The NIX Stop: Come Away with Me to Club Balai Isabel

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Peace and Relaxation at Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas

I have been to Talisay only twice upon writing this article. Once was in my childhood, and all I remember is the fine sands there, peace and quiet, the breath-taking sunrise, a cup of comforting Batangas Bulalo and Tawilis, and the Bahay Kubo of my grandma's relatives that we used to stay at. The beach and the smell of saltwater in the morning is what made me appreciate that one weekend, and I asked my parents to take me back there again someday..

Fast forward to a decade and some more later, and I was finally back. I wasn't with my family this time, but with some newfound friends over the blogging community.

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We saw some large and small resorts within our 30 minute drive from Star Toll Talisay, but our destination was Club Balai Isabel... A couple of my friends (Hi Jinkee and Millie!!!) and their families have been here and are always coming back, and not just for the summers. Why? Mostly because of the breathtaking view of Tall Volcano, awesome beach and pool facilities, and of course, Batangas Bulalo(Beef bone marrow stew)...



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Club Balai Isabel is magical for me. Even if there are quite a LOT of guests that weekend, it was not crowded. Plenty of houses serving as Villas and suites. As well as a big yellow hotel building overlooking the Taal Volcano scenery, an abundance of trees everywhere you look and yet there is still plenty of space to find a serene spot for you and your meditation needs. Or hugot moments. ;)

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BalaiIsabel-1591Sometimes I wish that I had my wedding or reception here at Club Balai Isabel... The place itself is very magical and serene.. :)

Rooms and Rates in Club Balai Isabel

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We stayed at this Suite with Attic and Kitchen, which can house up to 12 guests. White fluffy pillows, white walls, brown and black accents.. My very definition of home! They have very comfy beds, a kitchen, veranda and 2 clean bathrooms complete with your vanity needs like shampoo, conditioners, dental kits etc. :3 This suite costs for about Php 11,825, and computing this for a barkada outing or a large family outing, it would cost at a price of around Php 1000 per head. :D Their standard room rate by the way, for a smaller group of around 4 would start at Php 5500. :)

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Actvities in Club Balai Isabel

  • Jetski
  • Banana Boat
  • Flying Fish
  • Parasailing
  • Hike to Taal Volcano
  • Kayaking
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Biking 

For me though, I would come back here probably to try out their water sports -again- like banana boat and riding on a jetski! Cheers for first time thrilling experiences! :) Of course it's not all that's there.. they also have Flying fish and parasailing activities for the adrenaline junkie in you. Yes, pwede kang lumipad kung gusto mo. :D (You can fly high if you want to)

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Thinking how to get started on getting fit? You can always go for kayaking, and if you're feeling up to it, even trekking up Taal Volcano :3 Which we did do by the way! I'll be posting another entry about that, the funniest thing being: I wrecked up my rubber shoes during said hike... But after all the galleons of sweat and heat of the sun, getting to the top is a truly amazing and breathtaking experience. In more ways than one. :)


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As the tour progressed, we saw that it's not only the beach life you have here, but every possible activity you can think of. From biking, volleyball and basketball to taking a step further at relaxation with their masseuse, Club Balai Isabel has it covered.

Balai_Isabel-9309 Team Building activities and a couple of conventions are taking place when we were here.. but the place is still peaceful and you can't really feel that there are probably less than a couple hundred people at the resort at the time...

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I was completely relaxed after an hour's worth of hilot sessions...



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After all that, the best part of the trip is letting yourself relax and unwind at their poolside, with yummy food from Isabel Pizzeria or even a hefty lunch at the Balai's restaurant, Teraza Cafe.

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Going to Club Balai Isabel

Traveling to Talisay from Makati wasn't really a biggie, as my province Lipa is a a few more kilometers farther. It took around less than 2 hours, as we were using private transport (Club Balai's Van), and the ever reliable Slex-StarToll shortcut. But I know that if I commuted at say starting from 6:30 am at Buendia going to Tanauan, I'd take around more than 2 hours, plus the jeep from Tanauan to Talisay and a possible total commute of around 150 pesos or less.

I am ecstatic that I have come back to Talisay, all while finding an awesome, no frills place to visit! For more information on Club Balai Isabel you can like their Facebook Page.. Or visit their social media accounts below:

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twitter: @clubbalaiisabel


Go on, get on that bus and seize the day! :)

59 comments:

  1. that awesome view of the mountains, while swimming and sipping a refreshing drink. I can imagine myself de-stressing from the challenges of work and motherhood and simply enjoying balai isabel. Thank you for this post :)

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  2. I haven't visited this resort but my husband has been here several times already because of team building or planning. I wish we can also visit this for family outing.

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  3. this place is quite awesome for a family outing! I myself am planning out for our christmas outing to be spent here... :)

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  4. I haven't been to Club Balai Isabel but I've been reading good reviews about it. This place looks very relaxing and it is very accessible also. I'm looking forward to visit this with the family.

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  5. We haven't tried Balai Isabel yet but my cousin and his family are always there. The place looks nice. :)

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  6. I like and if there is a chance, I would like to see this place, to live and experience what Club Isabel Talisay has to offer. I like that they have big rooms for more than 4 people and that is pretty awesome especially for group travellers as being in the same room enhances the experience.

    I see they have a waverider for rent - people mostly call it jetski... Not a bad way to explore Taal Lake. The view is awesome and while looking at Taal from a distance makes for picturesque photo ops, being close is something entirely different and nevertheless, still as beautiful!

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  7. Ahhhh what a beautiful place!!! I think I have read about this from another blog and I said the same thing. Sobrang ganda lang kasi talaga ng place! :D

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  8. I heard a lot of good things about this resort and I will definitely pay a visit when I come to the Philippines!!! Thanks for putting up such a lovely description. The photos are stunning too!

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  9. Oh this is amazing!!! Would be perfect for our honeymoon! I see hilot sessions and boat trips. Super beautiful views and oh my good food, take me here!

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  10. What a wonderful location. I wouldn't have thought it was a lake, I would have said it was the seaside definitely. The water from the pool looks so inviting, I wouldn't mind spending the afternoon there with a cocktail.

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  11. Oh gosh, you had right at the start with that picture of the swimming pool with the view behind. It's so gorgeous. I love the exotism as well, and on top you have loads of activities to do. This is definitely added to our list of places we want to visit with my girlfriend, thank you for discovering us Club Balai Isabel !

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  12. wow! This place is wonderful! Who wouldn't want to visit this anyway? I wish sometime in the future, we'd also be able to experience this place. :D

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  13. I am planning a family getaway this August and this is on top of my list. My husband just had a surgery and we can't travel too far. Been reading a lot of good reviews about this place. I can tell by your photos that you enjoyed your stay.

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  14. We haven't tried any of the activities you did, except for swimming and eating, when we visited Club Balai Isabel 8 years ago. We would love to come back now that our son's a lot bigger and older.

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  15. Woo!! Another bound in Batangas!! batangas is such a nice and beautiful place to visit because there are a lot of beautiful tourist shots to have a tour and relax.

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  16. Okay, I’m officially inlove with the place! I love your pictures. It looks like a great place to relax. I wonder why is it only now that I heard of this. Nonetheless, thank you!:-) Bookmarked this for future reference hehe

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  17. Aaaahhh ang ganda! What a beautiful way to be one with nature. Added it to my bucket list!

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  18. Well Joanna, Club Balai is by the seaside, but it is very near to Taal volcano, which is famous for being the Volcano with a lake inside the crater. :3

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  19. Let me get you a promo ticket then on board to the Philippines! ;) Cheers Sabine!

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  20. I'll be posting soon about being truly UP CLOSE and personal with Taal lake, as we trekked up that Volcano/mountain during the heat of the sun. :3

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  21. Your photos are great! I've only heard of Club Balai as a popular wedding resort/venue, and a controversial one at that. Needless to say, I would still love to take the family there for a vacay one time.

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  22. Your captures are breath-taking!! The view, the food and the amenities are great! :) I really though that Club Balai was like an exclusive place for people who are members yet I was wrong. So lovely that I want to bring my mom there soon! :D

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  23. That pool and the view is just awesome ! I don't like the accomodations very much , I think they are very basic . I was trying to locate Talisay , will have to google that to find out more. Your photos are brilliant , looks like you've had a geat time !

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  24. Lady Anne Louise Barrun11 June 2016 at 21:31

    You've got really good photos. I've heard about Club Balai Isabel but didn't know this place is awesome. Hope to visit this place someday.

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  25. Love your photos and love Balai Isabel. One of our favorite couple got married and we bought a Balai Isabel GC for them to enjoy. They thanked us for the experience. It much have been a great and unforgetable stay.

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  26. What a nice place! This is so timely as MIL is looking for a nice vacation place for the holidays. I will bring this up. :)

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  27. The place looks so serene magandang spot to think about life or to just relax. The price is not that expensive good na for family getaway.

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  28. The view is so beautiful! I'd love to visit here soon. It looks perfect for a weekend getaway with family or friends.

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  29. Jealous with your photos! I was about to get a Club Balai voucher from Deal Grocer a few months ago but then I missed the fine print that it's supposed to be booked only within Monday to Thursday. So I passed on the chance first. It's hard to get leaves and time offs nowadays. But I'd love to go there sometime!

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  30. The views are breathtaking! I am hearing a lot from Club Balai Isabel. Looks like you all had fun!

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  31. Oh, you were with Justin! Hahaha! I've heard good reviews already in this place. Looking forward to going to Balai Isabel too :D

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  32. I've been to Balai twice, but for me is a little bit pricey

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  33. […] I like it enough, but the color doesn’t suit me now that I got tanned over the summer. I have Club Balai Isabel and Sitio Biga to thank for that and the awesome […]

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  34. Hi Nicole, can you share the link to your follow up post on Taal Lake up close and personal? Nakakatuwa kasi ngayong tinitignan ko uli ang mga photos, talagang maganda naman kasi.

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  35. I've been there before also with fellow bloggers! Wished I had met you there. I like that they made us try the banana boat and jet ski. It costs a lot in real life. I also wished we did the Taal Volcano trek.

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  36. what beautiful pictures... I wish I can take these kind of pictures too and be there as well.. your holiday sure looks so blissful....

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  37. well if that isn't paradise than I don't know what is... beautiful photos, makes me want to jump on a plane and head that way right now... I'd love to go visit there.

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  38. My family and I spent one of my birthdays at this resort a couple of years ago. We loved this place! We would love to go back there again in the future. Nice view and amenities. Next time, though, we will try their restaurants.

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  39. The place looks fascinating! I am pretty sure you really did enjoy your stay. Oh, the price you have mentioned there is good for one day, right? Do they limit the people who can stay in the room? Just wondering, though.

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  40. My boyfriend's family always comes to club balai whenever there's a long weekend. It's definitely a place you want to visit over and over again. I didn't know it overlooks part of taal and that it would be so big, more reasons to come! :D

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  41. This is my first to stumble upon Club Balai, but wow! The place looks amazing! Correct me if I'm wrong but the church is inside club Balai grounds? Yes? If it is then that is really one gigantic area. You also have great pictures, it's giving justice to the place. :)

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  42. Wow! You had a great time indeed! And the place is so beautiful and it is perfect for anyone who wants to unwind. I will definitely take note of this for future travels. Love your photos!

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  43. Yes, the church is inside the resort. :D It was an homage to the old talisay church which got destroyed when Taal Volcano erupted last. The ruins of the old church are also inside the resort :D

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  44. It's great to know that it's just PhP 1,000 per head per night for a big group. The place is lovely and is good for hanging out with family. How I wish I have a large family too. Anyway, I love hilot massages too. Hope I get to experience it too in Club Balai :) Thanks for sharing your experience and your beautiful photos.

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  45. I love this place. Been here before but i never had the chance to stay for a night or two. I would frequent their restaurant for food and then would go around the place with friends and visitors. i personally love the lakeside.. Its beautiful and serene.. They actually had a floating pool there but it is exclusive for the members.. Its so cool!

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  46. The photos you took looked really great. I've never been to Club Balai Isabel but I did see them from movies. But basing on the photos, the place and the rooms looked big enough so that's really good. The food there looks very enticing too just looking at the picture. That rates for the room is affordable too.

    http://thetopknotters.com

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  47. I've been here before due to a company outing. I never really get to enjoy their amenities since we're caught up with the team building program. Seeing your pictures makes me want to go back. Thanks for sharing, surely you had a lot of fun! -Jen of Invest MNL

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  48. The scenery looks beautiful. Your shots of the lakeside are wonderful. So enticing and makes me want to go there right now to relax. It looks like a really good deal for large groups to go. Much more fun too!

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  49. Sabine has been telling me to visit Sweden and Netherlands. Why don't we make a game out of it? Keep posting travel photos... maybe that will do the trick and instead of me going there, she and Mache can come here for a visit and discover what real honeymoon is. Right, Nicole? :)

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  50. Hahahaha! I'm game for that! :D

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  51. I've seen a couple of blogger friends feature Balai Isabel, and even saw a video of it once. Looks nice! I imagine it would be a nice place to do a bloggers getaway, like a writing retreat. Good to know they accept events like team building and such!

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  52. Wow! I think staycation in Club Balai Isabel would be awesome. Imagine you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. The best view of Taal lake and volcano with the serene sea. Plus, the picturesque landscape not to mention the palatial rooms and amenities too!

    cheers! www.masterryo.com

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  53. Balai Isabel is so nice, no? Been there once during our offsite in office. And I agree.. the place is so serene. The place is so big it can cater to so many visitors at once. Their food is also yummy! though what I didn't get to try there is to do different sporty stuff. And I also didn't dip the pool. Maybe when I come back. :)

    Living in the Moment | www.maayalegaspi.com

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  54. I've been eyeing Club Balai Isabel but when I thought it's expensive. Reading you post made me want to organize a barkada outing na. It's nice they offer a lots of activities. I wanted to trek Taal Volcano too. Is it inclusive or not? How much did you pay for it? Blog about it already! haha!

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  55. Amazing views!!! Can I pack and leave tomorrow? I would love to add this to the long list of places I'd like to visit. It sounds absolutely perfect!

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