To Inspire and Rekindle at The Lighthouse Marina
By R.J. Baliza
For the longest time, I had been yearning to re-visit Subic Bay. It had been a good eight years since my last trip there, and I’ve often wondered what has changed. Like everybody else, my idea of a vacation is sand between my toes, sunshine on my lips and the whispers of a cool breeze. But, like everybody else, I feel that Boracay is far too far for a quick traipsing to over a weekend.
When I broached the idea of an overnight trip to Subic Bay with my better-half, she quickly agreed. Typically, she would be online in a heartbeat, looking for hotels, restaurants and touristy what-nots. This time, though, she already had in mind the hotel she wanted to stay at—the Lighthouse Marina.
Long story short, there we were, on our way to Subic Bay. I, of course, wanted to make most of the day, so we left early on a Friday headed for the JEST (Jungle Environment Survival Training) Camp. It was an interesting half-day with an all-too-native luncheon at the edge of a jungle. Afterwards, we headed for the heart of Subic Bay.
We were surprised at the number of visitors at Subic Bay. Practically, all the stores have people in them, and when we inquired for a room for our driver, we were even more surprised that all the inns within Subic Bay are full.
Subic Bay was all that I imagined it to be now, with news of continued development for the former naval base. Thankfully, the shores are not littered with garbage, the sidewalks and roadways are well-maintained, and that order is still very much present. And then we turned the corner.
Easily distinguishable from other hotels in the area, The Lighthouse Marina sits on the farthermost point of the bay. The lobby’s glass walls let natural sunlight in, which in turn is highlighted by its high ceiling. It has a calming effect on the weary traveller.
Upon check-in, guests are offered welcome drinks. This time, though, I did something that I’ve never done in a hotel. It was there, and I couldn’t help myself. Standing in the middle of the lobby is a gleaming white baby grand piano. I decide to play it while my wife was busy checking us in. After she finished, she joined me while I played the piece I wrote for her—all the more fitting since it was our anniversary. (If I hadn’t come in smelling like a jungle guide, it would’ve been all the more perfect!)
When we got to our room, all my questions as to how my wife could possibly know of this place were immediately answered. She has unbelievably great taste—restaurants, décor, food, fashion. She knows which ones are the best as if by instinct, whereas I would try and see how far I could push my limits.
The room was done in a tasteful manner—light colored walls and dark woods accentuated by yellow lights. The two beds were heavenly—all the more reason to stay in and forget the world for the next three days. There was a 42-inch flat screen, which, thankfully, does not occupy floor space which lends the room a much larger feel.
What does it for me, though, was the bathroom. Put me up in a crummy hotel room, but if the bathroom is clean, all is forgiven. The Lighthouse’s bathroom is superbly done. First, in lieu of a wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom, they’ve installed a glass wall with the option of a pull-down shade, should one want a little privacy. But put up the shade, and draw back the curtains, and it feels as if you’re bathing in your very own private seaside retreat. Again, it was a very thoughtful use of natural sunlight.
Cleanliness-wise, it smelled sweet. I don’t what kind of cleaners they use, but the bathroom smelled fresh and clean and you’d almost want to pull a bed there. Everything was in it perfect place—the small soaps, hand-towels. It’s almost a shame to disturb anything.
So I got everything out of the suitcase and fixed in the closet when my wife realized something: we were billeted in the wrong room. Wrong room? How could something as nice as this be the ‘wrong room’? She explained to me that she remembers asking for a particular suite—the Aqua Suite—when she phoned in our reservation. One quick call to the front office and the mystery was solved. The reservation officer missed to indicate our preference. It would’ve been a disappointing turn of events, but the hotel manager offered to ease our displeasure with a free massage for two. O.K., we said, and that was that.
Before you know it, it was dinner time. Again, like most everybody else, my wife and I are foodies. Since it was our first time to stay at the Lighthouse, we decided to sample their fare. That evening was buffet night, and I had been told that there would be live music. Imagine that—an evening of unlimited food, music, with your loved one, sitting by the bay.
One of the surprises that evening was a pasta buffet counter, with all the ingredients you could think to put on your pasta. Since my wife fell in love with me partly because of my garlic pasta, I decided to have one made especially for her. The restaurant staffmember manning that counter was kind enough and patient enough to entertain this guest’s instructions on how to cook the perfect garlic pasta, which I would not elaborate on in here. (Should you visit The Lighthouse Marina and the pasta buffet is on, ask for the ‘Arni’s Special’ from the pasta guy.) Suffice it to say that while he was cooking it, and the scent of garlic and other choice ingredients wafted in the air, several heads turned in our direction, in wonderment of our secret concoction. When it was served, my wife asked for seconds.
Aside from pasta, the (NAME OF RESTAURANT) also served poultry, beef, pork, oysters, among others and all can be done according to how you want it. Don’t you just love a restaurant where the cooks don’t tell you what’s good?
After dinner, we decided to walk along the shore and enjoy the sea breeze. The boardwalk was well-lighted, and you’d never worry about finding your way back. During that walk, we were greatly anticipating our Zoobic Safari trip, being animal-lovers, both of us. Our itinerary would be check out at 10 am and head straight to Zoobic.
The next day during breakfast, I noticed that we were both quiet, and seemingly, ‘sad’, for lack of a better word. When I asked my wife, she told me that it seemed too short a time to spend at a spot so much like home. I knew, right there and then, what we both wanted. Immediately right after breakfast, we went to the front desk and informed them that one night at The Lighthouse Marina wasn’t enough, and we’d like to extend our stay.
With all the amenities, great service, awe-inspiring views from the rooms, great food, and friendly staff, it is not hard to imagine how easy it would be to postpone reality for just one more day and bask in the calming glow of The Lighthouse Marina.
