Luxury at the farm means unique architecture but eating one's vegetables
Snowboarding, an organized run and surfing used to be the only items I would volunteer to get up early for. Thanks to The Farm at San Benito, I can now add yoga to the list, especially if it involves a cool breeze and a view of mountains, palm trees and a pond with a meditation hut.
I felt noticeably more healthy after only three nights on a recent girlfriends' getaway. I didn't do one of the multi-day wellness retreats that serve as the resort's flagship programs. I did, however, do the thrice daily yoga classes and some of the classic work out classes offered at the "Jungle Gym," the workout facility. And stuffed my face--as much as I can as the portions, while filling, are not of the American super-size variety--with the Farm's 100% organic, homegrown and mostly raw cuisine. That being said, go for a double portion of the pesto, which ranks in the "best ever" category. The chef has perfectly melded the freshness of sweet basil with asparagus, snow peas, and bulghur wheat clusters. The freshness of the ingredients had me thinking that the mint on top of my morning yogurt could be classified as a vegetable instead of a herb.
I felt noticeably more healthy after only three nights on a recent girlfriends' getaway. I didn't do one of the multi-day wellness retreats that serve as the resort's flagship programs. I did, however, do the thrice daily yoga classes and some of the classic work out classes offered at the "Jungle Gym," the workout facility. And stuffed my face--as much as I can as the portions, while filling, are not of the American super-size variety--with the Farm's 100% organic, homegrown and mostly raw cuisine. That being said, go for a double portion of the pesto, which ranks in the "best ever" category. The chef has perfectly melded the freshness of sweet basil with asparagus, snow peas, and bulghur wheat clusters. The freshness of the ingredients had me thinking that the mint on top of my morning yogurt could be classified as a vegetable instead of a herb.
all meals and spa treatments organic and homegrown
The Farm uses coconuts and other locally-sourced leaves for its fully organic spa, The Healing Sanctuary. The hilot scrub I enjoyed involved a pre-bath soak in malunggay leaves that I later learned served as a diuretic. The therapist proceeded to scrub my body with a heated volcanic stone that resembled a curling rock. I was originally skeptical, having benefited from true exfoliation in Turkish Baths of the likes of Hammam iz-Zahriyya in Damascus, where proof in the pudding rested in the gray muck that looks like shreds of wet newspaper emerging from one's pores.
But the treatment delivered. As I flipped over on the massage table I noticed flecks of grayish dead skin cells littering the white towel on which I laid like grated cheese. The resulting hilot massage--hilot a Filipino term for a traditional healer or midwife--used The Farm's own virgin coconut oil, calmed my muscles. The threapist claims that coconut oil does not leave a film behind. I headed straight to bed after the massage without showering. Waking up the next day for the morning yoga session I did not have the greasy feeling I would normally have after other massages.
But the treatment delivered. As I flipped over on the massage table I noticed flecks of grayish dead skin cells littering the white towel on which I laid like grated cheese. The resulting hilot massage--hilot a Filipino term for a traditional healer or midwife--used The Farm's own virgin coconut oil, calmed my muscles. The threapist claims that coconut oil does not leave a film behind. I headed straight to bed after the massage without showering. Waking up the next day for the morning yoga session I did not have the greasy feeling I would normally have after other massages.
lodging: unique architecture from sulu terraces to modern pool villas
Accommodations range from the clubhouse-like Sulu Terraces to the modern glass and ebony Narra pool villas, newly completed in 2012. At check-in the front desk staff offered a discount on the middle range garden villa, which had an outdoor shower, patio and private courtyard. We stayed with our original option of the terraces as we like the coziness they offered for a friends' retreat. They were small and the indoor bathroom was a trip down the stairs. But their unique architectural details sold us and we found visiting the bathroom a privilege as we got to use the house lemongrass body scrub and more of the coconut oil.
For a romantic retreat I would splurge for the Narra villas. No matter what, I will be back for more.
For a romantic retreat I would splurge for the Narra villas. No matter what, I will be back for more.
Reservations at the farm
Logistics
The Farm is located around 1.5 hours from Manila. Reservations can be made at the Farm's reservation page.
The Farm is located around 1.5 hours from Manila. Reservations can be made at the Farm's reservation page.