Villa Elisha: a private resort in Antipolo, Rizal
Philippines

Villa Elisha: A Stunning Forest Getaway in Antipolo, Rizal

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One of the things I love discovering as a traveler are nice staycations. Especially today when there’s a lot of places offering not just the promise of relaxation but also unique aesthetics and/or facilities. One of the places I’d been eyeing for a while now is Villa Elisha, a private resort in Antipolo, Rizal.

Villa Elisha features a 2-story house with a swimming pool. It’s located within Phillip’s Sanctuary, a 30-hectare forest reserve nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

My stay at Villa Elisha

I stayed in Villa Elisha in late 2019. I first discovered this place when I was randomly browsing private resorts in Antipolo via Airbnb. However, at that time, I didn’t have anyone to go with me so I postponed booking. Fortunately, I was invited for a bloggers’ stay in the villa so I cleared my schedule and went here for a 2-night stay.

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My experience here was wonderful. The house was modern and beautiful — in fact, I’d say it’s one of the best Airbnbs I’d been to. Due to its location and surrounding trees, it was relaxing. One of my immediate thoughts was that I’d love to bring my whole family here next time!

Here let me tell you about the things I like about Villa Elisha.

Wooded trail inside Phillip's Sanctuary
Wooded trail inside Phillip’s Sanctuary.
Villa Elisha in Antipolo, Rizal
Villa Elisha in Antipolo, Rizal
Villa Elisha.

One of the things I love about Villa Elisha is its aesthetics. It’s well equipped with modern furniture and the whole house is accentuated with elegant gray and brown colors. This is complemented by the vivid green of the surrounding forest and the deep blue of the pool outside.

It’s also spacious and can fit a large group of people. Like I said, this is a great place to hold family staycations!

Villa Elisha - lounge
Lounge area.
Villa Elisha - dining area
Dining area.
Villa Elisha - kitchen
Fully equipped kitchen.

There’s a lot of IG-worthy corners, so it will definitely be popular to millennials as well. It has a loft area with sleeping mattresses that face floor-to-ceiling glass windows — not only does it look great in photos, it also allows you to wake up invigorated by the morning sunlight.

Villa Elisha - bedroom
One of the bedrooms.
Villa Elisha - loft area
Loft area with sleeping mattresses.

Another thing worth mentioning are the books. There are various books and magazines in every room, which helps pass the time. I’m a book lover, and so I enjoyed looking at someone else’s personal collection.

Kat having coffee in Villa Elisha
Enjoying a morning coffee in the balcony.

The swimming pool is cool but it’s tolerable. It made me feel like bathing in a natural spring, which certainly adds to the charm. Although there is no separate kiddie pool, the whole pool is only 4 feet tall so it’s safe for families and kids, given supervision.

Villa Elisha: a private resort in Antipolo, Rizal
Kat in Villa Elisha
Swimming in Villa Elisha

Lastly, Villa Elisha also has access to the facilities inside Phillip’s Sanctuary. The facilities are normally used for team-building, but there’s no reason you can’t complete the water ninja course or zoom through the zipline with your family or friends. If you feel like walking around the forest sanctuary, you’re free to do so. There are walking and hiking trails you can follow.

I highly recommend Villa Elisha private resort in Antipolo, Rizal. This is a hidden gem and it’s a great option for families or friends.

About Villa Elisha (Antipolo, Rizal)

How to get here

Villa Elisha is located about 1 hour away from Manila.

Address: Pestano Farm, Sitio Palinglingan, Brgy. San Juan, Antipolo, Rizal

Here are the commute directions:

  • From Cubao, ride a jeep or van to Cogeo and then get off at Cogeo Public Market (fare is about P40).
  • From there, ride a jeep to Paenaan and then get off at Cabading (P20).
  • From Cabading, there are tricycles you can charter to the villa (P150-200 per ride).

If you’re bringing a private car, take note that the road from Cabading to the villa is steep. There is also weak/non-existent mobile signal in the area so once you reach the guard house to Phillip’s Sanctuary, make sure to ask for clear directions to Villa Elisha.

There are free parking spaces inside.

Facilities

Here are the facilities at Villa Elisha:

  • 3 bedrooms and 1 loft area with sleeping mattresses
  • 3 bathrooms (2 with shower stalls)
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Swimming pool
  • BBQ area

Additionally, you can access the facilities inside Phillip’s Sanctuary:

Philllip's Sanctuary - rafting
Rafting – one of the activities in Phillip’s Sanctuary.
  • Swimming pool
  • Obstacle courses
  • Hanging bridge
  • Fishing lagoon
  • Multipurpose trails for biking and hiking
  • Chapel
  • Picnic areas
  • Children’s playground

Extra fee and advance reservations required:

  • Zipline
  • Mudslide
  • Bonfire area
  • Videoke

Things to know before you go

Villa Elisha is a great place to disconnect. Read these first to manage your expectations:

  • Once you get there, a caretaker will greet you and assist you during the stay. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to ask the caretaker for help.
  • Villa Elisha is pet-friendly. However, pets may not stay in the bedrooms.
  • There is weak/non-existent mobile signal in the area. There is also no WIFI available.
  • Electricity may fluctuate during day time. Additionally, airconditioning is turned on only from 6PM to 6AM.

We visited Villa Elisha in the month of August, so it was still relatively cool. However, during summer, it may get a bit hot inside with only fans for ventilation. If so, open the doors and windows to let the fresh air in or cool off in the swimming pool.

What to bring

  • You can bring your own food for cooking. The kitchen and BBQ area are free of use. Alternatively, you can also ask for catering for your group. Rate is P250 per pax for plated food and P500 per pax for buffet-style meal.
  • There is a variety store nearby. However, I still recommend buying everything you need before going to the villa.
  • Bring your own towels and toiletries.
  • Bring an insect repellent especially if you’re going to explore Phillip’s Sanctuary.

Book your stay

  • Capacity: The whole villa can comfortably accommodate 15 pax. Maximum capacity is 30 pax.
  • Check in: 12 noon/ check out: 10AM

Book your stay via Villa Elisha via Agoda.

You may also contact Villa Elisha via their Facebook page.

Villa Elisha is also available as pre-nup location. (As of October 2019) Rate is P10,000. Schedule is from 12 noon to 6PM.

Disclaimer: Thanks Jeepsetter PH for the invite and Villa Elisha for accommodating us! As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you have any questions about Villa Elisha in Antipolo, Rizal? Let us know in the comments below!

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