Almost Heaven Lake Resort by Cocotel

We stayed at Almost Heaven Lake Resort from November 27-29, and really enjoyed the calm, welcoming atmosphere. The food was excellent, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. The owner is Christian, and there’s soft Christian music around the cabins, which added to the reflective, restful mood. My family and I could slow down, clear our thoughts and just be present. It’s a good place to disconnect and spend time with yourself and your family. The drive from Calamba to Los Baños can be very traffic-heavy, though. We had an extra 4-5 hours on the road. Once you arrive, the trip feels worth it. We’ll definitely consider coming back, and highly recommend it for a quiet getaway.

The rooms were clean and well cared for, with fresh linens, comfortable beds, fluffy pillows, working hot showers with decent pressure, and air-conditioning that ran without trouble. They’re reasonably priced, and the views are the kind you can sit and enjoy for hours. The bathrooms only have a small partly opening window, no exhaust fan, which could be inconvenient. Internet was a bit spotty, understandable given the island setting. We’ve stayed in lots of resorts and staycation places, but this is the first one we genuinely want to return to. A lot of that is down to the staff, who were warm, courteous and helpful throughout. The resort feels charming and removed from the usual noise, since it sits on a small island in the middle of a lake and you reach it by bangka, a small motorized boat. There’s a nice range of low-key things to do: kayaking, volleyball, a pool overlooking the lake, and massage services if you pre-book. Families with young kids might like the small playground with a seesaw and swing. The two jet skis were broken during our visit. There’s also a small coffee shop serving good, dependable drinks. Nothing fancy, but nice in that setting. It’s especially relaxing when there are few guests, or when everyone keeps things quiet and courteous. Everyone in our extended family enjoyed it, and we’re already looking forward to going back.

The rooms were clean and had a small kitchen with a fridge, cooking utensils, gas range and dining area, so we could bring food and cook. The pool was inviting, and kayaking was free for the first hour after check-in. It’s a peaceful place to relax and spend time with family and friends, and the staff were polite and accommodating.

We had a calm, enjoyable stay at Almost Heaven, surrounded by the serene lake, crickets and birds. We kayaked around the resort and nearby islets, and saw lots of bird species. The grounds were well kept, and the pool was sparkling clean. I’d read an earlier complaint about too much chlorine, but the level during our visit was pleasantly mild. Caliraya Lake is beautiful, and Cavinti has nature spots for caving and waterfalls. Pagsanjan is nearby too, with its thrilling ride through the rapids. I’d suggest doing those activities, then unwinding at the resort. We found the place through Philippine Travel Mart 2025. It had opened that year, and we visited in October 2025. You can get there by public transport, car or bike, then take a short five-minute boat ride from Porta Verde. Meeting the owners was a pleasure: they were kind, hospitable and welcoming. The resort staff were attentive and courteous. We ordered meals ahead and enjoyed them in the gazebo. Since the resort is somewhat remote from town, the menu is sent by email so ingredients can be arranged. Guests can also bring food to cook, with a complete kitchen, grilling and dining equipment available. The Double Villa was rustic and fit its surroundings. Our room was clean, had working A/C, and came with towels. Bring your own toiletries, like soap and shampoo. Each room or hut has kitchen and dining equipment, including a stove, kettle, utensils, refrigerator, table and chairs. A few dishes could be improved to suit our taste: the chicharon bulaklak could’ve been crispier, and the pork pinakbet would be better with a different bagoong sauce. We really liked the Fried Chicken with potato wedges, which tasted like Max's, and the Oriental Sepo vegetables.