MANILA, Philippines - As the holidays give way to summer, everyone can feel the weather shift. Days spent in the unusual cold the country has been experiencing over the past couple of months are transforming to even sunnier and warmer days. Summer is fast approaching. In just a few weeks families will seek out weekend and vacation activities such as fun times by the swimming pool or a relaxing day of golf for mom or dad. There are many famous vacation spots outside Metro Manila, however, a development just an hour away invites you to try it out — Bulacan’s very own Hotel Masfino.
About an hour’s drive outside the metropolis in San Rafael, Bulacan, Hotel Masfino is a unique luxury hotel, known for being surrounded by a lush championship golf course and facilities that would make any event planner happy. Although a members-only property, non-members and walk-ins can still enjoy everything the hotel has to offer with prior arrangements and if accompanied or endorsed by a member.
Hotel Masfino has 20 spacious and well-appointed rooms, with 16 deluxe rooms and four in the suite category. A generous amount of Wi-Fi blankets the property and mere steps from your room are a lap pool, swimming pool, wave pool, cabanas, massage areas, picnic area and playground, and an obstacle course. The wave pool is impressive in its simulation, with sizeable waves generated that will surely delight those who long for the beach. The obstacle course is perfect for corporate team-building programs and the hotel provides all the necessary props and tools for all related activities.
Engineer Annaliza Lapuz, administrative manager of Hotel Masfino, says, “You will be amazed at how good our facilities are. This is the only one of its kind in the Bulacan area.†She adds: “With the near completion of the Plaridel bypass road, travel to Hotel Masfino from Manila can take as little as 30 minutes.â€
Swing, swim and stay
Hotel Masfino is just one of four excellent properties made up of the Royal Northwoods Golf Club, the Royal Northwoods Residential Estates and the El Masfino Country Club. Each development is steps away from each other and acts as a hub to many vacation and sporting activities and events for all of its members to enjoy.
The Royal Northwoods Golf Club is a sprawling first-class 68-hectare development with a championship 18-hole golf course to challenge any golfer. An open garden area overlooking the beautiful landscape can accommodate anywhere from 250 to 300 people for special events. At the clubhouse, a dining area serves Filipino, Japanese, Chinese and Korean dishes. Changing rooms and a pro shop complete every golfer’s experience at the club. Additionally, a function room can accommodate 100 people and a smaller VIP room can fit 40.
A total of 60 hectares has been set aside for the Royal Northwoods Residential Estates, an urban retreat for those who want to enjoy the property’s various facilities right then and there. The quiet environment, broken only by the swish of a golf club, complements the carefully landscaped setting. It is your ultimate escape from the crowded metro and still accessible to everything the province of Bulacan has to offer. At your doorstep is the golf course, and in just a few minutes’ walk are the clubhouse and country club.
“The El Masfino Country Club is more like a resort,†says Lapuz. “We cater to events like team building, birthdays, weddings and other activities.†The country club even offers a day tour which lets members, sponsored guests and walk-ins experience all of the facilities that hotel guests also enjoy. There are also dune buggy rides and mountain bike paths for guests to enjoy for an additional fee. This first-class retreat energizes the body and relaxes the mind. Children can be left to play by the pool or a pickup game of volleyball or basketball. Meanwhile, adults can spend time at the spa or health clinic for a relaxing afternoon.
The day tours can accommodate 100 people, 150 or more for special events, letting guests enjoy the serene and relaxing atmosphere of the country club. Non-club members can avail themselves of these facilities but are required to post their reservation at least a month in advance.
Members of this special “swing, swim, and stay†experience get to have lifetime discounts with Hotel Masfino. And even if you are not a member it won’t hurt to inquire about special arrangements in one of Bulacan’s true luxury resorts. Whether you need a relaxing round of golf, want to spend a day by the pool or stay a few nights as you tour the beautiful province, the Royal Northwoods Golf Club, Royal Northwoods Residential Estates, El Masfino and Hotel Masfino are the perfect places to be when in Bulacan.
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Royal Northwoods Golf Club, Royal Northwoods Residential Estates, El Masfino Country Club and Hotel Masfino are located in Coral na Bato, San Rafael, Bulacan. For more information, call (02) 542-9150, 542-9537, (044) 892-0692 or 0917-5421865 to 67. E-mail at info@elmasfino.com.ph or info@royalnorthwoods.com, log on to www.elmasfino.com.ph or www.royalnorthwoods.com or like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RoyalNorthwoodsGolfClubInc. Photos by Fernan Nebres