Indulge in the beauty of nature
As one opens his eyes, he sees the intricate zigzag of the wood panels inside the roof with the skylight trying its hardest to fill the room with light. Slowly, he opens up the blinds, and in comes a wonderful view of nature at its finest. Outside, the dewy grass feels wonderful on one’s feet as he inhales the fresh scent of the botanical garden that envelopes all around him.
A beauteous sight; and for a moment, a guest feels like he’s out of this world in a paradise that can’t seem to be compared; a botanical garden paradise away from the chaos of the city.
Tarsier Botanika is a beautiful resort and hotel embedded in a lovely seaside botanical sanctuary in Panglao, Bohol that has so much to offer. From dining to diving to horseback riding, this place can equip guests for their utmost enjoyment and relaxation. It took almost a decade to complete this masterpiece made by Nicolas and Patricia Moussempes. The couple wanted minimum damage in terms of construction. “We didn’t want to invade the jungle. We did this project in association with nature. That was my drive,” Nicolas said.
The couple, who are great lovers of nature, wanted their clients to experience being one with the natural beauty of the earth. The luxury of space is evident because they want their clients to have exclusivity within nature, the visual charm of the place.
With 12 villas nestled inside this botanical refuge, the feeling of being at home in nature is unmistakable. Nine of the villas, categorized as family, honeymoon and garden villas, are built akin to the traditional Ifugao tribal houses with slanted walls and an intricate wooden roof. The walls and the big wooden pillars inside give one a feeling that he is not in a modern house. Three of the villas, which are the pool villas, are inspired by lavish safari tents of long ago. Its distinct canopy roof and mahogany louvre make these villas unique and even more luxurious. With traveling in style in mind, the interiors speak of boldness with great attention to detail.
There are a number of things to do in this land of natural sanctuary. Dive into the beautiful sea kingdom at Balicasag or Pamilacan Island and be wowed by the fantastic sights of different aquatic flora and fauna. From the sea, one can go to the magnificent horses at the Tarsier Equestria and be amazed at the performances of the famous Lusitano stallions from Portugal. One can even book a riding lesson with owner and equestrian expert, Patricia.
Continue one’s workout regimen at the health club where a personal trainer can help one go onto the next level. Or maybe a guest can have some down time at the Botanika Spa Village and relax his body with a sumptuous chocolate body scrub followed by an Ilang-Ilang essential oils massage.
Dining choices never run out at Tarsier Botanika’s three exquisite restaurants. Tarsier Paprika, which was one of the first to be built in the property, provides terrace dining. A variety of international cuisines can be enjoyed al fresco with an incredible view of the Bohol Sea. Tarsier Exotica has the best grilled seafood and barbequed meats. It also has excellent coffee, gourmet take-away and pastries. Tarsier Tropika Café has a selection of drinks and food best enjoyed while taking a dip in the huge freeform swimming pool just beside it.
But aside from a great roster of activities, the best thing about Tarsier Botanika is the exclusivity. With only 12 villas in a sprawling property, maximum privacy is experienced in each villa, making it an ideal getaway where the art of living is appreciated and celebrated at most.