Damires Hills Farm and Spa Resort

The setting is lovely if you want fresh air and some quiet, and I appreciated that the resort kept its Filipino look. The staff were friendly, and the therapists at Ilaya Spa were good, with great service. Those were the best parts of our two-day weekend stay. There were a number of issues in the room and around the property. Housekeeping never came to make up the room during our stay, and no one responded when I asked them to check the cable TV. We found frozen ants in the fridge, some "bukbok" in the soup cups at the breakfast buffet, and occasional ants in our room. There were also signs of "bukbok" or termite and woodworm debris in the main areas. The wooden furniture smelled musty when we first entered, and it needs proper upkeep so it doesn't become brittle. Food was okay, but felt overpriced for what we got, and the breakfast buffet could have had more choices for the room rates. Cell reception was limited. The Wi-Fi was down during our visit, apparently because of a provider issue, so I don't count that against the resort, though it did make communication difficult. Three stars for this mix of pros and cons.

The restaurant food was good, and we really enjoyed the complimentary massage 😭. Our first room had a poor Wi-Fi connection, but when we asked to move to one with a better signal, they gave us another room. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. Thanks for a lovely retreat!

The traditional Hilot massage brought back the natural healing practices I grew up with in the Philippines. I live in the UK now, and the treatment left me feeling refreshed, calm, and clear-headed. With the wind and chimes in the peaceful surroundings, it felt especially grounding. I also met spa manager Atho De la Cruz, whose thoughtful, calm manner added to the feeling of wellbeing. The staff were warm and kind, and seemed proud to work there. I liked knowing the resort supports the local community, so that my treatment benefited people locally made it more meaningful. The grounds are beautiful and relaxing, a welcome break from everyday stress. The food was excellent, the pool looked stunning, and getting there was easy. The activities looked fun too. I’d definitely return, and would recommend it to anyone after a peaceful retreat, natural healing, and genuine relaxation.

The farm tour was a highlight. An OJT Agribusiness student showed us around the extensive farm, and we enjoyed walking through it under the hot sun. We also bought banana chips and tablea made there. We ate at the restaurant. The food was okay, though the portions seemed small for dishes listed as serving 2-3 people. Every so often, the smell of carabao dung drifted over to the dining area. We moved to a table farther away, but could still smell it. There are several pools, including one near the restaurant.