If you're curious to experience a lakeside vacation where you have the luxury of having the whole lake house all for yourself, a new getaway in Rizal is bound to attract your adventurous spirit. Located in what seems to be the middle of nowhere in bucolic Jala-jala, Lily Vacation Farm House can tame you in ways that the city can't possibly do so. The trip to it alone makes for a refreshing road trip because the town where it's located is yet to become a part of the industrial era detritus of the world outside of it.





Altered Countryside Escape

Unlike a typical resort, the new three-bedroom vacation rental has a more subdued set of stay details. It's more of what modern travelers are seeking in an altered countryside escape -- home-style privacy and personalized access to stay inclusions. An attending staff can help out with necessities like setting up the bonfire or grilling food, but the rest of the nitty-gritty like cooking are basically up to you as guest.

How To Get There

Getting there is quite easy. It's just 40 minutes from the town proper of Tanay and 20 minutes from Laguna's Siniloan via the long and winding Pililla-Jalajala-Pakil Road, making it highly accessible for private cars from both Metro Manila and Laguna. For those who intend to use public commute, jeepneys from both the Tanay Public Market and various towns in Laguna regularly ply the road where the farm house is located although you need to know that the frequency thereof is not like in busy highways which means that you will have to wait for roughly 30 minute intervals per trip.

The farm house

A view of Mount Banahaw and the farm house swimming pool from the living room

The communal space of the farm house interiors

Sunrise-gazing at the farm

Views of Nature Everywhere

Lily Vacation Farm House is where guestrooms have quaint views of the tranquil Laguna De Bay and the faint silhouette of Mount Banahaw. The living room, kitchen and dining area are expertly designed as a communal space where movement inspires connection among guests. This concept extends all the way to the porch where the house's glass doors can be opened wide to reveal access to the swimming pool (a Hydro Color Pool that's next to a couple of shower rooms) and more of the countryside scenery, including the presence of a horse and other farm animals that kids can have a hoot playing with. In the morning, locals can be seen fishing from a distance.

The spacious guestroom

The farm house's connecting bathroom

The swimming pool

Trees everywhere

The Farm House Before and After

The property is family-owned and used to have a decrepit structure for its original farm house. For some time, the whole area looked uninviting -- waist-high grass and all -- even to its owners who are originally from Antipolo City. Even with the stunning lake and mountain views, they had a hard time visiting the place for its lack of a relaxing spot to stay the night in. When the farm house finally got renovated, the space also sort of complemented the scenery outside and rendered the whole farm a new allure. They enjoyed staying there so much that they decided to share it with other vacationers because it's simply an adorable space to keep to one's self.

A faint view of Mount Makiling and Laguna de Bay

Feeding some of the farm animals

Time for bonfire

The morning scenery at the lake

Activities To Enjoy

Booked with friends and new acquaintances for an overnight stay this late February, I got to appreciate the more laid-back concept of a vacation rental stay. From sunset and sunrise-gazing to napping under the trees, there was a lot to do even in my idle time. Those who preferred to ease some stress hopped on ATVs for an hour (the standard length of use) and revved up around the farm to scope the property. After an afternoon snack, we all enjoyed hours of singing songs on the accessible modern karaoke that's equipped with an updated song list and a Boom Mic Stand. We also relaxed before a bonfire to keep ourselves warm after a fulfilling night soak at the pool.

Other activities to enjoy which we didn't have the time for anymore are the free use of sport amenities for basketball and volleyball, including access to a frisbee, plus access to an Outdoor Movie Night setup that's available upon request.

Enjoying sunrise at the farm

Farm house details, enjoying the pool, and getting ready for karaoke

Glamping at the farm

View of Mount Banahaw from the farm house at daytime

Guestroom Details

We were a total of 9 guests in the group which made room assignments easy because the vacation house itself has a couple of rooms for 6 to 8 persons (a Queen-size Bed and a Single Bed, both with pull outs) and one more room that can comfortably fit 4 to 6 persons (a Queen-size Bed with pull out). All rooms are air-conditioned with electric fan provisions and have access to connecting bathrooms that are equipped with complimentary shampoo with conditioner and body wash. Each room has a flat screen TV with digital cable for entertainment. All in all, a group of 25 guests can be booked at the property per night.

Should you wish to camp out under the trees outside, glamping (glamourous camping) is also offered to accommodate 4 to 6 persons inside a tent that's equipped with a couple of Queen Size airbeds and an electric fan.

Dining area

Grilling our own food

Afternoon snacks

Access to the kitchen

More Booking Details

Take note that the published rate is for a maximum of 25 guests only. In excess of that, there is an additional charge per head for a maximum of 10 additional guests (a total of 35 guests will be entertained in this case).

Guests are allowed access to kitchen facilities, appliances and utensils with assistance from the farm staff if necessary. There is a designated grilling area with complimentary charcoal bags. For drinks, there's access to brewed coffee for breakfast and a hot and cold dispenser with free purified water (two pieces of 5 gallons). There's no corkage fee for food and drinks.

Early evening at the farm

Our al fresco afternoon snack

Our stay at Lily Vacation Farm House might have only been for overnight, but it certainly felt more than that. Activities were unhurried and bonding with each other felt less trite. It was as natural as being home except that the scenery had mesmerizing lake and mountain views!

Lily Vacation Farm House

Official Facebook fan page of Lily Vacation Farm House

Address: 177 Brgy. Pagkalinawan, Jala-Jala, Rizal, Philippines
Mobile: 0939-921-0165 (call or SMS) and 0917-160-5112 (call only)