Hot tubs are our thing these days. We have no specific reason for this all-of-a-sudden personal preference but we tend to always book a room with a hot tub if and when inexpensive. So when we came across Samboan’s Fantasy Lodge 2 years ago through a friend’s Facebook post showing off their indoor Jacuzzi, we knew we just needed the perfect timing.

P-rsonal Notes:

• Fantasy Lodge is located in Samboan, south of Cebu
• Can be reached through bus or private vehicle
• Bus ride from the capital city may take an estimate of 5-6 hours

Fantasy Lodge offers a wide array of accommodation choices from Standard Rooms to Deluxe Bungalow, with differing rates of course. And since this is a celebration of some sorts, ahem *Anniversary*, we, without any hesitation, decided to go and have a reservation and select the best option among the list, the Deluxe Bungalow.

Through our favourite travel partner, Agoda, we booked a room for two for an overnight stay. With this reservation, we were charged with the total amount of Php5,496.49 inclusive of 12% tax and 10% service charge. While, it may sound so ridiculous to spend a fortune for an overnight stay in a place we are both residents of, we, however, subscribe to the idea that Anniversaries are worth spending and are perfect excuse for unusual squandering. Why not when it only comes once a year.

And YES, the place did not disappoint. Our room has extra features one could not find at other hotel/resort room of the same value. Although we are aware of the Jacuzzi installed in the Bungalow as shown in the pictures posted in Agoda, we were not expecting a Sauna, a private sauna for that matter, inside our very room. Comfort room is spacious and perfectly partitioned by a glass divider into two (2) parts: the shower area and the *mind your business* area. There is a veranda that we did not fully enjoy owing to our limited time in the resort.

But what truly captivated our hearts was the exclusivity of the place like owning the entire premises all to ourselves. Each room were strategically located away from each other that one cannot be bothered by his next door neighbour, as if we couldn’t care less. Glass windows (with curtains) were installed directly facing the bed giving you the best view of the house. Sunrise or sunsets plus the panoramic view of the sea, the entire place seemed reserved exclusively to ourselves is like magic, like fantasy, like we have escaped from reality.

The downside, however, is that the room is not equipped with cable tv and telephone and the resort has no generator in cases of black outs and brown outs. So you could imagine that by mere raising of a concern to the staff or having meals at their restaurant or a leisurely walk by the sea shore can consume half of your body’s energy in going up and down that steep slope. It was literally one hell of a climb. But we would still recommend the resort despite what is lacking. It can offer you the purest, one-of-a-kind relaxation away from the prying eyes of the stranger and the temptations of technology.

Plus food is great with generous servings.

Perhaps the only regret we had during this trip was our failure to try their Kawa Bath which we failed to reserve a day earlier. Samboan had a rotational brown out the day after we checked in which affected their water supply the entire day. Had we informed the staff of our intention to try their Kawa Bath, they could have prepared the supplies needed before electricity was cut off at 8 in the morning. No water supply = No Kawa Bath. But all is well.

It was a dreamy celebration we didn’t think is possible at our very own hometown. If given another chance, we will be back in a heartbeat.

Movie dates, intimate romantic dinners, or simply spending the day together, what are your anniversary ideas? Do share.