A swim, spa and wildlife retreat in Kawit

For some reason, I can’t get Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite off my mind. I’ve been wanting to go back there with my family, especially with my nephews and nieces whom I know will enjoy swimming and visiting the resort’s wildlife sanctuary.

Who knew that those two could go together—swimming and a wildlife adventure?

Island Cove is a 36-hectare resort in Binakayan in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite. It has been around for years; it was previously called Pulo ni Burunggoy, then in 1976 was renamed Covelandia Island Resort. Covelandia existed from 1976 to 1985.

At the time, it really was an island accessible only by boat. My husband Riz remembers hating the experience of going there as a child due to the three-hour long car ride to get there, then having to ride a boat to reach the resort.

Then the resort went into “hibernation” for 12 years. It reopened with new facilities such as bowling alley, a family KTV, and a fishing ground in 1997.

Since then, the resort has continually undergone improvements, and has even been certified a “Triple A” resort by the Department of Tourism. And this time, the trip is shorter: only about 20 minutes from the Mall of Asia in Pasay City via Cavitex or the Cavite Expressway.

A freezer full of chickens

A day is certainly not enough for guests who want to try the various activities Island Cove has to offer. It has a 3,000-square meter water park featuring a two-layered lagoon-shaped swimming pool with four giant slides; a sanctuary for around 500 birds, reptiles, mammals, and butterflies; and a spa where you could get a full-body massage and collagen facial.

At the wildlife sanctuary, duly accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, guests can interact with hawks, crocodiles, tigers, ostriches, and snakes.

However, my hubby Riz, an animal lover, was a bit disappointed with the condition of the wildlife sanctuary. Some of the cages were rusty.

He was also shocked to see a Selecta freezer near the section allotted for baby crocodiles. As it was a hot day when we went to Island Cove, he thought of buying ice cream but was disturbed to discover that the freezer actually contained dead chickens for the crocodiles. It was in plain view of the visitors, something that might be upsetting for some guests.

Pricey massages

At the spa, guests can avail of a variety of massage treatments such as shiatsu and Swedish, but their specialty is the traditional Filipino hilot. They even offer the “Isla Trio,” a combination of traditional hilot as well as bamboo and shell massage.

The Hilot Isla massage, priced at P750, was very relaxing, but not much different from the service I get in Makati for less than half the cost.

Restaurant on stilts

About the food, I have no complaints. Out of the resort’s four restaurants, we have tried three—Fishing Village, Sangley Point and iCafe—and the food was very good.

The Fishing Village was special because guests can feast in huts on stilts overlooking Manila Bay. Guests can also go fishing at the fish ponds surrounding the restaurant and have their catch cooked by the chefs.

Sangley Point offers an international cuisine that includes pizza, barbecued ribs, and the famous Island Cove burger made from certified Angus beef.

iCafe, on the ground floor of Island Cove Hotel, serves light snacks, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and different coffee concoctions.

The only restaurant we haven’t tried is the Bayside KTV, which offers Filipino cuisine along with bar chow, alcoholic beverages, and of course KTV rooms that can accommodate two to 30 guests.

As this was only a day trip to the resort, we didn't get to try one of the main features of Island Cove: its hotel. Room rates start from P3,400 inclusive of complimentary breakfast, entrance to the water park and the wildlife sanctuary.

Island Cove also has cabanas—good for five to seven persons—and dormitories for larger groups of 20. Cabana rates start from P5,900, the dormitories from P10,400.

The resort hosts corporate events such as conferences and team building seminars and private get-togethers such as children’s parties, debuts, and weddings. It also has concerts and other activities lined up.

However, we did not get to enjoy our visit there as much as we had to share it with 800 elementary school students from a nearby school that had its annual outing that day.

The resort's sports facilities include an adventure zone, a giant outdoor chess set, and tennis and badminton courts. A great feature of Island Cove is its jogging path, which is popular among running clubs. This is because the resort's managing director is former congessman and broadcaster Gilbert Remulla. An avid runner, Remulla initiated the idea of creating a 1.3-kilometer jogging trail along the perimeter of the island.

The water park did seem good for family gatherings or school functions, but might not be an ideal setting for people who want more privacy when they’re swimming.

With all the long weekends this year, scheduling a visit to Island Cove could be worth it. — BM, GMA News