Escaping the City Circus (and the Crazy Loud Office) to Actually Get Stuff Done
Post-pandemic, the rush back to the office seems less about boosting productivity and more about management's need for control. To-do lists just get thrown out of the window when you have to deal with the constant chatter behind you, people coming up to your desk with questions that could have been a PM, or back-to-back meetings that could have been an e-mail.
Working remotely, on the other hand, means being able to focus on your tasks for time blocks of two to three hours—the same quiet hours you can't have if you're at the office. And since you don't have to spend an extra four hours to get ready and commute to and from work, you can do other things for yourself (like a passion project) because we were never put in this world to be corporate slaves. On some days (if you're lucky), you can even spend those remote hours in a villa not far from the city.
Enter: Likha Wellness Resort in Lipa, Batangas.
Heading to Likha doesn't feel like going out of town at first, especially since it's just an hour and a half away from Metro Manila—that's like commuting from Quezon City to Parañaque on a good day. Plus, Lipa isn't exactly a remote town, and the roads leading to the resort are as commercial and residential as a city can be. But its massive gate was almost like an escape hatch, transporting you from—as the cliche goes—the hustle and bustle and to the peace and quiet. At the risk of exaggerating, stepping into Likha was like someone finally hitting the mute button and turning on the SFX of the rustling of the leaves and chirping of the birds.
"We believe wellness should be personal, immersive, and deeply restorative. Our philosophy is centered on holistic well-being, spiritual richness, and sophisticated living, offering a bespoke sanctuary where guests can relax, recharge, and reconnect with themselves," said Jeanerica Eddun, Managing Director of Likha Wellness, in a statement. Likha Wellness Resort is managed by Approche Hospitality.
Likha Wellness Resort features plenty of outdoor space, including an amphitheater that can be used for meditation, yoga sessions, or just appreciating nature.
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Living Spaces and Patches of Green
What’s probably most obvious about Likha is that it has plenty of outdoor and indoor common spaces. This immediately starts from the gate and the hundred-meter distance to the actual entrance, which opens to a small garden with outdoor chairs. Walking further, I got to the amphitheater and bonfire pit surrounded by more chairs and a swing. Finally, a flight of stairs led me to the main house, also called Villa Alab.
Villa Alab's facade boasts a balcony with day beds and dining tables. I found a high table and chair to park my work laptop, close enough to the socket but also just in front of the swimming pool—a reward for an all-in time block.
Found a good spot for remote work
The villa also has an indoor common area, with a dining table that matches the wooden bar top and a sunken living area that's perfect for karaoke, board games, or just lounging around. That's a lot of space for switching between keyboard-clacking on the laptop and binge-watching on the TV.
Villa Alab's sunken living room
Bar Area
Surrounding this space are five rooms: two Masters Rooms (P18,000), two lofts (one that can fit at least four pax for P16,000 and another that can accommodate at least five pax for P20,000), and a room with bunk beds for eight (P16,000).
The Masters Room can accommodate a maximum of two adults and one child.
It also has a free-standing bathtub.
The first loft can fit four to eight people.
The second Loft is good for five to 10 people.
The Bunk is good for a minimum of eight.
The Garden Room, which is separated from the main house, can fit up to five people for P15,000. But it has five double beds, which means you can squeeze in five more. All rates come with breakfast. The entire villa can be booked for P115,000, good for 40 people.
The Garden Room has five double beds.
Practicing Wellness
And then there's the "Wellness" part; the resort is called Likha Wellness, after all. Complementing the peace and quiet (boosted by the privacy) are actual wellness services they offer. Their spa room can accommodate three people at a time, even late at night. Sign up for a session at the electric sauna, then a coffee scrub, then a 90-minute full body massage for the most relaxing experience.
Of course, the wellness extends to food. While Likha isn't strictly vegetarian or vegan, the dishes on their menu are always satisfying. Some of the resort's must-try dishes are the Crispy Pork Kare-Kare, Tinola Supreme, Bicol Express, and Crispy Pampano with Hoisin Glaze.
"The focus is on delivering an authentic culinary experience that celebrates regional flavors while offering comforting, familiar favorites," Eddun said.
Baked Alaska Surprise (Graham crust, ice cream, meringue, and—the best part—flambe with brandy)
Clearly, Likha understands the importance of nourishing both body and soul. So, yeah, turns out the secret to getting things done isn't more noise-canceling headphones. Sometimes, you just need to drive to Lipa on a Monday and ditch the city circus. Who knew?
Likha Wellness Resort is at Lot 3231-B Purok 8 Brgy. Bolbok, Lipa City, Batangas. Rates start at P16,000.
