Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Timberland Highlands Resort, San Mateo!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the sprawling, slightly chaotic, and hopefully glorious world of Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Timberland Highlands Resort, San Mateo!. Forget those pristine, boring hotel reviews. I'm here to give you the real deal, the messy, the amazing, the slightly-should-have-packed-more-sunscreen truth.
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First things first: Accessibility. This is crucial for me, as I hate to see the world being designed just for a select few. I wasn't specifically seeking accessibility options during my visit, but let's see what we can glean. While I couldn't personally test everything, the Facilities for disabled guests note on the list gives me a tinge of hope. Elevator is mentioned, which is a huge plus, and they seem to have put some effort into some aspects, which is brilliant to see even though an onsite review should be done in person!
The Oh-So-Important Stuff (and the Slightly Less Important):
Internet? They shout "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" - Excellent. If I'm paying for luxury, I want my Instagram to be on point. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas - okay, they're covering their bases. Let's hope it's actually fast. Lord knows I can't deal with buffering. Also, a little Internet access – LAN is something to be missed, as most hotels no longer have that option.
Cleanliness and Safety! This is huge these days. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol… Okay, they're taking this seriously. Sterilizing equipment - good, I feel slightly less like I'm entering a biohazard zone. Cashless payment service - Yaaaaas! Makes things so much easier. Still, I'd prefer to have the option to pay with my card or cash! Also, Shared stationery removed is smart. Who knows where that pen's been?!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking! This is where the magic happens. Let's see… *A la carte in restaurant (yes!), Alternative meal arrangement (good for picky eaters like me!), *Asian breakfast* and Asian cuisine in restaurant – this is interesting. Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet] – (Oh, the buffet! More on that later… wink), Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant – the buffet again! I hope there is all the options! Coffee/tea in restaurant/ Coffee shop – essential. Desserts in restaurant – Yes, please! This is crucial. Happy hour (Oh, thank the gods!), International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar – Sign me up. Restaurants, Room service [24-hour] – That's luxury! Salad in restaurant (Gotta pretend to be healthy sometimes), Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant (for the virtuous), Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant… Okay, I am here for this. The sheer abundance of food options is already making me happy.
Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area (a must in the Philippines!), Audio-visual equipment for special events (for potential destination weddings, I'm assuming?). Business facilities (Meh, I'm on vacation!), Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out (yay!), Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping (Bless them!), Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests (mentioned this already), Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop (impulse buys!), Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center (Again, business stuff…). Seems they've thought of everything.
For the Kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. Great for the little ones (and those big kids who never want to grow up).
Things to Do, Ways to Relax! This is the heart of the experience! Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center (Okay, maybe after the buffet…), Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view (OMG!), Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]… Whew! That's a lot of relaxation potential.
- *Let's Talk About the Pool with a View… (Rambling Time!)
So, picture this: It's early morning. The sun is just starting to paint the sky in those glorious hues of pink and orange. I, naturally, am already thinking about breakfast. But first, I make my way to the infinity pool, the one boasting "a view." (I've seen the photos, it's stunning). Okay, my initial reaction, as I approach? Speechless. I'm absolutely speechless. The air is crisp, the water is cool, and the view…oh, the view. I can almost forgive the early wake up, this is amazing!
The infinity edge blends seamlessly with the horizon, making it feel like you're floating right above the world. I may or may not have spent a solid two hours doing nothing but bobbing around, occasionally sipping on something fruity from the poolside bar. It was the kind of moment where you just… exist. Where every worry just melted away. It was, quite frankly, perfection. (Okay, maybe I chipped that nail right before I got in the pool. Imperfection!)
After that perfect experience, even I had to try the Body Scrub and Massage, and I must say, the spa was worth the wait to get into a relaxing experience, and this is what I wanted with my stay!
Getting Around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking - They've got you covered, however you choose to get there.
Rooms! Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone (fancy!), Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. (That is a lot of amenities packed into one room!)
Safety & Security: Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms – Safety first, always!
The Verdict:
Okay, friends, let's be brutally honest: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Timberland Highlands Resort, San Mateo! sounds pretty darn amazing. The food options alone are enough to make me drool. The pool with a view has me sold. The reported focus on safety and cleanliness is essential in today's world. While I can only imagine the experiences, the sheer amount of amenities and services offered is seriously impressive.
Now, for the Pitch! (AKA the Offer, baby!)
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into… well, my chaotic Timberland Highlands Resort adventure. Forget perfectly curated Instagram feeds, we're going full-blown reality TV here. Expect spontaneous meltdowns, breathtaking awe, and the distinct possibility of me getting horrifically lost.
Timberland Highlands Resort: A Hot Mess of a Schedule (and my sanity)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and a surprisingly good burger)
1:00 PM: The Great Escape (from Manila Traffic): Ugh, traffic. Enough said. Seriously, it felt like an eternity. My initial excitement for sunshine and fresh air was slowly suffocating under a cloud of exhaust fumes. Honestly, I considered just turning around and going back to my couch. But, you know, commitments.
3:00 PM: Check-In… and the Reality of My Packing Skills: Okay, the reception area at Timberland is gorgeous. Seriously, the view? Chef's kiss. But the room? Well, it's a cozy (read: small) little haven for me to dump all my luggage. I swear half the stuff I brought isn't even necessary! Did I really need three books and a sequined top? (Don't judge, I thought I'd be going dancing.)
3:30 PM: The Hunt for Food (and a Moment of Zen): First order of business: sustenance. Luckily, the lodge has a restaurant; and, oh my god, that burger. It was a genuine, juicy, perfectly-done burger that saved my early afternoon. I inhaled it in record time. And the view from the restaurant? Magnificent. Trees-covered hilltops, the air crisp and clean. For about five minutes, actual zen came over me. Then my phone rang…
4:30 PM: The "Relaxing" Swim (More Like Mild Panic): The infinity pool looks divine in photos. In reality? Slightly crowded. I'm not the world's strongest swimmer, so I was clinging to the edge for dear life, eyeing the deep end with utter terror. I'm pretty sure I saw a small child do a better butterfly stroke than I did.
6:00 PM: Sunset Bliss (and Mosquito Mayhem): Okay, now the view is truly breathtaking. Golden hour over the mountains? Majestic. Magical. Worth the trip. And then… the mosquitos. Seriously, these things are tiny, but they're vicious. I spent the entire time swatting and cursing, which probably ruined the romantic ambiance for everyone else. But that sunset, man. Even the mosquitoes couldn't totally steal it. I had to snap pictures every few seconds; it was too beautiful not to.
7:30 PM: Dinner and the realization that I forgot my phone charger. Great. Just great. I guess I'll be socializing tonight. (Ugh.)
Day 2: Adventure (and a Near-Death Experience with a Jeepney)
8:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet… Of Champions (and my competitive eating skills): This buffet had everything! Pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit. I may have overdone it. I definitely overdid it. I’m not saying I needed a forklift to get me out of there, but…
9:30 AM: The Trek (Because I Apparently Hate Myself): Timberland offers hiking trails. I, being the adventurous soul that I am (aka, easily persuaded), decided to go. Turns out, "moderate" means "leg-burning, sweat-inducing, and filled with the existential dread of realizing how out of shape I am." The views were stunning in the end, but I swear, I saw my life flash before my eyes on that uphill climb. I was basically clinging to the roots of trees, convinced I would roll down the mountain. Was it worth it? Maybe. Ask me again tomorrow. I was rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the mountains.
12:00 PM: Lost In Translation (and the Quest for Food): Back in the main lodge, I attempted to order lunch. I think I ended up accidentally ordering something in Tagalog (I don't speak Tagalog, just sort of… mumble). My facial expression was a disaster I was sure. So, I ended up with a very small, overpriced sandwich and a side of confusion.
1:00 PM: The Jeepney Trauma (or, Why I'm Never Leaving This Resort): There was a shopping mall nearby. I decided to take a jeepney. I was terrified. I somehow successfully made it back. I won’t need to take a jeepney again!
3:00 PM: Pool Time (Again, Clinging to the Edge): Okay, maybe the pool isn't so bad. I made a friend, a little kid who kept trying to splash me. It was actually kind of charming. He didn't know my terrible, terrible secret.
5:00 PM: The Great Phone Charger Hunt (and a Surprising Friendship): I am lost without my social media. I ended up making another friend and somehow, miraculously, he had a charger. I was ecstatic! He saved me!
7:00 PM: Dinner and Star Gazing: The food was pretty good again. The sky was dazzling. And, thank God, I had a charged phone for pictures!
Day 3: Departure (and a Promise to Actually Relax Next Time)
9:00 AM: The Last Breakfast (and a Sad Farewell to the Bacon): I filled up on bacon one last time, knowing I'd be craving it the second I got home.
10:00 AM: Check Out and a Vow of Self-Improvement: I would like to say goodbye. I swear I will actually relax next time, and learn to swim properly, and maybe even embrace the mosquitos.
11:00 AM: The Drive Back (and a Sense of Accomplishment): Despite the chaos, the near-death experiences with traffic, the constant mosquito bites, and my general clumsiness, Timberland Highlands Resort was… well, it was something. It was an adventure. And you know what? I think I actually need a vacation from my vacation. But, okay, I would actually go back again. Maybe.
1:00 PM: Home (and a Nap): Time for a deep, deep sleep. I earned it.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: (Mostly) Truths from the Timberland Highlands Resort!
Okay, spill the beans. Is this place *really* as luxurious as it looks in the pictures?
Alright, alright, let's be real. The pictures? They're *gorgeous*. Seriously, the infinity pool alone has probably launched a thousand Instagram careers. And yeah, the rooms are pretty damn fantastic. I mean, that king-sized bed? Divine. I swear, I slept like a baby... until, you know, the 6 AM roosters started their symphony.
The *real* luxury, though, is in the little things. The incredibly friendly (and patient!) staff, who seem to anticipate your every need. The fact that you can order room service at 3 AM and it's still delicious. And the peace and quiet... mostly. There's always *someone* talking loudly on their phone by the pool, but hey, nobody's perfect, right?
What's the food situation like? Because let's be honest, that's a HUGE factor.
The food? Okay, buckle up. I'm a food snob, I admit it. The buffet breakfast is… well, it’s a buffet. There’s a lot of it. You can definitely find something you like – omelet station, check. Pancakes, check. Fruit, check. The coffee, though? Let’s just say it’s not Italian. I'd advise bringing your own little espresso maker, *just in case*.
The a la carte restaurant? Now we're talking! I had the steak one night, cooked perfectly. Seriously, melted in my mouth. My partner, bless her heart, ordered the pasta. Let's just say it was a bit… *al dente*. She practically broke a tooth. We laughed, we complained, she sent it back, and they fixed it quickly, but still... lesson learned! Order the steak people, or something... easily chewable. They're trying, they really are.
Let's talk activities. What's *actually* fun to do there, besides, you know, staring at that pool?
Okay, the pool is a major draw, let's be real. I probably spent half my time just floating around, pretending to be a millionaire. But there's more! There's a spa, which I *highly* recommend. Get the full body massage. You deserve it! It's pricey, yes, but worth every single peso.
There’s also hiking trails. I'm not a hiker, okay? I'm a… *gentle stroller*. But the trails are beautiful! The views are AMAZING. I went on one, got hopelessly lost, and thought I was going to become a permanent resident of the jungle. Eventually I found my way back (thanks, GPS!) but it was an adventure! Pack water and snacks, even if you're just "gentle strolling". Trust me.
You mentioned the staff being incredibly nice. Any *real* stories to back that up?
Oh, the staff. They’re angels. Seriously. One time, I accidentally locked myself out on the balcony at 2 AM, wearing nothing but my… well, let's just say I wasn't fully dressed. I was mortified! But I called reception, and within minutes a very polite young man was there, letting me back in. He didn't even bat an eye. He just smiled and said, "No problem, sir." Total hero. And the housekeeping staff? They’re wizards! My room was always spotless, even after I'd left a trail of chaos in my wake. It’s a small thing to show appreciation, and I always tip generously now! Because they deserve it, they really do.
Noise levels? Is it truly "peaceful"?
Alright, so "peaceful" is relative. I mentioned the roosters. Those things are early risers and have absolutely NO concept of discretion. There was also a wedding the first night I was there. Don’t get me wrong, it looked amazing! But the music went on… late. Like, *really* late. Bring earplugs. Seriously. Pack them. You’ll need them.
And sometimes, if you're unlucky enough to be near the pool, you'll hear the aforementioned loud phone talkers. Again, it's a hotel, not a monastery. But honestly? The views, the spa, the food… it's worth a little bit of noise. Just try to drown it out with a margarita. Works for me.
Hidden gems or things to avoid? Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Okay, hidden gems... The little bar near the pool. It’s a perfect place to watch the sunset. The staff always knows how to make a perfect cocktail.
Things to avoid… Let’s be honest, the coffee in the buffet. Bring your own. And be prepared for some humidity. The jungle is… well, it’s *humid*. Especially near the pool. But overall, the place is fantastic. Go, you won’t regret it! Just pack earplugs, a good book, your swimsuit, and your sense of adventure. And maybe, just maybe, your own coffee maker. Just in case.
Okay, let's deep-dive on something specific. Tell me about THE INFINITY POOL. I need ALL the details.
THE INFINITY POOL. Okay, buckle up. I could write a thesis on this pool. First off, the views. Unbelievable. You're literally perched on the edge of a mountain, looking out over… well, it's a view. Lush, green, breathtaking. The water is the perfect temperature. Not too cold, not too warm. It's like swimming in a giant, sparkling, turquoise hug. The sun? Oh, the sun. It bathes you in warmth, making you feel like an absolute deity of leisure.
I spent *hours* there. I mean, I legit lost track of time. One moment I was sipping a ridiculously expensive (and delicious) cocktail, the next I was… well, I think I was just staring at the horizon, contemplating the meaning of life. Or maybe I was just watching the other people. There were the Instagrammers, of course, striking impossibly graceful poses. There were the families, splashing joyously. And there was me, a slightly sunburnt, very happy human, realizing that this pool was worth every penny of this trip. The hours drifted away. It was perfection. I almost drowned, not in a dangerous way, more in a "too-relaxed bliss" way. That pool… deserves a medal.
But a word of warning... The people at the edge are pretty crowded from time to time, so don't expect the whole edge of the pool to yourself, like in the pictures! But don't let that stop you. It's a magical place. Just… bring your sunglasses.
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