Rest assured

MANILA, Philippines - It’s that time of the year when school’s out and people mysteriously disappear from work, only to return with a telling tan.

Say what you want about the Philippine heat; summer is still the season that everyone looks forward to. Barkada outings, family bondings, all taking place — and this is important — outside the metro.

But instead of flying out of the country, checking into some exotic local resort or even staying the night in a five-star hotel, more and more people are opting to rent vacation houses or spend their hard-earned vacation leaves in Bed and Breakfasts, or B&Bs.

“There has been a surge of people wanting to rent rest houses more than staying in public places these days,” says Binky Fornier, owner of Awilihan, a rest house in Tanauan, Batangas. “People are looking for more unique vacations now, and at lower costs.”

“We’ve seen an increase in the reservations the past few months,” Al Magsino, owner of Tarawoods, a B&B that’s also in Tanauan, adds. “I think it goes back to the Filipino penchant for connection. People like to see a friendly face, also a familiar one. It’s like going to a favorite friend’s house. You like the company, the atmosphere and of course, the food. You feel very welcome and honored every time you come to visit. You are practically a member of their family.”

A day by the lake

Renting vacation houses is not new in this country. It’s common for families to get together, drive a few hours to a province that boasts lovely beaches, hot springs or cool weather and chip in to squeeze into a stranger’s house for a few days, cooking their own meals while taking advantage of the sights, as well as some local history.

“Awilihan is actually a family vacation house on the shores of Taal Lake,” Binky says. “It was actually just a piece of land bought 45 years ago by my grandparents, Gil and Lourdes Angeles for a family getaway not too far from the City. My grandfather is the nephew of former president Jose P. Laurel and really hails from Batangas.”

Though it’s been open to the public for only less than a year, Awilihan has been fully booked (it can only be rented to one group at a time), probably because it offers what a lot of bigger establishments don’t — proximity to Tagaytay, direct access to Taal Lake, with the personalized coziness that a small (well, small compared to a hotel) B&B brings. “It’s right on the lake! The town and market is around 20 minutes away by car and there’s a church nearby in Talisay or in Tanauan City. For emergencies there are clinics in Tagaytay and in town. We also had a group that stayed overnight then went to Taal Volcano to climb it then came back to relax. Tagaytay is also very near, so our guests sometimes go up there, have dinner then come back,” Binky says.

Back to nature

The concept of the B&B as a local destination point is fairly new. The concept of the Bed and Breakfast originated in the United Kingdom, where enterprising families would offer paying guests a room for the night and a homemade breakfast in the morning. What started out as extra income for private homes soon included places smaller than hotels, but large enough to accommodate groups on vacation.

Tarawoods is one such place. It’s a cozy house set in the middle of a large property that can be rented for anything from overnight excursions to weddings and corporate events. “Tarawoods is an orchard, naturally inclined with a view of Mt. Makiling, providing a lush exclusive venue where you can confidentially be hard-working or hardly-working,” Al says.

How is a B&B different from a regular hotel? “For one, the ratio of guests to staff is quite different. We have more staff per guest than a typical hotel since we only entertain a maximum of 70 guests a time,” Al explains. “Another is the personal interaction with the owners. We pamper our clients to ensure that they go back to work refreshed and recharged. That is why we only take one group at a time.”

(Not quite a) Tourista

Renting a rest house or checking into a B&B offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, without much of the separation anxiety that comes with being far from home. There’s another reason that these pockets of solitude are becoming more and more appealing — the yearning for a more personalized experience, as opposed to a touristy one. “I think the Filipino has become more and more cosmopolitan,” Al says. “As more and more of our countrymen work and travel to different countries, they develop a yen for something new — an out-of-the-box experience. They want to have unique personal experiences, especially life-changing ones.”

Another reason is old-fashioned privacy. “(People want) a nice place to call their own for a day or two. No waiting for your turn to swim, no lines, no annoying neighbors or rowdy guests. You can laugh and shout as loud as you want anytime of day and no one will complain,” Binky says. “Checking into a hotel or resort is convenient, but admittedly expensive and sometimes there’s a formal feeling about a hotel. Sometimes you just want a homey and cozy feel and that’s what renting a guest house offers.”

Though most rest houses and B&Bs are just that — houses — a lot of places (these two included) offer amenities to keep people afraid of boredom from being, well, bored. For example, Awilihan has a pool table (among other amenities) while Tarawoods has meeting rooms for corporate seminars (okay, not everyone’s idea of fun) and retreats (better).

And these places aren’t just for your typical back-to-nature vacations. “We’ve had office outings, couples, teenagers, senior citizens,” Binky says. “Congresswoman Vi had a meeting in our place with all the Mayors of Batangas once. We’ve (also) used it for medical missions, seminars, parties, romantic getaways and so much more. It’s very versatile.”

Summer rental

Renting, especially when you’re part of a big group of people, need not be expensive. For example, Awilihan rents at P1,000 per person at a minimum of 12 people. The fee includes a free boat trip to nearby Napayong Island.

So how does one go about locating a rest house or B&B that’s clean, comfortable and relaxing?

“Most people learn of our place and other rest houses from word of mouth. That’s usually the best way to find a good rest house because at least the person can tell you about their personal experience with the place,” Binky says.

A good rule of thumb is to first figure out what you want to get from your vacation. Binky adds,   “Do you want a no-frills vacation? Do you want a tour? Do you want to just relax? Decide what you’re looking for then look at your options. Look at magazines, check out websites or ask your friends for tips on a good rest house. If you can, visit the place before actually going on vacation or bringing your entire group so you can decide yourself if it’s the place you’re looking for. It’s important to book early, though, especially during peak seasons like summer and Christmas season.”

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For more info on Awilihan, call Marilyn Jacaba at 0917-7323445. For more info on Tarawoods, call 0927-9218153/ 0915-7131792 or visit www.tarawoods.net.