident.
Also, the other anonymous comment was correct, the facilities were so dirty and seem not to be maintained properly; We saw the foams (used as beddings) outside and used by cats and dogs. We asked for a wash room or comfort room, they cant point as to anywhere, then they lead us to a small messy cubicle where in you need to hold on the door so as not to open. The parking space was so dusty, the kids with us kept on sneezing and their eyes got irritated.
Bottomline, dont ever try to transact with this MR. GIAN PAOLO, he might repeat the incident with you and make your vacation a day of frustration.
He was just lucky to have the good beach infront of his disastrous place.
It would help if you could give me your name and contact details. You can reach me at jace.bulatao@gmail.com
I don't pretend to have any connection to the resort other than having enjoyed my stay there on the two occasions that I was able to go there. It's not a 5 star anything that's for sure, and I won't defend it as such, but that does need looking into.
I hope I can help you!
Thanks for your honesty in the matter though.
When we got there, it wasnt even close to any of the pictures we saw online. The cottage looked very creepy. The caretakers were all apathetic and the most disappointing thing was the sand, its very dirty and scattered all over the place are dogs and their poop.
We actually made arrangements before we went so we thought that the place would be ready when we get there. That wasnt the case. Out of dissatisfaction we left and looked for another resort.
Unless some major changes are made, all I can say is there would be other places in Subic you'd rather take your friends or family than this dump.
Travel Job Descriptions
Thanks for the positive comments!
Everytime we go over (and we've been here 3 times already), we bring our own tent, our own mats and hammocks and setup somewhere FAR from the videoke machine.
They allow us to bring our golden retriever who loves to swim and she celebrated her 1st birthday there. See videos here:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=365333093495169
Glad you guys had a great time. :)
I wish Sweetwater management will be more considerate to others who prefer a quiet surrounding, especially during times of vacation like this.
If I may have this pleasure of airing my side, speaking of Videoke in the beach: I'm too is exasperated with this unbridled and undisciplined videoke users. Maybe the beach owners can put the videoke machine in an isolated room so as to isolate those "wannabes", let them sing to their throat's contents without making the life of others miserable - those others who travel from far away to seek a moment of quietness and relaxation. I mean, guys, this is really serious. I've seen beautiful beaches ruined by some few irresponsible drunks who sing all day and all night who don't even give the slightest qualm what others would feel on their terrible noises. Our last expensive beach experience was a disaster because of this videoke! It was all noise! It ruined our precious time, money and family bonding opportunity. The moral is: be considerate with others.