‘One key, three worlds’: What to expect from Balesin Key
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:24 p.m.) — With just one key, travelers can unlock three incredible destinations, thanks to the newly launched Balesin Key, which redefines luxury travel.
On Wednesday, March 26, Balesin Island Club introduced Balesin Key, a membership that grants access to three Alphaland Corp.-developed destinations: the renowned Balesin Island in Polilio, Quezon, as well as Balesin Pines in Benguet and Balesin City (formerly City Club) in Makati City.
“Balesin Key is more than a membership; it’s our members’ passport to three extraordinary worlds that provide a complete lifestyle,” Joanna Ongpin Duarte, Balesin spokesperson, said.
“This new share allows members access to the tropical island escapes in Balesin Island, the cosmopolitan elegance of Balesin City, and the mountain serenity in Balesin Pines. Our members can experience seamless luxury across our three distinct properties with just one key,” she added.
The membership is available at an introductory price of P1.9 million for the first 100 buyers, which includes eight free villa nights that can be redeemed across the three exclusive properties.
Here’s what you can expect from the three properties.
Balesin Island
Opened in 2012, Balesin Island is a 500-hecrate tropical island paradise with 7.3 kilometers of pristine white-sand beaches that is a flagship project of Alphaland.
It can be accessed by a 30-minute plane ride from Manila, a 45-minute plane ride from Clark, or a 35-minute plane ride from Sangley.
The island houses seven themed-villages: Mykonos, Toscana, Costa del Sol, St. Tropez, Phuket, Bali and Balesin.
Island club spokesperson Duarte said that members can now enjoy the newly improved island.
“So we have been improving, refurbishing, refreshing the island in the last few years,” Duarte said during the media launch of Balesin Key.
“So you can see it’s a nice new era for Balesin,” she added.
The updates include a renovated clubhouse featuring an enclosed, climate-controlled departure lounge.
For the themed villages, Balesin Village now boasts brighter rooms with elegant finishes curated by Head of Design Rico Sison, and roofs designed to withstand stronger typhoons. The Phuket and Toscana villages have also been upgraded with enhanced intercom and Wi-Fi systems.
For those looking to enjoy nautical and water sports, the island has refreshed the M/Y Obsession, a 38.5-meter superyacht, with both exterior and interior upgrades. Guests can take boat tours to the scenic "Secret Beach" or "Turtle Cove," or try water activities like wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba diving.
For a culinary adventure, the island has also revamped its Fish Fun Restaurant, a waterfront dining spot known for seafood and its classic kilawin.
The island also updated the menus at its restaurants, including Bali Warung, Costa del Sol, Casa Grande and Han-Gang Mama Lee.
Costa del Sol teamed up with chef Carlos Garcia, known for his Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid and London, to refresh its menu. Meanwhile, Mama Lee, a cook certified by the Korean government, helped enhance the Korean dishes at Han-Gang Mama Lee.
Sustainability initiatives
Beyond these improvements, the island club remains committed to its sustainability practices. Starting in April, Hiraya Farm will welcome visitors for immersive tours in partnership with Gourmet Farms. Guests can enjoy a farm-to-table experience, including native snacks and fresh tea made from the island's produce.
The club is also focused on reducing its carbon footprint, with a solar farm set to supply up to 60% of the island's energy by September of this year.
Balesin Pines
Alphaland has also expanded its prestigious portfolio with the upcoming Balesin Pines, set to have its soft opening next week. Located 1,400 meters above sea level, it is just 15 minutes from Baguio City along the scenic Ambuklao Road in Benguet. The property offers 18 luxury accommodations, including deluxe rooms and junior suites, perfect for a serene mountainside retreat. It also features a gym, a world-class Leea Spa and dining options serving signature Asian and continental dishes.
Balesin City
For those seeking a luxurious urban retreat, Balesin City is a must-visit and a central hub for the Balesin Key lifestyle. Located within walking distance of Makati’s Central Business District, it perfectly blends business and leisure.
Members can enjoy business lounges, expansive event spaces and eight specialty restaurants, similar to those on Balesin Island, all within 30,000 square meters of state-of-the-art amenities. The property features three floors dedicated to business, leisure and entertainment, including fitness and recreational facilities where guests can play indoor golf, pickleball, or enjoy yoga and Pilates.
Dennis Valdes, president of Alphaland Corp., said the Balesin Key launch is the realization of the vision set forth by its founder, Roberto V. Ongpin.
"It's really just our way of taking the vision of our founder, Roberto Ongpin, and creating a sustainable legacy of that. And that's what we're trying to do here," he said during the launch.
--
(Editor's Note: The original quote incorrectly attributed the surname of Alphaland's founder. His correct surname is Ongpin. We apologize for the error.)
- Latest
- Trending
