The Farm at San Benito - Batangas

The Farm at San Benito is a 5-star luxury, holistic wellness retreat, renowned as the Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World. It's a bucket-list destination for many Filipinos.

Planning a staycation here might seem daunting due to its hefty price tag and the mixed reviews circulating online about whether the experience is worth the cost.

This article will help you determine if this resort is right for you, how to secure the best deals (up to 65% off), and how to make the most of your stay.

Key Questions to Consider Before Booking Your Reservation

Do you love nature, healthy food, farming, and farm-to-table recipes?
Do you lead an active lifestyle, which includes daily walking and some form of exercise?
Do you enjoy wellness activities such as yoga and sound healing, or have you been wanting to try them?
Do you appreciate spas and hydrotherapy massages?
Are you seeking a retreat from the busy city life to experience tranquility?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, then go ahead and make your reservation. You'll love this place!

Watch our virtual tour to The Farm at San Benito

Do you have mobility issues?
Do you love comfort Filipino foods and find it hard to survive without them?
Do you dislike the idea of being near mosquitoes?
Are you looking to spend most of your time swimming in their public pools?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, this place may not be ideal for you. However, continue reading, as we have some workarounds you might consider.

Accommodation

Read on to find out which villa is the best choice for you.

Anahaw Family Villa

Most villas accommodate only 2-4 people. If your group has 4 or more members, this villa offers the best value. It features two beds in a loft area and two beds on the ground floor. Please note that this villa may not be suitable for families with young children, as they could be at risk of falling from the loft.

Garden Glass Villa

We are a family of two adults and two kids, so we chose this villa over the Anahaw Family Villa. This villa accommodates up to two people, with space for two additional guests. It is a spacious 90 sqm villa without a loft, making it a safer option for children.

The villa features glass doors and walls and boasts a large garden, which is why it is called the Garden Glass Villa. It includes a very spacious bathroom, a work area, and an outdoor bathtub. Please note that the bathroom doors and walls are also made of glass, so privacy may be limited.

Among all the places we've stayed, this one has the most comfortable bed, pillows, and blanket.

[Click here to watch our virtual tour of the Garden Glass Villa.]

Instead of coffee, chamomile tea is provided along with a water heater. No sugar or stevia is available. Unlike most hotels and resorts, The Farm is generous with its provision of drinking water. Two large bottles are provided, and you can request more at no additional cost.

The villa does not have a refrigerator but is equipped with a television, a safe, and a hairdryer.

It is within walking distance of the infinity pool at the spa and the hidden waterfalls but it is quite far from the reception area and the restaurants. You might want to bring in food if you plan to stay in this villa.

Banaba Deluxe

This is The Farm's hotel-type accommodation. I recommend it if you require better accessibility, as it is closest to the parking area. Additionally, a restaurant and a public swimming pool are just across the building.

Sulu Terrace

For a group of two persons or less, this accommodation offers the best value.

Check-in and Check-out

Check-in starts at 3:00 p.m., but we recommend arriving earlier, around lunchtime. You'll want to avoid the peak check-in times when many guests are arriving.

During weekends, there might be a wait for transportation to your room due to the limited number of carts available for guest transfers.

Valet parking is available, and a refreshing drink will be provided upon check-in. We were served buko juice with herbs and lime, and lime water is also available. The Farm is indeed very generous with its provision of drinking water.

We arrived at 1:00 p.m. and were transferred to our room exactly at 3:00 p.m. While waiting, we took the opportunity to plan our activities, familiarize ourselves with the area using the map, and feed the ducks.

Download their mobile app from the app store or google play beforehand. Upon check-in a QR code will be provided. You'll have access to all products and services available as well as restaurant menus.

Free Activities You Can Enjoy

Duck Feeding

The ducks are located just outside the reception area. You will need to inform the staff in advance so they can prepare the bread used for feeding. We scheduled our feeding activity around 2:00 p.m.

Be cautious, as the ducks may nip at your toes and could potentially scare young children. For a more enjoyable experience, I recommend feeding the ducks while they are in the water.

[Click here to watch our video feeding the ducks.]

Cellular Screening

While waiting to be transferred, you might want to take advantage of the cellular screening. The holistic health station is located right beside the reception area, and the screening takes approximately 30 minutes.

Be sure to confirm whether this screening is included for free with your accommodation.

Do-it-yourself hair spa and body scrub

Hair oil and a shower cap are provided. You can give yourself a hair spa before taking a shower. While waiting for the oil to set, enjoy a dip in the bath tub and use their body polish for a scrub. Their gugo shampoo and coconut milk conditioner will leave your hair feeling smooth. A hairdryer is also provided to help you dry your hair.

Yoga

Find time to join a yoga session. Give that body the much needed stretching it deserves. You will thank yourself for it later. All yoga sessions are conducted in the amphitheater.

[Click here to watch our video doing Vinyasa yoga.]

Sound healing

This activity is not always available. Make sure to book on a Friday or Saturday to experience this. This session is also conducted in the amphitheater.

Other activities you can enjoy

More activities are available such as mandala flower arrangement, farm tour, brisk walking to the helifarm and kids fitness.

A schedule for the week will be provided upon check-in. You may also want to stroll around and visit the lagoon, the 100 year old mango tree and look for the peacocks.

Common Pools

Infinity Pool at the Spa

This pool is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only. Children are not allowed, as there may be guests receiving therapy or massage in the area.

[Click here to watch our virtual tour of the Infinity Pool at the Spa.]

Hidden Waterfalls

Located just across from the spa, this waterfall area allows children to swim. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. While it is highly Instagrammable, swimming here may be less enjoyable due to mosquitoes and the smell of chlorine. The space is also quite small and can be crowded with other guests.

Be mindful as there could be guests receiving massage therapy nearby.

[Click here to watch our virtual tour of the Hidden waterfalls.]

Pesce Restaurant's Pool

As this pool is located where buffet breakfast is served, swimming is not allowed until after breakfast hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Upperdeck Restaurant's Pool

This pool is open to kids from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is located just across from the Banaba Suite. If you have kids who love to swim, the Banaba Suite might be a good choice for you.

[Click here to watch our virtual tour of the Upperdeck Restaurant's Pool.]

The common pools tend to have a strong chlorine smell. I do not recommend spending most of your time swimming there. Keeping track of the different pool schedules can be challenging, and getting to the pools might be quite a workout. If you are a swimming enthusiast, I recommend booking a villa with its own private pool.

Where to eat

Peejays Special Sisig

Checkin is at 3:00pm. If you leave early, you can enjoy lunch at Peejay's.

We spotted this place on our way to The Farm and regretted not stopping by. We thought we'd find another dining option on our way, but to our disappointment, we reached The Farm without encountering any other canteens or restaurants after Peejay's.

Determined to dine here after checkout, we went back and ordered a feast for four people, all for less than 1,000 pesos! Don't miss their sisig—it's a must-try! You can also purchase your pasalubong (souvenirs) here.

[Check out Peejay's menu and prices here.]

Pesce

The three restaurants—Alive, Prana, and Pesce—are located just across from the check-in/reception area. Pesce (short for Pescetarian) offers vegetarian dishes with fish and seafood.

They have a swimming pool open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, it was scorching hot at 1:30 p.m., so we decided not to take a dip.

The restaurant is kid-friendly, providing activity sheets as placemats and a box of crayons to keep children entertained while waiting for their food. For adults, a starter is included.

We regret not stopping by Peejay's again, as we found Pesce to be quite expensive. The cost was around 1,000 pesos per person, but the food was only average. A cup of rice costs 168 pesos. We ordered pumpkin soup, tempura, cheese pizza, pesto pasta, and rice, totaling 3,450 pesos. After a PWD discount, our bill was reduced to 2,452 pesos.

We found that the pumpkin soup at DalCielo, the pesto pasta at Elbi Commons, and the tempura at Emiliana's were all superior. The pizza was also better elsewhere, though Pesce's pizza dough is made with whole wheat, which is a healthier option.

While I wouldn't mind paying 2,500 to 3,500 pesos for a gastronomic experience, it wasn't worth it here. It was also uncomfortably hot for lunch, and there were no outdoor fans. I felt disappointed, as the only positive aspect was the ambience. I highly recommend improving the quality of the food served.

We had planned to eat elsewhere before arriving here, but things didn't go as planned.

[Check out Pesce's menu and prices here.]

If you choose a buffet breakfast instead of a plated vegan breakfast, you will have it here.

[Click here to watch our video of the buffet breakfast offerings.]

Alive!

Alive! is The Farm's vegan restaurant, located just across from the check-in/reception area. If you choose a plated vegan breakfast instead of a buffet, you will have it here.

[Click here for Alive!'s menu and prices.]

Prana

Prana is The Farm's halal restaurant, also located just across from the check-in/reception area.

[Click here for Prana's menu and prices.]

The Upperdeck

This restaurant is literally located on the upper deck, while a public swimming pool is on the lower deck.

The ambiance is magical at night; my phone camera could not do it justice. The service is superb! They offer outdoor fans for alfresco dining and also have air-conditioned rooms.

Two staff members serenade diners, making rounds in the three restaurants every night. If you time it right, a candle-lit dinner with beautiful views and live serenade is truly memorable!

[Click here to watch a video of their staff's beautiful voices, accompanied by a guitar.]

We ordered lemon chicken, salmon croissant, truffle pasta, and fish and chips. We called ahead to place our order, so the wait for our food was minimal.

The food here tastes and costs significantly better compared to Pesce. I particularly enjoyed the lemon chicken and the salmon croissant. Although free starters are not provided, I received a slice of strawberry cheesecake for my birthday.

Our bill was 4,248 pesos, reduced to 3,615 pesos after a PWD discount. The experience was priceless and will be cherished. It was definitely worth it.

Be sure to use your PWD and/or senior discount when dining; it could save you around 500-1,000 pesos per person.

[Click here for The Upperdeck's Menu and prices]

Bring food

Although the resort policy states that a corkage fee of 1,000 pesos per person applies for bringing in food, the staff do not typically check your belongings. We brought some bread from a bakery after passing by Peejay's Sisig, as well as fresh milk and a refrigerated cake for the kids. The staff noticed the bread and milk but encouraged us to bring them in rather than leave them in the car.

Another option is to order takeout after dining at Peejay's Sisig or from anywhere else on your way. Make sure to bring paper plates and utensils. As long as your food is decently packed—such as in a bayong or tote bag covered with a towel so it's not too obvious—you should be fine.

We were grateful to have brought some snacks, as the restaurants are quite far from our villa. We wouldn't have managed the afternoon without them.

What else to bring

Staying at The Farm is meant to be a wellness retreat, so we recommend bringing healthy food rather than fast food and junk food.

Why not bring some nutty granola with yogurt or milk?

Or perhaps some white cheese with herbs on a tortilla wrap, along with basil and cherry tomatoes?

If those options aren't to your taste, consider bringing canned chicken pastil, hard-boiled eggs, and rice. Be sure to pack paper plates and utensils.

If you plan to participate in yoga and sound healing sessions, bring appropriate yoga attire.

Don't forget to pack mosquito repellent.

How to get the best deals

Booking last minute can offer great value for money. Keep in mind that weekday stays are generally cheaper than weekend stays.

Villa	Regular rates (direct booking)	Last minute deals (Friday - Sat)	Last minute deals (Mon - Thurs)
Sulu Terrace	12,810	10,266	8,866
Palmera Suite / Banaba Deluxe	14,518		9,851
Palmera Glass / Garden Villa	18,788++		16,747
Anahaw Family / Garden Glass / Bamboo / Banaba Executive Villa	25,620	21,673	18,717++
Pool Villas	32,452++	28,517++	24,628++

If you prefer a specific villa and don't want to settle for whichever is available, consider keeping an eye out for promotions on Agoda.com.

Most villas accommodate only 2 guests, but the Anahaw Family Villa can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you are a group of 4, this villa offers the best deal.

Since we are a group with 2 children, we chose the Garden Glass Villa instead. We wanted to avoid the risk of the kids falling from the loft.

When searching for deals on Agoda.com., do not include extra persons when specifying the number of guests. You might be surprised to find that some rooms can accommodate more than two guests, and the extra person rates are often cheaper if you settle the payment directly with the resort upon check-in.

For example, booking for 2 adults and 2 children for November 16-17 via Agoda costs 29,765 pesos (excluding taxes). However, booking the same room for 2 persons only costs 19,839 pesos (excluding taxes).

To verify which rooms can fit more than 2 persons, contact The Farm via Messenger. The Garden Glass Villa can accommodate up to 4 guests.

Kids under 4 years old stay for free. Kids aged 5 to 12 years old are charged 580 pesos for buffet breakfast. Extra person rates for those 13 and older are 3,050 pesos, including breakfast.

Using this Agoda booking strategy can save you up to 10,000 pesos, depending on the age of your companions.

Take advantage of Agoda's free cancellation feature while monitoring for the best rates.

We secured the Garden Glass Villa at a 65% discount. With taxes included, we paid only 15,000 pesos for two guests—cheaper than their last-minute weekday rates!

For 4 people, we paid just 18,628 pesos, effectively getting the last-minute weekday deal with two free extra guests for a weekend booking. We got the best deal!

Day tour

You may also choose to stay for a day tour for just 7,320 pesos per person, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. which includes the following:

• 5-course nutrient-rich vegan lunch at ALIVE! or vegetarian lunch at PRANA Or 2-course pescetarian lunch at PESCE or 2-course Mediterranean lunch at the UPPERDECK
• 30-minute Cellular Health Screening at the Holistic Medical Sanctuary
• 30-minute Relaxology at the Healing Sanctuary Spa
• Participation in Mindful Movement & Functional Fitness activities
• Use of swimming pools, meditation pavilions, and Pure Energy Gym
• Strong Wi-Fi connection

How to get there

It is recommended to use Google Maps rather than Waze. Avoid using the pin set in Google Maps, as it leads to the back gate and can cause confusion.

[Use this link to navigate to the front gate instead.]

Is The Farm's price worth the experience?

Yes, especially if you’re able to secure the best deals for your dates.

You can get a free hair spa and body scrub. A yoga session typically costs 500 pesos per session, per person, while a sound healing session normally costs 3,500 pesos per session, per person. Plus, there are many more activities available at no additional cost!

You won’t need to keep purchasing bottled drinking water, and you can avoid dining at their expensive restaurants. However, if you have the extra budget, dining at The Upperdeck for dinner is a worthwhile experience.