Philippines: Prado Farm in Lubao, Pampanga - "A quiet place to relax"

Prado Farm is located in Lubao, Pampanga just two hours drive from Manila. The farm resort is quiet and relaxing enough with its gardens, architecture, art exhibits, infinity swimming pools, farm house,  free carabao rides and bicycles. There is a nice souvenir shop and kiosk at the main entrance of the farm where you find the resort’s registration desk.  You can tour the whole farm anytime on your own or by joining the free scheduled daily tour. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Visitors need to make a short walk inside the farm to their rooms (of course, there is  concierge service for your luggage and other things).

Rooms

Rooms are clean and air conditioned with basic hotel facilities but one should know that rooms come without television, refrigerator and room safety vault.  Room rates start from 3,500 pesos(approximately US$70)  per night for a double occupancy with breakfast. 

Dining

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed inside the Farm. There is a nook just bedside the hotel lobby that offers flowing free coffee and tea all day.  Many visitors come for a day trip but those staying overnight can enjoy the nice breakfast that is available in the main dining room located just beside the hotel. Breakfast is good and we like their native dishes like crispy danggit (local fish), spiced pork and chicken adobo, beef tapa and with array of organic fruits and vegetables. 

Visitors can also opt for their delicious buffet dinner of organic dishes (served from 7pm) at 450 pesos (approximately US$9) per head.  There is a standard corkage of 300 pesos for each wine bottle brought in. All is well except for the drivers’ quarter (costing 450 pesos per night) that can stand lots of improvement. 

Farm/Resort  Facilities include hotel rooms, dining rooms and restaurant, infinity pool, conference and meeting rooms, air-conditioned common lounge area in a private room where you can rest and take a nap, farm house, tree house,  snack and coffee bars, among others. There is free use of bicycles within the Farm. There is also free WIFI but it needs improvements. 

Free Tour of the Farm/ Resort - two ways:

• Guided Tour in English (11am and 3pm) - give advance notice to the hotel desk; walking tour is approximately 1 hour
Carabao Tour (11:30am to 12:30am; 2:30-3:30pm) - first-come-first-serve basis; tour is approximately 20 minutes; give advance notice to the hotel desk; carabao cart can take 4-6 persons; small gratuity to the carabao trainer will always be appreciated

Practical Tips

1. Our driver complained that the common room for drivers is small, without AC and the toilet and shower are not working well. Check with the Front Desk if this has improved when you do your booking.

2. When booking your stay, also inquire if there are meetings or seminars on the days of your visit. It is best to avoid those crowds if you want a quiet and relaxing stay. 

3. You may want to consider also trying local dishes for lunch in a nearby restaurant outside the Farm. Try APAG Marangle - A Kapangpangan Restaurant, which is 15-minutes drive from the Farm.  You can ask the concierge for direction.