By Susan Claire Agbayani
WHEN Metro Manila’s denizens want to escape the big city, one of the first destinations they think of are the beaches of Batangas, but they rarely think of areas in the province that are more inland. Yet from a homebase in the center of the province, one has access to historical, religious, and natural attractions.
Not too far from the metropolis is the Lima Park Hotel, located, surprisingly, inside an industrial park, the Lima Technology Center, from which one can visit religious sites in Lipa and the volcano in Taal.
Lima Park Hotel
“Lima” is a combination of the names of the two Batangas towns — “Lipa” and “Malvar” — where the huge center is located. Originally owned by Japanese company Marubeni Corp. and initially intended for Japanese expats in the industrial zone, the hotel was well built using Japanese technology, said the hotel’s Resident Manager Bong Evangelista, Jr., over lunch at the hotel’s restaurant Asian Flavours.
“The hotel combines the functionality of a business hotel with the amenities, comfort and luxury of a five-star exclusive club,” said Mr. Evangelista. And because of its unique location within an industrial park, security is of utmost importance.
The hotel was eventually bought by businessman Saturnino G. Belen, whose other business include publishing (the Bato Balani and Salaguinto Science classroom magazines, among others.), semicon manufacturing, logistics, aviation, property management and land development, and education.
From its original 60 rooms, the hotel has expanded to 136, with prices ranging from P5,200 (Superior) to P12,500 (Executive Suite), with its Governor’s Suite priced at P25,000 a day. The hotel has some rooms tailored for PWDs, and it gives hefty discounts to long-staying guests.
Bikes, boats and APEC
One of the special attractions of Lima Park Hotel is that many of its packages include day trips to interesting areas in its vicinity.
Interested in a bit of history mixed with religion? There is the Bisita Batangas Weekend Special Plus (a De Luxe Room for P4,999), which includes a tour to Lipa’s Casa Segunda, a bahay na bato named after Segunda Solis Katigbak, whom history buffs know was first love of Dr. Jose Rizal, and Balete town’s Marian Orchard, a park which features statue of the apostles, Stations of the Cross, and the Sacred Heart Tower which has a view of Taal Volcano from the top. Or one can opt to visit the Marian Orchard and Golden Clover Bee Farm. For the more religious, there are also tours to the Shrine of Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas town, or a tour to San Sebastian Church and Mt. Carmel Church in Lipa.
Check-in is required either on Saturdays or Sundays for both the Bisita Batangas Weekend Special Plus and the Bisita Batangas Weekend Special (Superior Room for four adults at P3,999 with breakfasts, and lunch or dinner, access to Wi-Fi, swimming pool, fitness center, and 30 minutes use of a bike)
The hotel is offering an APEC Holiday Weekend Getaway package from Nov. 18 to 22 for P3,999, which includes everything in the package for the Bisita Batangas Weekend Special Plus. Check in between Nov. 18 to 22.
The hotel also offers a tour around Taal Lake on its own boat, the Lady of the Lake, from which guests get a view of the different towns of Batangas and Cavite (including the Tagaytay Ridge) which surround the famed volcano lake. For an additional fee, a group can also trek to the crater of Taal Volcano on foot or on horseback.
There are other nearby places to visit like Nayomi Sanctuary Resort at the beach of Balete, Batangas where actors John Prats and Isabel Oli were wed; and the Batangas Dairy and Multipurpose Cooperative where guests can see how cows are milked, bottle feed young cows, and purchase dairy products such as fresh cow’s milk, chocolate milk, yogurt and cheeses.
“Lima Park Hotel is starting a cooperation with hotel, resort, and restaurant owners/operators under the Bisita Batangas campaign. The objective is to organize and professionalize the local hospitality industry and promote tourism in the province,” said Rosalind Landicho, the hotel’s Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications. “We’re starting with Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Malvar, Balete, and Lipa. It’s a work in process, and we’re receiving positive feedback from a good number of potential co-operators,”
Those who want an out-of-town tour but wish to go home on the same day can avail of the One Day Getaway at the hotel for P600 per person which includes unlimited use of the pool and P500 consumable on food and beverages.
Apart from its rooms — which have breathtaking views of Mts. Makiling and Malarayat — the hotel has Asian and Italian restaurants, and offers complete banquet packages for corporate and social events.
Lima Park Hotel is located at the Lima Technology Center, Malvar, Batangas. For inquiries, call 043-981-1555 or 0917-504-2385, e-mail marketing@ limaparkhotel.com or reservations@limaparkhotel.com or visit wwwlimaparkhotel.com.
