Globetrotter
The splendid city of Paris hosts a lovely reunion of close friends; Albarracin’s rich culture and history is a wonderful experience in itself
The hotel’s accommodations are fully furnished with a dining room featuring tastefully-selected accent pieces; a modern kitchen with a built-in oven, a stovetop, a range hood, and dishwasher; an elegant bath with a free-standing tub; a wardrobe closet with a full-length mirror; and a nextgeneration flat-screen IPTV.
I particularly enjoyed trying the dining places which include Madayaw Café, an all-day restaurant; the Siam Lounge, a sophisticated venue designed for both relaxed and formal socials; and the Dusit Gourmet, the newest go-to place for creative snack and pastries options. Last but not the least is my favorite, Benjarong, a multi-awarded and globally-recognized restaurant. Like its Manila counterpart, they serve authentic and flavorful Thai food, prepared by a resident Thai Chef. Benjarong becomes a sophisticated lounge bar with a DJ at 10 pm onwards where Davao's guests and locals go for cocktails and a lot of fun.
Other features of the hotel is a complete modern gym, Namm Spa, and an exclusive club lounge.
The Dusit complex has a private dock that serves as an entry point to travel to the Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort—a master-planned island resort located just off the coast of the Davao Gulf.
DUSIT THANI LUBI PLANTATION RESORT
In every out of town trip, I try to squeeze in a day or more at the beach. For those in search of paradise outside the city, Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort is just a 30-minute catamaran boat ride from the jetty port at the back of the dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Residence Davao. By land, it will take about 1.5 hours and a 5-minute boat ride via Pindasan Port, passing through a coconut plantation.
I opted, of course, to take the boat ride in my excitement to spend more time at the beach, passing through the beautiful scenery of Samal Island. On the boat, we popped a bottle of Moët & Chandon, a signal of a delightful weekend at the beach. I immediately forgot about work and its related stresses.
Upon arrival at the private jetty port of the Dusit Thani Plantation Resort, I was elated at the site of jet skis, kayaks, and other sea activities available to do. While
walking along the pathway, you can see the clear waters, fish, and colorful corals. We were greeted by the hotel staff who gracefully bow in accordance with Thai traditions, welcoming us to the resort. We were also handed with cold towels and a welcome drink.
Fresh cucumber coconut juice was served and it was so refreshing that I made sure I had a glass in my hand during the entire stay.
The resort is located in what was then a coconut plantation and was patterned after the Dusit property in the Maldives. We were brought to our villa through a golf cart. They only have villas at the resort. The villa design and architecture were inspired by architect Geoffrey Bawa and colonial Sri Lankan coconut plantations in the 1920s. Each looks modern with a touch of classical Sri Lankan architecture.
We stayed in a luxurious two-bedroom villa, seafront with private terraces, with beautiful open-air garden bathrooms, and to top it all, a marvelous plunge pool facing the beach. The private experience was truly relaxing and luxurious, to say the least. The interiors of the villa were top-notch and impressive. Every little detail was thought of and was well-curated. The layout of the villa was just perfect. It has a spacious living room, bedroom, and a lavish bathroom, all in all totaling 114 square meters.
Since the resort is privately secluded, it is key to have good food on the island. I must say, that it did not disappoint. The Tarictic Grill, an all-day restaurant, beside the beachfront infinity pool, has an exciting menu that is sure to titillate the discerning palate.
Equally impressive are its world-class facilities—a fitness center, Namm Spa, and amenities for snorkeling, jet ski, kayaking activities, day-trip locker rooms, and a fully equipped dive center. The resort is equipped with function halls available for special meetings and events while a church that can accommodate up to 200 persons makes it a top notch venue for wedding destinations. And the list of superb brand new facilities continues with The Mill, a game and entertainment center, and a western restaurant and bar called Burger Bar.
Authentic Thai graciousness and service from the Dusit International brand and the warm Filipino hospitality of the Mindanao region merged into this beautiful resort. The rise of these three premium developments provides Davao visitors and residents the convenience and flexibility to stay in the city or spend time on a private island. I am so happy to have experienced all of this in my recent visit to Davao. I was delighted to see the commitment and promise of Dusit to deliver an unmatched level of service. I shall return, that’s for sure.