Caliraya Re-creation Center

Accommodations >> Facilities

Caliraya Lake in Laguna, Philippines. It is the home to Caliraya Recreation Center, the first, if not the only, Christian family resort in Asia. Luxuriate in the cozy atmosphere of warm smiles, gracious service, and delicious foods. There is much at the Caliraya Re-creation Center that sets it apart from others. A haven to enjoy that offers both spiritual and physical refreshments. Nestled atop mountains a long the lake gifted with the breath-taking view of nature and an array of possibilities.

There are two ways to Caliraya. One from Makati through the South Expressway and the other, from Antipolo which you could take the zigzagging through the thickly forested rolling hills and rugged ridges of Rizal towns of Teresa, Morong, Baras, Famy and all the way to Laguna towns of Pillilia, Sinoloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete and finally Lumban where the unique lake is located. The travel time to spend to a distance of one-hundred-and-ten kilometers from Manila was two-and-a-half hours. The resort is also accessible by public transport.

The resort began as a desire of the missionary couple to expand their youth camping ministry into something more suitable for large conferences. The 7.6 hectare property was purchased by their mission called the Word of Life in late 1980s from the National Power Corporation. They began development of the property in the early 1990s.

The Caliraya Re-creation Center since then has become one of mainstays of Caliraya Lake as tourist destination. It has a land area of 76, 000 square meters of fine landscape and scenery, the three-level hotel is the largest in the area. It offers over seventy counts of air-conditioned guest rooms with each room good for five to six persons. All the rooms are equipped with their own toilet and bath, hot water and afford guests a view of the property.

The Center has several big and small airconditioned function rooms that can be found indoor and outdoor. The main meeting area can seat 200 to more than 300 guests. Its newly-built, fully air-conditioned Valley Theater where we saw the movie The Passion of the Christ can seat up to 220 people.

For groups of at least thirty persons there are twenty native-styled cottages at the campground. One cottage can accommodate eight persons although they are only provided with mattresses and a fan. Beddings have to be supplied by the guests. One interesting thing about Caliraya Re-creation Center is that it adheres to smoke-free, alcohol-free policy and seek to promote a family-friendly atmosphere.

The owner of the resort hastened to add that resort rules also prohibit immodest swimming apparel like two-piece or bikini-type suits or high-cut on hips or low-cut plunging fronts. Shorts and tops maybe worn at the beach, he said.

On the other hand, Caliraya Re-creation Center makes up through its very low prices and good foods. The resort also encourages all groups to attend a spiritual reflection which is normally a very entertaining and inspiring program.

For the success of the resort operation, the owner is banking on the support from twenty-five thousand evangelical churches all over the country, not counting the Catholics. The strategy appears to have started working. During the last Holy Week observance, the resort was fully-booked with more than five hundred guests.

The Caliraya Re-creation Center. Different from the others, not only for its nature beauty but also you can feel here that you're much closer to heaven. Truly a great place for couples, families and friends to relax, unwind and escaped temporarily the busy life of the city.