The photo of their Casitas was enough for me to agree to a weekend getaway during the long holiday in observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Kamana Sanctuary Resort & Spa was what I expected the weekend would be – full of relaxation and reassuringly stress-free.

Taking the SCTEX to Subic.

Kamana is tucked away in Subic, Zambales. Subic used to be a US Naval base and is now converted into an export processing zone. You will find Freeport Exchange and other duty-free shops around Subic. It has become part of the itinerary to stop by the shops going to and coming from Kamana.

Three hours away from Manila, Subic can be reached by land via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). For those who opt to bring a car to Subic, be careful to observe the strict traffic rules within the former naval base.

Subic Bay.

Trying to beat possible heavy traffic in the tollways, we decided to leave Manila early morning. Still, we arrived in Subic just a bit early for lunch. Aresi was our choice because of its delectable Italian cuisine. Pasta and pizza sated us before we embarked on a short drive to the resort.

The entrance of Kamana Sanctuary.

Passing through the winding roads of Subic, with monkeys to catch our attention along the way, we took a small road to enter Kamana. It was more like a trail and could fit a single vehicle. Trees and plants filled both sides of the road, bringing us closer to nature. Finally, we entered somewhat like an industrial area and Kamana’s entrance came into view.

Kamana’s open space. The white buildings blended well with the clear blue skies. Photo by Claire Algarme.

The clear blue skies and the clean, white painted buildings of Kamana were cool to the eyes. We checked in our rooms, which were just on the ground floor, and dumped in our belongings. The beds and pillows were soft and the room amenities were complete. Our room leads to a veranda where we could hang out and chat and view the beach and the common grounds.

The large open space at the center of the buildings.

We took our rounds starting from the beach, which is clean and has a great view of the Casitas. The casitas are ideal for families who can take the villas as their temporary homes while in Kamana. Then we inspected the infinity pool, a lovely one but could have been better if it was built a bit bigger for safety and to accommodate many swimmers.

The infinity pool is enticing for a relaxing dip. Photo by Claire Algarme.

Since it was a long holiday, Kamana Sanctuary offered a Halloween buffet and Octoberfest party two nights in a row. We availed of the buffet, which cost P770, featuring grilled seafood, a roasted pig’s head, and some meat and vegetable dishes. We felt that with the price, the buffet can still be improved on, especially if this is a recurring endeavor.

Dinner al fresco. Photo by Claire Algarme.

The three days were spent swimming by the sea, with its clear waters. Just be careful of huge rocks. Because of the calm waters, it was great to just float and relax. Children built sand castles without any threat of waves to destroy them. We also tried the infinity pool. It was warm and great to cap the day, but with many swimmers in the pool, you cannot really swim around. Better to stay on the side and enjoy the scenic view of Subic Bay while watching the sunset on the horizon.

Our rooms are found in this building.

The cabanas.

Kamana Sanctuary is a perfect place to seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is accessible, thanks to the highways that made land travel more convenient. Also, since it is in Subic, there are other options if you feel you want an activity-laden trip. Zoobic and Ocean Adventure are within Subic’s vicinity. Shopping and dining out are also good options for the many stores and restaurants in Subic. Budget-wise, it is not too expensive because it gives visitors value for their money. True enough, Kamana is a sanctuary for those who are in need of recharging and rejuvenation.

The beach.