“Secure Bataan hilltop hideaway”
The hilltop plateau setting was remarkable and very restful, though the ocean view was missing; the jungle and mountain cape in the mornings from the patio were super! The room was good‑sized, well‑designed, and came with a patio. The pool was nice and well‑kept. Staff, especially Aprail, were attentive and reachable by phone or near the communal kitchen area. Written instructions were accurate and helpful. It was just 10 minutes by trike to Las Casas de Azucar, the main site in the area. Staying 3 nights is advised so you can get to know the lay of the land in Bagac. I hope to return. Be sure to provide your phone number when asked after reserving. The Grab app’s Google Earth locator has problems: entering “Mango Garden” as a reference may take you to the unfinished subdivision 300 m up the road. Try to reach the place in daylight—whatever your transport mode. I attached a photo of the sign that will prompt you to turn into the property. Posting should more strongly stress that there are several flights of stone steps (logical for a hilltop site) before the reservation step is completed. Local restaurants should be visited first before you try to order delivery meals from them, as they DO NOT seem receptive to doing deliveries to Mango Garden. Of course, if you are happy to cook your own meals, you are set with the communal kitchen. For the overnight cost, I think that the host might provide a few cold bottles of water in the suite, maybe bagged snacks. It is inconvenient to go all the way down to buy some—especially when you first arrive. Hopefully, you arrive in your own car (maybe rented). Trike rides from Balanga (or the crowded little bus in town) take 40 minutes to reach Balanga, the nearest main town coming from Manila.
AndrewA year ago