Familia De Andrea Garden Resort

Familia de Andrea Garden Resort, Bulacan

Resorts aren’t exactly something you’d normally associate with Bulacan, but Familia de Andrea Garden Resort in Meycauayan will absolutely blow you away!

Located among factories and warehouses, it’s probably the last place you’d expect to find a beautiful tropical garden resort. Yet once you step through the gates, it’s like entering another world.

With three swimming pools, beautifully landscaped gardens, comfortable accommodation and a great restaurant, it’s a fantastic place for a weekend getaway, especially if you’re coming from Metro Manila.

I recently spent two nights here with a group of mates after being invited by a friend who manages the resort, and I’ve got to say, I was seriously impressed.

Best Time to Visit

Familia de Andrea is a great place to visit year-round. The generally drier months from December to May are better for enjoying the pools and gardens, although the wet season shouldn’t necessarily put you off.

I visited in October, during the wet season, and we had fantastic weather. The main pool is actually sheltered which offers great protection from the sun and rain.

Things to Do at Familia de Andrea

One of the best things about Familia de Andrea is that everything you need is right here. There’s really no reason to leave the resort.

Some of the facilities include:

• Three swimming pools: Two within the VIP villa area and another for general resort guests.
• Beautiful gardens: Palm trees, koi ponds, waterfalls and Asian-inspired architecture.
• Restaurant and café: Pizza, pasta, Filipino dishes, local beers and international wines.
• Recreational facilities: Pool table, table tennis and other activities.
• Function hall: Suitable for weddings, birthdays, conferences and private events.
• Relaxation areas: Several covered and open-air spaces where you can chill out.

The landscaping is particularly impressive, with a mixture of Filipino, Japanese and other Asian influences.

It’s not a massive resort, and you could probably walk around the whole property in ten minutes. However, the way everything has been designed makes it feel like a little tropical oasis.

My Experience

My visit came about quite unexpectedly. I was having a beer with a mate a couple of weeks earlier when he mentioned that a group of friends were heading up to Familia de Andrea for the weekend.

I knew the owner but had never visited the resort, so I thought I’d come along and check it out. There were roughly 20 of us altogether, with some arriving on Friday afternoon and others joining us on Saturday.

We spent the weekend swimming, eating, drinking, socialising and generally relaxing around the resort. We also had access to the outdoors area of the VIP villa, which is a fantastic setup for a larger group, with its own swimming pools, living areas, kitchen and plenty of space to hang out.

What impressed me most was the overall atmosphere. You can be sitting beside the pool, surrounded by tropical gardens and koi ponds, and completely forget you’re in the middle of an industrial area.

Honestly, you could be anywhere.

The rooms were comfortable, the food was very good and the whole weekend was incredibly relaxing. Service was occasionally a little slow, although nothing that particularly bothered me. I came here out of curiosity, and that curiosity has been well and truly satisfied.

Where to Stay

Familia de Andrea has ten standard guest rooms and a larger VIP villa for groups.

Standard Rooms

Each room has a double bed for two guests, with additional bedding available on request to accommodate an additional 2 to 4 people.

I stayed in one of these rooms and found it spacious, clean and very comfortable.

Facilities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, television, refrigerator, sofa and a private bathroom with a good shower.

VIP Villa

The VIP villa is ideal for larger groups and can accommodate approximately 20 guests.

It has three separate bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and dining area, plus two swimming pools and a patio with covered and uncovered spaces.

It’s a great setup if you’re coming with a group of mates or extended family and want somewhere private to spend the weekend.

Food and Drinks

The resort has its own restaurant and café, which is also open to visitors who aren’t staying overnight.

The menu is fairly straightforward, with an Italian influence featuring pizza and pasta, alongside a selection of Filipino dishes.

I thought the food was very good, and there’s also a decent selection of local beers and international wines. You can bring your own alcohol, although corkage charges apply.

How Many Days Do You Need?

I’d recommend one or two nights.

Some of our mates arrived on Saturday morning and left Sunday, which worked perfectly well.

Personally, I reckon arriving Friday afternoon and heading home Sunday is ideal. That’s what I did, and it gives you plenty of time to enjoy the facilities without rushing.

It’s not somewhere I’d necessarily spend a whole week, but for a relaxing weekend away, it’s fantastic.

Day visitors are also welcome, so you don’t necessarily need to stay overnight to enjoy the restaurant and swimming pool facilities.

How to Get There

Familia de Andrea is located in Meycauayan, Bulacan, approximately 30 kilometres north of Makati.

Driving is easily the most convenient option, with the journey taking roughly an hour in favourable traffic conditions.

The final approach takes you through some narrow streets surrounded by factories and industrial buildings, although it’s easy enough to find using Google Maps or Waze.

If you’re driving from Metro Manila via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), remember there are toll fees. Make sure you’ve got a working Easytrip RFID with sufficient load before travelling.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, I’d recommend arranging a private car or driver, particularly if you’re travelling with a group.

Good to Know Before You Go

• The resort is surrounded by industrial buildings, but inside it’s a completely different world.
• Day visitors can enjoy the restaurant and swimming pools without staying overnight.
• The VIP villa is particularly good for families and larger groups of friends.
• Corkage charges apply if you’re planning to bring your own alcoholic drinks.
• Contact the resort directly for current room rates, day-use charges and availability.

Dezza’s Tip

If you live in Metro Manila or Bulacan for that matter, and want somewhere to escape for a weekend without travelling too far, Familia de Andrea is definitely worth checking out.

It’s particularly good for groups of friends, families or even a company outing. And don’t be put off by the surrounding industrial area. That’s actually part of what makes this place so surprising.

I genuinely wasn’t expecting anything like it. Would I come back? Absolutely!

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