On the Spot outing: Cheap Hot Spring Resort in Pansol, Laguna (Bonsai Resort)

Last weekend, my boyfriend’s relatives from Cabanatuan visited us in Cavite for a semi family reunion, because his Tita came home from Japan. We decided to have an on the spot outing that day and the nearest and most ideal place to go to was Laguna.

I initially looked for a nice but affordable private hot spring resort in Pansol, Laguna online but since our outing was on that same day, I had difficulty looking for an available resort. There were some I have found to be available but the rates were a bit higher than our budget.

We realized it was pointless to look online because of the time constraint and decided to drive to Pansol and just look for a nice resort on the spot.

Luckily, when we got to the main highway of Pansol, there were already guys with placards with “Resort for Rent” or “Private Pool for Rent”. We talked to the first guy who approached our car and quickly made the deal. It was 7pm already.

He escorted us to the resort that met our qualifications (he was on a motorcycle), just less than 5-minute drive from the highway. Bonsai Resort was a compound type of resort divided into three pool sections. We had bonsai 2 which was in the middle. We rented the place for P4000 pesos overnight, for a group of 15 persons.

It had the following amenities:

• 1 adult pool (3ft-5ft) warm water
• 1 kiddie pool (which is more like a Jacuzzi for me 
• 2 rooms with 4 double decks per room, air-conditioned 
• 3 bathroom 
• 2 sinks for cooking with stove   a refrigerator with 1 pack of tube ice
• Tables and chairs
• unlimited videoke
• wide area parking

BONSAI 2

 

kitchen

2 bathrooms inside

4 double decks per room, air conditioned

The water in the pool was clean and warm. At first I couldn’t bear the temperature of the water in the kiddie/Jacuzzi pool but it felt better after a few moments.

 The only thing I did not like about the place was that blankets were not provided. I had difficulty sleeping because I was so cold and I could not turn off the air-con because some of us were okay with the air-con turned on.

BONSAI 3, a bit more pricy than bonsai 2

This was the sign at the corner of the street going to Bonsai Compound

Of course, our trip to Laguna wouldn't be complete without stopping by to Colette's, famous for it's bukopie. :)

Colette's

You might also want to check out our trip to 88 Hotspring Resort also in Pansol, Laguna.

Going to Splash Island Via Commute

Splash Island or Splash Island Spa & Resort is located in Southwoods Ecocentrum Binan, Laguna Philippines. Known for its long and exciting slides, this theme park is just beside South Luzon Express Way. Going here, via public transportation can be quite easy.


First, from EDSA, take a bus going to "PACITA" and ask the driver to drop you off at PACITA COMPLEX. There are ordinary and airconditioned buses that take this route.

In our case, our meeting place was under MRT Ayala Station. You will easily find buses here going to Pacita. We paid 54 pesos per person and traveled for I think an hour and a half before reaching Pacita Complex.

Now, going from Pacita Complex to the resort can be quite tricky. You can usually rent a tricycle that will take you to the resort but this is a bit expensive. Fare ranges from 120 pesos to 150 pesos depending on your haggling abilities. :) The price is for the whole tricycle, not individual. Its very important also to look for the green tricycles because according to the Manong Security guard whom we asked, these are the legitimate tricycles that take the Splash Island route. So there is a bigger chance that you might get a cheaper fare amount than negotiating with some buwaya tricycle drivers around the place. Travel time is 20-40 mins.


When you reach the resort, I strongly recommend to negotiate with your driver to pick you up in the afternoon. Get his contact number or something. We walked from the resort to the main highway just to get a tricycle because I was too annoyed with the BUWAYANG tricycle driver who was negotiating for a price much higher than what we paid for when we got there. grrrr...

From Pacita, simply look for buses going Cubao or Edsa. Enjoy!

*note:Food and water bought outside were not allowed in the resort. He did not forget how Manong Guard examined our bag intensely. As in kapkap to the max that he didn't mind touching our underwears inside.. ewwww. Haha! So there..

awesome 88 Hotspring and Resort

       We had an awesome short vacation in 88 Hotspring and Resort. It's a perfect getaway that's not so far from the city. The resorts guests were commonly foreigners, mostly Korean. I think the owner was a Korean couple too.

88 Hotspring and Resort located at the foot of Mt. Makiling.

The website of 88 Hotspring and Resort was very sophisticated so as the place itself. I immediately looked at their rooms and facilities. It was quite nice. It had also a large space where we could launch our sky lantern (that was one of my dream btw, haha!, I will blog about it next time.)

We started our day in splash island (commute syempre). Then at four o'clock we decided to head to 88. We first rode a tricylce which took us to the national road (not SLEX), for 120 pesos. We were still in Binan, we rode a jeepney from Binan to Calamba crossing, fare was 32 pesos per person. It was so traffic because of the road widening that we got to Calamba at 7:30 I think. Then took another jeep from crossing to UP college for 12 pesos each and told the driver to drop us at 88. The resort was along the highway, so we did not find it hard to locate it.

If you are coming from Cubao or Bbuendia (Gil Puyat Terminal), there are buses that will take you to 88. One ride lang for only 91 pesos per person. The bus will pass the resort because its aready along the highway, very convenient puntahan!

Cubao Terminal : HM Transport

Buendia (Gil Puyat Terminal) : Green Star Express and DLTB Co.

When we got there at 9pm, I was so amazed by the beauty of the place. It was spacious and romantic specially the lagoon.

Lagoon, facing the resort's main area. At the back is Mt. Makiling
visitors can rent the boat or go fishing

Lagoon on midday , at the foot of Mt. Makiling

The resort was fully-booked when we got there. Only two Small kubo rooms left. Its recommended that you book with them one week minimum prior to your visit.  Lucky for us, walk-in customers, we were able to rent the Small kubo for 2,500 pesos per night, that included entrance to the place, and free use of all the facilities, and some toiletries.

Small kubo for 2,500 pesos. A bit expensive but if you think about the clean, cozy, air-conditioned room, with a comfy queen sized bed, plus the lovely scenery at the veranda of the Kubo, Its definitely worth it.

Small falls in the area with very hot water flowing to the pool (notice the smoke/vapor)

The warm pool. This is one of the three pools that I can handle submerging my body into. The other two are the main pool which is a bit warm as well, and their regular pool

The resorts infamous "Feng Shui" pool. 8 of this small pools are available. I was able to submerge my feet only because of the water's temperature

 Aside from the scenery and the hotspring pools, the food in their restaurant is great too. There are also water dispenser available in the restaurant where guest may drink or refill their water containers.

beef bulgogi for only 330 pesos.

beef bulgogi with its side dishes

We wil definitely come back here. Maybe we will bring our families here next time.