Sta. Fe Resort: Bacolod City’s First
July 11, 2009
The pioneer will always have a first mover advantage over it’s competitors. That’s why if you ask people in Bacolod to give you a resort’s name, Sta Fe Resort would come to mind. Sta. Fe Resort is the oldest privately owned resort in Bacolod City established in the 1940’s.
Sta. Fe Resort is ideal for weekend family outings, family gatherings and events and also for company outings, conferences and conventions. Dorm and room accommodation is available and there are function rooms with different capacities to choose from.
Sta. Fe Resort also has several distinctions aside from being the first resort in Bacolod. It’s the only resort with a chapel, a mini zoo and a complete gun club facility.
How to get there:
Sta. Fe Resort is located in Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City and is very accessible. It is around 7 km. from Bacolod City and about 20 minutes travel by private car and public utility vehicle.
When taking public utility jeep, take the jeepneys plying the Sta. Fe-Burgos route at the Burgos Market. This will take you right at the gate of Sta. Fe Resort. It’s hard to miss Sta. Fe Resort since it is located in front of San Muguel Brewery.
For more information, visit their website: Sta. Fe Bacolod Resort
Mambukal Mountain Resort
March 11, 2009
About 30 minutes drive away from Bacolod City lies a picturesque mountain resort manged by the Provincial Government. The Mambukal Mountain Resort locate in the town of Murcia, Negros Occidental lies is 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as gateway to Mt. kanlaon.
The resort was originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927. The resort started as a bath house and picnic garden and has provided cool haven for Negrenses and their guests.
Spread over 23.6 hectares at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon, the Maambukal Mountain Resort boasts of a number of hot sulfur springs. A big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven falls feeding the swimming pools and boating lagoon.
Things to Do in Mambukal
To commune with nature, the resort has strategically located viewing decks and a Canopy Walk with hanging bridges. If relaxation is what you’re after, there’s the boating lagoon, swimming and dipping pool. You can likewise bring children along since they will surely enjoy the butterfly garden and the kiddie pool.
For a more physical challenge, there’s the Rock Climbing Wall and the Slide for Life. For more adventure, one can trek to the seventh falls where your endurance can be tested.
Accommodation
Mambukal is ideal for family outings and business conferences. For those on a budget, there’s the Tourist Lodge which offers standard rooms and suites. There are single air conditioned cottages or campsites to choose from as well as picnic sheds for day visitors. There are stalls at the resort serving local dishes at reasonable price so don’t worry about going hungry.
How to Get There
Mambukal is a favorite vacation destination of local and foreign tourists since it is very accessible from Bacolod City. The resort is around 30 minutes by private vehicle and 45 minutes by public utility vehicle. From downtown Bacolod, take the “double tire” mini-buses going to Murcia from the Libertad terminal. Fare is around 30. Double Tires are almost always available from Mambukal going to Bacolod City.
Rates
Entrance
Adult P30.00/head
11 yrs. old and below P10.00/head
Entrace w/ Parking
Light vehicles P15.00
Trucks/Bus P30.00
Swimming Pools (Kiddie/Adult Pool, Mambo Pool, Dippng Pool)
12 yrs. old up P50.00
11 yrs. old and below P20.00
Picnic Huts
Small P300.00
Big P600.00
Wall Climbing P25.00
Slide for Life P100.00/2 trips
Canopy Walk P50.00
Boating P30.00/head
Butterfly Garden P10.00/head
Accommodations
LGU Cottages P900.00/2 single beds
P1,200.00/4 single beds
P1,500.00/2 single beds & 2 double decks
Tourist Lodge
Ordinary P600.00
Deluxe P750.00
Suite P1,000.00
Dormitory
Exclusive P2,000.00
Per Person P100.00/head
Tables w/ 4 chairs P100.00
Additional Foam P100.00
Canoppy w/ 1 table & 6 chairs P300.00
Conference hall
- Entirely versatile, configured with audio visual, lighting and meeting equipment for seminars, conferences and banquets.
- The entire hall is divisible into 3 sections.
- Can accommodate up to 400 persons
- Catering and transport service are also available
Check Inn 2:00pm
Check Out 12:00nn
For Reservations, contact:
Mambukal Reservation Office
(034) 709-0990 / 433-8516
Mambukal Office
(034) 710-0800 / 710-0801
Photo by: Tony Manso
Pataan Mountain Resort, Bago City
November 14, 2008
Had my grandma not have her hair permed that weekend, we would have not known that Bago City is home to another marvel, the Pataan Mountain Resort. From Kipot Twin Falls, we travelled three (3) kilometers following the road to PNOC (thanks to the locals who gladly gave us directions). Along the way, a lady hailed to hitch a ride with us. Incidentally, she was going to the resort too. Turns out she works for the owner of the resort and her folks work there too. Knowing that, my folks didn’t wait long before they could ask her more questions about the resort. So she gave us a little backgrounder.
It’s owned by a retired police who bought the property in 1998. Many people had showed interest in co-financing the development of the resort but the owner declined them all. Too many cooks spoil the broth, so they say. Instead, they relied on the concerted efforts of family members who contributed to the growth of the property from a simple bahay bakasyunan to a resort ready to accommodate picknickers,backpackers and nature lovers.
The resort has now at least 9 picnic cottages (much like the day cottages at Mambucal, but built with wood) situated near the pool of water from the falls. Big groups can rent the space which doubles up as a canteen, the pavillion or the other bigger structure (restaurant set-up) at the opposite side of the day cottages. Two overnight rooms are available for group accommodations: one good for 6 and the other good for 15. There is a swimming pool which, during our stay, was dominated by kids. From there, you get a good view of the rice terraces in the lowland plus a good view of your parked vehicle, in case you feel like checking on it once in a while. If you think you are too old for the pool or just didn’t want to pay PHP50.00 to get wet, there is the many pools of water from the waterfalls at no extra cost.
And the waterfalls. Wow… it’s a different sight from the ones I’ve seen in Mambucal. It’s wider and covered with greens all over. My folks took a dip in the pool under the waterfalls but didn’t stay long because the water was cold. I would have gone with them had I been in better health during our visit. (poor me huhuhu).
If you want a new mountain resort experience, do check out Pataan Mountain Resort while it’s not yet known to many. The owners didn’t want to advertise so they rely on word of mouth and referrals of satisfied customers who bring friends and relatives along during their next visits. Works for them really, as they feel that they are not yet ready to draw more crowd than they could serve.
Here’s some useful info about the resort:
Location: Sitio Pata-an, Brgy.Mailum, Bago City
How to Get There:
- By Public Transport
|
Travel Details |
Mode of Transport |
Fare |
| Libertad Market to Ma-ao Public Market | Road Star Bus | P30.00/head |
| Ma-ao Public Market to Pataan | Tricycle | P30.00/ head; P150 for hire |
-
Private Transport
Alternative Routes:
- Bacolod City > Araneta St > Brgy Sum-ag > Crossing Abuanan > Maao Public Market>
- Bago City > Crossing Mining > Maao Public Market
When you reach the market, you just go straight up following the concrete road til you pass by the signboard to Buenos Aires, then Kipot Twin Falls. No harm in asking locals for directions to be sure (LOL!)
Useful tips:
- There are no PUJs passing by the resort so you have to work out your transpo details
- Bring your own food and drinks, if you can help it. They don’t charge corkage fee except for liquor (I’m not sure about the beer though). And bring only what you can consume so you wouldn’t have to bring them all back home.
- Make reservations in advance.Especially if you plan to stay overnight. You may call any of the following numbers: 476-1330 or 433-0443 or 434-6854
- Be prepared to get wet.
- You can’t get your camera too close to the falls because of the mist so I suggest you bring one with a powerful zoom to get a good close-up of the falls.
Enjoy Pataan!
Text and Photos by: Roxie Yap
