A view from the top

The concept of a mountain resort seems typical in a country like the Philippines, considering how seaside vacation spots are endorsed or that so many resorts are found in areas like Tagaytay. Meanwhile, a two-hour drive on the North Luzon Expressway towards Subic Bay can offer quite a revelation.

Mountain Woods is an idyllic retreat that grants leisurely repose because of its proximity to nature. Only minutes away from the bay’s charming beaches and overlooking the vast expanse of Subic’s lush virgin forest, the resort is a magnificent structure spread among thick trees and tropical surrounding rife with exotic fauna. Yet everything about this hotel promises modern comfort not too far away from home. The main lobby blends art with antiquity; staff members greet and lead guests to plush rooms furnished with elegant four-poster beds and homey interiors.

From the hotel’s deluxe rooms, one has a view of the dense valley below and an opposite two-story building of rustic standard room accommodations only a few steps away from well-trodden trails into the enclosing forest, upon which guests can awaken to the soft chirping of birds or walk out onto their rooms’ balconies and have breakfast while beholding an azure coast beyond the verdure. Le Jardin, Mountain Woods’ premier restaurant, offers an even more intimate al fresco setting, commanding a panoramic view of the mountainous area and the resort’s private vegetable garden below, where in-house chefs pick ingredients for crisp salads drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette and served with refreshing mango salsa or topped with slices of foie gras, an ideal starter for an excellent full-course meal. After an exquisite candlelit dinner serenaded by the resort’s pianist, a stroll down walkways decked with stone balustrades and trellises sprawling with vines and bougainvillea towards a breezy veranda or the resort’s Tree Top Bar is essential. The bar, nestled atop a massive fire tree, provides an expansive vista of the luxuriant wilderness, which is especially breathtaking at sunset, when you can savor a glass of wine or warm cup of tea with your choice of fresh tarragon or Thai basil. And whether you’ve spent an afternoon lounging by the resort’s eternity pool, immersed in the outdoor Jacuzzi, or various recreational facilities, the resort’s therapists are available to provide relaxing in-room spa services that offer a variety of intensive treatments and massages.

Elevated by atmospheric opulence, the resort is a vacation Valhalla that stirs the senses and provides a year-round destination ideal for anyone. What truly makes Mountain Woods an impeccable mountain resort is its closeness to nature: the stunning backdrop promises leisure, indulgence and unhindered relaxation.