So I spent last Saturday afternoon with my two best friends (and the boyfriend of one of them) at Valentino Resort and Spa in San Jose, Batangas. Going back and forth between Taal and Lipa City, I always pass by its huge sign on the highway but never really gave it any thought, dismissing it as a just another obscure hideaway for lovers (you know what I mean) given its name Valentino. But the place turned out to be a bit of a surprise. It wasn’t just hotel rooms. Aside from that, the place had several pools and villas, a jacuzzi, a restaurant, a gym and a spa.
We had a massage after swimming. Truth be told it was my first time to have a massage at a spa, not really being into the whole spa thing in the first place. But we did try it out just for the sake of, well, trying it out. Haha. Ketz is veeery ticklish and freezed stiff as a wooden plank when the masseuse started with her back. It was supposed to be a relaxing experience but we ended up cracking up everytime they hit a ticklish spot. Which was quite often. Haha. Instead of feeling rejuvenated, we felt exhausted from laughing at the end of it. So much for that. Whole body massages really are not for us.
Dinner was a much brighter affair. We went to the resto right after the massage. The menu was fairly extensive and the staff friendly and accommodating. Ketz and I ordered ahead of Ktle and Marvs who were still having a massage by that time. Since we wanted several dishes and couldn’t decide which to pick, we settled on sharing a Carbonara and Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes. The carbonara may not have looked extraordinary, but believe me, it was easily the best and creamiest carbonara I’ve ever tasted. For some reason though, they put sugar on the toasted bread, and I did not really like that. The chicken was okay, but I ate more of the pasta.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
We also had dessert, but I forgot to take pictures because I was too excited to eat them. Sue me, I really have that reaction to ice cream, especially these hot summer days. Haha. Anyway, I had a Banana Split while Ketz had a Mango Crepe. They had a selection of several ice cream flavors for the desserts and I was really chuffed about that. The mango in the Mango Crepe was a bit on the sour side and Ketz wasn’t able to finish the crepe itself, although the ice cream disappeared pretty quickly. As for my Banana Split, I was pretty happy about and finished it way before Ketz finished hers.
All in all, I had a good time at Valentino with my friends. The place is pretty, the food quite decent, and the Spa and Gym offer alternative activities when you don’t want to bake while swimming at any of the pools. I could see myself going back, maybe with my family or a different set of friends.
Gusto ko din pumunta dito…
Madali naman puntahan Ganda, nasa highway lang yung malaking sign tas kahit papasok pa eh malapit na dun yung mismong resort. 🙂
Malabo na. gf doesnt want me to get a full body massage (which is why I want to go there in the 1st place) – go figure. Saka wala daw sila cable TV. haay 🙁
that carbonara is mouthwatering and Im a vegetarian!
Thanks Marisa, it really is that good. 😀 It’s good for two persons but I think I could finish a plate by myself!
that carbonara is mouthwatering and Im a vegetarian!
Thanks Marisa, it really is that good. 😀 It’s good for two persons but I think I could finish a plate by myself!
Dropping by from GT! 🙂 It’s always nice to have some R&R every now and then. Pampa-tanggal ng stress na rin. Ang laki nung mashed potato! 🙂 Was it any good?
I think it was okay. Can’t tell for sure because I was too fixated on the carbonara. 😀 Haha. But yeah, the size/amount of the mashed potatoes really surprised us. Fair enough value for the money. 🙂
Dropping by from GT! 🙂 It’s always nice to have some R&R every now and then. Pampa-tanggal ng stress na rin. Ang laki nung mashed potato! 🙂 Was it any good?
I think it was okay. Can’t tell for sure because I was too fixated on the carbonara. 😀 Haha. But yeah, the size/amount of the mashed potatoes really surprised us. Fair enough value for the money. 🙂
massage after a swim? Now that’s the life 🙂 I love their cabana! I will include that amenity in my dream home LOL! Seriously, I really like it 🙂
Well, it wasn’t an R&R weekend for nothing. 😉 The cabanas were really cute, although the white recliners do show some wear and tear. Still, a pretty cool place to hang out when not swimming. You could even get dressed in there, just pull down all the curtains. 🙂
One more nice review about Valentino. Tagal ko ng gustong pumunta dito, sana soon na. Nice photos 🙂
Thanks Sheng! 🙂 Me 15% discount sila for all overnight accommodations for all of February sis, pati sa resto. You might wanna take advantage of that, medyo makakatipid ka din. Although best pa rin rates nila pag off-peak. 😛
One more nice review about Valentino. Tagal ko ng gustong pumunta dito, sana soon na. Nice photos 🙂
Thanks Sheng! 🙂 Me 15% discount sila for all overnight accommodations for all of February sis, pati sa resto. You might wanna take advantage of that, medyo makakatipid ka din. Although best pa rin rates nila pag off-peak. 😛
Why not? Pwede naman sabay kayong 2 na pa-massage, kagaya namin ni Ketz. Or kaw lang pa-massage, pero kasama siya sa room, kagaya ni Ktle at Marvs.
Why not? Pwede naman sabay kayong 2 na pa-massage, kagaya namin ni Ketz. Or kaw lang pa-massage, pero kasama siya sa room, kagaya ni Ktle at Marvs.
wow the place looks really nice!
It really is nice, very relaxing ambiance. 🙂 Thanks for visiting Mizhelle!
wow the place looks really nice!