There are many things to love about Kilyawan Farm Resort, from the friendly staff and spacious rooms to the farm animals and the very inviting pool. Here’s a quick rundown of this new getaway spot just a couple of hours from the metro.
As someone who enjoys spontaneous trips with friends and family, I had not planned much at all the day before we arrived at Kilyawan. In fact, how I found them in the first place was just pure luck. I stumbled across their Instagram page and thought it looked quite interesting and decided to give them a call. They responded very quickly and soon I had a reservation for a farm tour and day trip for my family. It was very quick and efficient and I was able to pay the downpayment online with no hassle at all.
On the day, the drive down to Batangas wasn’t that bad at all. The drive was just under a couple of hours with a quick breakfast stop on the way. In terms of logistics and directions, it was a very straightforward road trip spent mostly on the SLEX and Star Toll. Once you exit, it’s about a half-hour drive to get to the farm. Upon arriving, we were welcomed by the staff and were settled in pretty quickly. After a quick rest and taking in the view of the pool, we asked if it was possible to see their accommodations. The farm resort was very quiet that day since it was the middle of the week, and they were nice enough to give us a peek into their very spacious rooms.
Every room was accompanied by a fairly large bathroom and enough space for a whole family even if you were to avail of extra beds and such. I was pleasantly surprised to see how large the rooms were. We are so used to hotel rooms of the standard size which is just enough for a bed, a desk, and maybe a chair or two. I think the rooms being very big and having high ceilings really add to the feeling of relaxation. You don’t feel like you are cooped up and there’s something homely about it. It is very freeing to be able to move around and relax however you want.
Shortly after taking a look at their rooms, we started our farm tour. We were first given a quick brief by our guide who told us about the farm and how it came to be. Then we were offered some citronella spray and umbrellas and we got on our way. We went on a walk since there were only very few of us. However, if you are a bigger group and maybe if you have some young ones with you, there is a tractor available for the tour.
Our guide walked us through the cacao tree orchard where you will be able to spot many cacao fruits growing. If you are lucky enough, you may even take part in harvesting some of them. Our guide was nice enough to ask one of the men who tends to the farm to show us a ripe and ready cacao fruit, and we even got to taste it! After walking on one side of the cacao orchard we reached the turning into the bamboo grove which was pretty impressive. Although the trail was very muddy since it was the rainy season, we were still able to take some great photos under the bamboo grove. After that, we turned once again and walked on the other side of the orchard to find other kinds of fruit trees growing. Once the walk through the greenery was done, we went to see some of the farm animals.
If you have children, they will surely enjoy this part of the tour. There are many farm activities to take part in such as feeding the chickens, petting and feeding the pigs, as well as the rabbits and goats up close. The staff are with you every step of the way and they are very knowledgeable when it comes to the farm and the animals so you may ask them anything. It’s not just fun but also equally educational for all ages. You’ll end the farm tour with a new appreciation for farming, sustainability, environment, as well as a deeper understanding of where our food comes from.
After all the walking and farm activities, we decided to head back to the main building by the pool and grab some lunch. The menu is quite extensive and there is a mix of Filipino favorites as well as Western dishes. The prices are quite affordable and the quality of the food is great. We ordered a bit of everything including some classic Tinola which had the meat falling off the bone accompanied by some tasty broth, grilled chicken, and of course rice and a side of fries for an after-swim snack. The food service was fairly quick and the ambience was unmatched. Is there anything more relaxing than eating your favorite food while being surrounded by the open air and the sounds of nature? It’s as relaxing as it gets!
Make sure to take a dip in their pool which can accommodate many people including little ones since the pool has a more shallow area for the kiddos. As a group, you can definitely have a good time at the pool and maybe even play some games in the water. If taking a dip is not your thing, take a quick walk across to the lobby and take a look at their board game stash. They have some classics like Monopoly and Scrabble which you can take to your table to pass the time. If you simply want to lounge around with a book, there are many spots all around the resort where you can sit or lay and just be in nature. If you are staying the night, they have a bonfire area which you can enjoy and some picnic tables you can chill at with some friends or family.
If you are looking to spend a day among the trees or you need a pretty place to work from for the day, do check out Kilyawan Farm Resort. There is a lot to see and do and whether you are a large group or even just solo, you will surely enjoy everything it has to offer. Support local, and spend a day with no skyscrapers in sight, just the countryside and fresh air!
