What to see and do in Casita Ysabel - the paradise home in Batangas 

No summer in our country is complete without a weekend getaway. And for that, most people consider Batangas as the choice for their weekends out of town. However, most of us still think that hotels are a bit pricey and you cannot really relax in this area because of its proximity to the metro. Others are still expecting a huge number of visitors heading to Nasugbu, Lian, and Calatagan. But don't fret! There are more relaxing places to visit in Batangas!

Ever heard of the municipality of Mabini? For some travelers, it's the go-to place to take swimming to the next level. It's guaranteed to bring you to a 'deeper' kind of rush. For many scuba divers, it's their second home because it's the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines.

Mabini is an hour north-east from Batangas City proper. It is often described as a bit shady and rocky place to go to. And there are only few white sandy beaches around the area. It's also advisable to go there with a private car. Tricycles are the only available public transportation to ride. But even so, it is one of the closest place to the Verde Passage, which means there are many dive sites to visit!

Aside from renowned dive sites, atmnl recommends the city of Mabini for your next relaxing getaway, simply because there are many hidden gems! And by gems we mean resorts that are not too crowded!

Our first hotel feature is Casita Ysabel.

Here's what the owners have to say about the hotel:

"A place of true relaxation, rejuvenation and a distinct rainforest ocean experience. It’s beauty and tranquility enfolds you with the warmth and charm of a paradise home. Private nooks are spread throughout for quiet moments. It’s rustic design with modern amenities provides a haven for the weary soul. Spa services are available for ultimate pampering and rejuvenation. Adventure seekers can explore nature through scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping, bird watching and mountain trekking.

"Casita Ysabel is a nurturing cocoon, a restorative and creative space for mind and body wellness – your very own sanctuary."

What did we think about it?

If you need a quiet place to restore your soul while you're also yearning to try something new, Casita Ysabel is the place to visit!

The pathway going to Casita is not for the faint of heart. HAHA Just kidding! But be mindful enough to bring a lot of patience with you because you'll need to transfer from time to time because you'll travel far. It's three hours away from Manila and the area is a bit rocky.

You can easily go there by riding 3 types of public transportation - bus, jeepney, and tricycle.

From Manila, ride a bus going to Batangas Pier. Make sure they drop you off at the Batangas Grand Terminal. When you arrive at the terminal, head over to the PUJ stop and take an hour ride heading to Mabini. At the Mabini Port, ride a tricycle going to Casita Ysabel. They can drop you off at the street going to the hotel, but it's more advisable to go to the Mabini Port first. This isn't only because you'll find a lot of tricycles, but you can also buy snacks and bottles of water before going to the hotel.

It would help if you find a tricycle driver whom you think is nice and trustworthy so you can close a deal for a roundtrip. You can inform them of this 30 minutes before you check out. 😉

Right as you enter the open gate of the resort, you'll definitely feel how close you are to Mother Nature. The area is secluded and rusty but you'll appreciate the view of the beach and their casitas.

Casita Ysabel takes pride in their fully air-conditioned casitas offered at affordable prices. They are situated apart and are spacious, making it more appealing for people who want a serene and private vacation.

During our trip, we booked Maria Hillside Casita. It is a cozy air-conditioned casita with hot and cold shower, your private bathroom, and a huge terrace!

We fell in love with the interiors as well! The glass wall is fully covered with white curtains and there's a huge insect net bed canopy with lace (or whatever you call it ✌️), but for us, it was majestic!

The room has power outlets, lamp shade, electric airpot, and an electric LED insect killer - yup! Another shield from crawlers. It's also equipped with the basics - towels, shampoo, soaps, tissue, (2) coffees, and (2) small bottles of water (depending on the number of guests).

You might feel a bit uncomfortable when you look up because the roof is made of dried palm leaves, so expect insects up there! But there's another net type curtain protecting you from insects aside from the net bed. So there! But if you're still worried, there are other rooms to choose from.

The food has us drooling as well!

There are a lot of Instagram-worthy images of the place but there aren't too many compared to the other 3-star hotels with brand new facilities. Aside from the different room types, you can also enjoy the spa, the restaurant, and the three swimming pools near the main hall. They also have an events area and a cozy deck with a view of the beach.

Make sure to bring along great company and your desire to forget about your busy world!

Summary of Expenses (2 days and 1 night) Good for two pax: 

Transportation (roundtrip) - P 350.00 x 2 = P700.00
Accommodation (with breakfast; promo package): P5,000.00 
Food (snacks and drinks included) -  P 800.00 x 2 = P1,600.00 
*We tried their lunch and dinner buffet worth P300 each. So you can still save up for this!
Optional: water activity ('Unlimited time for Kayak)- P100.00

Grand total: P 7,400.00 / 2 = P 3,700.00 each (All-in)

To experience this paradise home, check out their website at http://casitaysabel.com/

Have you ever stayed at this hotel? Share with us your experience, and let us know of other similar great hotels and your unique experiences. :)

This is not a sponsored post. This review is in comparison with other 3-star hotels offering the same amenities.