Paradise on Earth
MENTION Pearl Farm Beach Resort and what comes to your mind immediately?
White-sand beach, superb accommodation and amenities, fine dining, water fun, and world-class service. These are just some of the things guests and visitors will experience once they set foot on the 14-hectare five-star aquatic hideaway located at Kaputian in the Island Garden City of Samal.
Opened to public in 1982, Pearl Farm is now one of the country's most up market beach resorts.
"This exquisite place in Davao Philippines is what you call paradise on earth," hailed Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano, the assiduous top honcho of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
No wonder, Pearl Farm has been rated triple A by the tourism department. That's an equivalent to a five-star hotel. In fact, Pearl Farm is the only resort in Mindanao which has that kind of recognition.
There are several reasons why guests and visitors flock to Pearl Farm, which is managed by the Fuego Hotels and Properties. For the scuba diver, for instance, the Pearl Farm is a more than a paradise: excellent diving can be had right in front of the resort.
This natural haven, which has been declared a marine sanctuary, offers spectacular diving amongst the huge shoals of fish and the giant taklobo clams, without the need for tedious boat rides. Just 60 meters away from the resort are two sunken Japanese World War II vessels that await discovery.
But you don't have to be a scuba diver to enjoy the underwater beholding sights either, as a snorkel and fins are all you need in the shallows near the beach.
In addition, its Aqua Sport Center also offers a wide array of audacious water sports activities that include wind surfing, water skiing, banana boat rides. Sea kayaks, hobie cat and wave runners are also available.
Alternatively, you can go swimming at the white-sand beach, sunbathe at two outdoor swimming pools (including the infinity pool near the beach), or relax in the rejuvenating Jacuzzi. For drier pursuits, two tennis courts set amidst lush tropical foliage are available during the day and at night. Or, you can play basketball with some of your friends.
Women can indulge themselves at the Ylang Ylang Spa, named after the perfumed flower. Located within a garden of vegetation amidst a man-made cascading waterfall, the sanctuary offers a wide range of beauty and health treatments such as wraps, facials, body massage and foot spas.
For exhilarating days, follow the wooden footbridges and walkways as you meander through the exotic gardens of the resort. Island structures are made of natural materials such as bamboo, wood, rope, stone and coral which blend in with the surrounding landscape.
At night, you can walk off to the three-tiered Parola Bar (named after the local term for lighthouse). Amid the relaxing ambiance, you can unwind with a night of music, drink and have exhilarating conversation with friends, or try a game of chess at the giant chessboard.
The newly-renovated Maranao Restaurant is the central point of the complex. It features scrumptious Filipino dishes and enticing international cuisine with fresh seafood specialties prepared by its food connoisseur, Chef Juddie Cepe.
Mouth-watering fresh fruits - bananas, santol, papaya, green mandarin, mangosteen, mangoes, and rambutan -- are served since these exotic fruits grow abundantly in the fertile landscapes of Davao and neighboring provinces, as well as Samal Island where the resort is located. Some of the fruits are sometimes used to good effect in its long list of tropical cocktails.
An exceptional feature of Pearl Farm, which was featured as one of the venues for the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant, are deluxe accommodation with 70 guestrooms, suites, cottages on stilts perched above the sea. Inside, decorative details and multihued patterns reflect the islands vibrant culture as inspired by the region's rich tribal ancestry.
Malipano Island, a secluded island located a few hundred meters of Samal Island, is home to seven exclusive villas. The island also offers three holes of golf and at the west side, it faces a pristine white sand beach.
Many who have come to the Pearl Farm have kudos to say. "Wonderful place" was how Sports Unlimited host Marc Nelson described the resort. "Very peaceful," he added.
"We enjoyed it a lot," said Brad Eivens, an American from Texas who spent several days at the resort with his family. "Food and accommodation were great."
Last December, the management launched a sales and booking booth at the SM Mall at Ecoland. As a result, more people came to know the resort. "We get more or less 50 inquiries in a day, and 60-80 bookings - including day tours -- in a week," said Roxan Obregon, the sales head.
The success of the said booth convinced the management to launch another one at Gaisano Mall in Bajada recently. "With these booths, people who are interested to come to our resort won't have any problem getting information and reservation," explained Alfredo Roca, the chief executive officer. "Our previous office in Lanang is remote so we decided to make it easier for them to make a room reservation or even for those who are interested for a day tour."
How to get there? From Manila, it takes one hour and 45 minutes to Davao. From Cebu, it's only 50 minutes. From Davao airport, guests are brought to Davao Marina, where a boat is waiting for them to the resort. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes. Every day, there are four boat trips to and from the resort to Davao.
For information or reservation, you can call any of the following numbers: 235.0876 and 234.0601. Dial 082 if you are calling outside of Davao. Those in Manila can call these numbers: 750.1898 and 750.1896. You can email the resort at: dvosm@pearlfarmresort.com or pearlfarm@fuegohotels.com.
To know more about the resort, you can visit its website: www.pearlfarmresort.com.