The great attraction of Montear Beach Club is its accessibility from Manila. Without taking a plane or even your own car, you can reach it in two hours by ferryboat and then by van.

Montemar is a good place for relaxation. It is set in a rocky, wooded cove with a long beautiful beach surrounded by a garden of bougainville, flame tree, travelers’ trees and coconut palms. The resort was completely renovated in 1996.

The rooms are in long, white, two-story buildings with red tile roofs. Curved balconies enclosed by railings, overflowing with flowers, pleasantly break the monotomy of the facade.

The deluxe rooms are spacious and bright due to a large bay windows. These open onto a private balcony with red flooring and a garden drawing room, some of which have direct access to the swimming pool. The gallery rooms in the building near the reception area are ideal for families as there is a lotf accessible by staircase. There rooms also have a balcony.

There is a relaxing, cozy atmosphere in every room. Everything is in soft, pastel tones, including the walls and the floral bedcovers. Bamboo furniture and handmade lamps make you feel at home. In the evenings, wooden shutters secure you in a snug cocoon.There is also a beautifully tiled bathroom with marble sinks in every room.

The two restaurant have pleasant settings although catering is not a strong point at Montemar. El Meson is the house restaurant on a paved terrace in the garden near the sea. Its white arcades, curved wooden windows, pretty red floors and bamboo furniture give it a warm, Spanish ambiance. The tables are set outdoor, under a large tree lit by little bulbs. It is pleasant to dine here in the evenings and enjoy the sea breeze. The other restaurant, El Patio, is also good for outdoor dining. Both restaurants offer Filipino and international cuisine.

The clear sand beach of Montemar is attractive, deck chairs and parasols are made available. The resort also has two swimming pools - the Garden poolfor day-use guests, surrounded by coconut, bougainvillea and palm trees quite far from the rooms, and the Blue-Tiled pool with its circular bar the the surface of the water for the in-house guests.

While Montemar, you can drive up to the summit of Mount Samat located near the resort. The area does not have any special attractions, but it does offer a scenic view of the Bataan Peninsula.

How to get there

By land (3 hours), 154 km from Manila. Take North Expressway at Balintawak and get off at San Fernando Exit 66. Take the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo road passing through Bacolor, Guagua and Lubao. After the “Welcome to Dinalupihan” sign turn left at the junction (you will see statues of the soldiers). After kilometer 22 sign, turn right following the “Junction to Mt. Samat 3 kilometers” sign. From there, follow the signages of Montemar Beach Resort.

By sea and land (2 hours). One hour by Mt. Samat airconditioned ferry from the PTA Bay Cruise Terminal, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd. to Orion, Bataan. Thirty-five minutes by van from Orion pier to the resort.

More photos here