Aside from being the hometown of Jose Rizal and the legendary Mt. Makiling, Calamba, Laguna is probably best known for being the hotsprings capital of the NCR.






I am not so hot about hot springs, but because Jigs is, we decided to book a reservation at Dona Jovita Garden Resort, one of many hot springs resorts lining the National Highway in Laguna, during our 5th (pre-wedding) anniversary last 2008. With its strategic location,the resort is easily accessible by car or public transport.




Nestled near the Makiling foothills, the resort offers an expansive view of the verdant mountain, which is especially refreshing during breakfasts at the patio. Guests may also go on a short trek onward a grotto perched above a small hill at the back of the resort.


Path going to the grotto at the back-end of the resort


Grotto from across the resort

The resort is nicely carpeted with vast landscaped gardens from end to end, but its main feature though are its assortment of pools and jacuzzis (they had 5 back then, if I remember it correctly). Sadly, we were only able to use three of them – the main (lap) pool  fronting the rooms, the whirlpool uphill and the adjacent hot spring pool. The fourth pool was a kiddie pool, and the fifth, which featured a cascading waterfalls, was barred by a steel gate, as it was a weekday and we were the only ones in the resort.


Pool at the Lanai


Apparently, as a means of cutting down costs, the management wouldn’t open the fifth one in such circumstance. We even had to insist that they turn on the hot springs for the two other pools as the water was too damn cold, and duh, we went there for the hot springs.



Whirlpool 



Thermal pool uphill



Tree houses and a miniature zoo line the way to the pools uphill, past the restaurant and the hotel rooms.





If you ever get tired of swimming, the resort offers alternative activities including billiards, table tennis, horseback riding and videoke. Jigs and I had about 2-3 rounds each of billiards and ping pong for less than about P50.



Food at the restaurant was okay for the price – nothing fancy nor unforgettable. Their fries and clubhouse sandwich, though are amazing. The sandwich was incredibly filling and delicious, and paired well with their smooth shakes.


Restaurant. Rustic design.

Yummy breakfast by the pool. 
Fruit shakes, fries and clubhouse sandwich.

Be minded though, that the resto is located near the resort’s entrance, or about a 200-300 meter hike downhill from the hotel rooms. If you’re not up for the walk, you may opt to have your food delivered to your room instead, or by the poolside while taking a swim. 

Kare-kare and fried liempo. Average in taste.


Families may be delighted too, that guests are allowed to bring their own  food and drink inside the rooms, and that a griller is provided for free if you’re in the mood for some home-made barbeques.


Pancit bihon 

All in all, our stay at Dona Jovita Garden Resort pretty much served its purpose, and despite the teeny tiny put-offs, I give them credit for their accommodating and helpful staff. Had we been nitpickers, we’d say the room smelled a bit old and musty, and the cable reception a bit off, but for P2,400 a night for a standard room, the amenities were generally  in good shape, and the room, sufficient enough for a comfortable night’s stay.


A morning shot of caffeine at the patio




Dona Jovita Garden Resort
Km 57, National Highway,  Bagong  Kalsada, Calamba, Laguna
Contact #: (049) 545-3740/ (02) 800-3947/ (02) 800-0771/ 09175488441
Check in: 12pm; Check out: 10 am



How to get there:
From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), exit to Calamba, then follow the roadmap below.


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Gretchen is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and essayist from the Philippines, where she embraces life while managing bipolar disorder and ADHD. Her confessional pieces unpack the complexities of grief, healing, motherhood, love, and intersections, garnering recognition from the Greg Grummer Poetry Contest and Navigator's Travel Writing Competition.

2 Comments

  1. its a very memorable place to us with my family because the last time we went there we enjoyed the pools and also the food..i love this place

    Reply

  2. When did you last visit the place? I wonder if it's still the same as it was before. The pools are indeed amazing!

    Reply

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