Resort Review: Thunderbird Resort & Casino (Poro Point)

Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos – Poro Point is as captivating as its magnificent milieu. This 65-hectare Mediterranean-inspired dream destination in North Luzon…

We celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and 10^th anniversary as couple at Thunderbird Resort & Casino (Poro Point) in San Fernando, La Union. Actually, we’ve been eyeing this place since our first wedding anniversary, hindi lang sya matuloy tuloy talaga due to different reasons (1^st anniversary – Pregnant with Rhian, 2^nd anniversary – Rhian is Sick and 3^rd anniversary – Pregnant with Rhaine) until we visit the travel expo at SMX last February and this resort offers almost half the price of the published rates for 2016 and valid until September this year. So kahit na wala pa kaming ready na pera that time, nagpabook na kami agad paying only Php 1,000 to avail the discount. Well, I believe this is everyone’s dream and ultimate destination, a Santorini inspired resort in the Philippines. This is one of the most famed wedding destinations (John Estrada and Pricilla Meirelles) and also this is where the “No other woman” was shot.

We decided to book one deluxe room for our anniversary. I called the reservation hotline and block-off the dates we chose which is July 23-25. Since this will be our first out of town as family of four, our first travel to north with the kids and our first time to travel for about 6.5 hours via land na si Ian ang nag dri-drive, we make sure to that this will be a memorable one and yes this is another milestone for us as family! Good Job to us Honey!

I will write on a separate post how our 3days/2nights spent very well. For now, I will discuss how beautiful the place is and I agree to all the reviews saying that this resort is one of the luxury resorts in the Philippines with the very class amenities, dining restaurant, well-maintain golf course and very accommodating staffs. 

It's our first time to visit this resort so my husband and I used waze application to locate the resort. It’s easy to find it since it's near the city of San Fernando La Union, there are also signages along the road and super thankful that we have a good internet connection (Thank You Smart!). We arrived at the resort past 2pm, we all felt tired from 6.5 hour ride so complimentary cold longgan juice freshen up our body. Good thing the front desk officer, Ivan assists us immediately and gave our access pass and vouchers for breakfast. Our checking-in was a breeze, the lobby greeted us with a breathtaking view of the pool area and sea, blue couches are calling us to sit back and relax for a while.

Here’ the iconic dome painting ceiling of the lobby.

The place is Mediterrean-inspired architecture with white and palette. Adjacent to the lobby is the European-inspired restaurant, Olives where the overnight guests have their complimentary buffet breakfast served here.  The resort offers Deluxe Room, Deluxe Suite, Premier Deluxe Room, Santorini Junior Suite, Santorini Master Suite, 2-Bedroom Villa and 3-Bedroom Villa. Thunderbird Resort has several villas for rent and some of them owned by businessman.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking. 

One of the villa for rent

Now, let’s go to our room. We were then led at the Deluxe Ocean Room and I believe this part of the resort has just been opened recently. They don't have any elevators and our room was on the second floor of the North Wing, but their staff was kind enough to help us with our bags. Upon entering the room, we were stunned on how big it is, the room is exceptionally spacious enough to allow up to 4 adults and 2 children to move about comfortably, modern and stylish ambiance with own veranda facing the vast West Philippine Sea.  All rooms are designed to give comfort and delight to its guests. 

(ooppss.. those swan designs with flowers on bed are especially created for us, on our anniversary.. How sweet! Thank you Thunderbird Resort!)

 Happy Family ♥

The room is equipped with one king sized bed with perfect mattress and soft comforters. This is the best bed I’ve ever experienced! Promise! Super duper to the highest level ang lambot nya kaya by around 9pm, close lights na kami. I told my husband na pag lipat namin sa bahay namin, gusto ko ganong mattress na bibilhin namin. Haha.  

It also includes LCD Television with home theater surround system, mini-refrigerator, electronic security box, coffee and tea set with complimentary mineral water and free Wi-Fi access for every room. In fairness, ang bilis ng connection nila. The lamp shades are served as additional lightning for the room, actuallty tuwang tuwa si Rhian sa kaka on and off ng mga lights. Haha.  They also have writing desk where Rhian stay most of her time and happy sya na nakikita nya sarili nya sa salamin. #GGSS

The bathroom is spacious provided with complete set of toiletries, it was a relief knowing we have toddlers in tow. Yun nga lang parang nasayangan ako sa space I hope they just put a little bath tub para na maximize yung excess space. They are also generous in providing clean towels for the guests.  

But what I like most is the veranda with overlooking West Philippine Sea and the most perfect place for sunset. It is very relaxing to sit in the veranda since it is facing the ocean view. Unfortunately, the rain poured at afternoon until night during our stay so we were not able to witness the sunset. There is also ongoing construction during our stay, they constructing infinity pool near the beach, which is visible in the veranda.

We were woke up by the sea breeze coming from veranda.

view from the veranda

Thunderbird resort poro point have pools which you can use until 9pm, too bad I wasn’t able to try it, may biglang dumalaw sa akin eh. Huhu. One is the kiddie pool and the other one is for adult, it has no cover / shade so make sure you put some sunblock lotion before you swim. There is Helios Bar or the Pool Bar where you can order some drinks while enjoying the pool. Plus points for swimming towels provided near the area.  

 Kiddie Pool

We were not able to try their beach in front of the resort because it is not advisable /possible for swimming according to the staff that assists us because it was a bit rocky and too much seaweed.In short, it’s not swimmable! Sayang, excited pa naman ang mga bagets sa sand so Ian just went down alone to take some pictures then he went back to the lobby.

We rode a golf cart to tour us around The Cliffs Golf and Beach Club. We paid Php 400 for 4-seater golf cart which lasted for 30-45 minutes, a very quick overview of the places.  Again, let the pictures do the talking.

The 2-seater golf cart

Edge of the cliffs, offering amazing view of the resort,

Nestled on a cliff overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

 

They also have Olives restaurant which serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine, Patio Santorini that offers cocktails amid scenic sea views, Ouzo Restaurant and Thalassa Bar. There is a van ride courtesy of the resort if you wish to visit the Fiesta Casino and Vegas Café.

The people who work at this resort are all very accommodating, they were smiling and some of them keep playing with my kids. We were treated great and fully satiated. I wished we could stay here for a week and enjoy more of the place, umuulan kasi pag hapon and gabi kaya nothing to do at night for non-casino goers. This resort is a piece of paradise and one of the best way to experience a once in a lifetime luxurious treatment. We will surely come back here pag may promo ulit and hopefully we can book a room for the week. Naks! Overall, we were so impressed by the resort.

Photos of the resort at night:

If you will asked me how much we got the room, we only paid Php 11,000 for 3days/2 nights with 2 buffet breakfast (regular rates for Deluxe Room is Php 9,000/night ) plus incidental fee of Php 2,000 which is refundable upon check-out. A little bit pricey, but it’s all worth it.

Thunderbird Resort & Casino

Poro Point Freeport Zone,

San Fernando City, La union

Resort Number: (6372) 607-9800

Corporate Office: (632) 328-7555

www.thunderbird-asia.com