There is something in Dumaguete’s air that seemingly puts visitors in a spell of sorts.
You step out of the airport after an hour and a half’s plane ride from Manila and you find yourself waking up in a different world, a rabbit hole of sorts—simple yet enthralling, slow but soulful, quiet yet mindful.
Indeed, in this City of Gentle People, time seems to move at a slower pace, in stark contrast to the hectic city life; visitors feel it in an instant as body and mind move with the rhythm of the land.
I had the chance to experience this during a recent visit to Dumaguete in Negros Island.
It was not my first time to see Dumaguete. It was my second visit but the difference, I guess, lies in seeing more of the city and staying at The Henry Dumaguete, undoubtedly a slice of paradise in this laid-back yet progressive city.
Here are five reasons why I fell in love with The Henry Dumaguete:
Waking up in Paradise
I mean it when I say it’s literally a slice of paradise. The resort is nestled in a sprawling garden with age-old trees and green leafy plants including Pothos and Philodendrons.
Being surrounded by nature is always refreshing. It’s good for our bodies but more importantly, good for the soul.
What’s nice about The Henry is that it’s not the manicured type. You get the sense that the structures—the restaurants, villas, the outdoor dining areas—were built in harmony with nature and the lay of the land.
A Gastronomic Adventure
The Henry Dumaguete has a wide selection of restaurants you can choose from. One can start the day at Cafe Sansrival, which also serves good cappuccino, or Noelle’s Brunch Bar where you can enjoy a hearty Filipino breakfast and try some crepes and pancakes later on. I tried both restaurants and I enjoyed the gastronomic experience.
There’s also Popolo Pizzeria which will not disappoint because each bite is a gastronomic delight. As a salad lover, I enjoyed their fresh, crisp green salads, their Margherita Pizza and many more.
The Coffee Collective, unfortunately, I was not able to visit, is famous for its coffee as much as its collection of vintage wooden chairs.
As I was there with my family to spend Christmas, we had our Christmas dinner at Spanish restaurant Si Señor which served the best Bacalao I’ve tried and many other famed Spanish dishes including paella, etc.
There’s also Red Kitchen deli and the Negrense Microbrewery; and The Dining Room which serves a variety of Asian flavors.
Having enough dining options in a resort is a big treat because visitors love to dine as much as they love to swim and have fun. The restaurants are also open to walk-in diners.
This is undoubtedly a big plus for Henry Dumaguete.
Charming, Clean and Comfortable Villas
The Henry Dumaguete wasn’t kidding when it said that in its Villas, you would want to stay in bed longer.
There’s the Villa Suite which is “stylishly decorated with modern conveniences” and the Premier Villa Suite, which has a garden view and a mini kitchen.
The Villas are tucked behind a huge red gate exclusive to the resort’s checked-in guests, giving them privacy from day trippers or walk-in diners.
The Pool
The best part about the Villa area brings me to my fourth reason, which is the swimming pool. The pool is big enough for serious swimmers to do laps, and relaxing too, for those who just want to lounge and bathe under the Dumaguete sun.
There is a deeper dive pool but it was closed during our visit.
The Masseurs
We also enjoyed a very relaxing in-room massage we booked on our first night, thanks to local masseurs whose magical hands touched all the right pain points and gave us relief.
It was so good that we just retreated to a deep slumber soon after, instead of an earlier idea to embark on a night along the famed Rizal Boulevard.
There are more than five reasons to visit The Henry in Dumaguete aside from what I mentioned.
There is the Fabian de la Rosa Lawn which is an overlooking lawn facing the South Tañon seascape, and surrounded by Talisay and Kalachuchi trees.
The Amorsolo Conservatory is an open-air banquet hall ideal for celebrating business and leisure milestones or intimate events and can accommodate a maximum of 100 persons, according to The Henry.
One can spend the time at The Luna Courtyard where guests can hang out alone or with friends and loved ones.
The Honest Henry is a souvenir shop that continues The Henry’s and Dumaguete’s “legacy of honesty” and celebrates “the Philippines and unique experiences.”
It is in partnership with social enterprise, Subida Souvenirs, which supports marginalized communities and local talents with fair trade opportunities and training.
These and more will make one’s stay at The Henry an enjoyable, relaxing, and fun-filled adventure.
Outside The Henry, there is also so much to see in Dumaguete such as Rizal Boulevard, the Silliman University, the Red Rock Waterfalls and Hot Spring, the age-old churches and many more.
I can’t wait to go back for my next visit.
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For inquiries, you may reach The Henry at: [email protected]
Landline: +63 35 531 5707
Mobile: +63 998 551 0633.