Were they able to live up to the promise of a luxury stay?
Friday morning, we packed up and started our journey to have a weekend of team building where we booked a three-day, two-night stay at the Carmen Beach House & Villa. It was a place claiming to be Cebu’s “best-kept secret” as it offers topnotch private and exclusive accommodations; and so the question begs to be answered, is it really the best in the north?
We’re Heading North!
Tucked away in Luyang, Carmen, the place was surprisingly super easy to find! Just hop on a motorcycle from Carmen’s bus terminal and enjoy a 5 to 10-minute ride that brings you right to its doorstep. As you arrive, a metal entrance draped with dried native grasses greets you like a friendly wave, as if welcoming you to a well-deserved tropical getaway.
Once you step inside the premises, you’ll stroll along a beautifully paved path, filled by tall plants and stone decors; it’s like walking into a scene from Alice in Wonderland! And when you reach the heart of the villa, a sparkling pool awaits, surrounded by charming houses that look like they jumped straight out of Disney’s “Encanto” movie as each one has the look of the magical “Casita” from its tan colors to the tisa roofing.
The Beach House & The Villa
Okay, let’s clear the air—these two spots are like apples and oranges; they are different! If you’re planning a getaway with all 15 of your bestest friends, the Beach Villa is your best bet. The Beach House, on the other hand, is a cozier option that fits a max of 8 guests, perfect for a more intimate hangout with your family. And because the properties have tons of space in each room, they can accommodate up to 30 people, combined! Imagine that; you can have a full party at the place and still have enough for more!
Now, let’s talk about its pools! The Villa has a long, lush green pool, while the Beach House features a deeper blue kidney-shaped pool—ideal for those cannonballs! And don’t forget about the rental prices; they differ, too!
So, with those differences in mind, the Villa was a no-brainer for us since our plan was for a team-building space to spread out and bond. But, if you want to book both, then you can, too, because both properties are connected to each other with a 4-meter wide gated wall!
No Cooking Necessary; You’ll Have Your Own Private Chef!
You won’t be singing to Nicki Minaj’s lines in “Hey Mama,” as you won’t be doing the cooking and the cleaning during your stay as they have an entire team to do that for you! That’s right, luxury is the name of the place and that’s what they offer with a dedicated team at your service.
Of course, the team requires you to leave all your worries about grocery shopping or bringing outside food so that they can work seamlessly. They will be the one who will make the daily meal plans and menu based on your budgets. All you have to do is kick back and relax while a private chef whips up meals inspired from local and Mediterranean cuisines; think seafood paella and warm sinigang paired with crispy lumpia!
The Verdict
Our team had a fantastic time, and we’re giving this place a strong #SugboApproves, and here’s why:
First off, the accommodations were amazing—5 out of 5 for sure! Every corner felt cozy, and the beds? UGH, pure bliss when I laid on it! I finally had a good night’s sleep for the first time in a month, especially with the fluffy comforters and the wonderful views outside the windows.
The pool was impressively clean and spacious enough for all 15 of us to enjoy without a hitch, and the gazebo gave us a lovely spot to relax while watching the waves splash the rocks ashore. Also, if you’re looking for hot water to shower on, they have that, too!
And as for the food, when it comes to it, our expectations were met as the private chef cooked up some tasty meals for all of us! From our breakfast, lunch, and to our dinners, they served us freshly cooked seafood, warm soups, and Filipino-Mediterranean viands that we enjoyed with cold beverages!
We were also guaranteed that power interruptions won’t be a problem at all, since the property is powered by large power generation units to back us up. And as for the internet, they have the reliable Starlink internet and also the latest Google Mesh—perfect for busy buddies like us who still had to do meetings and update social media platforms to stay on top of our duties.
Overall, it was a delightful experience, and we’d definitely recommend it for a fun getaway, whether with your friends, family, relatives, or with a company team.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- BEACH VILLA.(Long green pool) – Php 35,000.00 per night, good for 15 pax
- Extra guests in Beach Villa (5 max) – Php 1,500.00 per person per night.
- BEACH HOUSE (Blue kidney pool) – Php 28,000.00 per night, good for 8 pax.
- Extra guests in Beach House max 4 on a single mattress on floors – Php 1,500.00 per person.
- NATIVE HOUSE – Php 8,000.00 per night for additional guests. No direct pool or beach access.
BOOKING INFORMATION
- Check in time – 2pm
- Check out time – 12 noon.
- Minimum of 2 nights is required if booking includes a Friday, Saturday or a public holiday.
- Single nights at weekends may be booked, subject to availability, within 5 days prior to the reservation date.
- Rates include access to the property’s reliable Starlink internet connection.
- Single rooms may be rented subject to availability for Php 7,500.00 per night.
- Rates include a private chef and full team to help plan, shop and prepare all meals.
- Rates inclusive of all taxes.
- Gated parking space is available.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Viber & WhatsApp: +63905 436 5607 (RJ) | +852 91625321 (Mark)
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Website: cebubeach.net
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cebubeachhousevilla
- AirBnB Profile: https://abnb.me/X4Pn0QmpIvb
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Luyang, Carmen, Philippines
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin “Carmen Beach House and Villa in Luyang, Carmen.”
- By Commute: From the North Bus Terminal, take the bus bound to Carmen. Fare starts at Php 75.00 and above, depending on the type of bus, whether it’s the aircon or non-aircon option. Once you arrive at the Carmen Bus Stop, take a motorcycle or habal-habal going to the beach house. Fare starts at Php 20.00. Overall travel time will range between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic.
