Family-friendly places where you can spend Christmas vacation

Do you want a brief but invigorating Christmas vacation with your family? Then hie off to one or several of these scenic and soothing spots.

Family-friendly places where you can spend Christmas vacation

Christmas may be the happiest time of the year, but it is also the most stressful. Traffic is at its worst, the malls are packed, and you have to buy gifts for everyone. The numerous parties can also make you pack on pounds that are so hard to lose!

Thankfully, there are restful sites that stay open even on Christmas Day if you want to flee from the holiday mayhem and have precious peace and quiet for a few hours.

Here are ten family-friendly places for a great Christmas vacation!you that are relatively near and not so pricey. Just make sure to reserve in advance before going on a road trip with your family.

Have a merry and stress-free Christmas vacation!

Seda NUVALI

Celebrate the holidays in this spanking new city-resort hotel that has a stunning lakeside view and first-class facilities.

Relax with the family in a stylish, well-equipped room or head on over to the gym, massage room, jogging and biking trails, game room, children’s playroom and adult and children’s pools.

Skip cooking on Christmas and New Year by feasting on the hotel’s Special Holiday Buffet Dinner on December 24 and joining its New Year Countdown Dinner Buffet or Cocktail Party on December 31.

Where: Lakeside Evozone, NUVALI, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Call: (+6349) 255.8888
Email: [email protected]

Rates:
Deluxe Rooms start at P4,117.75 per night (taxes and fees included) for 2 adults and 2 kids (0-12 years old), with buffet breakfast and other inclusions
Special Holiday Buffet Dinner (December 24 and 31, 6pm to 10 pm) = P1,200++
New Year Countdown Dinner Buffet (December 31, 7 pm to 10 pm) = P1,200++ and Cocktail Party (10 pm to 1 am) = P1,000++

Image source: Seda NUVALI

Armando's Wellness Resort

Quaint and unassuming, this getaway has nifty nipa huts and steel cottages. It also has swimming pools for adults and kids, a spa, café, tea bar, fishing area, courtyard, basketball court, and playground.

Guests can pick fruits from the many mango trees come harvest time. Stay for a day or spend the night in one of the cozy accommodations, which interestingly, were named after the resort owner’s grandparents and parents.

Where: Main Road, Barrio Bulaon, San Fernando, Pampanga
Call: +63917.838.6121, +63925.888.9845, or +63935.752.7615
Email: [email protected]

Entrance Fees:
Adult: P150; P180 (Overnight)
Child: P 90; P120 (Overnight)

Rates (per night):
Nipa hut = P 350
Steel cottage = P 150
Hotel-type rooms/Villas = P1500 (Andres 3), P2300 (Corazon 3)
Thai House rooms = P 2000 to P3000

Image source: Armando’s Wellness Resort

Cintai-Corito's Garden

This enchantingly refreshing nature haven is just an hour away from Manila. Swim in any of its four pools, watch unique animals like the spotted deer, stroll through lush gardens and picture-perfect pavilions and villas, and frolic in the playground.

Go on a day tour or avail of Cintai’s Two for the Price of One Promo (at least two nights stay), on offer now until December 25, 2014, to get the best rates and make the most of your Christmas vacation.

Assisted tours, fruit picking, and massage service can also be arranged.

Where: Sitio Pandayan, Malabanan, Balete, Batangas
Call: +63917.833.1508 or +63917.470.8789
Email: [email protected]

Rates:
Day Tour (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
13 years old and up = P1850
3 to 12 years old = P 880
kids younger than 3 = Free
Includes Filipino/Asian lunch and afternoon snacks plus access to all open pictorial sites, swimming pools and shower rooms

Villa rentals start at P6000 per night.

Image source: Cintai by Corito’s Garden

Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa

It’s not just Kahuna Resort’s beachfront location, daily surf lessons, Bali-inspired rooms, fabulous facilities and special spa services that make it such a delightful destination.

It offers guests an interesting variety of leisure activities (golf, hiking, extreme adventure) and tours (to La Union, Baguio, Hundred Islands, Vigan, Pagudpud) so there’s always more to see and savor.

Where: National Highway, Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Call: (+6372) 607.1040, +63917.830.0363
Email: [email protected]

Rates:
P5,265 nett per night for a Garden Room (2 people) inclusive of breakfast for 2 and use of swimming pool and other facilities.
P1,463 nett for an extra person; P731.50 nett for each child 6-12 years old (mattress and breakfast included)
Free for children 5 years old and below.

Image source: Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa

Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park

Chock-full of fun and festivities await kids and adults alike in this cool complex. Besides visiting Oceania Swim and Splash Park and meeting the animals at the wildlife sanctuary, families can do a host of indoor and outdoor activities.

Bike, fish, rejuvenate at the spa, workout at the gym, practice target shooting and play basketball, lawn and table tennis, billiards, interactive games, paintball and airsoft – you name it, Island Cove seems to have it!

You can stay at the hotel too and take part in their Noche Buena and Media Noche shindigs.

Where: Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
Call: (+632) 810.7878, (+632) 400.4273, (+632) 810.5351, (+6346) 434.0210
Email: [email protected]

Rates:
Superior room = P3,400 (weekday), P4,000 (weekend)
Deluxe room = P4,200 (weekday), P4,800 (weekend)
Two-bedroom cabana = P5,300 (weekday), P6,300 (weekend)
Four-bedroom cabana = P7,950 (weekday), P9,200 (weekend)

Puerto Silaungin

If your type of holiday involves driving for two to three hours, riding a boat to a secluded island and then camping there, Puerto Silaungin is perfect for you. It has serene and spectacular views as the cove is shielded by mountains and forests.

Pitch a tent or stay in a two-room hut, then explore the beautiful beach and its unspoiled surroundings. Some boatmen also allow guests to fish.

Where: Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales; A 1.5 to 2-hour boat ride from Barangay Pundaquit is needed to reach Silaungin Cove.
Call: +63949.166.3103 (Boyet) or +63917.627.4945 (Harry)

Rates:
Entrance fee = P150 per head
Boat ride = P2,000 to 3,000 roundtrip for a group of 4

Image source: Jed Rosell/Biyaherong Barat

Corregidor Island

Chill out with a cruise and a little history lesson in this popular tourist spot.

After checking out the war structures and souvenirs, there’s more to explore as you can try the zipline, bird watch, hike, bike, ride an all-terrain vehicle, go kayaking, watch a light and sound show, or just catch the breathtaking sunrise and sunset.

Where: Cavite City
Call: (+632) 834.6857 to 58, (+632) 831.8140, +63917. 513.2625 or +63922.337.0068
Email: [email protected]

Rates:
Day Tour Weekday for Adults = P2,250 per person
Day Tour Weekend for Adults = P2,449 per person
Day Tour for Children (3-11 y.o.) = P1,400 per person
Overnight Stay (on top of the day tour package)
Single with breakfast = P1,500
Twin/double with breakfast for 2 = P2,000
Extra person with breakfast = P 750

Image source: Sun Cruises/Corregidor Philippines

T House Tagaytay

Tranquility is what this fifteen-room hotel promises via its clean and calming structures, classy and comfy rooms, invigorating spa and pool, and superb selection of food and drinks.

The best part is, it's only a little over an hour away from Manila. Frazzled moms and dads can de-stress with a full body massage or try the couples’ milk bath.

Where: 3195 Calamba Road, Tagaytay, Cavite
Call: (+632) 788.7354, (+6346) 483.0012, +63917.541.3584, +63939.903.9587
Email: [email protected]

Rates (overnight for 2 people):
Tranquility Garden Room = P4,700
Blissful Courtyard Room = P4,900
Stillness Luxe Room = P5,700
Serenity Suite Room = P6,800
Serenity Balcony Suite Room = P7,200

Guests in excess of two and older than 12 will be charged P1,035 nett each which includes breakfast.

Image source: T House Tagaytay

Camaya Sands Resort and Leisure

At Camaya Sands, dubbed "little Boracay” of Bataan, you can swim, ride a kayak, snorkel, bike, hike or just welcome the white sand and amazing view. Ping pong, billiards, and a live band comprise the resort’s indoor entertainment.

To enjoy huge discounts, avail of special promo packages via Metro Deal. These special offers run throughout the year and include round-trip van and ferry transfers. You may also contact the resort directly.

Where: Camaya Coast, Sitio Wain, Mariveles, Bataan
Call: +63917.522.6292 or +63917.622.6292
Email: camayar[email protected] or [email protected]

Rates (per person):
Day tour with lunch and use of facilities = P499 (Metro Deal offer); P2500 (regular rate)
Day tour with lunch, round-trip van transfers and use of facilities = P1399 (Metro Deal offer); P3500 (regular rate)
Easy-by-Sea Day tour with round-trip ferry transfers, lunch and use of facilities = P1899 (Metro Deal offer); P4250 (regular rate)

Image source: Jose A. Fadul

Subic Vacation House and Gallery

Have a worry-free Christmas vacation by staying in one of the gorgeous, fully furnished suites and homes here. Located in a private subdivision, it delivers a heavenly "home away from home” experience.

What’s more, it’s only a few minutes away from well-liked Subic attractions such as the Subic Bay Country Club, Zoobic Safari, Ocean and Tree Top Adventures, Jest Camp, El Kabayo Riding Stables, and the Duty Free shops and local markets.

Where: 227 AB, Sangley Loop, West Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo, Zambales
Call: (+632) 404.4784 (Manila); (+6347) 252.9978
Email: [email protected]

Rates (per night):
Unit C Suite Room (for 3 people) = P3,500
Unit B (3 bedrooms, for 6 people) = P8,000
Unit A (3 bedrooms, for 8 people) = P8,500

Image source: Subic Vacation House and Gallery

Family-friendly places for a great Christmas vacation

Where are you spending Christmas and New Year? Let us know in the comments section down below!

About the author: Regina Posadas

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Regina G. Posadas

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