SHERCON RESORT: Budget Day Tour Guide To Another Instagram Worthy Resort In Batangas

In a time and society run by tech-savvy millennials whose lives revolve mainly around social media, in order to be relevant, one has to play by their rules. Nowadays, cost-effectiveness is not the only factor being considered by most travelers especially the young ones which at this point comprise over half of the traveling population. When going on a quick holiday may it be at a faraway beach or a nearby resort, the choice always boils down to double-tap-worthy favorites on Instagram or the one recently getting shared most on Facebook. I am not in any way stereotyping but given the trend I have observed for a couple of years, you’ll have to agree I’m somehow speaking of the truth. Hence appealing to the taste of the majority is one great advantage any business within the ever-evolving world of travel can have.

It was after our hike in Mt. Manabu in Sto. Tomas Batangas that I thought of visiting some of the most talked about resorts I have seen on some social media platforms I’m currently on. Yes! Even an introvert such as myself is on Instagram and Facebook because as a blogger I have to keep an online presence since writing good and informative posts doesn’t make me anymore relevant unless it gets shared in social media. One of these resorts which caught my curiosity was Shercon Resort And Ecology Park. It’s just near from where we normally stay after we hike in Batangas that we needed not to second guess our visit.

Morning of Sunday after having breakfast, off we went to Shercon Resort. From Hi-Wood Subdivision, we rode a jeepney going to Mataas Na Kahoy then alighted in the town center to buy food and everything we might need while at the resort. I was only with Ian (my boyfie/travel buddy) and two of his best buddies so it was easy to keep our trip at a low-key. When we had everything we needed, off we rode a tricycle going to the resort and upon reaching the gated entrance, our quest of digging into the fuss that was Shercon Resort began. Allow me to quickly share to you my thoughts.

THE POOLS

During my previous posts, I must have already written about my aversion to man-made, unnatural pools and every disgusting reasons why. Haha. This is no different during my visit in Shercon Resort. My original plan was to merely observe and take photos of the resort so I can later blog about it but I figured experience will always be far more valuable than anything my eyes and yours can see. And still the best way I could give an honest to goodness review is to get a first hand experience of everything the resort can offer. Of course, on top of the list are the pools.

Shercon Resort has a total of 6 pools with the recently built 11-Pocket pool drawing so much attention is social media. I was only able to bathe in 4 of them (in the infinity, hotel, forestville and 11-pocket pools). Here are my observations.

• Just like the usual, water is filled with too much chlorine it actually hurt my skin.
• For the same reason, don’t dive into the water with your eyes open or without goggles if you don’t wanna hurt your eyes and have a blurry vision after.
• The water is cold and flowing in the infinity pool but not in the other pools.
• The hotel pool may have the best view but pool water is of poor quality and is stagnant. Like err, it felt as if bathing in a pool half filled with urine!
• The water in most of the swimming pools are kind of dirty probably due to the lack of washing area where guests can shower before dipping into the pool.

DAY TOUR COTTAGES & BENCHES

Day tour cottages are priced fairly. At P800, you get an open cottage that can fit up to 10 people. The only problem is that they’re pretty limited considering the number of visitors coming to see the place. During our visit, since we did not reserve in advance, they no longer have day tour cottages available. They offered that we get a table that comes with 4 chairs for a price of P500 so we can stay in one of their pavilions along with the other guests. We thought it was not worth the price that we opted not to get one and simply asked whether it was okay. They agreed and let us in paying only the entrance fee.

ACTIVITIES AND RATES IN SHERCON RESORT

Shercon Resort offers several outdoor activities that could keep you occupied if you are pretty much done with swimming pools. These activities include zipline, rappelling and rock climbing. Prices are pretty standard. If you don’t feel shelling out extra for these activities, then you might enjoy maze running and going on a short hike in the monkey trail free of charge.

TOILET AND BATHROOMS

Toilet and bath rooms are pretty limited for each pool area. Worse is that they’re stinky, shitty and poorly maintained. It would help if they would have staffs designated to do rounds regularly to maintain cleanliness of their T&B’s.

GRILL AND KITCHEN

Although they have kitchen and grill area where guests on day tour could prepare their meals, it’s quite small and won’t suffice for the number of visitors they normally get especially on high seasons and during weekends. To avoid the hassle of having to vie your way of prepping your meals, bring instead packed food.

IS IT INSTAGRAM WORTHY?

From the scale of 1-to-10? Yes, Shercon Ecology Park & Resort is an eye-candy and definitely a 10. The place is strategically located where it offers a stunning view of Taal Lake. Every corner is snap worthy and absolutely double-tap-worthy on Instagram. The entire place wrapped in lush greens, the towering trees as well as their intricately designed cottages gives off an irresistible countryside vibe. It certainly is a must see when you need a respite from the hustle of the metro and to simply relax. If only not for their disgusting swimming pools, I would have given them straight A’s but they would absolutely do better improving on those fairly negative points..

TIPS AND THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GOING TO SHERCON RESORT

• Take time to reserve in advance. They may accept walk-ins but if you want to have a decent place to stay at while you’re in the resort, then booking for a day tour cottage is a must as they tend to run out especially on weekends and peak season.
• Should you decide to walk-in, please bring with you picnic mats. They would normally offer you to get a table and a set of chairs for your group and let you stay in their pavilions should they run out of day tour cottages but you may opt not to accept. You can simply ask them for a place where it is okay for you to lay your picnic mat instead.
• There is a restaurant inside the resort but meals are quite expensive. If you are on a budget then you may bring your own food. You can also buy your food in Mataas Na Kahoy prior to you going to the resort.
• Avoid going there during weekends and high season. The resort is a beauty I tell you but it gets pretty cramped and suffocating in those days.

HOW TO GO TO SHERCON RESORT

From Buendia/Cubao Stations, ride a bus going to Lipa and get off in Tambo Exit just at the side of Jollibee (2 hrs ; P124). Cross the street fronting Jollibee. Ride a jeepney going to Mataas Na Kahoy and alight in front of 7/11 in the town center (25 min ; P13). From there, ride a tricycle going to Shercon Resort & Ecology Park (10 min ; P50/tricyle).

BUDGET, ITINERARY & OTHER USEFUL INFO

ONE OF THE BOYS

There you have it lovelies. Watch out for more Instagram-worthy resorts I will be featuring in the coming days. Feel free to leave your comments for any questions and suggestions. If I don’t get back to you, that means you’re asking me something which you can readily find in this post. Until next time. Ciao!