The town of Lucban in Quezon is celebrating the Pahiyas Festial soon. Known as one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines, Pahiyas is celebrated every May as a means to give thanks after a bountiful harvest. ‘Pahiyas’ literally means “precious offering,” and the practice dates back to the 16th century. People celebrate it in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the farmer’s patron saint.
In case you’re planning to take part in festivities or just want to visit Lucban to cool down this summer, one of the resorts where you can stay is Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel.
This resort has been around for over 25 years now, but it’s undergone a bit of renovations and added some new attractions in 2019 right before the pandemic hit to attract guests which you may warrant a revisit. This includes new Pavilions, a Japanese garden, hobbit houses, seasonal flower fields, a Rainbow house, and other IG-spots that might be of interest to families.
Because of its location at the foothills of Mount Banahaw, you can enjoy generally cooler weather here, which can be a great break from the heat in Manila.
We’ve stayed in this resort several times including during the Pahiyas Festival years ago, road trips to and from Bicol, and most recently last January 2023 for a bike loop of Lucban, Sampaloc, Mauban and Tayabas.
Here’s what you can expect from the resort and why you should consider staying there.
Location
Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel is located right across the famous Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, a popular pilgrimage site in Lucban, Quezon. The resort is roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive from Manila either via the South Luzon Expressway or R-5 Manila East Raod.
You can park vehicles securely here to explore nearby tourist spots and other towns. We just arrived early and parked there so we could maximize the day biking and enjoyed the pool and hotel amenities the next morning before checking out.
Rooms
Batis Aramin offers various room types for couples, families, and larger groups. Rates depend on the season (peak or low).
We stayed one night in the Pretty Paw room (for 2 pax), which came with 1 queen size bed. The room rate per night was P2,750 with a consumable food voucher of P500 for a total fee of P3,250.
The room accommodation includes free entrance, use of swimming pool, access to attraction and complimentary breakfast for the room capacity. They charge an extra person rate for rooms of P780/head (maximum of 2 extra persons per room only) which includes extra blanket, pillow, towel, toiletries, access to attraction and complimentary breakfast.
In case you’re traveling with family or friends, there are other bigger room types including family and barkada rooms.
Swimming pools
One of the best features at Batis Aramin are the resort’s swimming pools. The resort has several large swimming pools spread about the property surrounded by lush gardens.
Even if it was rainy and windy during our entire stay, it was fun to take a dip in the pool. Kids will enjoy the slides and different pools.
There’s also a natural spring in the area, and visitors can enjoy walking around the gardens and nature trails.
Eco-park
Batis Aramin also has lush gardens, nature trails, an adventure park, and IG-worthy photo areas for the whole family to enjoy in the area called Teresita’s Garden. One of the newer attractions here are the hobbit houses situated in a hilly area that day trippers can visit.
These aren’t actual hobbit houses you can enter like those found in Hobbiton in New Zealand, but stone doorways on the hill, but from afar and with the right filter, it could make a fun photo op.
There are flower fields and lush gardens you can walk around. Some classic vehicles have been replanted with flowers like celossia and sunflowers for photo ops.
When we visited in January 2023, it was very rainy and the flowers were still being planted, but they should be in full bloom just in time for summer months of April and May.
NOTE: Additional photos of the flowers were taken from Batis Aramin’s FB Page.
KTV & Game Lounge
We weren’t able to make use of it during our stay, but it’s good to know that Batis Aramin also has a new new KTV & Game Lounge. If you’re looking for a venue for family and friends’ gathering, the modern new area offers a good spot.
You can sing your heart out in their Karaoke room or enjoy a fun game night with friends with billiards and table tennis.
They also have a few popular board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Jenga, and card games you you can play with.
Take note that Wifi is only available at the front desk and restaurant of the resort, so you can take the time and enjoy old-school games with friends and family here.
Dining
Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel has an in-house bar and restaurant that serves breakfast buffet, specialties from Lucban, short orders and more.
Must-tries include the Lucban Longganiza and Pancit Habhab, a noodle dish that originated from Quezon. The pancit uses dried flour noodles which are known as miki Lucban and comes with loaded toppings.
There are other places in Lucban you can also dine in along the main highway right or across the road beside the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine. This includes Samgyup places, Japanese restos, carinderias, and more. For coffee pit stops nearby, the PTT Gas station on the Lucban intersection has a Cafe Jungle and a new restaurant along the Lucban Diversion Road.
Hotel guests are allowed to bring their own food and drinks into the resort, but must also purchase a food voucher at the restaurant worth P500 for 4 persons and below, P1,000 for 5-10 persons and above, and P1,500 for 11 persons and above
Overnight rates and day trip entrance fees
Rates may vary during peak season and low season, but so far their standard room rates are as follows:
- Single room: P4,000
- Double room: P5.500
- Family/Barkada Package: P17,000
- Entrance fee for day tour: Adult – P250, child – P200
- Book discounted rooms via Agoda here:
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Lucban is generally from January through April and November because of the warm temperature and low chance of rain. However, it was very cold and rainy in January when we visited. While Lucban can get crowded during Holy Week and during the annual Pahiyas Festival, the town offers a relatively quiet and relaxing place town to stay in where you can enjoy relatively cooler temperatures all year around.
The hotel is a good option for weekend family vacations, team-building sessions, and pre-nuptial or debut photoshoots during the summer season when flowers are in full bloom. It served as a good base for our biking adventure in Quezon which you can read more about here.
Address and other information
- Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel, Tayabas Road in Lucban, Quezon
- For inquiries, visit their Facebook Page: Batis Aramin
- For reservations and inquiries, email them at visitus@batisaramin.ph
- Text or call: 09175954145 from 8am to 5pm daily
