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Set in sunny Batangas, El Jardin de Zaida is a nature getaway with lush, sprawling greenery, Filipino decor, and historical elements.
Even though the summer season and its sunny beach vacations are long gone and the rainy season—with its cool breeze and gloomy skies—has arrived, you can still take some time off to relax and rejuvenate.
Enter El Jardin de Zaida. Located in San Juan, Batangas, the property features eleven hectares of lush, sprawling greenery that will make you feel more rooted and connected to nature. Plus, this pocket of paradise is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the Metro!
Nostalgic Filipino Decor
Set in the sunny spot of Batangas, El Jardin de Zaida takes you on a journey back in time, where you can marvel at antiques from your great grandparents’ youth.
El Jardin de Zaida, which translates to “The Garden of Zaida,” is fondly named after the family matriarch. And the property’s owners have truly done a wonderful thing by preserving some genuine historical pieces! Take for example the intricately-carved four-poster bed—an impressive piece that’s frozen in time.
The very first out of the many structures on the estate, Bahay Kubo was built in 2012. It was designed to be a perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee, afternoon tea, or just a quiet place to meditate and reflect when no one else is around. What’s more, it pays homage to our Filipino roots by using native materials such as bamboo and nipa, as well as rattan furniture.
Beyond accommodations, weddings, receptions, birthday parties, team building exercises, and company picnics are just some of the events that can be hosted at El Jardin de Zaida’s sprawling estate.
Fancy an outdoor celebration? The Imperialis Garden is a beautiful outdoor location for large gatherings like weddings—with space for up to 500 guests. On the other hand, the Kamagong Pavilion—with its nods to contemporary Filipino design—is ideal for smaller gatherings.
Of Boodle Fights and All-Day Dining
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, then we recommend a boodle fight (which you need to book at least a day in advance). The staff at El Jardin de Zaida does it right by serving various Filipino delicacies on top of banana leaves—just like how it was done back in the day. Overall a great way to enjoy good food with good company!
Rodolfo’s—a restaurant that’s open from 7 AM to 9 PM—is another dining option on the estate that serves both delicious Filipino and international dishes. There, you can enjoy a variety of food options, including local Batangas delicacies and an excellent steak selection, while admiring the expansive garden and their Grand Sunset Pool.
The restaurant seats only 40 people, however, so non-guests will need to make reservations at least a day in advance if they want to dine there.
Luxurious Accommodations and Stunning Views
The accommodations on this property can only be described as upscale. While places like Bahay Kubo are more traditional in design, the rooms have a modern Filipino flair—combining wood tones with neutrals and patterns to create a very aesthetically pleasing look.
Whether you choose the deluxe or suite option, both rooms are spacious—complete with tons of amenities and picture-perfect views. Plus, the lighting throughout the estate is fantastic, making it ideal for Instagram-worthy shots. Another heartwarming touch is that all of the rooms and suites at this family-run business are sweetly named after the owners’ grandchildren.
The Scarlet Suite is their most lavish offering and served as our home away from home during our stay. On a gloomy day, when you don’t feel like venturing out of your suite, this is the perfect spot to relax with your loved ones.
It’s also worth highlighting the spa-like quality of the bathroom here. The en-suite bathroom is situated outside, allowing you to feel the breeze and take in the sounds of nature as you freshen up. You could just as easily hop under the shower, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t treat yourself to a relaxing soak in your very own jacuzzi.
El Jardin de Zaida: Back to Nature
Lounging around in the room may appear to some to be a paradise, but there are guests who prefer to be out and about. If you belong to the latter group, you can engage in a variety of nature-related activities in the enormous eleven-hectare property.
A leisurely walk around the estate is a popular activity among visitors. If you’re looking for something a little more intense, there are mountain bike trails nearby. Thrill seekers can rent all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and race around the property. What fun!
Meanwhile, you can also take in the breathtaking scenery of the sunlit Batangas mountains and the El Jardin de Zaida Calamansi Orchard from the comfort of the estate’s grand swimming pool.
One of the resort’s two pools—the Premiere Villa Pool—is reserved solely for guests staying in the Premiere Suites and Premiere Deluxe Rooms. With a view of the Rocio spa and all the greenery, this is the perfect place to unwind with family and friends.
It may seem like there’s nothing left to talk about in El Jardin de Zaida after everything we’ve covered so far, but there is one more thing, and it’s a fairly recent and possibly one of the best additions.
The Rocio Spa (named after their youngest granddaughter) is the cherry on top of your Batangas vacation. In this luxurious spa, you can relax and rejuvenate at the start or end of each day. Treat yourself to a facial, body scrub, and massage—our personal favorites!
Whether you’re planning a get-together, a staycation, or a self-care day during this rainy season, now is the time to book your stay! Having stayed at El Jardin de Zaida, we can say with confidence that you won’t be disappointed.
Photos by MARIE FIELD FAITH
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Marie Field-Faith, mom of 3, is a former Oil and Gas Engineer with a degree in Chemical Engineering from UP Diliman and MBA from the University of South Australia. She moved back to the Philippines with her family in 2013 and started her kids decor brand as she focused more on her little ones. Now, she continues to work as an entrepreneur, a content creator, a digital show host and part-time model. Marie is also a fitness enthusiast and is the co-founder of Fit Moms Project PH, an advocacy aiming to encourage more moms to start their fitness journey. Growing up in Palawan, she always seeks the outdoor and life by the seaside so she often takes her kids around on road trips to discover staycation finds, boutique resorts and family adventure, which she shares as Marie’s Discoveries.
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