Rejuvenating in Cintai Corito’s Garden in Balete, Batangas!

So much has changed in this former barrio of Lipa City since we managed a 22-hectare property in Barangay Malabanan in the late 1990s to early 2000s. Truly, this upland lakeside town providing a panoramic view of the Taal Volcano has become a rustic charm of luxury marina living while retaining its mystique (Balete trees used to outnumber few settlers here during the early days) as a pilgrimage site with the Marian Orchard.
Now let’s experience a taste of Bali anew (as we already visited real Bali in Indonesia in December 2014) here in Balete, Batangas called Cintai Corito’s Garden. Built in 2011, this lush 7-hectare tropical resort in Sitio Pandayan, Brgy. Malabananan has 18 spacious villas of luxurious accommodations & top-tier amenities with 4 swimming pools of different sizes & depth. Guests can also have a relaxing massage at the outdoor spa with their well-trained therapists.
Drawing inspiration from Balinese culture, “cintai” (pronounced cheen-tai) which means love in Bahasa, Indonesia & “Corito” which was the name of the matriarch of the owner’s family, this resort is geared towards giving visitors the most relaxing & rejuvenating experience. Bali & Balete have this both mesmerizing natural beauty & mysical culture. It appears we need not book another ticket to see Bali again.
Then there’s this charming in-house Abadi restaurant serving mouthwatering local & international comfort food & snacks to fill your tummies & satisfy the palate. For overnight guests, they offer complimentary breakfasts, usually such popular ones like longganisa or tapa prepared in the classic silog style. For dinner, their tinolang manok & chicken satay with peanut sauce are must-tries.
For day tour guests, the buffet usually includes lechon kawali, beef adobo, fried chicken, laing, palabok as the main course while their AM snacks offer the everyday merienda of Baletenos - suman haba paired with a steaming cup of kapeng Barako. For PM snacks, we had pancit bihon & some bread although we were craving for Batangas’ most famous local dish - lomi. But overall, it’s a pretty decent food.
Abadi’s Bali-themed interiors are also a feast for the eyes & their clean restrooms, too. They also have al fresco dining area which allows you to breath the resort’s fresh air & enjoy verdant surroundings while enjoing your sumptuous meals. It’s a welcome respite & warm hugs to those who long to escape from the hassle of the city. And yet, it’s just a 1 ½ hour drive from Manila via the SLEX & Star Tollways.
The resort has 2 pavilions - the Napas Pavilion & the Pavilion Tresna for special events such as debuts, birthdays, wedding, anniversaries or corporate functions. There’s also a spacious ballroom that can accommodate 180 to 200 guests. Previously, there were animals residing & roaming around in enclosures here like peacocks, deer, horses, hawks, civets, an alpaca, a donkey, monkey & countless chicken - although we only saw a few of them. The COVID-19 pandemic might have hit the animals hard.
Cintai Corito’s Garden is open for a package tour from 8AM to 5 PM. Rates include lunch (set meal on weekdays, buffet on weekends) AM & PM snacks, use of open cottages & the swimming pools. Different rates apply for an additional relaxation massage. Prior reservations are required. Three (3) years old & below are free of charge & there will be discount for senior citizens. Please check their official Facebook page for updated rates, promos & schedule.