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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Taking a break, the Pico De Loro way

It has been a very stressful past few weeks for me, so I decided to take a much-needed breather. From among the many “nearby” destinations that I find conducive to a relaxing break, I chose to spend the weekend at Pico de Loro. 

Only two and a half hours away from my residence are the lush landscapes of Hamilo Coast, and Pico Sands Hotel was my home for the weekend. Here, one can easily relax and unwind while soaking up the vibrant vibes of coastal life, far away from the noise and pollution of the metropolis.

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From the time I set foot in the hotel, I was immediately impressed by the beautiful welcome I received from the staff. Outside the door of the room assigned to me, two housekeeping ladies were waiting, offering a cold towel and serving me a refreshingly cold guayabano-passion fruit drink. Right away, I knew I was in for a relaxing respite from the dizzying pace of work in the city.

With expert advice from the hotel’s charming marketing communications manager, Faith Dimaano, and her hardworking assistant, Gab Arieta, I made myself a schedule of activities, all pointing toward a very pleasurable and de-stressing stay.

The author taking in the golden sunset while on a relaxing cruise at Pico de Loro Cove

After a brief rest and towards late afternoon, I went on a Sunset Cruise around the bay, basking in the cool sea breeze while enjoying fresh coconut juice served in its shell. As the boat sailed toward the open sea, the stewards served a platter of hors d’oeuvres paired with my favorite Merlot. What better way to spend an afternoon than this! The golden sunset turned nature’s display from what was commonplace into the rare, while the stewards shared some trivia about the islands on the horizon, making the cruise even more relevant.

When we returned to port, it was time for dinner, but it wasn’t just a regular dinner inside the hotel’s restaurant. It was served in the garden, inside a dome made of white rattan, woven in such a way that privacy was maintained but wind could easily pass through, keeping its interior cool and comfortable throughout the dinner. As if the venue wasn’t delightful enough, the four-course dinner, curated personally by Executive Sous Chef Leonido Mari, would end a foodie’s search for culinary heaven!

Experience ultimate relaxation with a soothing massage at The Rain Spa

The perfect day ended with a “perfect touch!” The hotel’s Rain, The Spa, made it possible for me to relax and recharge through a soothing and revitalizing body massage by one of its experienced therapists. I’d had this nagging shoulder and neck tightness, which started many months ago when I was doing some household cleaning. I thought that going to a sauna would cure it by sweating the toxins out of my body, but it didn’t, so I continued to live with it for many months. However, the magic touch of The Spa’s therapist knew exactly where my pressure points were.

After an hour and a half of her style of dry massage, I was practically floating on air, with my neck and shoulders finally free from the nasty muscle cramps. Naturally, I had a very restful sleep that night.

The following day, I spent it on the beach from breakfast until after lunch, basking in the glorious sunshine while enjoying the warm, crystal-clear waters of the bay. For city folks like me, swimming in the waters of Pico de Loro would be the ultimate therapy—the antidote to work-related stress that comes with having a career. Being immersed in the gifts of nature somehow wipes away the negative vibes that intrude into one’s persona.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE
IN THE FRONT YARD
OF A FUNERAL HOME:
Drive carefully. We’ll wait.

Pico de Loro offers many more facilities designed to take your mind off the mental and emotional burdens that come with life in the metro. For those into sports, the Country Club has basketball, badminton, and pickleball courts, bowling alleys, and billiard tables. Of course, the fully equipped gym caters to fitness enthusiasts, while families will enjoy Club Pico, which has a play area featuring arts and crafts activities.

For those into watersports, Pico de Loro Cove offers paddleboarding, jet skiing, and thrilling towable rides that will certainly add excitement to one’s visit. It also offers snorkeling excursions in the peaceful waters around the coast, which are protected marine areas as a result of the resort’s dedication to sustainability and conservation.

A day and a half was certainly not enough to enjoy everything that Pico de Loro Cove has to offer, but it was more than enough for me to rid myself of the physical, mental, and emotional stress that somehow finds its way to any career-oriented individual. Give yourself a break soon.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

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