Monday, April 27, 2015

Pico Sands Hotel

My family  had the chance to visit Pico de Loro  recently and we stayed at Pico Sands Hotel. Although it is still a residential and club membership facility, people like us who do not own a unit or club shares are also welcome because they also operate as hotel. No need to "crowd source" and look for friends or relatives who are members for you to be able to experience the vastness of Pico de Loro.




Getting ready to swim "agad agad"


Checking in
We arrived at 12:30 PM and was hoping for an early checking, but it was not possible. So we decided to have lunch first at Pico Restaurant. It was really hot that weekend and roaming around the area is not an option, so we really need to get a room as soon as possible.

To my dismay, we still don't have a room at 2:15 PM, but the welcome drinks they are serving to incoming guests is really refreshing and can calm down upset guests. It's a refreshing blend of calamansi with mint and ginger I think, but I really love it. After a  few glasses of this refreshing drink, we were finally given a room. yey!




We were also given waterproof wrist straps that we were supposed to wear throughout our stay to distinguished us the hotel guests (white) from the members/ member guests (yellow).





Letter of Apologies with Welcome Fruits from the Hotel Management


Our room
We stayed at the Pico Sands Hotel Superior Room with a 37 square meters with a 7 square meter balcony with one king-sized bed that can fit up to two adults and can comfortably squeezed in 2 small kids.






Do not  compare the hotel room with other business class hotel  because it is actually a resort hotel, so do not expect floor carpets  in your rooms or you will get disappointed. It's actually a condo style hotel with spacious interiors amidst the view of the mountains and a tranquil-made lagoon.The room is complete with hotel ammenities like wifi, LED TV,  towels, hygiene kits, hair dryer, mini refrigerator (no bar).

Over-all experience in  the hotel is actually relaxing and fun especially if you are with your love ones, but I think I am half-hearted and I am not really sure if I like it or not if we will consider the price.

The published rate for our Superior Room Lagoon View is Php 10,000 per night, inclusive of buffet  breakfast for two (2) is a bit expensive for me if we will be talking about the room alone. To be fair, the amount you paid for the room inlcudes the free use of their pool, access to the beach and the awesome view. Nevertheless, it is still expensive for me.


Dining
There are seven (7) restaurants that you can find inside Pico de Loro :
1. Sun Coral Cafe (exclusive for members only) 
2. Reef Bar
3. Brisa Bar (exclusive for members only)
4. Lagoa 
5. B & B All Day Snacks 
6. Pico Restaurant and Bar  


The food is just ok but nothing to rave about. But I really like the fact that you can dine in for lunch or dinner al fresco style even in your swim wear. Having a breakfast at the garden over looking the lagoon is really something to look forward to.


Looks like a scene from Diner Dash



The Pool

I really love its multi-level pool. And there is a pool for everyone from kids to the lolos and lolas. This is really a great place for families to spend their vacation.





Pico Beach

As a hotel guest, you also have an access to Pico Beach, although there are some part of it that are just exclusive for the members.




The Reef Bar - you can stay here while waiting for the sunset

Member's Clubouse. This area is exclusive for members only




Checking out
Checking out is easy. Use your SM Advantage Cards to earn points. 


Getting There   via  Ternate-Nasugbu 

1. Take Roxas Boulevard toward Cavitex toll booth. Go straight until you reach the 2nd toll booth.
2. Go straight through the towns of Tanza and Naic. You will see a fork on the road with a Petron gas station in the middle. Keep left following the sign that says to Puerto Azul.
3. This will lead you to the town of Maragondon then keep right at the Petron station going toward Ternate.
4. Keep going straight until you see the turn left to Hamilo Coast sign. This road will take you through the Kaybiang tunnel with a scenic ocean view drive to Hamilo Coast Pico de Loro main entrance.
5. Better yet, use Waze!


Contact details
Pico Sands Hotel - 464-7800 / 464-7888
www.picodelorocove.com
www.hamilocoast.com
www.facebook.com/picosandshotel


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