The Peacock Garden Tree
From the main coastal road of Baclayon, Bohol, just a few minutes past the Baclayon Church and Baluarte, our van took a left turn on a narrow road. We passed through a small community as we ascend taking a couple of turns on the road. It seems a distance away from the main road, I thought. But suddenly on my right I saw a large yellow gate with no pedestrian entrance. It opened to let the van through and I saw this large manicured garden with well cut grass and placed trees. Then on a higher ground stands a mansion that seemed to have been plucked out from a scene in Europe. Everything seems so elegant. I had no idea Bohol was hiding another wonder beyond what it is known for, I thought as I walk the grounds of the Peacock Garden Luxury Boutique Resort.
The fountain upon entering the large resort grounds
A Slice of Roman-Mediterranean
The whole resort area bounded by high perimeter walls to keep the place safe is huge. Everything seems to be maintained well. The trees trimmed and the grass regularly mowed. The resort has three main buildings serving as accommodations and one small building as the wellness center. The garden would have been the set for the movie poster of ‘Midnight at the Garden of Good and Evil”. There are murals painted on the sides of the buildings depicting some scenes in Rome. Most rooms are facing the view of the ocean.
Custom designed beds
High End Rooms with a Filipino Touch
The Mediterranean influence may easily be noticed but when you look into the details, you will notice the Filipino touch in the designs. I was told that the designs on the bed head and foot board as well as the side table furnishings were customized with a couple of alternating designs per room. Even some of the lamps were custom made.
The Premium Rooms
I was only able to try their Superior Room (Twin Bed) and Premium Room (King Sized Bed) and they were large, spacious and have most of the facilities I would need. Both have their own balcony on the second floor but the Premium rooms at the middle building have a nicer pool view, lounge area and bath tub.They have larger and more expensive suites at the first building.
View from the balcony
The multi-function DVD Player is a nice touch. So if I don’t find anything interesting on Cable TV, I can just plugin my USB drive or use my own DVD-R with readable DIVX movies or simply play music. Internet is free as there’s wifi but if you are having trouble with the signal you can request for a LAN Cable. Airconditioning is really cool and the rooms are regularly kept clean. And the long bath robes they have are a pleasure to use. I can wear them all day if I could.
Olympic Size infinity Pool and Jacuzzi
What!? No Beach?!!… So what?
Located up on a hill at Upper Laya Baclayon, there is no direct access to the beach aside from the view of lush forest, ocean and Pamilacan Island across. But I thought their large Olympic Size Infinity Pool and Jacuzzi makes up for it. I could even stay all afternoon at one of the lounge chairs reading a book. Aside from that, the resort has a slew of activities available. Like the game area for pool, foosball, table tennis and darts.
The Very nice pool and mansions at night
At the Pim’s Pub, their very own bar area complete with laser lights and fiber glass dance floors, guests can have a karaoke session and the resort plans to add wii consoles here as well for some fun gaming for kids. There’s the Hemming Lounge as Cigar Room and Wine Connoisseurs should enjoy their time at the Baccus Wine Cellar.
Lounging by the trees behind the mansions
For those looking for Spa and Wellness they have a nice small gym with a nice view of the greenery and the ocean through their wide windows. Their Roman Spa definitely has top notch facilities. I enjoyed their steam bath and Jacuzzi in their roman-inspired interiors. They also have very good professionally trained masseurs.
The Roman Spa Jacuzzi and Steam Bath Room
Go Outdoors!
But if you really insist on the beach, Peacock Garden is only 5-10minutes away from the Baclayon Baluarte. They have a tie up with an organization offering outdoor activities like visiting Pamilacan Island where guest can also enjoy the beach, kayaking, dolphin watching and snorkeling. For a different kind of adventure, there’s the 14km buggy trail-ride in the countryside of Baclayon. I really had fun with that one.
Old Heidelberg Schnitzel
Old Heidelberg Restaurant
If you were to ask me what the best German Restaurant in the country is, I would have to say it’s the Old Heidelberg here at Peacock Garden Resort hands down. I was able to try a lot of their dishes from the Shnitzel, Veal Cheeks, Tenderloin steak and more and not one really disappointed me from their main menu offerings. Their breadbasket filled with homemade bread sided with both butter and lard is more than enough as an appetizer while waiting for the main entree. The restaurant interiors are also filled with memorabilia and shows the owner’s passion for our local hero, Jose Rizal.
Roman Spa Massage Area
Their breakfast buffet at the Peacock Room is another matter though. I find the offerings okay but I hope they add the batirol tsokolate instead of the regular milo when asking for a hot choco. Bohol is also known for their good chocolate tablea.
Te Peacock Garden main mansion
Impressions
It’s definitely one charming resort I’ve been to for some time. If one has a budget to splurge and is looking for a luxurious getaway, I would definitely recommend this one. It’s also a perfect place for company outings or conferences. It’s also an ideal place for honeymooners since the place is private and quiet. The service is very personal since the place isn’t patterned to large hotel chains and the facilities top notch. More importantly, they got one of the finest restaurants within a resort I’ve been to. It’s a truly different Bohol experience.
The Peacock Garden Boutique Resort
url: www.thepeacockgarden.com
definitely luxurious. way out of my budget.
did you try the wine bar?
Whenever i look at your photos, naiinis ako, kasi hindi ko magawa! Grrrrr! Mbuti pa yung lounge with the trees, i can do that in our area. The lounge mismo, kasi marami na kami puno, semento at ilaw na lang ang kulang. But the photo, hindi ko pa rin kayang gawin. Grrrr ulit!
Geebus, the place looks great–and well, expensive. Haha. But ang ganda nya.
I can’t wait to visit this place!!
I tried some of their wines Photo Cache! And they’re a perfect pair with their steak and meat offerings.
Hi Nids! kaya mo yan. Timing lang important
Thans Cedric! It even looks better in person
I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time there when you visit Jose.
whoa! i like the bed in the premium rooms and the jacuzzi, whoa!
Oh, I think I know where to take my whole family for our Philippines vacation. It looks fabulous, Ferdz!
Wow! Ang ganda naman d’yan Kuya Ferdz
Sana makapagstay din ako dyan 
I love the Roman-themed jacuzzi. It’s so nice!
Thanks Dom! Those beds are really comfortable.
Hi Shoshona! I’m sure you’re family would enjoy the place.
Hi Mica! Do visit them if you’re going to Bohol
Yes! It’s so Nice Kristel! I almost forgot about the time while I was in the jacuzzi
Seems like a great place to relax and take photos. Looks expensive heheheh. Sosyal
You’re kicking up more than a notch here. Way out of the usual backpacker digs haha!
Hi Millie! Indeed relaxing! It’s expensive but you get what you pay for
Hahaha! I think I’m entitled to some luxury travel once in a while Nomadic Pinoy!
this is grand!! wow!
i heard how the german owner didn’t leave minute details with a touch of luxury. with the photos, there’s no doubt.
great looking resort. Love the Filipino touch on the bedrooms .You gave me a great tip on where to go on my next vacation to Pinas
hey ferdz! these are best shots. i love the colors, theyre so vivid. geez, im amazed theyre so beautiful. it makes me wanna visit this place with my wife. what camera did you use in taking these pictures?
[...] period of a month, first as a part of media and twice for work and it centered around the wonderful Peacock Garden Boutique Resort. Then I went back to Mindoro for another Travel Writing and Photo Assignment this time focusing in [...]