Unbelievable Cabin B Getaway: Bigang Munti, Batangas Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! Because I just got back from Unbelievable Cabin B Getaway in Bigang Munti, Batangas, and let me tell you, it was… something. Let's be honest, vacations are always a gamble. You pour your precious time and money into something, hoping you'll get the Insta-worthy version of paradise. Sometimes, you do. Other times, you're left with a slightly soggy, slightly disappointing memory. Let's see where this one lands, shall we?
First Impressions: The Drive & the Dream (and the Reality Check)
Accessibility: Okay, so the website said "easy access." And technically, it was accessible. The road was paved…eventually. (More on that later). The cabin, thankfully, wasn't perched on a cliff face, which is a definite win. But let’s just say, if you're relying on a wheelchair, call ahead very seriously to discuss the terrain around the cabin and its immediate surrounds. I think it’s manageable, but don’t let the brochure descriptions fool you.
Getting Around: They offer a free car park, which is fantastic. And I think there’s a taxi service kicking around, it's Batangas, so you might have get your haggling game on. Airport transfer? You'll have a better chance of teaching a cat to play the banjo.
Stuff to Do (and Do I Really Want To?)
Alright, here's the deal: They're selling RELAXATION. And by golly, did I try.
Ways to Relax: They had a spa. A spa. The brochure showed serene people getting body wraps and scrubs. Me? I envisioned myself covered in mud, peaceful as a clam. The reality? Well, the scrub was a little…vigorous. Let's just say my skin is now very familiar with every single cell.
- Body Scrub: As I mentioned, EXCELLENT for exfoliation!
- Body Wrap: I skipped this, fearing I’d get stuck in a cocoon. Don't worry, I regretted it later.
- Fitness Center: cough Gym/fitness cough. They had something. I’ll be honest, I peaked my head in, saw a slightly sad treadmill and a dumbbell rack that looked older than my grandmother, and retreated back to the pool.
- Foot bath: I'm a sucker for a good footbath. This one was nice.
- Gym/fitness: Discussed above.
- Massage: Ah, yes. The massage. It was…competent. Not life-changing, but my knots were definitely less knotted afterward.
- Pool with view: This was the high point. The pool overlooked… well, something. (Honestly, I lost track of what. The pool was lovely, though).
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom: Didn't use them. The weather was already sauna-like.
- Swimming pool: YES! Good. Clean. Inviting. (Important note: Take your own pool towel because… well, the ones provided weren't the fluffiest).
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: See above.
- For the kids: Didn’t bring any, didn’t notice anything specifically kid-oriented. Probably best for couples.
Messy, Honest Truth Time: Cleanliness, Safety, and FOOD!
Cleanliness and Safety: This is where they really knocked it out of the park. Everywhere I looked, there was hand sanitizer. They offered… I'm not sure what to call it, but a total purge of the rooms (Room sanitization opt-out available). They had individual wrapped food options (a big plus in these post-pandemic times). Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Felt like it! They took this very seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Hand sanitizer
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Staff trained in safety protocol
Food and Drink: The Adventure Continues…
Oh. Boy. Let's dive into the food…
- A la carte in restaurant: They had a restaurant.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were helpful about adapting to my partner’s dietary requirements, which was appreciated.
- Asian breakfast: Surprisingly good. Seriously, the tapsilog was genuinely delicious.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: See above.
- Bar/Poolside bar: Did not see/use either. Sadly.
- Bottle of water: Yes, thankfully!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Available, yay!
- Breakfast service: Good!
- Buffet in restaurant: Standard offering, nothing to write home about.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: Yes and yes. Essential.
- Desserts in restaurant: Eatable.
- Happy hour: I missed it. Regret it.
- International cuisine in restaurant: They tried.
- Restaurants: One.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES! Useful!
- Salad in restaurant: You could get a salad.
- Snack bar: Didn’t see one.
- Soup in restaurant: Okay.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Sadly, no, but they were happy to adapt.
- Western breakfast/Western cuisine in restaurant: They have this.
Overall, though… the food was… serviceable. Not a foodie paradise, but definitely edible, and they tried. However, they could certainly improve the dining experience.
Internet, Internet, Internet and… More Internet (or Lack Thereof)
- Internet access – LAN/Internet access – wireless/Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!/Wi-Fi in public areas: YES. Thankfully in this day and age, it's a MUST! (Though the signal wasn't always consistent.)
Rooms: Cozy or Crappy?
- Available in all rooms: Okay, let's be honest, the "Cabin B" part made me think of something rustic. Maybe a little… basic? However, the rooms were actually quite comfortable.
- Additional toilet: Yes!
- Air conditioning: Phew. Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathrobes: Yes. (Slightly scratchy, but yes.)
- Bathtub: Yes.
- Blackout curtains: Hells yes, those were a lifesaver.
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Closet: Plenty of space.
- Coffee/tea maker: YES! Very important.
- Complimentary tea: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was cleaned every day.
- Desk: To write your rambling review… like so.
- Extra long bed/Linens: Yes.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated!
- Hair dryer: Yes. (Though the one I had was a bit weak)
- High floor: No.
- In-room safe box: Yes.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: I didn’t see this.
- Ironing facilities: Yes. (Thankfully).
- Laptop workspace: Yes.
- Mini bar: Yes. (A little sparsely stocked, but still…)
- Mirror: Everywhere. Needed to assess the post-massage, post-scrub mess.
- Non-smoking: YES.
- On-demand movies: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes.
- Scale: I avoided this like the plague.
- Seating area: Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Yes.
- Shower: Okay.
- Slippers: Yes.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Socket near the bed: VERY IMPORTANT.
- Sofa: Yes.
- Soundproofing: Relatively good.
- Telephone: Yes.
- Toiletries: Yes. (The cheap, hotel-brand kind, but hey, they’re there.)
- Towels: Sufficient.
- Umbrella: Hmm.
- Visual alarm/Wake-up service: Didn't use.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Mostly.
- Window that opens: YES!
Amenities and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes… I think.
- Concierge/Doorman: Not quite.
- Convenience store: Sadly, no. But you can always
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary for Cabin B in Bigang Munti, Batangas is gonna be less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly seasick but ultimately loving it." We're going FULL messy human here. Brace yourselves.
The Bigang Munti Mess-terpiece
Day 1: Arrival – Expect the Unexpected (Mostly Delays)
Morning (10:00 AM -ish, "ish" being the operative word): Left Manila. Officially, we planned to leave at 8 a.m., but "the Manila traffic" is a real beast, and someone (cough, ME, cough) was still scrambling for sunscreen. The aircon in the car decides to have a "mood" of its own, and it's blowing straight hot air…Lovely. Finally, hit the road.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon (1:00 PM - ish): Stop at a carinderia (small local eatery) along the way. This is where I, a true foodie, thought I found a culinary goldmine - sinigang na baboy (sour pork soup) and adobo. The adobo was good, but the broth? Oh, the broth! After a moment of bliss, I realized I couldn't even finish the entire bowl. It was simply too much, but I forced myself to finish most of it.
Afternoon (2:30ish PM): Finally, finally, ARRIVE at Bigang Munti. Gorgeous views, the ocean air slaps away all the city stress, and the cabin… well, the cabin is more "rustic charm" than "luxury resort." But hey, it's ours for a few days! Unpack, assess the damage (read: mosquitoes and spiders), and try not to freak out about the lack of wifi. This is supposed to be a digital detox, right? Right?
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Head to the beach. The sand is warm, the water… surprisingly NOT freezing. But it's also not crystal clear. First impression is "oh, that's a lot of seaweed," but I start to love it. It's real. I'm real. I'm in the sea and starting to relax. My partner, bless his soul, is already trying to build a sandcastle. He's surprisingly good at it.
Evening (7:00 PM -ish): Dinner. Cooking is part of the plan, but the stove is… temperamental. We have a minor kitchen fire. Okay, it was more of a "smoke incident." Nothing a little frantic waving of a dish towel can't handle. Grilled fish, rice, and a victorious feeling of surviving dinner against all odds. Stare at the stars. They are a million times brighter than I remember.
Night (9:00 PM onwards): Attempts at a bonfire on the beach. We fail. Miserably. Laughter is the best medicine. I'm more of a hot chocolate type of person so I spend the rest of the night drinking hot chocolate.
Day 2: The Sea, The Sun, and… My Terrible Singing
Morning (8:00 AM, surprisingly awake): Wake up to the sound of the waves. It's a perfect start to the day. A quick walk on the beach, which is beautiful, and a quick dip. The water is clear, calm, and perfect for a lazy swim. Start of the day is wonderful. Then, realize I'm sunburnt.
Morning (9:30 AM -ish): Breakfast of champions: instant coffee, and the remainder of the bread that did not get burnt. Contemplating the vastness of the ocean and contemplating how the hell I'm going to get any work done.
Mid-Morning (10:30 AM): Snorkeling! The actual highlight of the trip. The coral is incredible, the fish are neon-bright, and I spend a solid hour utterly entranced. I was just floating there, just staring. And then, I see a sea turtle. An actual, real-life sea turtle! I almost burst into tears of joy. This, THIS is why I travel.
Afternoon (1:00 PM -ish): Post-snorkeling nap. I slept on the beach chair.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Attempt to kayak. I'm a disaster. I keep going in circles while laughing the whole time! My partner, on the other hand, is Mr. Smooth. The wind is picking up so we retreat back and I feel the fatigue.
Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Stroll on the beach again. I'm a little worried about my sunburn, which is now officially a lobster. I start the search of aloe vera.
Evening (7:00 PM): The second "attempt to barbecue." This time, we make it. Success! We eat our dinner on the balcony, watching the sunset. The sky. The stars. It's so much more beautiful than any picture can do justice.
Night (9:00 PM): Singing session! Armed with a guitar (we brought it!), we sing badly, loudly, and with a complete disregard for anyone within earshot. It feels amazing.
Day 3: Adventure (and, Let's Be Honest, Probably Some Tears)
Morning (9:00 AM -ish): Breakfast, lots and lots of coffee needed today. Feeling a mix of excitement and dread for today.
Morning (10:00 AM): Hiking! We head inland to explore the trails. The hike is challenging, but the views from the top are insane. It's all worth it. I feel like I can see the entire world from up there.
Mid-day (1:00 PM): The descent is harder than the ascent. I’m a little scared because the terrain is very rocky. I am a sweaty, slightly bruised, and thoroughly grumpy hiker by the end of it.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Head back down to the beach, wanting nothing but to be by the sea.
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): A long, cooling dip in the water, slowly relaxing my weary muscles.
Evening (6:00 PM): A quiet dinner, talking about all that we did and about how much we want to stay. We find it hard to say goodbye.
Night (8:00 PM): Pack. Tears. Actually! Goodbyes are hard.
Day 4: Departure – Until Next Time, Bigang Munti!
Morning (9:00 AM, ugh): Pack the car. Have a final coffee, even though I don't wanna leave.
Morning (10:00 AM): One last look at the sea. A deep breath - to store it in my memory.
Departure (11:00 AM -ish): Hit the road, back to the chaos of city life.
Afternoon (2:00 PM -ish): Traffic is, of course, horrendous. We're tired. But we carry the joy of memories.
Forever: The memories, and the promise to return to Cabin B (or another place just like it) as soon as humanly possible. Because, let's be honest, even with the bugs, the questionable cooking, and the inevitable sunburn, this trip was truly magical. And it's exactly the kind of messy, wonderful chaos my soul desperately needed.
And that, my friends, is a glimpse into my Batangas adventure. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Escape to Paradise: Vila Primavera, Vama Veche, Romania
So, Unbelievable Cabin B. Is it...unbelievable? Spill the beans!
What's the best thing about Cabin B? Give me the *real* answer.
Right, so the cabin itself... What's the vibe? And what about the other cabin guests? Are there many other people?
Okay, but what about the dreaded "cons"? Every place has them.
Food! What's the deal? Should I cook? Order in? Get my groceries from a shop?
What about the activities? Is it just sitting around and staring at the view? (Although, that sounds amazing…)
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Is it worth the money?
Any tips for first-timers? Like, *really* practical advice?
Give me the story about the Rooster!
