Sierra Madre Resort, A Resort with a Scenic View

Dreaming of a quiet bonding moment with someone or probably a place to spend with friends? Sierra Madre Resort is a good option. Located at the top of the mountains of Tanay Rizal, it exudes a very intimate atmosphere. This is the place where the only noise you will hear is the howling of the wind. It is too serene that time seems to stop and everything becomes perfect.

When we arrived, we quickly started exploring the area. We walked along a pathway that offers a scenic view of the surrounding mountains. Well, the truth is almost all areas in the resort is scenic. We walked down the slopes until we reach the Spring valley, a part of the resort located far from the main building. It has a more private pool, one is color blue, the other is green with its water coming directly from the mountain. The pool is surrounded by a garden of manicured lawn and pine like trees. Again, needless to say, it has a picturesque view of the mountain ranges.

From the pool area is a pathway to the plight of stairs leading to  the Sto. Nino Falls. It is a waterfalls about 20 feet, spewing an ice-cold and clear water and is surrounded by moss adorned boulders. It doesn't have a pool where the water drops yet for some reason, I found myself enjoying standing under the cascade with the water pouring in me. :D The air is cooler in that part f the resort, with the thick foliage and trees trapping most of the sun's rays out and prevents it from warming the area.

We retraced our steps to get back near the spring valley pool and saw another branch of pathway leading to the prayer mountain. It is a series of stations of the cross and once we reached the top most part of it, we realized we're in another mountain. Cool! And the wind is cool too, cool enough that we didn't realize we're already being burned by the sun.

Few hours of exploring and we then decided to climb back to the main area, where the cluster of rooms and main pool area is located. It is gorgeous there. There is a platform built adjacent to the pool where tables and chairs were set up, it is overlooking the mountains and the wind is freely caressing my hair. That's where I found utmost relaxation. Nikko and I just sat there, ate pizza and chilled over Eraserheads' songs. I wanted to swim in the pool after the meal, I ain't  a good swimmer and wanted to practice more. The pool looks so inviting, however when I checked it out dirt was already noticeable on the floor of the pool and there was a frog floating in the main pool. Although Nikko removed it, I wouldn't ever swim in a pool enjoyed by a frog, not in the next million years, haha!

I checked out the shower area near the main pool and was a bit disappointed that almost no water is dripping from the faucet. I just wanted to wash my face to freshen up a bit but it was near to impossible. I'm not sure if this is how it always is, I'm thinking that maybe because it was a Wednesday and no other guests are in there but somehow, I still feel we should have been able to use those basic amenities. Sierra Madre is a very nice place, location wise and if only the main pool looked clean and there's water in the shower room, then it might have been superb.

The resort offers rooms/suites that can accommodate maximun of 12 people. They also have rooms for 2 people. The rooms I believe is devoid of television since it's the resorts aim to have their guests do nothing but to commune with nature and feel the tranquility of the place. Being a nature lover, I would agree with that except when it's night time and there's nothing else to do really. They have zip lines by the way.They also have a restaurant but was not able to try it since we brought our own food.

The resort has a Greek themed garden, highlighted by a Gazebo and Greek statues. It made sense, as the resort is in a high area, perfect with cool climate and a stunning view, no wonder it makes one feel that it is the home of the gods. There are flowery vines that made the place even lovelier and a hanging bridge  tucked near the pine trees.

Overall, I enjoyed exploring the vastness of Sierra Madre Resort. It is a refreshing treat to my senses, location wise. It is a serene place perfect for total relaxation and I would reiterate, should I have been able to use the main pool and there's water in the shower room, I'd say this place is perfect.

How to go to Sierra Madre Resort from Manila Via Commute

I found out two ways commuting there, first is the more scenic route which will involve more zigzag roads and mountain views.

Ride a jeep or FX from Cubao to Cogeo. FX fare as of this writing is Php35. From Cogeo (already a part of Antipolo), ride a jeep going to Sampaloc (a barangay of Tanay). Fare is Php52 to the resort. Sierra Madre will be on your left. Last trip of jeeps passing by the resort from  Sampaloc to Cogeo is 6 PM but depending on the volume of passengers and the weather, it is always safer to leave earlier, about 5 PM. That's according to the jeepney drivers I asked in Sampaloc.

That or the second way is when you're visiting Daranak Falls in Tanay first.

From StarMall in crossing, ride a van going to Tanay Rizal, fare is Php70. From Daranak Falls, it is always wiser to go back to the terminal in Plaza Aldea to have a guaranteed seat. From the terminal, ride a jeep going to Sampaloc. Travel time is about 30 minutes. Fare is Php26. From Sampaloc, ride a jeep to Cogeo. Fare is Php10. Sierra Madre is on your right. Last trip of vans from Tanay to Crossing is 8 PM.

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