Fantasy Lodge: A Place to Relax, Unwind, and Unplug from the Busy World

Fantasy Lodge– it’s not what you think it is. When I first heard that name a couple of years ago, I swear I raised my eyebrows too! Haha. It’s actually a small resort at the far end of Cebu and is well-known for their unique Kawa Hot Bath.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax, unwind, and unplug from the busy world, Fantasy Lodge might just be the place for you. My friends went to this resort some time ago and they had good stuff to say about the place, so I’ve been wanting to go ever since.

We went to the resort on a Monday, so to avoid heavy traffic, we left the city early in the morning. The bus departed at 5:30AM and we arrived at the resort just before 10AM. Since the check-in time isn’t until 12 noon, we had to wait for a bit. We had our breakfast at the restaurant and then explored the place while waiting for the time.

Room

After wandering around, we were finally able to go to our room. It was spacious, clean, and had a great view from the balcony. It’s very basic though. It didn’t have a TV and fridge, but that’s not really a big issue for me.

Swimming Pool

This is the view from our room’s balcony. The pool looks quite inviting but unfortunately, it isn’t short people-friendly. Also, there are no lifeguards in the resort, so swim with caution!

This is the resident dog. You’ll see this handsome lad lounging around all day.

Beach Bumming and Snorkeling

The resort may not have a wide shore made of fine white sand, but you can still enjoy the beach.

What I liked about beach bumming here was that there weren’t a lot of people around since most of the guests were staying in the pool area. The beach may not be that attractive compared to other beaches in the neighboring towns, but if you learn to appreciate what’s in front of you, you’ll surely still have a good time.

When in Samboan, people usually head to Colase Marine Sanctuary. However, since we didn’t really feel like going out of the resort, we decided to go snorkeling in Fantasy Lodge’s beach instead. It turned out to be a decent snorkeling spot as well! The water is clear and the world underwater is bursting with colors.

We had the beach all to ourselves that afternoon. And that means… lots of photos! lol

Deck

This is where most of the guests hang out. It’s overlooking the ocean that separates Cebu from Negros, and is just beside the restaurant. It’s an ideal spot for sunbathing, having a cold beer, or mingling with other guests.

Kawa Hot Bath + Massage

This area is overlooking the ocean as well. Our time in the Kawa Hot Bath was unforgettable not only because it was our first time to get “cooked” in a large pot with essential oils and pretty flowers, but also because we got to see a pod of dolphins passing along Tanon Strait. Indeed, the best things in life are free!

After spending 45 minutes in the hot bath, we proceeded to the Talisay Spa for a full-body massage. It was one of the best massages I’ve had so far. I don’t usually fall asleep when getting a massage, but this time, I did.

If you want to indulge in some r&r, I suggest that you get the hot bath + massage package, which is priced at Php 1,000. This is actually quite a good deal since the hot bath costs Php 450 and the massage costs Php 800.

Dining

The food at the resort was good. I loved their Carbonara and Italian Spaghetti! The prices are also on the average side- similar to most restaurants in the city.

Sunset

The resort boasts a great view of the sunset. However, the skies turned a bit unfriendly as the night was approaching, so we got this view instead.

What I Didn’t Like

While I did appreciate the resort’s charm, I was a bit disappointed that we had problems with the water supply in our room. The shower and faucet weren’t working properly because of the lack of pressure or something. Our only option was to use the shower near the swimming pool, and our room was on the second floor. Sigh. Good thing the toilet was working properly!

Rating

Overall, I’d rate our stay 8/10. I got the rest and relaxation that I wished for, but the water issue ruined the experience a bit. I hope they get it fixed soon.

What’s New

Fantasy Lodge just opened their newest addition to the resort- the Talisay Bungalow. It’s a spacious room that’s equipped with its own jacuzzi and sauna. I really wanted to upgrade our accommodation, but unfortunately, the bungalow had already been reserved on the date of our stay. How sad.

How to Get There

From the South Bus Terminal, get on a bus with the Bato via Barili route. The resort is easy to spot as it’s entrance is just along the road. Travel time is 4 hours and the fare for the aircon bus is Php 213.

For more information about Fantasy Lodge, please visit their website or Facebook page.

faithmariii

Just a girl in her late twenties trying to find her way through life. She loves to write, eat, take photos, and freedive. She used to travel a lot and hopes she could do that again when this global pandemic is over.