Posh resort offers assisted luxury package

CEBU, Philippines — Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is shifting towards assisted living accommodation service, while it would still take some time for the tourism industry to recover from the pandemic.

“We are partly converting the resort into a Centre for Assisted Luxury Living (CALL Us Home), as our business response to the tourism crisis,” announced the resort’s general manager Efren Belarmino.

Plantation Bay’s “CALL Us Home” is an assisted five-star living package and luxury shelter in place.

“We all know that tourism has taken a huge hit, and may not recover for years. Many hotels, regrettably, will go bankrupt and have to fire their staff, causing untold hardship.

Plantation Bay is more financially solid than most hotels, but until tourism recovers, which could take months or years, we would have to lay off most of our staff, adding to the general misery. We value our Five Star Staff. So, rather than send them off to become unemployed,” said Belarmino.

This program also provides an ideal way for “Shelter in Place” facility, in anticipation of future rounds of coronavirus resurgence.

Converting some of its room facilities for “CALL Us Home” assisted living package, would also help the resort save the jobs of its employees, Belarmino reiterated.

This service is targeted mainly for persons who are in average health, not bed-ridden, but want help with daily tasks, and want to simplify their lives.

Services include; private living quarters; extensive regular services on site like meals, housekeeping, laundry, mail and package, repair, transportation, and basic clinic (BP, blood sugar, OTC medicines, etc.).

A well-run assisted-living establishment can replace the hassle of paying a cook, housecleaner, laundress, driver, gardener, thereby, eliminating the stress of dealing with many different parties. All of these are either included in the basic rental cost, or provided at a fair pre-advised cost.

Additional services by arrangement can also be availed of such as private nurse or group/private therapist.

Like any luxurious assisted living facilities, an around-the-clock availability of emergency help is put in place case of accident or illness.

At the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, the uber-rich are reportedly living in sheltered in places at private estates and luxury resorts, avoiding the pain and boredom of being locked down in a city apartment.

Many health experts are predicting there will be a worse second wave, possibly many waves, of the pandemic over several years. There are even doubts about gaining immunity after catching Covid-19.

Some fancy resorts are charging over US$ 500 a day to well-to-do pandemic refugees. Others charged US$ 200 a day for inferior rooms with few amenities.

Plantation Bay, on the other hand, Belarmino said charges much less, with discounts for senior citizen clients and other perks.

At present, the Cebuano-owned five star resort is housing long-staying guests—foreigners, Filipinos and global businessmen.

 The 255-room water surrounded five-star resort is offering a minimum assisted living accommodation for three months.

According to Belarmino at least 100 rooms are being ready for this particular service, and it can easily concert the rest of its rooms “as the need arises.”