By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net

AZURE is one word to describe the beaches of Anilao in Batangas. And it is also the name of the first five-star hotel to rise in the area.

Batangas is known as Metro Manila’s “Southern Doorstep” and it offers busy metropolitan executives an alternative for refreshing mini-vacations. About two hours of travel from Manila, one is transported to a place of fresh breeze and lush vegetation lined with clear, cobalt-blue waters.

It is for this reason that in 2005, Vivere Hotel general manager Elvie Sanchez sent a team to scout for a place to develop a resort in Anilao.

Elmer Garcia, officer-in-charge, said it took three years to develop the half-hectare lot where Vivere’s Azure Hotel and Resort is located. Vivere Hotel architect Ryan Untivero and interior designer Ronnie Bugay conceptualized the native-inspired design of the hotel, which opened to the public in late 2008.

Bugay designed each of the 13 rooms in the four-storey resort building based on a specific theme, said Garcia. The furniture is all Filipino-made–from the lounge area to the interiors of the rooms, said Garcia.

Each room has glass walls so visitors can view the beach while inside the room, said Pete Dacuycuy, Azure information officer.

Dacuycuy added the glass walls also allow natural light to enter the rooms. Meanwhile, some rooms have wooden azoteas where visitors can sit during midday to enjoy the sea breeze and the sound of dancing bamboo grasses or chirping birds. This way they can experience nature during their stay at the resort, he said.

At the hotel, one can enjoy the infinity pool located 10 meters above the sea–which gives one a panoramic view of the sea and nearby snorkeling hot spots in the Sombrero and Eagle’s Point islands. Few steps from the pool are open huts furnished with beds and pillows where one can take a nap, read a book or have a massage. (Upon booking, visitors are asked if they want to have a massage included in their accommodation package at Azure).

Single and double kayaks are available at the resort, which visitors can use for free. The resort can also organize island hopping tours to Eagle’s Point or Sombrero Islands, where visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching and snorkeling.

Being at the beach is also good opportunity to photograph or shoot sunset and sunrise. If you are fond of collecting sea shells, make sure you are up in the morning just after sunrise when a strip of the shore is exposed at low tide. Or you may bump into a Badjao who sells authentic pearls at a cheaper price, just as I did.

Garcia said the management is planning to buy an island where guests can stay overnight, given the resort’s proximity to snorkeling spots.

Garcia said Azure caters to office functions, team building activities and family outings. Lodging and meal service package rates from Php7,500 per person for single occupancy (depends on room type) and Php6,500 per person for twin sharing.