Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa: An island to call your own (Illustrado)
By Ana P. Santos
Luxury has a reputation that precedes it. It is commonly perceived to be grandiose, flamboyant and flashy — where everything is over the top. In Marinduque, just a 35 minute plane ride from Manila, one will discover another aspect of luxury borne of quiet relaxation and harmony with nature. Balance and serenity cast a magic spell on white stone structures nestled on a cliffside and create an island paradise known as Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa.
If it is the secret desire of most to have an island all to yourself – somewhere you can spend time doing nothing more strenuous than watching the day unfold and the sun set as it gives way to the night; then it is also a blatant wish to have this seclusion come with the comfort of being pampered in the most indulgent and yet unobtrusive way.
These seemingly celestial pleasures are the promise of Bellarocca.
A speedboat ride takes you from the mainland to the island where Mediterranean style houses sitting as high as 114 meters above sea level conjure images of Santorini, Greece. Here, you are greeted by hotel staff performing a traditional welcoming ceremony called the “putong” – a song and dance meant to wish visitors good health, good luck and long life. It is an indigenous tradition among the people of Marinduque.
A golf cart whisked us away to the reception area which was actually a piano bar, filled with plush sofas and chairs. We filled out the forms sitting down and sipping a cold glass of iced tea.
There are many things that differentiate the experience of having an island to yourself. One of them is the offer of a tour of the 20 hectare island to orient yourself on your surroundings: the 50 de luxe rooms, suites, terrazas and villas.
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