Sotogrande Batangas

 Haven for the weary traveler

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

Approache Hospitality Management and Sotogrande Batangas, the newest hotel property of Sta. Lucia Realty, invited media platforms to a weekend immersion in Bauan town one summer weekend.

Approache Hospitality Management (AHM) is the property's management company that partners with hotel owners (in this case, Sta. Lucia Realty) to bring their unique vision to life. They speialize in building sustainable, guest-centered businesses through customised management solutions and never a one-size, fits-all model.

"This is the beginning of shared partnerships, and to experience first hand what we worked so hard for. Our hotel is best suited for celebrations and our guests are truly cared for," shared hotel general manager Chris Guballa in an interview.

"Sta. Lucia Realty donated a tract of land where the new municipal hall will be erected. So the movement in the future will be around the hotel area. Guests will find a different kind of affordable comfort in a place not known as a tourist destination. So this gem of a place awaits the weary traveler. The first seven floors occupy the guest rooms while the 8th to the 15th floor are residential condo units.

"We will be opening a pet park, a tent facility for garden-type weddings, and a kids playroom. It's a wonderful experience opening a hotel in a place not known as a hideaway, while at the same time we support local livelihoods," he added.

Comfort food

Our first stopover was in the best lomi place in town - AA's San Pascual. The noodle soup dish was proffered in hefty servings with varying choices of toppings. Whatever you opt for, the unmistakable touch of Bauan is what you'll get. It's one comfort food that welcomes you, either as a first-timer or returning visitor to the town.

Nature trek

A hike unto the trails of Gulogod Baboy ranges - so named as the topography is shaped like the spine of a hog - will give you views of Batangas' seascapes.

From Mabini's coastal highway, traipsing through Barangay Nag-iba's meandering feeder roads, up the hiking trails unto the Kalumala Heights promontory, trekkers are rewarded with panoramic vistas of both Balayan and Batangas bays. Our climb was timed for the sunset hour so we had a splendid moment enjoying the last rays of the sun as it turned the environs in scarves of gold, amber, and vermilion.

Museum tour

A visit to the Taal Church and a museum tour around the parish's vicinity is highly recommended. Drop by the Leon Apacible House as this is the town's first museum and the only Art Deco edifice in the whole of Taal. Another sensory experience is an unhurried visit to the house of Philippine flag maker, Marcela Agoncillo's ancestral home.

The hotel's function rooms are named after the mountain ranges of Batangas. The Skyview roof deck affords guests with a 360-degree view of Batagas. There are 141 hotel rooms and the banquet hall can seat 500 covers; with several packages for government and corporate conventions.

"Batangueños are sweet townsfolk and hospitality is something that one cannot fake. It is innate. That's why we made sure we hired only those from Bauan and nearby areas," intoned executive chef Erwin Rarugal. Their all-day dining restaurant, "Suelo" (which means "soul") is a haven for comfort Filipino cuisine. They offer a version of the Ilonggo soup dish, Kansi, among other delectable staples.

AHM's other managed Hotels include the Tana Beach Villas and Likha Wellness (Lian, Batangas), Tribute Hotel (Quezon City), Monaco Hotel (Taytay, Rizal), Shepherd Ridge Mountain Resort (Sta. Maria, Laguna), and the Horizon Hotel (Romblon); with scheduled openings in Nagcarlan, Laguna (Green Nature Resort & Leisure Park) and El Nido, Palawan (Damare Villas).

Sotogrande Hotel and Convention Center is located in Bauan, Batangas right on the main highway and is just a few hours away from the city and port of Batangas.