Cebu | Treehouse de Valentine, Balamban

 

After more than a month of lockdown in the city, a much-needed retreat was needed to get away from work and the recurring pandemic anxiety. I have previously visited the road to Balamban during my first week in Cebu, around end of June, during our road trip aka food-hopping then and was greeted with same green scenery going to Treehouse de Valentine which was very soothing for both the eyes and soul. You can opt to have brunch or lunch on the way because there are loads of restaurants with amazing view which is what we did exactly.

The road was further this time but before arriving in the town proper of Balamban, we turned until we reached before the border of Central Cebu Protected Landscape where Treehouse de Valentine is located.

What I love upon our arrival, apart from the fact that it is tucked in the lush jungle, is hearing the water rushing from the stream at a close distance. And walking to our private treehouse, we were greeted with this expansive space with a taste of elegant, rustic and modern “bahay kubo” architecture. Bahay kubo is a hut made with "nipa"(palm tree) or bamboo which is a type of stilt house indigenous to the culture of the Philippines. It is also known to other names as “payag” or “kamalig.” All these and more, the place integrated with stunning woodworks all around and a live tree at the heart of its structure, plus the location being situated in the middle of the forest is just a perfect private hideaway I truly needed.

They have two treehouses situated near the brook and is currently constructing a third glamping dome. The first treehouse, where we stayed, is a two-story that can accommodate eight people maximum. It has well-furnished three bedrooms with four beds (one pull over), two bathrooms on every level and shower (one of which has a bathtub with the pretty view of the wilderness outside), a complete kitchen ready for cooking, a dining with the pretty balcony overlooking the greenery and creek below, and the lounging area with a massive smart tv and strong WIFI connection perfect for chill movie nights with friends and family which is what we totally did and more. We also had some drinks and card or board games after the movies.

The second treehouse is also a two-story structure but a little bit smaller than the first which can house a total of six guests. Nevertheless, love the twist with its architecture that has on point aesthetics – as a result, very pleasing to the eyes. It is a well-furnished one bedroom and a sofa (convertible to a bed with pullover which sums to three beds), two bathrooms on every level (a shower that opens to the sky) and a jacuzzi right on the first floor but overlooking the jungle outside, a spacious kitchen with a mini bar, a dining space, and loads of lounging area including a hanging net where the live tree is wrapped around the area.

The first treehouse costs around Php 12,000 – Php 15,000 a night good for a maximum of eight people while the second treehouse costs around Php 8,000 a night good a maximum of six people, depending on the dates and peak seasons. The rate includes free breakfast for four people per treehouse.

If the group doesn’t want to prepare their own meal, you can pre-order from their menu when booking. Our dinner was a feast of healthy, home-style, and all time favorite Filipino cuisine spent in our lovely dining area that I totally love because of the ambiance with music from nature all around us and the tree at the heart of the place.

All I wanted to do in the treehouse was to chill, eat and unwind with friends while hearing the gushing water underneath you and foliage from the trees all around. But of course, with the brook below, and a waterfalls and cascades which is just a stone’s throw away from the first treehouse -- an all exclusive access when staying there -- swimming in the cold waters around is a must which was really soothing and refreshing. Not to mention loads of photos of the treehouse because it is just too pretty. I’ve kept the memory in my mind, but I want to have souvenirs and keepsake as well. I really love the treehouse because it is one of the places where the accommodation is the travel destination itself. A private hideaway in the wild perfect to spend with family or friends.

Treehouse de Valentine is approximately 53.2 km away from the city (approximately, less than a two-hour drive) and is exactly located at Barangay Hingatmonan, Balamban, Cebu. For further inquiries and information, contact them through their facebook or instagram.

 

Klook.com