Michi Photostory

I let my husband search for the resort and he discovered Solana, he inquired via call and email. Since we are a group of 4 people, the resort gave us two options per different types of room, we can choose a double sharing rate or a quadruple sharing rate, and we chose the latter. 

In Lilom Resort, fixed ang rate per head regardless of the number of persons in one room but here, they have different rates from single to quadruple. It is cheaper if we will share one room and we chose the cheapest accommodation which is Sea View Room. 

Option 1A: Sea View Room (2 rooms) PHP18,600 

Option 1B: Sea View Room (1 room) PHP15,800 

The rate includes 3 buffet meals, from lunch on check-in day until breakfast on check-out day. Additional PHP700 per head if we want to have lunch after check-out. To confirm the reservation, full payment is required within 48 hours via credit card or bank transfer. We need to send proof of payment and fill out the guest registration form. 

On the day of our trip, we left after breakfast because my husband wanted to go to the mall first before going to the resort, he bought some swimming stuff pa. We arrived at the resort past 12NN, and the guard informed us to wait for the staff. We were all shocked when we saw the stairs because we were not informed na may ganito pala, I asked the staff kung ilang steps and if I remember it right, he said 250 steps. Waah! 

According to their website “Solana is nestled in the hilly, coastal peninsula of Anilao, Batangas” so ito pala meaning nun, para na rin kami naghike sa sobrang taas. Going down is easier but going up is not, good thing my senior mom is used to hiking. 

When we reached the reception, the staff asked us to sign a “Sports Activities Release, Waiver and Outclaim” paper and we were advised that we can take our lunch already. After few minutes, the staff gave our room key but of course, inuna muna namin kumain at naubos energy namin sa pagbaba. 

I’m not really a fan of managed buffet, feeling ko kasi nasa birthday or wedding event ako na may naglalagay ng food. I was excited about our buffet meals pa naman pero managed buffet pala sa Solana so hindi ko na nakunan yung buffet spread, I just took note of the food and drinks that were prepared.

For lunch, we had corn soup, stir-fried squid, sweet and sour chicken, liempo, veggie lumpia, mango sago, banana, iced tea, and coffee. It is a complete meal but my son only ate liempo and I only tried the soup, squid, liempo and dessert. This was my husband's plate so may apat na ulam per meal. He likes the veggie lumpia. 

For our dinner, we had grilled chicken, beef kaldereta, fish steak, stir-fried pechay, pumpkin soup, kalamansi pie, and pineapple juice. I like all the viands for our dinner. 

For our breakfast, we had an egg of our choice, garlic rice, chicken tocino, embotido, daing na bangus, hash brown, bread, yogurt, banana, and four seasons juice. 

Solana Resort offers an a la carte menu too, so if you want some snacks, sandwiches, hot plates or desserts, you can place your order. You can see their menu in your room. 

Breakfast time: 7AM to 9AM

Lunch time: 12NN to 2PM

Dinner time: 7PM to 9PM

After lunch, we went to our room. The room and bathroom are spacious so even if we are four people hindi naman masikip. There is a desk and wardrobe rack. The toiletries are complete, they provided shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and even cotton buds. No coffee and tea but there is a jar of water. Wifi is free pero hindi abot sa room and data signal is also weak. 

We only stayed for one night at Solana Resort and we experienced rain showers but it did not stop us, because we still enjoyed the pool and sea. Mas okay yung trip namin last November kasi hindi maalon, nakapagkayak, snorkle and swim kami. 

Anilao is indeed a diving site, no need na magrent pa ng boat kasi marami ka na makikitang fish and corals kahit sa malapit lang. I saw a sign board "Sharks happy place, stay on shore so they do not swim away" may nakita kami na school of fish kaso ang layo so not sure kung sharks ba yun. 

We had no expectations when we booked Solana Resort but when we arrived, kahit nahirapan kami sa stairs, we had no regrets. Even though this resort is old, it is well-maintained. It has a saltwater pool, lounge area and free use of kayak. If you need swimming shoes or fins, you can rent them for PHP100. At the time of our trip, there are only 4 groups of guests so the resort doesn’t feel crowded. Wala nga kami nakakasabay na guests sa pool or beach. 

Overall, we are satisfied with the place, food, and service; the only thing that might hinder us to go back is the 250 steps. The staff said, there is another option which is a boat ride kaso additional expense. But if you are still active and young, I can recommend this place. 

90 Sitio Aguada Brgy. San Teodoro 

Mabini - Batangas

I mentioned before that we were supposed to celebrate Father’s Day on the beach but it did not happen so my husband rescheduled our celebration for a later date. At that time, Lilom Resort is not accepting guests within 14 days of arrival from overseas so hindi rin pala kami pwede ng Father’s Day because my son and I just came back from Norway. 

A. If you are FULLY VACCINATED, please present your vaccination card upon entry. No need to submit a COVID test. 

B. If you are UNVACCINATED or have had only a SINGLE DOSE, we require a NEGATIVE NASAL SWAB Test Result within 48 hours of arrival date from accredited DOH testing centers. Please bring a printout of the test result to give to our staff upon arrival. Saliva tests are not accepted. The nasal swab RT PCR and the Rapid Antigen Tests are the only ones we can accept.  Kids 11 years old and under do not need to present a swab test. 

C. We can not yet accept pregnant women and people with comorbidities. 

Lilom Resort offers day trips, overnight, and exclusive block-off rates. The room rate is per person/per night and the rate includes meals and government taxes. 

Pressed coffee or tea. 

The rate varies too, depending on the room that you will choose. Lilom Resort has 7 rooms, Butanding, Paraw, Kubo, Tuko, Pawikan, Capiz and Satcho’s House. We are a group of 5 people and we chose Pawikan and Capiz room for PHP3,500/person. 

Reserving a room is easy because everything is done via email. To confirm the reservation, a 50% deposit is needed via bank transfer. The resort only accepts cash payments or online transfers. No free wifi and the data signal is not stable so it is better to bring cash or pay the full amount prior to the trip.

Our first staycation in Anilao, Batangas was in Vivere Azure so when we booked Lilom Resort we have no expectations at all because we knew that it was not a 5-star luxury resort. I suggested this resort to my husband because I have no idea na isasama niya in-laws ko. So when I learned that, I was searching for other resorts na hindi mahihirapan ang Senior Citizens but my husband already paid the downpayment na pala. #nagmamadali. 

So I warned him about the 300 meters walk from the public parking lot to the resort and 220 steps down to the resort. He immediately called my mother-in-law to ask “kung kakayanin ba niya?”. She said yes, so we proceeded with our trip. 

Check-in time is 12NN, we left the house past 8AM, fetched our in-laws and off we went to Lilom Resort. We arrived at the parking lot before 11AM and we waited for more than 30 minutes before the porter assisted us. Check-out time is 11AM so busy ang staff sa paghatid sa guests. 

I already conditioned my mind that going to the resort is not easy but during our trip, manageable naman. It took us more or less five minutes except for my in-laws, more than 10 minutes. Good thing that it was not high tide so hindi naman kami nabasa. If I have extra time, I will share a video so you can manage your expectation. 

Upon arrival, the staff served our welcome drinks and asked for our vaccination cards. We also registered to their Guest Logbook. As expected the resort is only small, it has 7 rooms, a dining area, sunset soak pools, and a healing garden. 

They allowed us to go to our room before 12NN. My family stayed at the Capiz Room, this room has no window so hindi pwede sa claustrophobic. We have 2 double beds, 1-day bed, a private bathroom with hot showers, aircon, hammocks, and a balcony. I was glad that the other room is not occupied so solo namin yung balcony. 

My in-laws stayed in Pawikan room, which has 2 double beds, a private bathroom, aircon, a hammock and a patio. 

After checking our room, the staff asked if we wanted to eat our lunch, of course, we said yes. The meals are no longer buffet style, it is now plated but you can ask for seconds. Based on our experience, generous ang servings nila so nahihirapan na nga kami ubusin e. For food, expect meat, seafood, a vegetable dish, and dessert. Oh my goodness, blogging about this trip makes me hungry, wala kami ginawa dito kundi kumain. 

Things to Do at Lilom Resort? Unplug… there is no wifi, no television and data signal is not strong so the best thing to do is appreciate nature. If you want a massage, you can book in advance, PHP600 per hour. 

Since Anilao is known for a stony beach, diving and snorkeling, it is best to bring booties, aqua socks, snorkel, and floaters. We did not bring any, so I am thankful na meron naman mahihiraman sa Lilom. My husband and son borrowed a life vest and aqua shoes so they can enjoy the beach. 

Reminders from Lilom Resort: The area in front of Lilom is a marine protected area so there are a lot of corals and marine life to check out (perhaps you’ll be lucky to see the resident turtles). Please do not touch, remove, step on, or harass any of the living creatures (starfish, sea cucumbers, etc) including the hard corals that look like boulders. Most of these sea creatures and corals are sensitive and die when touched and we wouldn’t want that. Others are poisonous and can badly sting and ruin your holiday. 

Lilom Resort is not a luxury resort but we enjoyed our stay here, we liked the food and the service. Check-out time is 11AM but we left earlier because we knew that going up is challenging, On our way out, the staff informed us to wait because the manager asked permission pala sa katabing resort kung pwede dumaan yung Mother-in-law ko doon, Wow, we did not ask for it but the manager took an extra mile. We were so surprised and of course, thankful. So the staff ushered my mother-in-law and took an easier path while the rest of us, traveled to the usual route. 

Lilom Resort Anilao 

San Teodoro,Mabini/Anilao Mabini, Batangas