The humdrum of city living, while having its conveniences, can actually suck the soul and life out of you. Continually facing the concrete jungle and electronic devices robs your eyesight of the natural therapies brought about by foliage. Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort in Hda. Baluarte, Alegria, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines would like to give you a gift. And these are a much-needed change of scenery, atmosphere, and space. Discover how this hidden sanctuary, which is rather near Bacolod City, can help you get reconnected with nature and recharge yourself in the process.
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About the Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort
The Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort is part of what was originally Hda. Baluarte owned by the Lizares clan of Talisay City.
Owner Cacar Lizares recalls planting the trees around this area when she was just a teenager. At a young age, she already knew the value of trees and had the foresight for her land. Eventually, she built a vacation home here for her family.
In recent years, an idea played in her mind—transforming this part of their property into a mountain resort that offers the luxury of rest and relaxation to city dwellers.
An Inspiration
Her story has motivated us further to work and save for our family goal — which is to put up the Legacy Land. It will be our contribution to the society, environment, and the next generation.
Melding Art with Nature
Being an interior designer herself, mediocre amenities are not part of this development. Cacar designed and appointed the rooms and restaurant as well as the landscaping.
Her eye for design and aesthetics is evident even in the minutest details, like the curtain rods, wall décor, and lamps. Even the shower gel and hand soap bottles are not spared.
Natural Hues
The rooms are mostly of white paint and deep wooden color, which includes a play of earth tones with little bursts of color in between. Everything has its own order of design—nothing too eclectic but speaks of luxury in a laidback way.
Beds and Furniture
All rooms have a standard occupancy of 4 pax maximum. The management does not have provisions for extra mattresses or beds.
The furniture and mattresses were handpicked by Ms. Lizares herself.
While other local mountain resorts usually have poor quality foam mattresses, Cacar did not spare an expense on the beds. You can really get a good night’s rest on their high-quality mattress. Furthermore, my lower back pain and neck pains didn’t act up the morning after!
Baluarte Amenities
Here are the plush amenities for your comfort at Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort:
- Restaurant serving delicious Ilonggo comfort food and all-day breakfast
- Swimming pool (spring water)
- Well-appointed toilets and lavatories, especially for bikers who would like to stop over
- Eight (8) rooms for overnight accommodations (good for a maximum of 4 pax)
- Makeshift outdoor boardroom | mini chapel made of bamboo
- Provisions for bonfires
- Parking space
- Stand-by generator
- 24-hour security
- Spa: Coming Soon
For Team-Building Activities
This mountain resort is an ideal venue for team-building activities of businesses based in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. Just a short drive going east and you will be far away from the city and closer to nature.
With the eight rooms available, they can provide room and board for up to 32 persons at one time. All rooms are well-equipped and luxurious, but without internet connection and television. This makes the place ideal for staff retreats as well.
Restaurant
In Negros Occidental, heirloom recipes are the best. These are dishes that have been lovingly prepared using local ingredients without short cuts.
We arrived around lunchtime after a 40-minute drive from Bacolod City. Having pre-ordered our food, we had our lunch at the resort. Check out our meal below.
The dishes served at Baluarte are products of Cacar’s childhood. Growing up in a large family with strong Spanish influence and love for food have resulted in a collection of heritage dishes. Some of these are now featured in her restaurant and are fast becoming foodie favorites.
Family Meals
Our family had quiet family meal times at Baluarte. We were the only ones at that time so it felt like we exclusively rented the place. It was so nice to disconnect with the world and reconnect with the kids even with simple activities.
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All-Day Breakfast Meals
Baluarte offers an assortment of all-day breakfast meals that has something for every taste. The chorizo, Spanish sardines, tapa, and bacon are all home-made using their family recipes.
The prices are very reasonable and the orders are big for these plated meals. Moreover, you can place additional orders for breakfast favorites like extra egg, pork and beans, and bacon, among other things.
I would like to especially mention their Spanish Sardines meal – for the win! Actually, I have never had Spanish Sardines served like that before. The fish was coated with bread crumbs and quickly fried. These are then served with the olive oil, sliced, tomatoes, and chili as a dressing on the side.
You can appreciate the crispness of the outer layer of the fish and enjoy the luscious flesh without the lansa. Add the dressing accordingly as you keep going. It’s perfect with garlic fried rice and black coffee! By the way, the coffee is served separately.
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Staff and Service
The staff at Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort are all from Murcia or neighboring barangays. They hire locals in order to provide jobs and livelihood to the families in this highland community. These include the members of their security personnel.
However, these people are not half-baked. The staff undergo rigid training in order to be able to render quality service to all their guests. I appreciate the fact that these are local folk because they are warm and down to earth. They are quick to accommodate every request and try to please guests as best as they can.
Baluarte Location and Contact Details
Safety.
Calmness.
Tranquility.
Rejuvenation.
These are what this mountain resort seeks to offer you.
Visit the Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Mountain Resort for a day trip, for lunch, coffee, or snacks. Or book a room for an overnight stay.
Baluarte Rest and Relaxation
Hda. Baluarte, Alegria, Murcia
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Mobile: (0917) 595-7177 or (0923) 090-1548
FB Page: BaluarteRRR
Restaurant is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, 7am to 6pm.
Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Room Rates
There are only two room types and a total of eight (8) rooms. Please find below the rates and provisions for overnight accommodations at Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Room Rates.
- Woodside Duplex Cabanas (2 pax) – P2,500.00
- Bamboo Side Rooms (2 pax) – P2,200.00
Conditions:
- Extra Person – PhP250 per head (Approx $5)
- Maximum of 4 pax per room
- No extra charge for children 10 years old and below
- All rooms have airconditioning and two (2) double beds
- Free use of swimming pool for billeted guests
Payments
For overnight accommodations, full payment through bank transfer is required upon reservation. Please deposit your payment to:
MCCL MOUNTAIN RESORT
BDO CA 00-45220-19673
Note: Send a screenshot of your deposit slip or online transaction to the resort’s FB page. Wait for an acknowledgement of your reservation.
Directions: How to Get to Baluarte
Baluarte Rest and Relaxation is now on Google Maps. You can easily go there from Bacolod City or Talisay City. Check out the screenshot below.
If you are not from Negros Occidental, your entry point is Bacolod City. There are daily flights by Cebu Pacific and PAL from key cities, as well as daily ferry trips from Iloilo City, like Fast Cat. Meanwhile, you can also take the all-day land trip from Cebu City through the Ceres Liner. You can take off to Baluarte after you get to Bacolod City.
Traveling During Covid-19 Outbreak
Honestly, for those who have worries about the covid-19 but need a breather, you should go to a mountain resort like Baluarte. It gets your worries out of your heads while letting you enjoy nature’s best. Moreover, your mind will be at ease because there are not too many people around.
Homeschooling and Family Travel
We checked in for overnight stay at Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Resort on a Thursday. Traveling on weekdays is the reason why we almost always have the hotel or resort to ourselves. The kids can take advantage of the pool all day without having to compete with others for space.
Homeschooling has given us the flexibility that we need for our nomadic family lifestyle. Moreover, we feel that the children are learning more while we are traveling than just staying in school.
Socialization
Even their social interactions are not limited to their peers. Our daughters are exposed to vertical socialization wherever we go. They are being trained to conduct themselves whether they are interacting with the president or a homeless child.
Family Travel Stories
Meanwhile, here are other family travel stories around Negros Occidental that you might like to read. Just click on any of the links below:
- Bantug Lake Ranch Overnight: The Verdant Villas | Bacolod
- Mambukal Resort in Murcia: Overnight Stay for the Family
- Tips to Enjoy Magikland Outdoor Theme Park in Silay
- Delfin Ledesma Ancestral House with Pool | Silay Airbnb
- Silay Heritage Tour for Araw ng Lahi
- Flower Child Summer Pictorial in Lantawan View Silay
- La Vista Highlands Mountain Resort Family Vacation | San Carlos City
Learning to Swim
Shane calls herself the mermaid who doesn’t want to go underwater. But for the last several days, she has been determined to overcome her fear of the water. This started during our recent family stay at a Seda Capitol Central Premier Room.
Her cousin Darah, who is still a toddler, went swimming with us. Darah was braver than Shane when jumping in the pool so she decided that she will also do it. So she has been learning to swim for five days in a row now. Watch her video below — she wanted to show me what she can do now. 🙂
Such a wonderful place. I’m so happy to read this blogpost, It kinda feel that I’m also there haha. Thanks for always sharing your travel experience of your fam.
Hi mommy! Just curious po if it is allowed to bring your own food going there?
Daw indi bala kay may resto. 🙂
Hows the food? Planning to go there and just have some lunch and coffee.
The 2nd time we went there, I just had a problem with the fish I ordered. Otherwise, it’s okay.
Hello po! How to get there kung wala private vehicle? Ma commute lng kami
Hi! Pwede ka ride Murcia. Then tricycle derecho didto sa Baluarte 🙂
Omggg!!! Baluarte Rest and Relaxation Resort is so amazing. Perfect place for staycation with the whole family. Very calming and relaxing ng place. Thanks for sharing this ma.
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