The Farm at San Benito

My daughter and I spent one night at The Farm at San Benito, Lipa City in Batangas. She paid for this weekday get-away package months ago but since we’re busy, we only got to go last monday, March 5.

We went to the office first in the morning and headed for Lipa at 12:30 pm. Malapit lang actually ang Lipa City because of the Star Tollway.

We enjoyed our road trip, it’s relaxing to see expanse of land, unlike my daily road trips at EDSA, puro pwet ng buses ang nakikita ko.

I have always intended to bring Julienne here eversince she was in college. I always told her “Anak pag-uwi dmo adalhin kita sa The Farm“. She’s been back for 3 years and we never went. Instead of me bringing my daughter, she brought me. She said I’ve always wanted to go, so she booked for our one night get-away.

We arrived at The Farm at exactly 2 pm.
So, this is it. It’s nice but because it’s generally expensive, my expections were higher. I expected something more impressive. Where is the wow? When we entered their gates, I saw no wow effect. Usually when we go to places that are popular or high-end, there’s always a surprise, something that would wow us. I didn’t see nor feel the WOW at The Farm.

The lobby cum reception was the typical Bali-type structure, with touches of wood. They welcomed us with a small glass of cold buko juice with a slice of pipino as decor, which we ate, and ice cold face towel. Wahh, cold, ang init kasi last monday. There was no breeze.

The first few hours of our stay was similar to a withdrawal syndrome. It’s like running at 100 kph and all of a sudden we had to stop. Living in Manila is fast -paced, work, socials, recreation, we’re always doing something, we’re always coming and going. Even when at home, we’re busy. So monday was a STOP and forced-to-rest kind of thing. We’re there to relax and enjoy the place only to realize that we’re bored and have nothing to do.

AFter a few hours, we settled down and our bodies adjusted to a slower pace. Okay, this is good, we have nothing to do, no television, no internet in the rooms, so let’s just enjoy staring at the trees.

They provided us with a map of the 9 hectares place, part of the 48 hectares farm that are planted with mostly coconut.

They have a spa, few swimming pools, a small waterfalls, a pond with two dozen bibi, bibe or ducks.

This secluded swimming pool with waterfalls is perfect for honeymooners. I found it creepy at night.

They have a pair of peacock roaming around in the same spot

P8,000 a night room. I’m glad my daughter didn’t book this.

They did nothing but sleep and swim

Vegetable garden planted with mint, terragon, etc

Leeks

Giant lettuce

Wild sunflower

A German national married to a Filipina from Bulacan originally owned this whole place. According to one of the staff, a certain Mister Katigbak sold the properties to the couple. They acquired the neighboring properties which expanded their holdings to 48 hectares. They developed the area initially for their own private use. The couple now lives in Italy after they sold The Farm last year to a group of international hoteliers, which consists of a Nepalese, a French, an Indian national Mr. Khattar and a Filipino partner.

Mr. Khattar is the majority owner of The Farm and also owns many hotels abroad including the Avalon. He and his wife comes every three months and they stay at the Master Suite at The Farm for 3 weeks to a month.