It is our 3rd visit here, and would most likely not be the last. Being only around 3hrs south of Manila, this is one of the closest beach resorts that you could easily escape to. To go here, you pass by Tagaytay and continue on to Nasugbu for about an hour more. What is better: Metrodeal offers almost a year-round promo for this place, only 2999 for 2 adults and 2 kids below 12. There is no free breakfast for that rate though, and extra persons are Php800 each.
The room for this promo is big enough for 4. Actually, even 6pax could fit. The rooms either have 1 King or 2 queens, and then it has a daybed that the kids could sleep on. All rooms have balconies with views.
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| Canyon Cove Deluxe Room |
On out first 2 stays, the room we stayed in had a bathtub, but the last one didnt. Im not sure if they have dowgraded the rooms in the promo or it was just a matter of luck. The room has a tv and a ref - but bringing of food is strictly not allowed. Security will most likely open the luggages and inspect for food. And the inspection is not the kind that the mall does, where they will just open your bags and point their stick inside and they're done. At Canyon Cove, they really LOOK inside the bag. We watched several guests get inspected, and saw how they were asked to place in their cars the food. Luckily though, for some reason, they didnt inspect our bags. They just let us in! Big tip to the porter who assisted us. 😊 But I would not count on luck if I were you. There is also another way to sneak the food in - we saw some doing this the past times we were there. Their parking is right beside the bottom floor of the rooms at the south side, separated only by a waist-high wall. There would be someone on the other side of the wall (inside the resort) and then someone will pass the items from the outside. And the inspections are skipped.
For those of you who like to follow rules though, do not worry because their gift shops are actually amply supplied with chips and candies at relatively reasonable prices. They have Lays, Cheetos, Ruffles for about Php140, Piattos and other local chips for Php35. The softrdrinks have a different stoey thiugh- you can only get them from the restaurant - and they cost Php95 per can.
Speaking of restaurant, they have Max's inside. During weekdays you can only eat there, but on weekends they also have a a grill station by the pool and beach serving 300-peso-bbqs good for one. There is another option though - the resort is just 5Kms from the town proper so you can just leave and choose from what the town has to offer. They have Jollibee, McDo, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Lots A Pizza, and if you're not too concerned with budget you can try Kainan sa Dalampasigan. It has a garden ambience, lots of flowers around and the food is ok.
Back to the resort... I think the best thing about Canyon Cove is their pool. They have a very big pool complex where even in their crowded days you will still have room to swim.
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| Canyon Cove Swimming Pool |
Even better (for me at least) is that the water is a bit warm! The pool is by the beach, so you can still feel that you are by the beach even if you in the pool. Coz unfortunately there were no lounge chairs in the beach area (photo below was from our previous visit - there were some chairs then, but our last visit there were no more) and there is not much shade so you'd have to bring mats (or just sit on the sand if that is ok with you) but you'd be exposed to too much sun. There are a few cabanas, but they're expensive, while the cabanas in the pool area are free. You just have to arrive early to get one if the day is crowded. For us, because we came on a weekday in June, there were lots and lots of available cabanas. Another good thing: beach towels are available for free, you can get as many as you need with no charges.
The beach, for its proximity to Manila, is already very nice. The sand is golden, and while it is not powder fine, you don't need aqua shoes to get about. And the water - clean and cool.
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| Canyon Cove Beach |
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| Canyon Cove Beach |
Another thing I really love here is the sunset. This place has one of the most beautiful sunsets, make sure you have your cameras ready at sunset hour.
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| Canyon Cove Sunset |
For other entertainment, there are water activities like banana boat, snorkeling, and kayak. There are also indoor activitirs like table tennis and billiards. You can swim until 9PM, and if you are still not tired, they have a bar that is open until 1am. I was only able to try the non-alcoholic Mango Tango, but it was good. Kind of on the expensive side though. The bar had nice music, and a tv as well.
So overall, I'd really say this is a sulit resort. Please don't expect luxury - and surely you'd find "better" resorts elsewhere. But remember we are talking about a Php3000 resort only 3hrs away from Manila - this is really a good deal.
