TRAVEL. Resort in north Cebu offers private spot of paradise

5 reasons that make Kandaya Resort Cebu’s emerging luxury destination

THERE’S a fabled place on the northen tip of Cebu that arguably shores up the tropical island’s reputation as one of the best in the world. That place is called Kandaya Resort, named after Datu Daya, a tribal chieftain of historic Daanbantayan town. True enough, Kandaya is where old meets new, the traditional merges with the contemporary, all within a seven-hectare sliver of paradise where privacy, solitude, wellness, and luxury is a lifestyle. Allow us to give you a glimpse of what to expect upon setting foot in Kandaya Resort, Cebu’s emerging luxury destination.

Incomparable sojourn up north

Roughly three hours from Cebu City, Kandaya is perfect for a premium staycation, a leisurely escape from the urban sprawl, or a getaway for the

most special of guests. You can choose from 18 rooms and suites and 22 villas — 16 of which have pools — that tastefully incorporate traditional and contemporary elements in their design that celebrate luxurious form and personalized function. To heighten the guests’ experience, each unit is generously spacious with 50 to 82 square meters of relaxing exclusivity in a scenic coastal enclave in northern Cebu.

Rites of wellness and relaxation

Fitness isn’t just a city thing, so Kandaya Resort has ensured that the health-conscious guest won’t have to worry about disrupting his fitness routine. It has a couple of gyms: one for machine workouts and another called “Kombate” for mixed martial arts. There are also basketball and tennis courts, as well as an activity room for table tennis and billiards. For some added adrenaline rush, the resort offers watersports activities such as kayaking, navigating a Hobie Cat, and jetskiing. If that’s not enough, you might want to ride a horse down the beach. That’s right, a horse. You can choose from seven top breed horses at Kwadra, the resort’s stable, for some good old guided or independent riding. At the end of a tiring day, of course, there’s Daya Spa that combines therapeutic traditional massage to balance the body, mind and spirit.

Philosophy of fresh food

Whether its Asian or Western cuisine, there’s one word to describe Kandaya’s food preparations: fresh. Seafood dishes are made from the day’s catch off the Visayan Sea, while vegetables, herbs and spices are picked straight from “Hardin ni Milagros,” an organic garden in the resort which the resident chefs

Spacious bedroom and bathroom of the Ocean Villa Room

SEA OF SERENITY. A view of the Visayan Sea from one of Kandaya Resort’s seven Ocean Pool Villas, each with its own infinity pool.

Daya Spa’s welcome

Horse riding in a 7,200-square-meter field