Saturday, April 13, 2013
Popular weekend getaway in Nasugbu
With the Philippine economy on an upswing, more and more Filipinos are looking at potential second homes outside the city. Beachfront properties are booming; mountain-view homes are peaking; real estate is on a roll.
Just three hours away from Manila lies the 1.5-kilometer sandy shore of Pico de Loro Cove along the Hamilo Coast, SM Land’s premier coastal development in Nasugbu. Nestled amid the lush green trees and rolling hills of Batangas, this picturesque coastal enclave is a popular weekend getaway that boasts a cluster of modern, mid-rise condominiums, a tropical contemporary hotel and a full-service beach and country club. The community is built around a tranquil, manmade lagoon with the beach at one end and the mountains framing the opposite side.
The SM land bank encompasses vast hectares of land, a total of 13 coves, and kilometers of the country’s finest coastlines. Hamilo’s long-term master plan envisions a network of communities with a variety of lifestyle experiences.
First coastal community
The 37.5-hectare Pico de Loro Cove is the first coastal community to rise in Hamilo Coast. Eight low-impact condominium buildings, along with an exclusive Beach and Country Club, and the Pico Sands Hotel comprise Phase I of Pico de Loro Cove. These coastal condo homes and exclusive club facilities offer an active and dynamic leisure lifestyle, and have redefined the concept of weekend getaways with convenience, immediacy and privacy.
The Pico de Loro Cove’s condos are divided into four clusters, each composed of two buildings. Jacana and Myna were the first two clusters launched in 2007, and Carola and Miranda followed in 2008.
The centerpiece amenity of Pico de Loro Cove is the Beach & Country Club. This exclusive members-only club brings the comforts and conveniences of home into a spectacular beach and mountainside setting.
A more social venue
The Beach Club component, located near the coastline, is a more social and engaging venue, with its dining facilities and lounge areas. The Sun Coral Café is the signature restaurant and the Brisa Bar is an al fresco dining and entertainment venue.
The Country Club offers a recreational atmosphere with its family-oriented facilities, as well as amenities for ball and racket sports. The Lagoa Restaurant caters to the families, as it is next to the indoor kids’ play area.
The Pico Sands Hotel is an exclusive 154-room hotel designed with efficiency and comfort in mind. Club members and their guests can choose between rooms with captivating views of the serene lagoon or the lush mountains of Pico de Loro. All rooms have standard modern amenities such as individually controlled air conditioning, cable TV with high-definition programming, Wi-Fi access and safety deposit boxes. Furnished in a contemporary, seaside palette of seashell white and sandy creams, and complemented by minimalist furniture in resort-friendly materials of rattan and wood, the hotel is an inviting haven for city-weary souls. After a long day of exciting adventures, the hotel’s Rain Spa is a great option, with its selection of relaxing massages and soothing beauty treatments.
Commitment
SM Land, the exclusive developer of Hamilo Coast, has respected the natural beauty and resources of the area. It has committed itself to the sustainable development of Hamilo Coast and has made this a deliberate part of its operations and plans.
SM Land works closely with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF Philippines) in three areas: coastal resource management, solid waste management and use of renewable sources of energy. Three of its 13 coves—Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo—have been declared as marine-protected areas, with the help of WWF and the local government. Costa del Hamilo Inc. has also been undertaking proactive measures to conserve and support the environment, such as clam seeding, coastal cleanups, the release of pawikan or sea turtles, the formation of bantay dagat or marine patrol groups, and the establishment of cooperatives that support local communities in order to engage them as stewards of their natural resources. For info on Pico de Loro, visit www.picodelorocove.com.
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source: business.inquirer.net