One night at Alwania Villas: A Zambales escape worth the drive

Sandy beaches. Lolling waves. Blazing heat. Driving through a highway under the endless expanse of a blue, blue sky.

When I think about road trips, as much as I love the journey—the long stretch of the highway, endless skies, and mountains in the distance—there’s something about finally arriving at your destination and seeing the place that is to be your home for the next 24 hours.

In our case, we were a big group. A mix of boys and girls and even a kid, so we wanted to find a place that would fit everyone, something that would balance all our different needs and wants.

Our requirements:

• could accommodate a group of around 10 pax
• equipped with a kitchen (we love cooking whenever we go on a vacation or staycation
• near a beach (that was the whole point of the trip)
• a photoshoot-worthy location (i.e., Instagrammable, as one of my friends really likes having photos taken)

Enter Alwania Villas, a stay in Zambales that caught our eye immediately for its aesthetics and proximity to the beach.

Traveling to Zambales

We left Metro Manila early (around 4 or 5 in the morning) to avoid the traffic, stopping for a quick breakfast along NLEX so we could get our coffee fix.

Our route north took us through NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway). Driving through TPLEX felt like a dream and a page from textbook roadtrips, if you will, but the sight still fills you with awe and wonder. You’ve got lush green fields and golden stalks swaying gently with the wind on either side, a few houses dotting some hills, and mountains looming in the distance.

We arrived mid-morning and went straight to the accommodations. It was too early to check in, so we thought of asking if we could just park for a while before heading off to get lunch. But when we arrived, they informed us that our cottage was ready and we could check in early.

First impression of Alwania Villas

Alwania Villas lies in beautiful repose behind a wooden fence and coconut trees that sway lazily in the wind. Once you step through their gate, you feel as if you are transported to a paradise of sorts—with the Bali-esque huts, sun chairs for lounging by the pool, and the vibrant greens that surround the place.

It’s aesthetic and perfect for pictures, but cozy and well-equipped, too, making it a stay that’s not only for ‘gram but also for comfort.

Alwania has four villas:

• Loft Villa 1 (Airbnb link)
• Loft Villa 2 (Airbnb link)
• Loft Villa 3 (Airbnb link)
• Signature Villa (Airbnb link)

We were in the Signature Villa, which, I think, is their biggest villa. It also has a gate of its own to give you more privacy.

It comes with its own private pool, which is the only villa to have one. Guests from the other cottages share the common pool.

Downstairs, you’ll find a bedroom, something like a master suite, that comes with its own bathroom and opens out into the dining area, which is on one side of the house. There’s also a kitchen, a small seating area, and another bathroom with the toilet and bath separate from each other. Between them is a wash area with two sinks and mirrors.

Upstairs is a spacious loft that can accommodate up to four double beds and a balcony with seats. It’s the perfect place for late-night games or honest conversations between sips of wine (or beer, if you prefer) and bites of food. You can’t be too noisy, though, so you don’t disturb other guests who want to go to bed early. And make sure to bring your insect repellent, especially if your skin happens to be the mosquitoes’ favorite snack (like me).

Indoors, there is only one air conditioning unit (aside from the one in the master bedroom), so it might seem hot in the loft at first. But it got pretty cool by the time we were all in bed.

Food places near Alwania Villas

After dropping off our things, putting our groceries in the cupboard and refrigerator, there was only one thing left to do: hit the beach and get something for lunch.

When we were searching for nearby places, Bangan Beach Bar and Taco Joint PH came up a lot. They seem to be the most promising places in terms of getting food around lunchtime, as the area appears to be more of a nightlife hub with beach bars and other restaurants opening late in the afternoon.

If my memory is correct, we drove our cars up to Bom Dia Hostel in Liwa-Liwa Street, where we parked and then had to walk the rest of the way. It’s a little far, but doable, and the beach at the end makes the trek worthwhile.

Walk through the sandy path for about 10 minutes heading toward the sea (no cement road when we were there), and you’ll soon find yourself at the beach, which stretches on for miles and miles with waves crashing against the shore. We walked for a while, dipping our toes in the water and basking in the sun. After a while, it got a little too hot, so we decided to go for lunch.

Bangan Beach Bar and Taco Joint PH are located within a compound-like area that houses other restaurants. Most of them are still closed around lunch time, but we did find one open barbecue place, too. But if you’re looking for more diverse choices, there isn’t much to eat, and the food can be pretty pricey. You may want to take your food to-go and eat it at the accommodations instead, or cook your own and have a late lunch (depending on your check-in time). You can also drive further away or have an early lunch on the road.

Relaxing in Alwania Villas

The thing with beaches is that the sound of the waves can make you feel so languid or even lull you to sleep. Plus, we had a really early morning, so we decided to head back to the villa to rest.

There isn’t any TV at the Signature Villa—which is actually a good thing, so you can enjoy nature instead of staring at the screen all day. We made some pre-dinner preparations, drank our Artisanos coffee, and just lounged around, talking. By mid-afternoon, we were a little hungry, so we cooked rameyon with cheese and beef before taking a dip in the private pool. It’s small, not much to do laps in, but it was built for lounging around. (And when you’re in your 30s, you don’t want to do laps anyway; you just want to relax.)

Sunset at the Zambales beach

After a quick swim, we decided to head to the beach to watch the sunset. From the villa, you can walk along the road and go straight to the beach. You’ll pass a gated area (wooden sticks tied together) that belongs to a private property of sorts, but they allowed us to pass through when we told them we were guests staying at Alwania Villas. I’m guessing they must have an agreement of sorts.

Swimming (or rather, wading) in the beach was wonderful. The waves were strong (high tide!), but the swimming area doesn’t abruptly drop off. In fact, when you walk off towards the sea, it remains quite shallow for a while, only sloping down and getting deeper gently.

We set up camping chairs, and some of us sat on the shore for a while, enjoying the soothing sound of the waves. At sunset, the winds are strong, and the temperature has dropped significantly—it can feel cold when compared to the noontime heat.

Cooking at Alwania Villas

Nothing pairs so well with beach days as barbecue. It’s the perfect ending note to a day out on the beach, after chasing waves and catching the sun’s rays. The Signature Villa came with a grill, so after our sunset excursion at the beach, we went back to the villa to cook.

One of my favorite things about the villa is the outdoor dining area with the long table and benches on either side. Inside, the kitchen is spacious and surprisingly well-equipped. You’ve got pots and pans, knives, chopping boards, plates, and cutlery. There’s even a water dispenser.

After dinner, we played some games, ate some dessert, and then went to bed. Maybe next time, I’ll check out the nightlife vibes of Bangan Beach Bar and the surrounding area. But for that night, we just wanted to sleep, especially because we had to go back home the next day after breakfast.

What made this Zambales trip worth the drive

Some places heal you. Some places force you to slow down, make you forget everything you’re dealing with for a while. Alwania Villas—and the Zambales beach—was one such place. An overnight trip for when we needed it the most.

It wasn’t just about how nice the place looked or about the amenities they had. Some places simply bring comfort just with how they are. It could be the spacious windows, letting the sunlight stream in, reminding you that all hope is not lost. It could be the wind waving gently through the trees, reminding you what it feels like to be alive. Or perhaps the sea breeze adds to the magic, giving the air a tangy taste that you can’t find in the city. Or it could be a mix of it all, together with the sunset and the warmth of simply being there, right at that moment.

Some footnotes about our stay at Alwania Villas

• If you’re planning to cook a lot of food, you may want to bring extra cookware, serving spoons, and bigger plates or trays.
• You’ll need to pay the tourism fee upon arrival. In our case, someone from the tourist department went over to Alwania Villas to collect the fee from us. (You should get a receipt so you know it isn’t a scam.)
• Bring cash when you go to Bangan Beach Bar, Taco Joint PH, and the other restaurants in the area. Data can be incredibly slow there.
• If you’re traveling with kids, please watch them while you’re on the beach. The waves can get pretty rough and can go from low to high tide fast.